In addition - name a symptom of a migraine and I get it. Everything from the "fog" a few days prior to one (the other person had a "proper" name for it, I just call it the "fog"), the chills, the nausea, the sensitivity to light and sound (and I mean running to the bathroom and puking if a I see light or hear sound), and etc.
It's amazing how many different body systems are affected by migraine. I get pretty much all of them too, and here's a sad story that illustrates how misunderstood migraine is by the medical profession.
When I was in my mid 20s, and had been having migraines for about five years or so, I was misdiagnosed with panic disorder. It was only later on that I worked out (for myself) that my bouts of severe anxiety were actually a part of my migraine prodrome.
Due to the misdiagnosis, I spent the next few years on a whole host of SSRIs, beta blockers and eventually, Valium, for the 'anxiety'. The GP left me on Valium for six months, but I was tolerant to it after a month.
It took me six months to withdraw safely from it on a controlled taper. Three weeks after my last dose, my immune system went crazy and I was hospitalised with double pneumonia. After that, the real fun started - I was sick with protracted benzodiazepene withdrawal for two years after my final dose. I still occasionally have problems due to the withdrawal. Sometimes, five years later, the symptoms come back to bite me in the a**.
All because my migraine was misdiagnosed as anxiety.
You'd think that'd be the end of it, right?
Wrong.
After I moved to London, I sought an appointment with a neurologist to try and get the migraines under control. I waited months for this appointment. I was so excited that maybe, they'd get to the root of the problem and offer me something to help. So, off I went; I answered all of his questions as best as I could, explaining how the prodrome affects me as well as the pain stage, and the hangover, etc etc.
He took one look at my notes, told me I was 'untreatable' because didn't fit neatly into any of his boxes, looked over the rim of his glasses at me and said "I'm sure there's help out there for you dear, but maybe it should come from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, rather than the Royal College of Physicians".
At that point, I broke down and cried in his office (which I'm sure strengthened his case, but by that time I had nothing else left to do.)
His response to that was to offer me major tranquilisers and an antidepressant - to treat my migraine.
I left in tears and never went back.
Two weeks later, I got a copy of the letter he'd written to my GP, labelling me as neurotic, anxious, and 'resisting treatment', because I refused to ingest a major tranquiliser for a neurological condition. That letter now forms a part of my medical records.
All because people, including the neurologists who are supposed to treat us, do not have the first clue about the symptoms of migraine.
