“Thunderclap” Migraines

Hi, @fightingfibro0505 - This topic on thunderclap migraines/headaches merits discussion and input from Connect members.

Tagging some members who have mentioned this type of headache for their input on dealing with the electric shock feeling in your head, fightingfibro0505: @briarrose @jola13 @lilyabbyjr14 @pamclark. @clappies1990 @fromthehill @jenniferhunter also may have thoughts for you on managing these painful headaches.

While waiting for these members to respond, I thought this Mayo Clinic information might be useful:

- Thunderclap headaches
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thunderclap-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20378361
How is this going for you, fightingfibro0505? Are you still experiencing the electric shock type sensations you mentioned?

Hi,
Recently, I had 3 episodes of thunderclap headaches. Here is the description:

- First: I was just holding my urine for too long. Nothing special otherwise. Walking to find a WC and it happened. It built over some minutes. It lasted for ~2h.
- Second: The next day it happened again (~24h later) out of just high exertion of force. It built very shortly.
- Third: The next day (in fact ~36h later) it happened again simply when entering a taxi. Likewise, it built very shortly.
Earlier that day I had been to the hospital and admitted. They did Imaging on the brain and lumbar puncture. Both came back clean. They diagnosed "Primary Thunderclap Headaches" and said it is benign, while it may repeat itself for the next 1-2 weeks.

I don't have it the last ~4.5 days. Each episode was INTENSE pulsating pain on both sides of my head for roughly 2h. Painkillers don't help much. I am 42, male, healthy weight, reasonably fit (walking ~1-1.5h daily). A real shock. I worry if this thing will continue in the rest of my life. For the last 4.5 days I have a bit of lingering headache but not something intense. Today I slept well but the previous two days I was sleeping terribly.

Any comment is welcome.

@simpleman1 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I'm sorry to hear about these thunderclap headaches that have led you here. The intense pulsating pain sounds like a lot with no help from painkillers plus poor sleep.

Were the painkillers that were ineffective for your pain prescribed from your time at the hospital? Did they set you up for follow-up with neurologist specializing in headaches?

I too have had wicked bad thunderclap headaches. The Neurologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville put me on Aimovig 140 and overtime the thunderclaps have been greatly reduced. I stay away from salt as much as I can and try my best to keep hydrated. I fully understand how frightening thunderclaps headaches can be. I have had a few in the middle of the night where I thought "this is it". Scary stuff.

Hi,
Recently, I had 3 episodes of thunderclap headaches. Here is the description:

- First: I was just holding my urine for too long. Nothing special otherwise. Walking to find a WC and it happened. It built over some minutes. It lasted for ~2h.
- Second: The next day it happened again (~24h later) out of just high exertion of force. It built very shortly.
- Third: The next day (in fact ~36h later) it happened again simply when entering a taxi. Likewise, it built very shortly.
Earlier that day I had been to the hospital and admitted. They did Imaging on the brain and lumbar puncture. Both came back clean. They diagnosed "Primary Thunderclap Headaches" and said it is benign, while it may repeat itself for the next 1-2 weeks.

I don't have it the last ~4.5 days. Each episode was INTENSE pulsating pain on both sides of my head for roughly 2h. Painkillers don't help much. I am 42, male, healthy weight, reasonably fit (walking ~1-1.5h daily). A real shock. I worry if this thing will continue in the rest of my life. For the last 4.5 days I have a bit of lingering headache but not something intense. Today I slept well but the previous two days I was sleeping terribly.

Any comment is welcome.

Hi @purple26 - just wanted you to know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others who've been part of this existing discussion on Mayo Clinic Connect on thunderclap headache:

- “Thunderclap” Migraines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thunderclap-migraines/

Glad to see you've connected with @gloaming @bernieboy @patsycox76o @astaingegerdm.

purple26 - have you had the chance to speak to your doctor's office by phone or by portal message to report this sudden onset severe headache yesterday? If so, what was the response?

@patsycox76o I agree the change in barometer pressure/weather definitely impacts headaches also. I have learned also that alot of relatives on my moms side deal with headaches. Genetic?

I experienced a thunderclap headache once in my life and take all precautions never to have it again.
Beyond painful, beyond frightening.
I believe the triggers for me was working out much too intensely at the gym (I was hitting a punching bag, great stress reliever), dehydration and fatigue. I was 67 at the time. It came on so suddenly, I thought it was a stroke, I was screaming with pain. 911 called, my blood pressure was what is called "hypertensive crisis" and brought to the ER. The ER staff attempted to give me a "migraine cocktail"...3 drugs, one of which was IV Benadryl. I didn't get to the other 2.
The RN gave this drug via IV much too fast, developed chest pain and almost passed out. All a nightmare, ultimately I was given IV Toradol and Valium. I was discharged with pain but it was doable. However, this episode kicked off 9 months of migraines, believe it or not. Which I have to this day, 4 years later.
I have learned any sudden increase in "head pressure" will start the beginnings of a thunderclap. So I am very careful. I can no longer have organisms, just the start of such, I feel the pressure in back of my head really to explode. So try to identify your triggers, always start hydrated and if you do have hypertension be very careful of a possible increase in your B/P - whatever the cause may be. My CT Scan of the brain was "normal" in the ER. I did not have a stroke but the "thunderclap". Please take care of yourself. Most folks never heard of this headache event...but once it happens to you, you never forget it. Be well.