Weekly migraines related to concussion

Posted by kpeachezz @kpeachezz, Oct 23, 2020

Hello all! I’m hoping someone can offer me some advice. I was in a car accident in 2012 and started getting migraines with aura from then on out due to concussion. I was put on gabapentin and took it up until about 2016 since it had been a while since I had one I felt like I could try to get off the medication. I hadn’t had one in about four years now up until after giving birth to my son. Now, they happen like clockwork but the weird thing is, it’s ONLY every Monday or Tuesday!!! EVERY Monday or Tuesday. Docs are working to rule out hormonal causes but I am truly stumped. I really don’t want to go back on the gabapentin but this is killing me. Any ideas why they ONLY happen at the beginning of the week, every week?

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@kpeachezz Hi, and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see this is your first post, although you joined a while ago.

That must be very confounding to have these migraines only two days a week. Is there a trigger? Is there an activity you do on Sunday or Monday that is not done rest of the week? A type of exercise, perhaps? A type of food that you are reacting to, that you have on Sundays? A place you go on Sundays or Mondays you don't go to the rest of the week? Laundry soap? A medication? Change in sleep pattern those days?

What treatments have been attempted so far?
Ginger

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@kpeachezz
How many weeks has this happened? Has there been a variation at all from the Monday-Tuesday occurrences? Either it's a weird coincidence or, as Ginger says, it's somehow related to something that is happening just before or during those days. Like gardeners that come each week spraying something around. Or you live near power lines and some electrical boost in is done each week (no idea what I'm talking about, just spitballing). A couple of things have helped my wife's headaches (we are not sure whether they are migraines or not, but they are painful). If you want to try something else before going back to gabapentin:

Shifa Migraine and Headache Tea (find on Amazon) - she brews a big strong pot for a couple hours, stores in fridge, then uses an ounce or two in a cup of hot water and sips it, as needed

Clear Headache (by Clear Products, also on Amazon, a homeopathic blend) - she takes a couple of pills and they seem to give her relief

Best, Hank

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Hello @kpeachezz. I will also extend another warm welcome to Connect. This is an incredible community for which you can receive and provide support on your healthcare journey.
Because your discussion mentioned a concussion, you will see that I’ve also added this to the Brain and Nervous System Group so you may connect with other members with experiences with concussion/TBI that could be helpful as you investigate your migraines such as @kk2019 @maggie20 @amoessner and @dawnpereda .

Have you considered journaling your activities, food, and where you are going for a few weeks to try to put together what you might be exposed to consistently leading up to your migraines on Monday and Tuesdays? Perhaps even keeping a log of your stress levels for each day to see if they are brought on by added stress leading up to or the early part of the week?

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@amandajro

Hello @kpeachezz. I will also extend another warm welcome to Connect. This is an incredible community for which you can receive and provide support on your healthcare journey.
Because your discussion mentioned a concussion, you will see that I’ve also added this to the Brain and Nervous System Group so you may connect with other members with experiences with concussion/TBI that could be helpful as you investigate your migraines such as @kk2019 @maggie20 @amoessner and @dawnpereda .

Have you considered journaling your activities, food, and where you are going for a few weeks to try to put together what you might be exposed to consistently leading up to your migraines on Monday and Tuesdays? Perhaps even keeping a log of your stress levels for each day to see if they are brought on by added stress leading up to or the early part of the week?

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@amandajro @kpeachezz To add on to Amanda's suggestion about journaling, which I had forgotten to mention, something came to mind. On the weekend, do you have additional people around you? Examples would be spouse or partner who then returns to regular work schedule come Monday, so weekend assistance with your young child is gone? Or family who comes over on weekends and leaves you [more] exhausted at start of the week? Laundry soap interacting with you?

Just some thoughts...
Ginger

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My situation may not be really related to yours but for years I could count on the 3rd day of vacation. I was so used to high stress that relaxation and sleep would trigger a migraine. I also had hospital ER-treatable migraines would also happen every couple of weeks on Saturdays! This went on for several years. After my hysterectomy at age 49, my migraines became almost non-existent. I have had some over the past 20 years ago since then, but very much manageable. During the chronic stage, biofeedback training helped immensely. Have you been to a neurologist yet? All the best.

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