17 January 2008

I guess I'll take it.

Back in the pre-twin days, when I got really, really tired, I'd get migraines. That sucked, but was easy to fix: get more sleep. In fact, about six years go, my doctor told me that some startling number of sufferers elminiated migraines from their lives by sleeping a consistent number of hours per night, so I gave that a try. And it worked. I was grateful.

When I got pregnant, I worried that my migraines would return. My sleep was pretty disrupted during pregnancy, and I knew that the twins' arrival was not going to remedy that. As it would happen, I was fortunate enough not to suffer any migraines during my pregnancy, and am pleased to say that I actually haven't had one since the kids were born. For this, I continue to be grateful.

Here's what's happened, though. Instead of getting a migraine when I get tired, now I just feel like I'm going to throw up. It's like having morning sickness again (and no, there is absolutely no chance that I'm pregnant). It's rather unpleasant, although I guess it's better than a migraine.

19 comments:

Julia said...

Sounds unpleasant. :(
Maybe sucking on a lemon, the same remedy that works for morning sickness, would help.

B.E.C.K. said...

Have you tried standard anti-nausea remedies, like cola syrup? I suppose it might depend on the cause of your nausea, but my mom had severe nausea after having intestinal surgery, and cola syrup (available at most drugstores or pharmaceutical sections) seemed to help. You just pour a little over chipped ice and take little sips. Other over-the-counter anti-nausea remedies contain more or less the same ingredients as cola syrup, namely high fructose and high glucose. Dunno why that works, but it may be worth a try. (I think this is why diet 7-Up [no fructose/glucose] doesn't help nausea, but regular 7-Up sometimes does help.) Good luck with this!

Anonymous said...

I tend to get awful heartburn when I haven't gotten enough sleep-- yuck!
The only thing that helps a bit is antacids right when I first wake up from what wasn't a very sufficient amount.

BTW--- same here on Obama. The more I read and research, the more I like!

--Sadie

Aunt Becky said...

This is precisely what happens to me. I'm glad (well, not GLAD) but relieved to hear that I'm not the only one.

Hope that you feel better soon. Nausea stinks.

Anonymous said...

my docter called it migraine sans migraine. indeed all the syptoms (i even have siturbed viewing soms but not the headache.. Weird but better ;-)

debangel said...

Blech! Maybe you need a little more food/fuel when you can't get enough rest? I know when my DD was little and I was getting very fragmented sleep, I would get a little queasy but eating something helped. Not straight carbs though, protein and fat, too. Like half a PB&J on whole grain.

I feel your pain, mine got up at 2:30 this morning with a tummyache and I am off to take my "catch-up" nap now!

Anonymous said...

Some people get abdominal migraines...they are sort of on the spectrum of migraines and cyclic vomiting. Your migraine medications (or sleep) would probably help.

Yankee T said...

Ginger capsules from Wh0le F00ds or TJ's (I think TJ's has them) will do wonders to calm the tummy.

Wendy Power said...

My biggest trigger is no sleep, too. That and nuts, and cheese, and wine, and too much sleep, and not eating, and eating at the wrong time, and the weather...

I wanted to second that those may be migraines without the headache. Kids who end up getting migraines as adults often have tummy issues witout headaches that respond to headache medicine, of all things. Maybe try some headache remedies, if you can keep them down.

Anonymous said...

Sorry for your pain! I think the whole - it's a migraine without the headache thing is true. I swear by Excederin Migraine. Hope it helps.

Arwen said...

I get that alot especially in the mornings if I don't get enough sleep.

Anonymous said...

I have the same problem. For me, it's connected to low blood sugar. If I'm extra tired, I have to make sure I eat consistently.

OTRgirl said...

Either one sounds unpleasant, though I guess nausea is slightly less debilitating than a migraine...

It's not even on the same scale, but when I'm too tired, I cry about anything. Makes for fun chats with supervisors in the midst of stressful deadlines...

Anonymous said...

That's not better then a migrane. Booo for sleeplessness!!!

Kerrie said...

I was thinking abdominal migraine too. Migraine is a tricky, often dynamic thing...it can change form as we age.

Ginger is good, sleep is probably better but often difficult with little ones.

Take good care...

mlg said...

I was having symptoms that were unexplainable to me. They were worrysome enough that I even made an appointment with a nuerologist. We ahd an interesting conversation because she said that Migranes come in many forms. Mine were dizzy spells and shakiness. It sounds like for you it is upset tummy.

Stress of course is a major trigger of migranes and sleep is a way to releive stress. Perhaps if that is not possible at the time a 10 minute meditation or camomile mint tea would help. Or chocolate. I firmly belive in the saratonin release of chocolate : )

Angela said...

I started getting migraines after my last pregnancy(6 years ago) unfortunately for me the only time I start to feel better is when I throw up...yuck. It's no fun, I hope you find something that works for you.

Mouthy Girl said...

That's just ack. I get migraines..pregnancy and childbirth didn't change any of that.

I have to agree with beck on the cola syrup thing. The other thing that works is peppermint. I sucked on a plethora of those sugar-free babies when I was pregnant. I threw up all nine months but found that peppermint naturally soothes the nausea. Peppermint tea is also helpful if you'd rather not have a piece of candy in your mouth 24/7.

Here's to the nausea taking the midnight train to Georgia!

Melissa said...

Hey!

That's weird! The same thing's been happening to me lately. I've been having huge waves of serious nausea(stomach-rolling, limp-tongued queasiness that makes me run for the mirror to see if my face is green) and I agree - it's not fun!

Just the other day thought "wtf? I'm NOT pregnant" and it took me a while to connect exhaustion with wanting to puke. It used to happen years ago. Anyway, I have nothing to offer except commiseration. And some bad spelling. :)

Hang in there ~