The Saga of a Cluster

I've talked before about how I have periods of being well and then not. It's become increasingly clear in recent times that much of this can be characterised in the broadest terms as "migraine". I use the word in quotes as to people who don't get them migraine means a serious headache, perhaps preceeded by flashing lights in the eyes.

In fact there's a bit more to it than that. I've recently been reading an excellent book on migraines "Managing Migraine in Primary Care" by Anne McGregor. It's aimed at GPs and health professional but it's fine for a lay reader so long as you're fairly familiar with the jargon and I strongly recommend it if you're a sufferer (or "migraineur" as she calls us).

For the classic migraine experience you get the "prodrome" phase (typical symptoms including tiredness, yawning, food craving, fluid retention) then the light show "aura", then the headache and "resolution" phases (light and noise sensitivity, nausea) and "recovery" phase (tiredness, diuresis, emotional swings).

Not everyone gets every phase. Before my stroke I used to only get the aura and nothing else. Now I sometimes get prodrome symptoms (I hadn't realised this until I read Anne's book, but I can see it now), I never (with only one exception) get the aura. I sometimes skip the headache too but the triptans I've discussed here before sort that out. What scuppers me is the resolution/recovery phase. I often get this without the headache but the either way I'm left feeling dizzy, spaced out and unable to think clearly or make decisions.

So, let's review the last fortnight as I'm in the mood for a whine.

As I mentioned in my last posting here I've not been too well lately. Here's a summary:

So there you have it. Not all obviously migraine events (the 2nd and 11th in particular look more typical of the other neurological baggage I carry), however most of the rest looks like migraine to me and I've been ill on ten days out of fourteen.

As the book makes clear stress (both while it's occurring and afterwards on the rebound) is a significant trigger for a lot of migraineurs and my experience both previously and this time suggests I fall into that category. Looked at in this light this patch was preceded by a letter from a villager which I found upsetting and stressful, I then had the meeting on 1st June which was great but hard work. I think those two probably combined to start me off. Then the news of Sunday 5th really got me going full steam into the second week.

I'm now wondering if Monday's parish council was the trigger for last night's migraine. I'm sure I've seen this before where I've been ill after meetings. I think it's time I started keeping a more formal diary again.