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One of the first times I talked about migraine with a fellow sufferer was when I was in my easy 20s. I’d been diagnosed with migraine at age 21 but didn’t have any friends (at least close ones I knew of) who had the same affliction.
But when I moved to Florida in 2002, I met a coworker who also had migraine. I vividly recall talking to her after a meeting one afternoon about migraine disease, amazed that someone in my small work group knew where I was coming from.. I was so surprised and relieved to talk with someone who knew what I went through I was bordering on giddy.
The parallels between us seemed too amazing to be true, though now I recognize the traits we shared as pretty typical hallmarks of migraine attacks. Sensitivity to light? She had that too! And feeling nauseated? Yup, happened to M. as well. Needing to hide away in bed for hours at a time? She also knew what that was like. I’ll never forget the immense comfort and camaraderie of finding someone who really understood.
Soon our conversation turned to treatments and remedies. At the time, we both had Imitrex prescriptions but, more often than not, relied on Excedrin Migraine to help us. I remember saying, “And you know how sometimes it feels like you need to cry, and if you could just cry a little, you know you’d feel better?”
“Um, no. That doesn’t happen to me.”
Oh.
But many times since that long-ago conversation I’ve wondered if anyone else has experienced that feeling, the feeling that shedding a few tears would release some head pressure and make the migraine discomfort a little better. Anyone?
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Discuss
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Darlene Jerman Rose (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:26:43 +0000): Crying has never helped my migraine go away, but physically getting 
Alison Rolfe (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:31:06 +0000): Yep, it feels like it would help, especially when I feel like there is someone inside my head poking me in the eye.Darlene Jerman Rose (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:34:01 +0000): My comment was supposed to be *physically getting sick. I'm suffering from one right now, I know if I could get sick, the pressure would be relieved. 
Jane Ann Cantwell (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:29:05 +0000): ditto sister...but only for a while..sleep, sleep n more sleep is my remedy!!!!
Anna Hendrix Warren (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:43:57 +0000): My RN migraine sufferer mother used to say to me, "Don't cry, it'll only make it worse!" I have found that sometimes crying does relieve a little pressure, especially in my eye. Even if it doesn't take the migraine away, it often makes me feel better just to shed a few tears.
Sarah Hall (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:54:34 +0000): Sometimes it makes it worse for me
Jaylene Ancheta (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:05:49 +0000): For me, crying will give me a migraine. If I already have one then it will get much worse. Sometimes, I can't help it though because the pain is so bad. Then, I will let my self cry anyway...then I will feel better emotionally and I'm better able to handle the migraine pain until it goes away. I have this happen to me quite often lately...the older I get the less I'm able to tolerate pain and so I've been crying a lot more.Jane Ann Cantwell (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:33:37 +0000): If I cried...I would suffer soooo much more..I just got put on Trexemed...Miracle drug for me..Don't get that hang over feeling once my headache is relieved. I also use 2 tylenol PM and a gkass of coke with alot of ice if I don't want to use my meds..Don't like to use them all the time so that I do't build up a resistance to them. But I found having coco a cola with what ever I am using to take the headache away is always a plus..I know this sounds silly but I thnk the caffeine in the soda is a plus too.
Christina Bosman Fulton (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 14:36:50 +0000): Crying almost always gives me a migraine.
Georgia Slesinger (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:00:56 +0000): Unfortunately, one of the miseries of migraine is needing to cry, but not being able to because it will make it worse:(( At least for me.
Stacy Phillips (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:21:38 +0000): I have cried, and it just makes it more intense for me, and I agree with Darlene. Getting sick makes the pain worse initially, but then there is some relief.
Jewels Jacobs (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:47:46 +0000): man I just got over one but I mad they recalled my only aid pill excedrin,,,,,, and yes crying sumtimes works for the pressure,,, the hardest is for me I cant and scared to sleep wit my brain hurting so freaky bad.Jewels Jacobs (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:51:59 +0000): I think doing the remedies, like crying, ice packs, etc only fits for sum and when found one stay went it ,,Alison Rolfe (Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:43:12 +0000): Oliver Sacks states this as relief for migraines and calls this 'lysis'. It includes vomiting etc etc.
Amy Kimes (Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:49:53 +0000): crying is one of my triggers and I go out of my way to avoid it. boundaries and avoidance of feelings that could bring me to excessive crying.
Heather McGunigle (Wed, 01 Feb 2012 01:38:42 +0000): Cry when you feel like it. Then stop when you are done.
Janice Worden Lamb Clemens (Sun, 29 Jan 2012 13:44:42 +0000): Crying makes my migraines worse, so I try really, really hard not to cry! Even when the pain is to the point of no return.....
Nancy Ann Martin (Sun, 29 Jan 2012 18:50:17 +0000): Crying gives me a Migraine. If a cry during a Migraine, it makes it so much worse. I really try to avoid it.
Elaine Axten (Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:52:21 +0000): emotionally, yes. unfortunately I have tried it, and physically NO - crying actually makes my migraine worse and sets off what is either more migraine or an equally horrible sinus thing. GAH.
Lisa Brien (Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:14:02 +0000): If I cry while I have a migraine it does help to relieve it some, so doesn't pulling on my hair & ears. also diet pepsi with 1 oz of M&Ms helps. other than that it's ice, darkness and nothing touching my head.
"My migraines, when at their worst would have me throwing up and unable to really focus or concentrate. I used to still go into work sometimes having to pull over and throw up on the side of the road." 
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