“In a word, my worst trigger is ______.”

By Editorial Team

September 3, 2011

Join the conversation! Post your response in the comments below.

Article

A Sudden Increase in Humidity as a Migraine Trigger

15 comments

Article

My Step-By-Step Journey Through A Migraine Attack

8 comments

Join the conversation

By not found
September 3, 2011
Change of routine.
1. By not found
 September 3, 2011
 Nearly 30% of people experience aura! <a href='http://migraine.com/migraine-types/migraine-with-aura/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>http://migraine.com/migraine-types/migraine-with-aura/</a>
2. By medeann
 October 25, 2014
 I've had migraines since I was 6 years old and have only pinpointed 3 major triggers: 1.) Stress/Getting over excited 2.) Skipping too many meals 3.) Changes in barometric pressure I wouldn't say bright lights,smells, strobing lights or loud noises trigger the migraines, they just seem to be aggravating factors once I'm already in "migraine-mode"
By not found
September 3, 2011
WEATHER (CHANGES)
By not found
September 3, 2011
potato peelings, some artifical food flavorings.
By not found
September 3, 2011
my worst is when I mix tea and coffee within 6 hours of each other!
By jennjenn
September 3, 2011
alcohol, smoke, stress, weather changes and heat.
By not found
September 3, 2011
MSG
By not found
September 3, 2011
Weather changes and peanut butter.
By not found
September 3, 2011
Red wine, chocolate, rain, noise, flashing lights, afterca stressful situation (let- headache).
By not found
September 3, 2011
tyramine
By not found
September 3, 2011
My big trigger is stress.
By not found
September 3, 2011
weather related...low pressure system or intense heat, strong perfume smells, rum.
By not found
September 3, 2011
Sucralose is bad, bad, bad.....but weather changes trigger them too.
By not found
September 3, 2011
MSG, strong smells, lack of sleep, stress, flashing lights, storms, artiifical sugar.
By not found
September 3, 2011
menstruation (and weather changes!)
By not found
September 3, 2011
weather
By not found
September 3, 2011
weather, tomato, red wine , fog,
By not found
September 3, 2011
Mango
By not found
September 3, 2011
weather.
By not found
September 3, 2011
lack of sleep, crowd, stress, glasses, having s stiff back
By not found
September 3, 2011
bright lights, msg, Armani after shave, chocolate, weather changes.
By not found
September 3, 2011
Stress, followed closely by flashing lights some odors.
1. By not found
 September 3, 2011
 stress... for sure!
By not found
September 3, 2011
Stresss, chemical-paint/nail polish remover, sun/heatheat.
1. By not found
 September 3, 2011
 Good morning cuz!
By not found
September 3, 2011
Hunger, I've been told by Doctors I have an extremely high Metabolism and anything I eat burns up fast, so literally I have to try to eat as much as possible to keep me satisfied and Migraines away, and no I don't gain weight at all (170lb@44yrs old and have been this weight for as long as I can remember) lol also too much sleep, not enough sleep, I range in the 6hr area, more or less and I get severe Migraines.
By not found
September 3, 2011
Hormones, certain perfumes, and stress.
1. By not found
 September 6, 2011
 Men in general
2. By not found
 September 6, 2011
 How TRUE BRYCE! LOL
By not found
September 3, 2011
alcohol
By not found
September 3, 2011
Fragrances, Stress, MSG!
By not found
September 3, 2011
Insomnia
1. By not found
 September 3, 2011
 Science project on simple machines would be my trigger!
2. By not found
 September 3, 2011
 Ha! VA scrap book tops any science project!
By not found
September 3, 2011
the auras and flashes I get then I know a migraine is starting.
By not found
September 3, 2011
aspertame, bright lights (eye exams = migraine), weather changes, red wine, stress let down. I know that's not one word, but one word doesn't' get it.
By not found
September 4, 2011
bad mood
By not found
September 4, 2011
stress
By not found
September 4, 2011
extreme hunger. worst migraines (cause sound sensitivity, smell sensitivity, dizzyness, nausea, the whole shebang) but they are the easiest to cure, though, if I force myself through the pain and symptoms to eat.
1. By not found
 September 4, 2011
 i dont really have anything that triggers migraines though, for me they just happen out of nowhere.
By not found
September 4, 2011
Weather, stress, aspartame, MSG, strong smells, lights, sounds, being around a lot of people very long...
By not found
September 4, 2011
Overheating. Also, weather changes, MSG, fluorescent lights.
1. By not found
 September 4, 2011
 CHANGING WEATHER!!!!!!! the older type fluorescent lights are a close 2nd.
By not found
September 4, 2011
can't
By not found
September 4, 2011
too many for one word...🙁
By not found
September 4, 2011
Weather
By not found
September 4, 2011
MSG, weather changes.
By not found
September 4, 2011
Chocolate, Stress, Overheating, Active Windshield Wipers, Looking at Fans, or Looking up for any length of time, Windy Roads, Pita Bread and Chips, Bagels, Strong Perfume, Neck Spasms....
1. By not found
 September 4, 2011
 Also, Not Eating is really bad, and Loud Pounding Music can increase a headache, any Steady, Flashing Light, Fluorescent Lights that are about to die--awful!
By not found
September 4, 2011
Stress!
1. By not found
 September 6, 2011
 When I used to have migraines my worst trigger was also stress. One day when I was working at the bank, I lost my eyesight is how bad my migraine was. I don't think I've had more than five migraines in the last twenty eight years, but used to have two or three a week before I got done at the bank.
By not found
September 4, 2011
In a word, my worst trigger is STRESS.
By not found
September 4, 2011
Weather changes, red wine, any aged products such as cheeses, strong lights, strong smells. I had surgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia and since than, I think its worse because my senses are hypersensitive.
By slbiemans
September 4, 2011
Chocolate, Alcohol, aged Cheese
By not found
September 5, 2011
LIGHTS!
1. By not found
 September 5, 2011
 Migraines BITE! (When I first glanced at this, still stuck in tropical storm mode, I thought you'd just gotten power back and was ready to celebrate, but BOO on migraines.)
2. By not found
 September 6, 2011
 Especially CAMERAS
By not found
September 5, 2011
No matter where you go, you always take the weather with you.
By not found
September 5, 2011
hurricaines, smike
By not found
September 5, 2011
MSG, weather changes, artificial sweeteners, bright lights, heat, sulfites ect.
By cartha
September 6, 2011
stress, barometric changes, red food and sauces, salt
By not found
September 6, 2011
Stress, bright lights, flashing lights, heat, red dye #40, (its in just about everything) MSG, smells, (perfumes) barometric pressure (thunder storms) wind shield wipers, constant noise, Maple flavoring, and too many more to count.
By not found
September 7, 2011
Aspartame.
By not found
September 7, 2011
Smells, Florescent Lights, Weather, Stress.
1. By not found
 September 7, 2011
 Weather
2. By not found
 September 7, 2011
 Michelle, You can go to this site and it has a migraine diary. I have found this site to be very hepful. LOAD's of information. Check it out...
By not found
September 8, 2011
Chocolate and I love it, also weather.
By not found
September 8, 2011
loudness and bright lights.
By not found
September 8, 2011
Menstruation, I have learned that is causes a totally different migraine that is harder to treat. Most my migraines are on the left side of my head for everything else, but menstruation causes a much more severe migraine on the right side, high blood pressure and my medication usually does not help (I can only take two pills in a 24 hour period), so I usually warrant a trip to the ER if I cannot get it under control.
1. By tracynick
 February 9, 2014
 I am the same. Menstrual migraines are much harder to kill that migraines at any other time of the month. Mid cycle ones are not great, but i can usually kill them with codeine, nurofen and coke.
By not found
September 8, 2011
Overheating during sport.
By not found
September 9, 2011
anything with vinegar in it, spices, the smell of cinammon, smoke and bright lights!
By calliope0915
September 9, 2011
diet soda, barometric changes, too much cheese, hot dogs
By not found
September 9, 2011
Without a doubt, RED WINE! Any alcohol, weather, stress, flashing light.
By not found
September 9, 2011
Breathing? wish I could identify one...it's there when I wake and go to sleep.
By not found
September 9, 2011
Msg, some perfumes, very strong odors like desinfectant or air fresheners.
By not found
September 10, 2011
loud noise & bright light.
By trinkh
September 10, 2011
weather changes - I'm better than the Weather Channel at predicting the weather!
By not found
September 12, 2011
weather changes, bright light, flashing light, (Tea, coffee, or chocolate help) I do have a service dog who can alert up to a day in advance to the weather change so I can be prepared.
By not found
September 13, 2011
Scents, bright or flashing lights, overstimulation, weather changes.
1. By swhall7
 February 25, 2014
 Looking at all of these posts it seems many of us share a great deal of the same triggers...I originally only listed one as that is what the question asked for!! Another similarity my daughter and I who live 40 miles away from each other most often have a migraine on the same day! Looking at the triggers many share, I'm no longer surprised. I'm amazed at how many are affected by the weather and barometric pressure!
By not found
September 16, 2011
weather, bright lights, low blood sugar.
By not found
September 16, 2011
Stress. <a href='http://www.themigrainechronicles.wordpress.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>www.themigrainechronicles.wordpress.com</a>
1. By
 February 21, 2014
 I needed to add that also.
By andi
September 16, 2011
Splenda aka sucralose. Evil migraines.
By not found
September 16, 2011
In a word, my worst trigger is the"wind"!
By not found
September 16, 2011
Strong odors, weather, not getting enough rest.
By not found
September 17, 2011
whiteness, whether lights or a lot of white someplace.
By not found
September 17, 2011
Popcorn, chocolate, and weather.
1. By reama
 April 17, 2014
 Wow, popcorn...even plain air popped popcorn with nothing on it? Trying to figure out my own triggers, and I eat a lot of popcorn... Reama
By not found
September 18, 2011
Barometric pressure and light.
By not found
September 19, 2011
Weather, barometer fluctuations, cold fronts.
By not found
September 19, 2011
Weather!
1. By not found
 September 19, 2011
 Do u mean botox like 'get rid of my wrinkles' botox or is it something else? Thats the only thing i can think of!
2. By not found
 September 19, 2011
 Botox - yeah...you got it right. You get around 30 injections. The middle of your forehead, your temples, back of your neck, back of your scalp!
By not found
September 19, 2011
MSG and weather.
1. By not found
 September 19, 2011
 stress and lack of sleep
By beccalouwho
September 20, 2011
Weather, I know when a storm is coming. And my cycle.
By not found
September 22, 2011
Strong perfume, guaranteed.
By not found
September 22, 2011
weather and chemical smells.
By not found
September 28, 2011
weather change. hormones are second. combine the two and, well, ya.
By not found
November 25, 2011
perfume
By sweetp
August 2, 2012
Changes in weather—low pressures/high pressures, thunderstorms, snowstorms, rain. I need to live in Hawaii!!
1. By shabbychicer
 March 31, 2014
 I am new to this site and feel so much better knowing that I am not the only one who hates the weather changes. Always a trigger. Texas weather is so extreme with temps changing and storms. Reading thru this, I am amazed that it looks like weather just may be the number one trigger yet docs sure don't talk about it much in my opinion.
2. By andreak
 October 9, 2014
 I second what Kimp says. I did not know so many of us are suffering from weather related triggers. My doctors don't have much to offer about that except "anecdotal reports". Weather changes is my clearest. trigger!!!! Seems like it is on nearly everyone's list.
By steelmagnolia
February 5, 2014
My worst trigger is stupid people and the stress they cause....well I may be being a little facetious here, but seriously... it really gets my blood boiling when others are just plain stupid.
1. By kriscam73
 February 9, 2014
 Yes, I should have added that to my list! 😀
2. By lulu
 March 26, 2014
 me too!!!
By becky15
February 5, 2014
vitamin d deficiency
By elaine
February 6, 2014
Barometric pressure changes. I live on the East Coast, and it seems like we've had so much rain/snow/ice. It's been awful.
1. By mudpye
 February 16, 2014
 I feel your pain... Literally! I live in VA and it's been a miserable winter for me too. Keeping my fingers crossed for a mild spring and summer!
By bbelliott02
February 7, 2014
Weather, hormones, alcohol, hungar, bright lights, strong scents, loud noises, lack of sleep, stress
By hollygolitely817
February 8, 2014
I've never posted before, only read and used this site as a tremendous resource, but I couldn't resist. My worst triggers are: Winter (I have months long cycles in winter), weather/barometric pressure changes. Dehydration and hunger make it worse, much worse.
By tracynick
February 9, 2014
My menstrual cycle. Bad one that last 3 days. All my friends have finished their periods, but no.... I have to be the one that carries on.... just when I want to be the one that finishes the darn thing so hope might become reality. One day....
By kriscam73
February 9, 2014
Hormones, weather, and odors.
By raistlinsghost
February 10, 2014
light
By tinkling
February 10, 2014
MSG! Mono sodium glutumate
1. By adamsgran726
 February 12, 2014
 Me, too. If I inadvertently eat something with MSG, I have a migraine within 30 minutes.
2. By drg7685
 February 14, 2014
 MSG is a 3 day journey for me as well!
By bjn1tu
February 12, 2014
Light
By adamsgran726
February 12, 2014
WEATHER. We're having terrible weather in Georgia right now, and I've had a migraine 4 days in a row.
By kdbs1960
February 13, 2014
WEATHER! I live in south Alabama and we have crazy weather changes around here! Also stress, strong odors, and bright lights! I have tried everything but Botox. My neurologist hopes I will grow out of them.
By drg7685
February 14, 2014
Stress, smells, lack of sleep due to stress!
By kellyrobinson
February 15, 2014
Low pressure systems in the weather
By jumping
February 15, 2014
Diet Coke
By ucme63
February 16, 2014
Scents (mainly Cigarettes and perfumes)
By mudpye
February 16, 2014
Barometric pressure. Any slight change in weather, temperature, or an approaching front pretty much guarantees a migraine. My head is the best meteorologist in town!
By mattparker
February 16, 2014
My worst trigger is the weather, with a very close behind is smell, Smoke, Pollen, Shampoo and body washes.
By bernadette
February 16, 2014
Barometric change,smells,hormonal shifts,msg,sulfites.
By merri
February 17, 2014
Barometric pressure changes.
By scotchbonnet
February 17, 2014
Perfume, Aloe vera, bleach, high pitched noises. Bright lights, flashing lights. Any dam thing that's going!
By m2the4
February 19, 2014
barometer dropping and all alcohol
By dianagail
February 19, 2014
a falling barometer, flashing lights. I'm hoping to outgrow them...but I'm 72 now..
By bjn1tu
February 20, 2014
In about 20 minutes im going to have a sunlight induced migraine. Yippy
By debbiec
February 21, 2014
Flashing lights, barometric pressure.
By mhubert
February 21, 2014
Barometric pressure dropping & red onions
By
February 21, 2014
Chocolate, light, smells, noises, weather - such as humidity, life.
By stephmorgan123
February 23, 2014
Alcohol, chocolate, oranges, OJ, onions, riding in cars, riding on planes, trains especially sitting backwards, looking at sunlight through blinds, bright lights, smells, stress, hot weather or storms, too much or not enough sleep, carb overload. Just so so many things
By rgriggs
February 23, 2014
Lack of sleep. Eating,
By swhall7
February 25, 2014
Hazelnut coffee
By onehsancare
February 26, 2014
Perfume! Or cologne. Or aftershave. Or bodyspray. Or scented lotion. It's amazing how many products there are that people must not recognize are scented when I say, "Perfumes and other scents trigger migraines for me, so I'd appreciate it if you don't wear any for our meeting next week." (Or they don't care--"Oh, I didn't think you meant bodyspray!" is hard to swallow!)
1. By closetmigraineur
 May 17, 2014
 I have a hard time trying to decide whether or not to continue asking the same people not to wear fragrance. My roommate does it and when I ask her if she remembered that her perfume triggers my migraines, she just snaps "It' fade soon" and that's that. I end up getting stuck in the car covering my nose and mouth with a scarf until I can finally get away from it. It makes me feel rude, but I either have to not get in the car at all and ruin our plans or look like a bank robber until I'm outside. How do you deal with that situation?
2. By Katie M. Golden Moderator
 May 17, 2014
 Closet Migraineur, In cases like this, where people don't listen or don't believe you, I send them articles on the topic to show them you're not making it up and it's a very real issue that many people deal with. Sometimes a third party saying the same thing you have validates your point for others. Give it a try! -Katie
By evelyncraig
February 26, 2014
Bright light. No matter what kind. It really bothers me that I live in fear of the Sun, when I used to love it.
By thriftykate
February 27, 2014
Thriftykate-I have read through and concur with most of these triggers. Mine started in my early twenties with erratic sleep patterns and rapidly progressed to debilitating. Daily Inderal helped me alot, but I still cannot come with 50 feet of and MSG or Red wine. The dietary restirictions of Migraine are frustrating to me, and very BORING.
By georgian-bay
February 27, 2014
barometer change and lack of sleep.
By kischrjo
March 1, 2014
Barometric pressure changes are the worst, i have only had one glass of wine in my life and the migraine that followed kept me from EVER trying again-that was 31 yrs ago, processed meat, exreme heat, big temp changes or storms, bright or fluorescent light, stress, too much or too little sleep and odors-good or bad.
By pylowe
March 4, 2014
Red wine. Barometric pressure changes is a close second.
By dollyward-paice
March 4, 2014
Large groups of people talking at once, you, that "buzzing" indecipherable conversation of many people.
By jgalobart
March 5, 2014
perfume
By martiedgar
March 6, 2014
The smell of bleach. Followed very closely by rain.
By barryolliver
March 6, 2014
I wish I knew what my triggers are. I'm sure I'll figure it out one day. I've only had migraines for a little over 50 years, so I guess there's still time. Having said that, I do know of one definite trigger. Most supermarkets have red tone lighting in the meat section. Being exposed to that light for even less than a minute is guaranteed to bring on a migraine within minutes. Depending on the layout of the supermarket, shopping can be rather hazardous. There is one company I avoid as the meat section runs along the back wall at right angles to the isles in all their shops. It's impossible to avoid the lighting once you get about half way down an isle.
By mdselb5
March 7, 2014
I have a lot of triggers. MSG, alcohol, strong smells, bright lights, loudness, estrogen (monthly time), weather changes, stress, lack of sleep, smoke. Th weird thing is the things that are supposed to trigger your migraine is what I crave when I have one,.....like chocolate, cheeses and caffeine which I know is ok in small doses to even help.
By free-and-clear
March 8, 2014
synthetic fragrance
1. By jamdr
 March 20, 2014
 it is THE WORST!
2. By shabbychicer
 March 31, 2014
 I hate when people wear something that is named a natural name but is anything but. Like vanilla or lavender. I have now gone to making my own scents with the actual oils or buying only naturally scented body products. I hate perfume, to me it all smells like insect spray. Yuck!!
By ahoward51
March 8, 2014
Bleach, cigarette smoke, strong light,sometimes hunger. Most of the time I don't know what the heck triggers them but these will also exacerbate them.
By melissagflick
March 10, 2014
Artificial sweeteners, MSG, nitrates, onions (both the food & the smell), bacon (the smell & the food), cinnamon (the kind found in crafts or candles), strong odors & perfumes, cleaning products, weather. Also, when my fibromyalgia flares up, and I'm currently recovering from neck surgery, which hasn't helped my migraines any.
By teecha14
March 12, 2014
Change in weather seems to be a huge trigger these days...Followed by bright lights(florescent),fragrances like AXE (ugh) and other types of odor cover ups. Wine... Sometimes loss of sleep, dehydration, hunger. If all the stars are in a perfect line...BAM
1. By carrie67
 March 19, 2014
 I'm the same with weather change. Never bothered me until I got in my 40's and now I can tell when a weather front is coming about 3 days out. AXE bothers me as well....I HATE that stuff!!!! Hope you find relief!
By chebbot
March 14, 2014
ALCOHOL, MENSTRUATION, MSG/ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS, WEATHER, JAW CLENCHING/GRINDING AT NIGHT (nearly every night)are guaranteed migraines. My job is generally triggering (learning center with children infant-school age)I have psychiatric problems, so when those worsen my migraines do also. Dehydration (I bring water everywhere) hunger, mold/pollen/dust, sinus problems (common for me)...bright lights, heat, high pitched or loud noises, smells(strong perfumes, cleaning products, cigarette smoke) lack of sleep....Life is a trigger. And lately exercise has been inducing them, which is upsetting because it used to help my pain and mood tremendously. Sex occasionally does too, and that is starting to affect my relationship.
1. By kritter84
 March 27, 2014
 I used to clench and grind my teeth at night and I was put on a muscle relaxer by my neurologist. Have you talked to your neurologist about that? This has eliminated my teeth grinding/clenching at night completely. It never hurts to ask! I'm sorry about your pain!
By krishna
March 14, 2014
WEATHER, SMOKE (mostly from cigars and cigarettes), MENSTRUATION, MSG, VINEGAR, BRIGHT LIGHTS, HUNGER, LOUD NOISES IN CLOSED AREAS (been ages since i visited a disc+pub). SOME STRONG SMELLS (allergic to most perfumes and deodorants. Thanks heaven, body splash exist). STRAINOUS WORKOUT AT THE GYM (other than cardio). Can not just list "one thing" that makes my migraine go bonkers. Have an attack right now.... Migraine just makes life dull and stressful, which in turn is a trigger in itself. lol
1. By damon
 March 19, 2014
 I can't use any scented stuff, but powders don't seem to bother me?
By krishna
March 14, 2014
Weather for me was never an issue, until i moved to this GODDAMN country with its oh so erratic weather! (no offence meant) ... England. After coming here, my "common migraine" has escalated to be "chronic migraine" and i am having months long migraines... phewww
By mahtamouse
March 14, 2014
Salt!! Any salty food... Mexican, Chinese, Thai, most restaurant and other people's salted cooking. Canned, boxed, processed foods, etc. Being placed on a diuretic has helped tremendously. Bright sunlight and early spring sunlight strobing through the new spring tree leaves... I wear sunglasses all year round which has greatly cut down on the amount of sun-induced migraines... and bending over to weed. Flickering fluorescent lights, watching movies in a theater, headlights coming towards me on moonless totally black nights when even the roads are black from rain (I live in the Pac NW). That nasty nasty #%&*@ foul smelling so-called "perfume" patchouli, that has come back in vogue!!! The smell of lavender, any overly strong perfume, men's scented deodorants or nasty aftershave. The scented candle department. Stress and emotional stress such as a disagreement with my husband, crying, death of a pet or loved one, and did I mention crying? I can't cry. Hunger... I often forget to eat until I get a headache. Lack of sleep (less than 6hrs) or too much sleep (more than 8hrs), and staying up too late. LOUD crowded places, smoke, and sometimes for no reason at all. Probably dehydration since I don't drink enough water. When I was younger (I' 59), hormones were a big trigger as well. When I get a small headache it *always* turns into a small nagging headache, which in turn turns into a migraine unless I remember to take 1-2 naproxen while it's still small. For some reason as long as I keep moving, I can ignore a small headache until I literally stop in my tracks or sit down and then BOOM! it's a migraine! If I get an aura... for me a sickeningly sweet smell of death... I know it's going to be a throw up and writhe around in agony, while praying for death... migraine.
1. By mygrainetoo
 June 28, 2014
 Salt! A migraine trigger - interesting! I have such low blood pressure that I have to carry salt with me in case I need to salt food when I am away from home. During migraine attacks & with all the vomiting that goes with them I have fainted and awakened on the bathroom floor several times. Before I started taking Topamax and Fioricet, getting dehydrated during migraines and being able to keep water or any liquid down was a huge problem.
2. By mahtamouse
 July 23, 2014
 mygrainetoo... Wow! Me, I'm salt sensitive. The doc told me that my brain swells (not to mention the rest of me, LOL) so he put me on a diuretic 3 times a day (spironolactone) The really ratty part is I crave salty foods and have a general dislike of all things sweet (mom used to say she could always tell my plate at a birthday party because it was the one with the cake carved out and all the frosting left standing intact, LOL). I've always had low BP... 96/60... as do all the women in my family. My daughter once stopped at the firestation to have her's checked and after 4 tries, was pronounced "dead" LOL. I'm not sure how the spironolactone effects my BP, but I often get dizzy spells and have blacked out for several seconds (only!) at a time... a few times behind the wheel. The worst time was last year when my BP plummeted even lower for a 1/2hr. I was sitting down when it happened and could barely stay upright and couldn't have stood if I tried. I broke out into a sweat and had the shakes so bad you'd have thought I was freezing. This has only happened this bad once. I've never vomited or completely passed out like you've described, but now I'm thinking maybe I need to drink more water.
By lesleylyle-stenico
March 19, 2014
M S G it's in everything!!!
By damon
March 19, 2014
Someone asking me what my trigger is! Or oooh I have a "bad" headache it's a migraine!
1. By damon
 March 19, 2014
 Also I can not wear cologne and my wife no perfume! One day maybe 10-12 years ago in a very very upscale dept store, you know the ladies that offer you a spray or card of what ever sent is hot? Well I avoid them like the....so one walks up behind me a sprays me on the neck, with in one minute I had to sit down! Need less to say I cannot comment on the out come of that or say the store name!
By carrie67
March 19, 2014
chocolate after 7 pm
By mrst53
March 20, 2014
MSG and any of the diet sugar products, but especially MSG!
By mrst53
March 20, 2014
Oh yeah, I forgot, living in Virgina-😀
By ivbnw8n4u
March 20, 2014
Weather...I'm fairly certain I have a barometer in my brain.
By jamdr
March 20, 2014
Weather
By jamdr
March 20, 2014
and perfumes...
By magneremily8
March 20, 2014
Weather changes and sports drinks.
1. By magneremily8
 March 20, 2014
 I also cannot drink sweet alcoholic drinks like Mike's ect..
By laburton
March 21, 2014
The weather is definitely my worst enemy, and any aerosol will instantly cause problems, as well as exhaust from a vehicle or plane.
By lulu
March 26, 2014
my worst trigger is ANGER!!!! As soon as I get upset (which is everyday)I must grit my teeth and that brings on a migraine!!!
1. By miatejeda21
 April 2, 2014
 I wear a mouth guard at night that was recommended by my Dentist. It is for grinding my teeth. It made a huge difference in my daily headache level. I have been wearing it for about ten yrs. hope this is helpful. I have one for daytime for stress grinding , too.
By vorpalswrd
March 27, 2014
smoke
By kritter84
March 27, 2014
Smells (I.E. perfume, cologne, aerosols, etc.)- instant migraine. Weather changes are also bad, as this can cause pain for several days. Stress may also do it. I actually don't know exactly what my triggers are, as I have daily headaches.
1. By karencurry
 April 10, 2014
 I have daily headaches but my migraines are hereditary I take a cocktail of meds to control them. The weather affects me big time. I watch for the Low pressure systems to come in and I know I'm not only going to have a severe migraine but also extreme fatigue where I can hardly get out of bed.
2. By andreak
 October 9, 2014
 I have daily headaches. Weather fronts, rapid barometric changes are a clear trigger. Flashing lights and glare of natural and artificial light sources are either a trigger or an indication that I already have a headache I'm pushing through or one is Coming. Watch out! Light sensitivity is a symptom for me but I know flashing lights especially at 10 hz knocks me out cold.A trigger documented in the hospital. Maybe the computer screen is a trigger. Maybe dehydration is a trigger. It doesn't help certainly. All the other forms of sensitivity seem more like symptoms than causes...like scents, foods, sounds I'm interested in the "let down" headache trigger someone mentioned. Either I have that or I Push through Headaches in my attempt to have a less isolated life and get home to find I have a terrible Migraine and am deeply fatigued. But I would like to understand if this is more common. Truly can't account for the Hour to Hour changes of my headache syndrome with triggers. or anything else. Ah for those precious good hours of relative freedom!
By sleepyheadcase
March 28, 2014
Xyrem.
By freakstar
March 29, 2014
MSG Sugar Raw garlic
By freakstar
March 29, 2014
Weather and the full moon
By shabbychicer
March 31, 2014
Weather. Seriously does anyone know the best place in US to live for Migraines?
1. By willow
 April 14, 2014
 I was told to move to Arizona
By elialden12
April 1, 2014
anything with gluten in it. it takes about two days and BAM - 2 or 3 day migraine. I've been gluten (&dairy) free for almost two years and I have many fewer migraines than I did before, and they don't last as long!
By miatejeda21
April 2, 2014
Mine used to be chocolate. I haven't had it in 25 yrs., doesn't bother me. It was never something I really loved. Now, the weather is my enemy. Living in Ky is horrid for changes in Barometric pressure. 🙁
1. By kowlesk
 April 21, 2014
 I feel your pain! I too live in Kentucky and the past couple of weeks have been the worst! I've also found that while chocolate will make me sick, white chocolate doesn't. I can still satisfy my sweet tooth that way 😀
By bridget
April 2, 2014
I'm honestly still figuring it out. I have so many triggers it's frustrating. I feel like a recluse it's hard to have friends because I make plans and boom a migraine. Maybe worry is my biggest trigger but who knows.
By hoppy
April 6, 2014
SMELLS. ANY fake sugar.(sucralose, acesulfame potassium, acesulfame K, etc) some foods (BBQ 'overdose' MSG, spicy foods, etc) Flashing lights (so I do my best to avoid seeing police lights/firetrucks/ ambulances, etc) Stress. (good luck with THAT one) Misaligned Atlas/Axis vertebrae. Thank God for chiropractors!!! Sorry.. these are not one-word answers..lol
1. By hoppy
 April 6, 2014
 FORGOT: diesel engines/ exhaust any cigarette/drug smoke scented candles daylight savings time (affects sleep schedule) hunger wearing hats/ winter hats too tight sunglasses (can' do the wraparound-the-head type)
2. By mkeawsh
 April 30, 2014
 Bingo, ANY fake sugars Next on my "to do" list is an appointment with a chiropractor. I actually have my incomplete lists further up but decided it would be too long to lists everything. It's nice to see others listing more of mine and more than one. 😀
By laurievincent
April 7, 2014
Strong smells such as perfumes and cigarette smoke.
By karencurry
April 10, 2014
Sugar and any form of it like honey, fructose, natural sugar in fruits and some artificial sugars like Splenda. It's horrible because I crave sugar, it's like someone addicted to nicotine you have to have it. I start searching for sweet things I can eat to satisfy my craving.
By aecarr01
April 11, 2014
Caffeine, alcohol, stress, irregular sleep patterns, hormones... Let me tell you, my triggers have made me feel like a very, very dull 24 year old.
By norcalmadre
April 12, 2014
Weather changes. Cigarette smoke and heavy perfumes. Stress.
By allboysrock
April 14, 2014
My trigger is stress
By willow
April 14, 2014
Sunlight Light strobing through trees while driving ( the worse ) Smells waking up
1. By mkeawsh
 April 30, 2014
 Understand about the waking up. Before I lift my head from the pillow, I analyze whether it's going to be a good day or a migraine day. 😀
2. By lorisonthego
 April 30, 2014
 Willow, I started sleeping with a "Bucky" sleep mask. It really helps. Doesn't completely get rid of the morning headaches, but it does help. It has a cushion on the bottom to keep all the light out. The light strobing through the trees is the worst!!
By britinycolvin-kazee
April 16, 2014
Hormones, the weather, not getting at least 7 hours of sleep, and smells. Buy I've noticed it's its only the smell of bacon and diesel fuel that makes my head hurt. The bacon part hurts my feelings cause I love bacon, and now the smell of it literally makes my head feel like it's caving in.
By jdaniel
April 18, 2014
Weather, inconsistent sleep cycles, chemical smells, perfume, candles, cleaning products. Loud noises, sunlight, heat, and strenuous exercise. Alcohol. I also can't stand fans. Ceiling fans or vents that blow air directly on me cause me to tighten up and within minutes I'm down. It's like I'm over sensitive to everything. I know caffeine is usually a trigger but I'm not sure I could do without it.
By waynew
April 20, 2014
Weather is the number one trigger. Strong smells, with smoke being the worse. Also have found that changes in elevation, such as a car trip over a mountain, will trigger one. Plane trips will guarantee a migraine. For the elevation and plane trips, if I take a Sudafed Sinus Headache about a half hour before the trip it stops the migraine from starting. If the migraine has started however, the Sudafed is a waste of time.
By bethannd
April 21, 2014
LIFE!
By sherrie
April 23, 2014
Weather, bright light, sunlight, loud noise, perfumes, work 7 days a week (fashion designer), stressful marriage, worrying about grown children, not eating, dehydration, insomnia, did i mention stress? So much for one word. 😑
By dimplelady
April 24, 2014
Cheese and Chocolate!!!! What damned luck
By crystalrz4
April 25, 2014
Just about Everything!!!
1. By beckysproul
 June 21, 2014
 I was trying to pin point one specific but you're right! EVERYTHING! Depends on the day and everything else that factors into the situation... maybe a slight lack of sleep and a patient with stinky perfume.... Or on vacation with an elevation change combined with a shot of sunlight off the side mirror into the corner of the eye... so many scenerios...
By hfites
April 25, 2014
Stress.
By tru2mystyle
April 26, 2014
Stress! Stress from the migraine, side effects of medications, going to medical appointments, not getting relief from the visit, traffic on way home from visit, people calling to see how visit and migraine are, or no one ever calling to see how I am doing, family thinking I need to be more positive, get more exercise or eat better and then my migraine would go away stress. Does anyone know that stress and their advice agrovates migraines? I wish people would study migraine before they give unwanted advice, but really, I just want kindness, compassion, and that people would stop waiting for me to come to their events, and they would come to my quiet world with a good meal.
By liesbetr
April 28, 2014
it used to be only 'hormones' or the lack of them during my periods but now it's: - stress - too much exercise (running for one hour is begging for migraine) - dehydration - a handbag that's too heavy and every times there will be een new trigger I didn't find out jet
By gmusic
April 29, 2014
Weather.
By hospicelvn
April 29, 2014
Bright lights
By hospicelvn
April 29, 2014
oh yeah loud noise such as my 2 year old screaming
By mkeawsh
April 30, 2014
Just one? Wow, I don't think I can do that. Sodium Nitrates!! MSG! bright lights, fluorescent lighting-going into Wal-Mart is terrible, wear sunglasses in there strobe type flickering dehydration - I drink half to one gallon of liquid a day - mostly water weather change-barometric pressure Will just stop there.
By mguhin
April 30, 2014
weather
By lorisonthego
April 30, 2014
2 things, CHOCOLATE! and strong smells!
By snerren
April 30, 2014
Hormonal (pre- and menstrual) Exertion (used to do a lot of running and would get a headache after too much exertion) MSG and other preservatives Stress I might have more but still trying to determine them!
1. By reinepapillon
 May 21, 2014
 That's my list too! I just don't know about MSG. How did you work that one out? Nice to know I'm not alone. I wish I'd looked this site up earlier!
2. By reinepapillon
 May 21, 2014
 Oh and barometric pressure for me. That's a biggy.
By caottewell
May 1, 2014
Second hand cigarette smoke. Just one whiff triggers an attack in a matter of minutes. Every time, without fail.
1. By jane-ashby
 October 8, 2014
 That gets me too, very hard because my son-in-law is a heavy smoker. Now he smokes on the balcony when I'm around.
By dnese
May 4, 2014
A lot of sunlight(I use umbrellas now-not hats!), dehydration, being overly hungry, extreme stress(arguing w/my mate will bring one on if I was already feeling it coming!), alcohol(50/50-sometimes it does, sometimes not), used to be hormonal & I was so waiting for these to disappear after menopause but unlucky me-they haven't!
By mas72143
May 4, 2014
SMELLS
By jazzdan
May 4, 2014
Hormones, stress
By donnab
May 7, 2014
Seasonal changes, especially spring and fall, odors, smoke, falling barometric pressure, fumes of various kinds. As an aside, do any of you also happen to be sensitive in other ways? Would you call yourself "intuitive"
1. By peeprview
 June 1, 2014
 Donna! Yes!! I was just wondering about that this morning. I don't know if I could call myself an Intuitive or a HSP, (Highly Sensitive Person). Either way, I bet that has some sort of influence. I would love to see some data about that. Have you read much on Intuitives or HSP's?
2. By meggietye
 August 6, 2014
 Donna, you are sensitive to have figured that out 😀 I am a highly sensitive and intuitive gal and have been since my earliest memory. I dread summers and we can't go away in the winters anymore. Along with so many others, darned near everything in my life was causing migraines so I have stripped out my closets/fridge etc and started over. I eat NO processed foods and cook from scratch. Life is a bit tougher being super sensitive but it is better than no life at all.
By kwaichang
May 7, 2014
Light, especially neon overhead lights in offices and doctors offices. I usually wear my sun glasses indoors for just this reason.
By vholdridge
May 13, 2014
Nutmeg, MSG, poppy seeds, red wine (though I can cook with it), sugar substitutes, flickering lights, strong perfume or chemical smells, etc.
By cindyd
May 15, 2014
Fluorescent lights are terrible for me . . . also, stress. I have family members with migraines (grandmother, sister).
By erinandal
May 15, 2014
Changes in temperature and air pressure.
By validivee
May 15, 2014
Stress!
By josie
May 15, 2014
Lack of sleep
By vmcclelland
May 17, 2014
chocolate.
By helenwilliams-lopez
May 19, 2014
glare of light bouncing off car chrome
By reinepapillon
May 21, 2014
Hormones Barometric pressure Physical exertion Stress/Crying
1. By monicahorton
 June 19, 2014
 Emotions like Crying gets me every time
By kimsmith-lawson
May 22, 2014
Fluorescent lights - within minutes... every. single. time.
By tracym09
May 24, 2014
The smell of hot Tar makes me violently ill. If I'm on the road I will drive out of my way to avoid a Tar truck. If they are putting new Tar on a roof anywhere near my home, I will go out for the day. It's been this way since 5th Grade!
By cheref
May 24, 2014
MSG and all its dirty secret names...like "natural flavors or natural flavorings" anything "extract" anything "enriched" the list is extensive and being added to every day (it seems!) since the food giants are allowed to call MSG anything they want, any time they want with FDA approval. It is a nightmare for migraineurs...but no one wants to fight for us. <a href='http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/04/sneaky-names-for-msg-check-your-labels/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/04/sneaky-names-for-msg-check-your-labels/</a>
By stakemoto
May 26, 2014
msg yogurt aged cheeses
By jeanyb
May 28, 2014
Lemon juice. I never knew how difficult this was to avoid! Just getting over a 2 day severe migraine, I started to go over what I had eaten the day before and realised I hadn't checked the ingredients on the jar of pasta sauce I'd used. You guessed it, concentrated lemon juice! WHY? It's difficult to find jam and salad dressings without it and I rarely order fish if we are eating out! I'm almost 57 years old, I've had migraine since I was 13, it's time it beggared off!
1. By klp172
 June 27, 2014
 I read on the back of my lemon juice bottle a warning that said it had sulfites in it - might be worth investigating!
By babaj
May 29, 2014
Fluorescent lights (just out of hospital on that one), MSG, odors (like perfume) barometric pressure changes, Chinook winds.
By amysue
June 1, 2014
The weather is my worst trigger. A hot, humid, stormy summer is the worst.
By mindserver
June 2, 2014
TV
By sallianne
June 3, 2014
Glare....
1. By baustin
 June 30, 2014
 oh! I'm so with you on that one!
By margaretcaldwell
June 3, 2014
Weather!
By flowers
June 4, 2014
Hunger and insufficient sleep
By emkat
June 6, 2014
Smells. Perfume, air freshener, incense. Feel sick just thinking of it!
By dragonsflight23
June 10, 2014
My worst triggers that is the only trigger I know of (otherwise I don't know what triggers my migraines & it is extremely frustrating!!!!!) is a change in weather. But it is not the only thing that causes my migraines. I have migraines almost daily.
By dr6497
June 10, 2014
SCENTS.... as in perfume, cologne, scents from hairspray, deordorants etc... I get immediately ill, lightheaded, dizzy, then the migraine begins...
By dr6497
June 10, 2014
SCENTS.... as in perfume, cologne, scents from hairspray, deordorants etc... I get immediately ill, lightheaded, dizzy, then the migraine begins... I work in a "Scent Free" facility... that posts NO SIGNS on this policy! So why bother... When I have to repeatedly ask to work in another area due to person's coming in with scents on... but it is too late.. the migraine has begun. Also, the smell of gasoline, tar, candles, and magazine perfumed cards for advertising.. oh my! Please stop! changes in weather, hormones, preservatives in come foods, msg's (Burger King chicken sandwich..unsure what that ingredient is?), some chocolates but not all, marshmellow cream, bright lights and Fluorescent lights! Unable to drink any wine, red or white and other alcoholic beverages. Makes me a very dull person. It is so frustrating that I have to be on my guard all day, everyday, whether at work, or home, or on a trip to Wal-Mart or other store (walmart shoppers seem to wear more products than anyone!, even a sporting event.. I sit away from everyone and then a heavily cologned person sits by me and I have to move!
By dr6497
June 10, 2014
SCENTS.... as in perfume, cologne, scents from hairspray, deordorants etc... I get immediately ill, lightheaded, dizzy, then the migraine begins... I work in a "Scent Free" facility... that posts NO SIGNS on this policy! So why bother... When I have to repeatedly ask to work in another area due to person's coming in with scents on... but it is too late.. the migraine has begun. Also, the smell of gasoline, tar, candles, and magazine perfumed cards for advertising.. oh my! Please stop! changes in weather, hormones, preservatives in some foods, msg's (Burger King chicken sandwich..unsure what that ingredient is?), some chocolates but not all, marshmellow cream, bright lights and Fluorescent lights! Unable to drink any wine, red or white and other alcoholic beverages. Makes me a very dull person. It is so frustrating that I have to be on my guard all day, everyday, whether at work, or home, or on a trip to Wal-Mart or other store (walmart shoppers seem to wear more products than anyone!, even a sporting event.. I sit away from everyone and then a heavily cologned person sits by me and I have to move!
By dr6497
June 10, 2014
SCENTS.... as in perfume, cologne, scents from hairspray, deordorants etc... I get immediately ill, lightheaded, dizzy, then the migraine begins... I work in a "Scent Free" facility... that posts NO SIGNS on this policy! So why bother... When I have to repeatedly ask to work in another area due to person's coming in with scents on... but it is too late.. the migraine has begun. Also, the smell of gasoline, tar, candles, and magazine perfumed cards for advertising.. oh my! Please stop! changes in weather, hormones, preservatives in some foods, msg's (Burger King chicken sandwich..unsure what that ingredient is?), some chocolates but not all, marshmellow cream, bright lights and Fluorescent lights! Unable to drink any wine, red or white or other alcoholic beverages. Makes me a very dull person. It is so frustrating that I have to be on my guard all day, everyday, whether at work, or home, or on a trip to Wal-Mart or other store (walmart shoppers seem to wear more products than anyone!), even a sporting event.. I sit away from everyone and then a heavily cologned person sits by me and I have to move! Even more frustrating is when I make a commment that a person is wearing a scent and no one else seems to notice.. Makes me the freak!
1. By krazi80sladi
 September 8, 2014
 i was wondering if anyone else would say WALMART!! i get the worst headache there. And stressed out as well there. I cant get out fast enough.
By wmg2575
June 10, 2014
Weather, gets me every time....
1. By jules2dl
 June 12, 2014
 Weather is my worst trigger as well. I often get a migraine 3 or 4 days before a rain or snow storm. Extreme temperature changes also cause migraines, as does bright sunlight and hot temperatures. I need to find a place to live that has no weather. :-/
By mruyle
June 12, 2014
Light. The sun, the lights in my apartment, a bright computer or tv screen, etc. I get an instant migraine. And when I already have a migraine, the light makes me feel incredibly nauseous and sick.
By stillportia
June 16, 2014
Smells Crowds Crowds do me in! The noises, smells, close quarters don't work for me. Different perfumes, colognes, nicotine, BO and 100 different conversations are too much of a sensory overload for my brain.
By mpgirl33
June 17, 2014
LED, Hallogen and Florescent lighting. TBI suffered in Iraq.
By monicahorton
June 19, 2014
Emotions like Crying gets me every time
By anjewelz
June 25, 2014
I only have on trigger: WEATHER!! Other things can make my migraine worse once its there but not cause it.
By
June 25, 2014
MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG) ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HIDDEN IN FOODS AS "NATURAL FLAVOR"
By amj916
June 26, 2014
Outside of layered stress and excessive noise, MSG is the number one trigger. I avoid it, but it's often not named as MSG or hidden as in "amount too small to mention", but I have a migraine within 15 minutes of eating it. I had it (the too small amount) in Asian food at an airport a few years ago. I was so sick I was not allowed to fly. I was trying to fly home!
1. By krazi80sladi
 September 8, 2014
 WOW!!
By mygrainetoo
June 28, 2014
Aspertame is my worst trigger. It is also being delivered as Amino Sweet and Phenylalanines AND Phenylalanines may be listed down below and separate from the "Ingredients" so read all the way down where Ingredients are listed. I have seen it on dry lemon drink mix on a Kroger brand already.
By amanda83
June 30, 2014
Abnormality - whether it is the first day of a new job; having an event to attend on a Sunday (which is usually a day where we stay home and relax!); abnormal sleep patterns; skipping meals (or eating too much!); stress knowing a big assignment or report cards are due; school trips; and weather!
1. By brianna5609
 September 10, 2014
 Defiantly. Strong smell and a lot of girls i know wear to much perfume
2. By brianna5609
 September 10, 2014
 Defiantly. Strong smell and a lot of girls i know wear to much perfume
By baustin
June 30, 2014
Motion, especially digital motion like scrolling on my computer screen...more quickly triggered when I'm low on sleep.
By mandabrady12
July 1, 2014
Crowds. They make me horribly miserable!! It is all just much too overwhelming!! I can not take the noises and smells!! I feel horrible sometimes accidentally revealing how bothered I am by those surrounding me but my god I can't take it! My other intense triggers are the heat and light!! Things like fairs and events out with crowds.. I can't think of anything worse. I'm cringing just thinking about it.
1. By not found
 July 28, 2014
 I commiserate with you!
2. By brianna5609
 September 10, 2014
 Defiantly
By meli28
July 1, 2014
Everything.... Naps, coffee, oversleeping, under sleeping, exercise, alcohol, stress,heat, sun, and the list goes on and on. It's pretty sad
1. By vesna
 July 6, 2014
 Touche' Couldn't agree more - EVERYTHING!!!
2. By tiphoenix
 July 25, 2014
 Everything it is 🙁
By julia32
July 5, 2014
Talking and listening more than a few sentences. Walking more than 10 feet.
By vesna
July 6, 2014
Activity, Weather, Perfume/Odors, Light/Sounds, Computer/Desk work (necessary Evil), Stress (Ironic because Drs & Insurance & Disability are Huge Stressors), Other health conditions Fibromyalgia/Myofascia Pain/Deg Disk/etc., Social interactions.
1. By brianna5609
 September 10, 2014
 Im right there with you my worst triggers are smells.
By macha
July 8, 2014
Light, artificial or natural. Weather fronts make them worse. Certain scents of foods being cooked/prepared can make it worse, intensify the nausea.
By buthainita
July 10, 2014
MSG is my worst trigger. What I only find worse is livin in a country in which food labeling is not an issue, sometimes buying a bottle of water scares me as I am not sure it won't contain traces of this evil. Also worth mentioning is that I have been on hormone replacemnt pills for 3 years up to now and I haven't complained of migraine associated to my pills until a month ago.. it was frustrating as I couldn't think of a cause and I can't stop my hormones
By timautry
July 10, 2014
Foods with MSG and/or aged products, such as cheese and wines, Exceptionally bright lights, i.e. bright sunny day, fluorescent, halogen or led light. Extreme strong smells, petroleum products, especially perfumes, colognes including those found in soaps and hair products and tobacco products or objects burning like plastic, paper wood. Extremely loud sounds, sirens, explosions (fireworks) sports arenas and crowds in general, music with very high pitched instruments and/or loud bass, emphasizing the ones played you can feel your chest pound and upsetting your normal heart beat rhythm. Weather changes, especially a low pressure front, especially hurricanes, cyclones. Stress, anxiety, too much time in front of a computer screen, excessive and/or lack of sleep and panic attacks in heavy traffic. There are others, but I don't want this to be a book - it is easier for my family/friends/co-workers to ask than for me to name them all.
By jules2dl
July 10, 2014
Weather! I will get a migraine often 4 days before it begins to rain or snow, which means that it can be perfectly wonderful outside on Tuesday, but I'm down for the count because it's going to rain on Saturday. Sudden abrupt changes in temperature trigger my headaches as well. And when it's very hot and sunny out, you know its a sure bet that I'm going to have an extremely bad migraine. I used to be able to go to county fairs, amusement parks, or to watch mu husband drag race. If I took precautions such as wearing a floppy-brimmed hat, sunglasses, staying hydrated and keeping in the shade as much as possible, I could manage. Now, no way. Even when I bring an ice pack for my head and keep it filled, I still get a migraine. It really makes me sad.
1. By mmjardel
 August 22, 2014
 Right there with you weather and bright light of any kind including sun. I've spent so much time in a dark room the past 3 years, I have vitamin D deficiency. I'd rather take the supplement than go into the light.
By
July 15, 2014
Weather. Can not function and feel trapped because it's out of my control.
By gwennyd
July 28, 2014
Wine - both red and white. It is so bad that I can feel one coming on after half a glass of red - my fave 🙁 to the point that I have now decided wine is no longer worth the pain.
By kittyauntie
August 6, 2014
Everything. Just about. Including the scent of vanilla, believe it or not.
By coygroup
August 7, 2014
Weather.
By jacquigallo
August 7, 2014
Fruit. With the exception of bananas. Long ago orange juice, apples, plums, grapes even wine, cherries, nectarines and my favorite, blueberries, all of them and more went to the wayside. Some days it's difficult not to just try a bite. I know better. No hospital stay for this woman.
1. By blondeenkah
 October 10, 2014
 Have you tried organic and not over ripened fruit? I cannot eat much citrus --just a bite or two, but I can eat not-too-ripened nectarines, bananas, peaches, blueberries and strawberries. I can always eat apples and pears and pineapple. Good luck to you!
By nikitasuthar
August 10, 2014
Some boring lectures, stress and travelling are my most common triggers.
By madalin
August 11, 2014
Light
By khaug
August 13, 2014
Any kind of smoke and strong fumes; cigarette, cigar (migraine within seconds!!!) camp fire, car exhaust, perfumes, gasoline
By christinahoran
August 14, 2014
Fluorescent lights, bright lights
By
August 14, 2014
anyone get them from orgasm or sex activity?
1. By The Migraine Girl Moderator
 August 15, 2014
 wbarts, Thankfully, I'm not in that boat, but many people report having severe headaches directly after orgasm. This article may be helpful to you: <a href='http://migraine.com/blog/preorgasmic-orgasmic-headaches-anot-migraine/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>http://migraine.com/blog/preorgasmic-orgasmic-headaches-anot-migraine/</a> Take care, Janet G. "The Migraine Girl"
By cedartree
August 14, 2014
MOLD!
By droverdude
August 14, 2014
New Drug.............NAMENDA 5mg....28 days then go to 10 mg......not working third week and no relief.........
By droverdude
August 14, 2014
New Drug.............NAMENDA 5mg....28 days then go to 10 mg......not working third week and no relief.........sorry...
By tinyjadehouse
August 17, 2014
Light! Especially from a concentrated angle, or say someone is sitting next to a bright window and trying to have a conversation. A sunny day after many cloudy ones, which sucks because I also have SAD! I sometimes have to wear sunglasses at odd times like indoors, at night, or even at night on a bus with florescent lighting. No I am not hiding anything, I am hurting!
1. By The Migraine Girl Moderator
 August 18, 2014
 I was at a baseball game recently and didn't notice until 10pm or so that people were giving me odd looks--I think it was because I still had my sunglasses on. But man, those lights are bright! I, too, have a lot of light-triggered migraines, Jenn. -Janet G. "The Migraine Girl"
By julie47
August 21, 2014
Vision not being able to see properly, scared my vision will go completley,i do not want to have my licence taken of me would be lost without a car
By k_ot
August 25, 2014
G-L-U-T-E-N and 'lady horomones', of course.
1. By krazi80sladi
 September 8, 2014
 gluten bothers me too.
By sleggat
August 27, 2014
weather (I can get the migraine 2-4 days in advance of a changing weather system) and believe it or not, weekends (stress letdown). but not every weather system and thankfully not every weekend.
1. By coygroup
 September 12, 2014
 My neurologist calls them "Friday night headaches" - and I get them frequently. I hadn't heard them called "stress letdown" but I like it.
By psantacruzo
August 29, 2014
MSG or any food with glutamate!
By norrra
August 30, 2014
Orange juice, liqueur.
By youkayn00b
August 30, 2014
stress is definitely my biggest trigger. when i have been off work for periods of time i have about 1/4 to 1/3 as many migraines
By crowgrl13
August 30, 2014
The worst part is that I don't have a trigger. They just show up randomly, ruining my day and any plans I have. I have lost jobs because of these. I even had a CT scan, which came back clean. When my boss at the time asked about it and I told her that they hadn't found anything, she just threw her hands up and exclaimed, "You can't even prove that there is anything wrong with you!" 🙁
1. By krazi80sladi
 September 8, 2014
 what an ignorant statement. Im sorry
By sarah-anderson
September 2, 2014
I have a lot of triggers: right before my period, aspartame, msg, stormy weather, sleeping too much, bright light (natural & fluorescent), and citrus fruit.
By soccergirl
September 2, 2014
I really hate my triggers. One of them is sleeping in, this is the one I hate the most! Other triggers are: bright, flashing lights, under sleeping, stress and some activities.
By aellis4902
September 5, 2014
1. Drop in barometric pressure 2. Monthly hormone fluctuations 3. Anyone's guess is as good as mine
By krazi80sladi
September 8, 2014
Some of mine are dairy, light, sound, sunglasses, stress, recently found out GLUTEN, scents, reading....the list goes on
By brendella
September 9, 2014
(1) Lights- Super bright or any kind of flashing/strobe activity (2) Weather- Sudden changes in air pressure [esp snow] (3) Sleep- Often I wake with the migraine [or it wakes me] (4) Hormones- Monthly Cycle (5) Extreme Tension/Clenching (6) Alcohol- Any alcoholic intake
1. By rdsonja99
 October 1, 2014
 3 is me too! I don't know how to prevent ones that come on in my sleep. I hate going to bed feeling fine and being awakened by pain. Sleep and weather are beyond my control. It's so frustrating. I even wear sunglasses at work to help with the bright lights.
By nevadaknitwit
September 9, 2014
Like many here, I have numerous triggers (probably too numerous to list). My (hands down) worst trigger is....the sun - as is glorious, beautiful, full of sunshine days. This is especially problematic because I live in a state that boasts 300+ days of sunshine / year.
By itsdipanwita
September 11, 2014
1. Weather (rainy season is the worst) 2. Lack of sleep 3. Emotional upheaval 4. Sound
By kellyjo1
September 11, 2014
Artificial Sugars!!! Xyletol is the worst. I gave them up (only have one diet soda a month at the most). I went from a migraine every month to not having one in the past 4.5 months. I also started going to a chiropractor monthly and decreasing my anxiety levels.
By thesnowangels
September 11, 2014
light,noise,heat! Always.
By glenn
September 12, 2014
If I consume gluten, these things become triggers: scents (especially magazine perfume ads), airplane flight, chocolate, certain beers, certain wines, certain liquors.
By niastevens
September 12, 2014
I've had migraines since I was a small child. At around age 18, I discovered that my biggest trigger is gluten. I went gluten free and was migraine free for almost 3 years. Then they gradually started coming back. I'm now almost the worst I've ever been (headache days 5 out of 7, and silent migraine symptoms half of the days I'm headache free). I had to quit my job and withdraw from grad school. My mom is convinced it's stress, but my husband and I live a super stress-free life. Dual income (I now run a home business), no kids. At this point, I have a migraine more often than not so it's hard to determine any triggers. If it weren't for my cannabis, I wouldn't be capable of functioning.
1. By janenez
 September 13, 2014
 I have something similar. I went gluten free 5 years ago and even though I still had migraines - I didn't seem quite as sensitive and felt less of the "mind fog" between migraines. These last 2+ years though, I've had the worst I've ever had - same 5 out of 7 days like you - and the same silent migraine half of those other two... I live a pretty "low stress" lifestyle too and my kids are grown. I'm thinking about eating gluten again - the diet is such a pain - but I'm afraid my digestive system would have a fit. Have you tried eating gluten again?
2. By chabana
 November 21, 2014
 I have to agree that if it werent for cannabis I wouldnt be able to function either. I found a great one that cleared up my migraine completely and then the dispensary sold out and hasnt sold anymore of it. This is the only way I can keep down water on my "bad" days.
By tjmac924
September 12, 2014
Aspartame, bright lights, weather changes. Much less frequent since I cut out aspartame. Only so much I can do about the others. Some other foods seem like they might be triggers, but it's not consistent so I'm not certain.
By migraineur_n02e4p
September 13, 2014
Alcohol
By janenez
September 13, 2014
A "let down" after a big event or a busy week, even sometimes after a relaxing vacation. Probably because I will "push through the pain" for as long as I can to finish the task - and then by that point I am so far gone my rescue medications don't work. If I had taken them earlier, I might have been able to hold off some migraine symptoms - but then I'd have medication side-effects - which sometimes are just as irritating.
By migraine-mistress
September 14, 2014
If I so much as look at a flute of champagne at a wedding, it makes me nauseous. It's like PTSD, I guess. Pretty much the same for wine. When I think abt how much I drank in my 20's & didn't just fall dwn & die, wow... what happened btwn then & now? So, yup...alcohol.
By turul49
September 16, 2014
Changes in air pressure (during pregnancy too...).
By rellenh
September 18, 2014
You know what my newest irritation is??? It's all those new MOVING advertisements that pop up on the sides, the top, the bottom, the middle of the computer screen. I learned to increase the font size in my email box so that the ads are shoved off the page. Today I noticed another new ad that is popping up on the left side of the email page. I wonder how big I need to make the font now so that I can read emails without ads moving, shaking, twirling, etc. To make my point, these moving ads are seriously interfering with my migraines, and I wonder how I can tolerate reading online with bouncy ads all over the place. It really bothers my head, my eyes, my stomach, and my migraines. Is anyone else out there beginning to have problems with ads, other than their just being annoying? I am beginning to wonder if it is time for migraineurs to take a stand against these very real irritations. Thank you. Ellen H.
1. By neisenhauer
 October 27, 2014
 I have thought the same thing! You know what I really think are dangerous? The strobe flash on speed cameras. The migraineurs don't even have to be the speeder... cars next to/around you can trip them. Infurinated me. Florecent lights also get me... uhm... office! A lot of migraine triggers are things that aren't healthy for ANYONE, I have noticed. It has occurred to me to take a collabortive stand on things. I do hate poppy & moving ads. TARGET has one that consumes your whole screen. I almost fainted.
By sandmunn
September 18, 2014
My most predictable trigger is my menstrual cycle...I usually know I'm about to start because of a migraine. Other common triggers are smells (perfume, cologne, chemical smells including paint, flowers, etc.), bright lights, loud noise, alcohol (completely avoidable) and CITRUS. Citrus get any of you guys?
By
September 19, 2014
Where do I start? I would say I have 3 top triggers: hunger (skipping a meal? yea right... but even getting slightly hungry? Recipe for disaster), lack of sleep, but one in particular is hard for me to stay away from. Social events, night out dancing, fancy dinner...what do you want? A cocktail...my weakness? Red wine and vodka. White wine? Love it on a hot summer day, but just looking at it terrifies me. What I try to tell myself to stay positive is "migraines prevent me from being a daily glass of wino". I keep it to once a week when I'm out with my friends or my husband. My trick? Take a frova before I go to bed, I don't feel the side effects and I wake up feeling good...but we all know what triptans are known for...massive rebound cycles. So I try to stay away as much as I can. Alcohol: I love/hate you.
By voluntaryist
September 25, 2014
Not necessarily in this order... 1. Hormones 2. Bright lights 3. Chocolate 4. Stress
By gatorgolfmike
September 29, 2014
In no particular order: --Rapid changes in barometric pressure --lack of quality sleep --stress --not eating right/enough
By paco
September 30, 2014
Not Prioritized: Sound, Baromertic Pressure, Stress, Light, PoorDiet, Arthritis of Spine; including Cervical etc.
By mooncnyn
October 1, 2014
Stress, lack of sleep, and alcohol.
By lismorrell
October 2, 2014
Hormones, time of day, if there's a full moon or not, any perfume with amber, white musk, or vanilla in it, and onions or tomato sauce
By tiggmom1
October 7, 2014
Salt, MSG, and barometric changes. The barometric changes are particularly brutal in the spring (tornado season) and summer (tropical storms/hurricane season).....I live in the South so I guess I'm a glutton for punishment in that respect.
By bethyoung
October 7, 2014
Quickly dropping barometric pressure, wine, scents, strobe lights, dark chocolate, loud noises, and some that I haven't figured out...the migraine is just there!!
By linnie14
October 8, 2014
After suffering with migraine with aura for 30 years, can you believe I STILL do not know what triggers them!
1. By amandapetitt
 October 15, 2014
 Linda I've suffered for 15 years and am just now learning about triggers. I was told a year ago after years of testing and med changes that I "just have a chronic migraine condition". I am learning it all on my own. So I completely feel where you are coming from.
By bballa
October 8, 2014
My husband always says he can predict the weather by my migraines so I know that many of my headaches are caused by sudden weather and barometric changes. Another trigger is arthritis in my neck. Chronic neck pain is a big trigger for me.
By mscwds
October 8, 2014
PMS,Stress,Excessive Crying,Weather,Smells,Sounds,Skipping Meals,Sleeping Habits,and Certain Foods
By elenas
October 8, 2014
1. soy sauce 2. MSG 3. changes in barometric pressure 4. strong scents - I compare the effect to Kryptonite. I immediately start to feel ill, nauseated and disoriented. 5. bright lights Unfortunately, most people, including the ones closest to us, have very little sympathy for migraine sufferers. So on top of our illness we have to deal with the lack of empathy and understanding from the people around us. Can anyone relate?
1. By elenas
 October 15, 2014
 Ellen H please don't be embarrassed about your new circumstances in life. You probably worked all your life and contributed to your family and your community. Feelings of low self worth will only increase your stress and perhaps your migraines. Getting together with people who value you for who you are will encourage you and uplift you. We all have something valuable to contribute. Best regards. Elena.
2. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 Bad enough that it is severe migraine! Problem is, we have just begun to think migraine is an illness, and not a character defect or ploy to get out of ordinary events of life.
By blondeenkah
October 10, 2014
1. Hands down -- MSG or forms of it. 2. Any alcohol (darn) 3. Eating late 4. Skipping meals 5. Lack of sleep or stress 6. Perfumes and chemical odors 7. All forms of chocolate (darn) 8. Most fruits, citrus and spinach 9. Flashing or blinding light <a href='http://10.Nitrites' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>10.Nitrites</a> and food additives I don't usually eat in restaurants because of MSG and chemicals. I seldom never eat after 7pm. I was told by a heath advisor that our livers cleanse themselves about 3-4 hours after we go to sleep and eating late can result in an incomplete cleanse and a feeling of unwellness and headache. NOT EATING AFTER 7 HAS GREATLY REDUCE MY NIGHTIME MIGRAINES. Good luck to you all.
By biddo
October 10, 2014
Tabu perfume. Gag!!!
By iplumm200
October 11, 2014
Here's my list: 1. Fluorescent lights, bright lights, bright sunshine, strobe lights. 2. Loud noise, mostly if in a restaurant or place that's mostly hard surfaces & the noise just bounces around & grows. 3. Barometric changes, rain, snow, etc 4. Raw onions 5. White vinegar 6. MSG 7. Menstrual cycle 8. Skipping meals 9. Strong perfume The list seems to keep growing 🙁
By elaine
October 11, 2014
Barometric pressure changes. Bright light. Flashing lights. Odors. Artificial sweeteners, except Stevia. Cervical spine issues. Dehydration.
1. By ferrans10
 October 15, 2014
 I have to agree with Elaine as far as migraine triggers. My most consistent trigger are changes in weather and or barometric changes. Also bright lights and loud consistent sounds.
2. By lynnv
 October 19, 2014
 My neurologist says the majority of his patients cite barometric pressure and weather changes as the triggers for their headaches.
By mrs-depp
October 12, 2014
Perfume/scents Alcohol Barometric pressure changes Neck pain Dehydration Dizziness/Vertigo (I have Migraine Associated Vertigo) Blood sugar fluctuations I see I'm not the only person with multiple triggers...
1. By not found
 November 19, 2014
 You're not alone. I've had the disease since a preschooler and the triggers have multiplied over the 60+ years. I'm a male and had to deal with "it' a woman's thing", then, "you' just here for your drug fix". Now it's finally recognized by some physicians as a disease in men and women and there are specialist
By adiantum
October 16, 2014
In a word, my worst trigger appears to be "breathing" I avoid all the things that seem to bring on a migraine (alcohol, dehydration, being hungry, being stressed), but the migraines they keep on a comin', so I'm thinking that it must be breathing. 😀
By megapain
October 16, 2014
I would say the only thing i know that is a for sure trigger so stop doing is wearing headbands. I used to wear them all the time. Then when i realized i had migraines, i decided to find triggers and figured out wearing head bands was a trigger. So is the weather but only when the air feels super heavy and feels like its squeezing me. There are others that people have mentioned but these two i listed are the biggest ones for me. P.S. migraines are or can be hereditary. My grandmother has migraines and i have them. She has them really bad getting worse as she gets older. Something i am not looking forward too when i get older.
By lynnv
October 19, 2014
Mine are pretty simple: Barometric pressure changes and sometimes big changes in temperature Stress Crying MSG Aspartame (which is often hidden and not on the label) Bright sunlight bouncing off the hood of my car when I'm driving Sleeping. Something mysterious happens in the wee hours of the morning causing me to wake up with a migraine. I have no idea why. Right now I'm on a gluten- free diet, but it hasn't done much for my headaches. It only smoothed out my IBS. I just don't seem to have any food issues with migraines. But we'll see as I continue the g-f diet.
1. By casper
 December 3, 2014
 You sound much like me. I dont have issues with food and havent found a need to follow a G-F diet. I have always avoided aspartame when I can but not for migraine reasons. MSG hasnt given me grief, but try not to eat it. But misteriously, I do wake up with migraines... often. I have lowered the heat in my place thinking that maybe its too hot, but still its still happening. This happens very often. I dont know why. Bright and flickering lights are something I have to avoid - cause I KNOW...I will get a migraine. That I can control, the weather I can't control, and I dont know why I wake up with migraines.
By jacqueline
October 22, 2014
I really do not know i can eat or drink something you should not when you have migraine and be fine then another time i will have a bad migraine, had a migraine for the first three days of my holiday to turkey this year and that has never happened before after years of migraine i really can not say what triggers mine wish i could have a new head sometimes
By lisamariemary
October 22, 2014
Smells.
By almypal
October 23, 2014
It takes more than one word ti name my worst trigger! Anything that brings on a migraine is my worst trigger! 1. Weather changes and perhaps the full moon? and allergies 2. food triggers like MSG, sulfites and nitrates, pickled &/or preserved foods ( vinegar), yeast breads like sourdough 3. Strong odors and scents 4. Chocolate and caffeine 5. Citrus and highly acidic foods 6. too much or too little sleep, or other highly emotionally or stressful situations 7. flashing, bright or strobe lights 8. skipping meals, dehydration 9. sudden, loud noises 10. whatever else I forgot
By tcoindreau
October 24, 2014
I have had migraines since I was 7 years old and I am now 45. Over the years, I have tried just about everything but simply know that some things make it worse than others. My triggers are also multiple: 1. Changes in the weather 2. Crying 3. Strong smells...poppourie, candles, perfume, cologne, paint, nail salons, gasoline, grilling, exhaust fumes, shopping malls, glue, RV campers or mobile homes, real leather and I'm sure that there are more just can't think of it right now but you get the picture. 4. Waiting too long to eat 5. yoga 6. any type of exercise that I have to put my head down for. 7. mowing the lawn 8. Being outside in the heat for too long 9. chocolate 10. cheese 11. not enough sleep or too much sleep 12. Rain storms are a big one. 13. ponytails or headbands 14. stress 15. Hormones I walk a very fine line every day and pray that I can treat an on coming migraine before I end up in an emergency room. I have gotten really good at management but sometimes nothing works especially when it is sudden onset. Kinda scary considering you never know if it could possibly be something life threatening or just another migraine....
1. By chabana
 November 21, 2014
 You are the first person I have seen that also has real leather as a trigger. I can not even walk into a leather store without getting a migraine and having to head home to tend to the control of my environment.
2. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 Bad enough that it is severe migraine! Problem is, we have just begun to think migraine is an illness, and not a character defect or ploy to get out of ordinary events of life.
By shimmer
October 30, 2014
1. I have two bulging disk in my neck with a lot of arthritis, so when that hurts, it triggers a migraine, the doctor who is an expert in the area of neck and spine problems says that my case is hopeless!!!! 2. Weather, really bad in the winter time!!! 3. Stress 4. Bright lights, mainly florescent lights, which is at my job!!!! 5. Not enough rest!!! 6. Dealing with cruel people who say to get over the headaches, because it is just a headache, I get that at work all the time!!!! As for the worse one, it is a tie between stress and weather!!!
1. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 A doctor who says your case is hopeless has no right to say that. He simply has run out of ideas. So take a deep breath and give yourself a few days, and then contact a different doctor, or try meditation, or go to a neurologist instead of the spine and neck doctor. Your worst enemies are hopelessness, helplessness, anxiety, and impatience. If somebody offers you those, move on.
By clairie
November 12, 2014
I've tracked mine for over a year and have yet to find specific patterns or triggers. It does what it wants, which is almost worse, as then I cant control or stop it - there's nothing to avoid. Most people seem to have the same triggers. 'yay' for being different?
1. By homeschoolmom
 December 9, 2014
 Me, too. The only consistent one (but usually it's a tag team effort) is weather change. Like I can fix that. The worst is having a day off to be outside after a stretch of bad weather and missing out because of migraine.
2. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 But if your trigger is hormones, any change in them can make you have a migraine; doesn't have to be a period. I'd had mine 20 years when I realized my worst one every month was at ovulation. My mother's got worse after menopause. My grandmother's only went away when she was pregnant.
By rramey
November 12, 2014
I've had migraines since for 47 years. My migraine triggers vary from day to day. Sometimes the following can possibly trigger a migraine: 1. Weather changes especially excessive heat; barometric sudden changes 2. Food - nitrates; aged cheese; bananas; dried cranberries, chocolate, avocados, margarita, preservatives 3. Hormones 4. Back pain - both cervical and lumbar stenosis 5. Stress 6. Loud noises
By allysonbergthold
November 13, 2014
Loud noises, bananas, perfume, hot dogs, hormones, stress, snow, pain killers, not sleeping, not drinking enough water
By rtekell
November 13, 2014
Crying! If I cry even a little bit, but especially a hard cry will always trigger a migraine.
By ialisauskas
November 15, 2014
After walking my dogs (1 mi) at a reasonable pace before noontime, 4-6 hrs later I experience that horrible feeling that a migraine is developing & I medicate myself. Told my doc. this years ago and I had a brain scan with no anomaly noted. I eat beforehand. This does not happen every time I walk them, but cannot figure out the actual trigger. Oh, well.
By debbiebbad
November 19, 2014
Oh where do I start? Oranges, bananas, MSG, aspartame, pressure changes due to weather, crying (happy or sad). I HATE it when I tell someone about my migraines, and they respond with "Oh I had a migraine once." ONCE. Sorry honey that wasn't a migraine. *sigh*
By not found
November 19, 2014
Msg, nitrates, smells preservatives, bright lights, loud noise, yeast barometric change and many more. To me a trigger is an equal opportunity beginning to a debilitating event therefore all triggers are the worst!
By littleb15
November 19, 2014
Beth says: Weather/pressure changes and exposure to loud noise for prolonged time.
By gaclib76
November 20, 2014
Rose Cold weather augmented by the wind.
By chabana
November 21, 2014
I have one or two bulging discs in my neck and had headaches with migraines for 9 years so far. Since 2007 I have had migraines almost daily. Some of my triggers are: sunlight, flashing lights, perfume, fuel smells, fresh cut grass, smell of wood shavings, cantaloupe, honey dew, whatever preservative is in Tyson chicken, cheddar cheese, sleeping to little or too much (I used to sleep sitting up and wouldn't wake with a migraine, now I have to lay down with strong neck support) leather, loudness, emotions, change in weather, hormones, stress, there are so many foods that I just can not eat, florescent lights, exercise, raising my voice almost makes me pass out. I am sure that there are many other triggers but those are just a few. I work with a neurologist and all they want to do is throw pills at me. I have tried botox and it helps for the first month but I still have slight headaches that I am afraid will turn into a migraine if I do not avoid triggers.
By grammayumyum
November 22, 2014
Flickering lights of any kind -- fluorescent lights, shadows of trees across the street with sunlight shining through, headlights, neon signs, football games and commercials on TV that flash blasts of white light, etc. And barometric pressure changes, especially changing to a low pressure system.
By grammayumyum
November 22, 2014
Looking at everyone else's comments, I see that I left out many triggers from my previous post. I eliminated them as much as possible so long ago, I don't think about them consciously anymore: MSG Sulfates/nitrites Food colorings Insufficient sleep Skipping a meal Perfumes/colognes Cigarette smoke Repetitive vibrating sound (electric guitar, loud fan, monotonous drumbeat) Someone's voice with a noticeable rasp Loud voice(s) Heat Crying
By draper
November 22, 2014
Caffeine
1. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 My "monster headaches" left at menopause, but I still have 15 or more lesser migraines from weather, chemicals that can be inhaled when off-gassing from products (perfumes, bug spray, cleaning products, shoe polishes: products containing ethanols, phenols, formaldehyde.) I am lucky to rarely get food triggers, but have had onion, lemon, tomato all offend. Biggest problem for me is that I seem to loose my sense of smell when around loud odors, and can sit around them for a long time without knowing, until somebody complains, and I realize, "Oh, no!" When people say, you are sick all the time, what do you say to that???
By supershar
November 24, 2014
Tension headaches from neck inflammation (OA) that last more than a few days almost always result in a full blown Migraine for me. Particularly, if a low weather system hits... 🙁
By jeanne624
November 25, 2014
breathing. I know it has been said before but that is how it feels right now. Seriously, So many food triggers: Caffeine, chocolate, onions, aged cheese,fresh pineapple, fresh bread, MSG, nitrates Giant trigger - Cleaning products - I can only use the "all-natural" cleaners. A bottle of Pine-Sol can put me in hospital within 24 hours. Stress Never really thought about weather changes to be honest, but I do know that I usually feel 100% better during the summer months. Loud noises - Unfortunately, I have had to watch a few concerts from the hall because could not take the noise. When I look at someone standing in a bright window and I just see their shadow - that can be an immediate trigger. Weird one - certain skin creams. I can't put my finger on a specific ingredient, but I just know that a new one can set me off. Dealing with one today, so I am in a "feel sorry for myself" mood. Tired of family members who don't understand. Had a comment this weekend, "You' always sick." I am sure it will get better.
By te44276
December 3, 2014
I don't know - I wish I did
1. By ramonalee
 December 10, 2014
 Andy, there is a computer app called ubiqi that helps you track your migraines. You can put in anything you think might be a potential trigger, and then to check it off whenever you have a migraine. It also lets you list your medications and other things you do to treat yourself. You can print out a report to take to your doctor. I find it very helpful
2. By rebeccajhb
 January 22, 2015
 I tracked for years. Never really found a trigger. MAYBE light and traveling. I often have them thee same days as other people, so I suspect weather, but it doesn't show on my tracking.
By keziah
December 4, 2014
Who knows...smells, weather, perfume, bright lights, msg, aged cheese...the list goes on. Though taking epsom salt baths EVERY night helps. Doctors always just say "You are too young for these." I am under 16 and have been getting them for 3 years now. The last year or so I get one or two really bad ones every week and miss school. Any suggestions???
1. By schutzelb
 December 14, 2014
 First, never let people tell you it is something you are causing yourself to have. Second, if you can go to a medical doctor, ask if they are related to hormones. Mine were, and the worst one was when I ovulated, but I had them all month starting 1 year before I got a period. I had something called poly-cystic ovarian disease. Now they can help girls with this with a variety of treatments that are really worth it. Also read on here and see if you see other things that seem to bring them on. Weather was another bad one for me. Letting my feet or hands be cold was another. There are many things that can trigger them. My really bad ones stopped at menopause. But you are 16, so be aggressive about trying to figure out some things that can help them. If you have 15 or more days per month that are involved with migraine, don't just accept it and try to tough it out.
2. By keziah
 February 28, 2015
 Thank you so much schutzelb!
By merri
December 9, 2014
Weather.
1. By ramonalee
 December 10, 2014
 Which part specifically?
2. By fiorinal
 January 24, 2015
 Don't hate ALL weather Merri. There's hope. After suffering with migraine w/ aura for over 25 years, I can say that I do like cloudy days best! The bright sun can be tough when shining through trees. The rain can be tough when running down your windshield, whether wipers are on or off. And clear moonlit skies can through a weird shadow on everything if you're out in it long enough! We learn and adapt. I love all weather now. Hang in there.
By gypsy-soul
December 9, 2014
I actually have two; flashing lights and rain.
1. By ramonalee
 December 10, 2014
 flashing can do it do me too. I had one start from the lights off the water while I was kayaking. Went into a seizure which wouldn't stop, had to be airlifted to a top-level hospital and was put into a medically-induced coma. I don't go on lakes any more. 🙁
By homeschoolmom
December 9, 2014
Weather change. That's two words.
By ramonalee
December 10, 2014
barometer. I have a weather map app, and I can tell you to the minute when the pressure changes. Check it, and there it is.
By ladybug679
December 10, 2014
Smells
By tultalk
December 13, 2014
I am writing about a strange phenomenon which effects me. When I first moved to Ann Arbor Michigan from Berkeley in 1973, I experienced a strange strobe effect when driving in the morning during winter when the sun was low. This strobe effect caused by light flashing through the trees caused me to feel strange lose continuity of the images. Since then I have driven with my hand blocking the sunlight. I have over the years experienced the same kind of effect from some lights in supermarkets. This has become worse recently (3 years) to the point that I cannot keep my eyes locked on food labels on the shelves in brightly lit stores. Just last week it was so bad I had to quit shopping and leave the supermarket. I was trying to shop in the meat cooler and could not keep an image locked in long enough to read the labels. The experience is like a strobe light in a bar producing a series of still images rather than a continuous dynamic image. I went to a neurologist for treatment. I had an MRI which detected a tiny tumor in the lining around my brain. He assured me that could not be causing my problem. Other than that, tests all normal. He did nerve conduction tests on my legs and said I had peripheral neuropathy probably due to pre-diabetes condition. He gave me some medication (Gabapenton 300 mg 1/day for one week then 2/day) that has not seemed to help my leg pains or visual problem. The whole issue of the strobe effect seems to have fallen by the wayside which was the original reason for going. As I explained, a week or so ago the episode was so bad I had to leave the store. By looking down and keeping my eyes on the cream colored tiles, the effect went away. High efficiency fluorescent light have been installed in supermarkets all over as well as in food display cabinets. This has occurred over the last 3-5 years. The lights use high frequency ballasts instead of the old 60 cycle ballasts where all synced to the line frequency. I think that there are hetrodyne effects between the lights in the fixtures causing low frequency (not visible) fluctuations in the light intensity causing my problems (epileptic episodes?).
By
December 16, 2014
By far my worst trigger is the weather! I can tell you about two days in advance of when a storm is going to hit, and not have looked at any weather stations. It starts with the build up of pressure in my head that I can feel in my teeth, and the roof of my mouth. From there the migraine symptoms vary until my head feels like it's going to explode by the time the rain hits.
1. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 Yes exactly. I get loud ringing in my ears and dizziness as well.
By lterry0303
December 17, 2014
In no particular order my triggers are the weather, (which messes with the arthritis in my neck and gives me a migraine), hormonal changes, crying,(happy or sad), strong floral perfumes and cleaners,room spray, etc., freshly cut grass, and sunlight bouncing off the hood of the car while driving.
By dina
December 19, 2014
Sleep (too much or too less..)
By elainede
December 19, 2014
MSG. aka: yeast extract, calcium chloride and many other disguised names. Unfortunately, alcohol of any kind is in a dead heat with MSG.
By cynge42
December 19, 2014
I have a lot of "worst" triggers My top 3 are: 1. Exercise/moving 2. Heat and 3. Not eating in a timely manner. Top 5 would be 4. Weather changes and 5. It must be a day of the week that ends in the letter "y"
By csan36
December 20, 2014
Flickering lights, strobe lights, bright lights, weather, msg, nitrates, alcohol, skipping meals, pine nuts, lack of sleep, sinuses/allergies, the smell of bleach & when I get my fibromyalgia.
By ibfieriq
December 20, 2014
Dehydration.
By migraineur_n3pvrt
December 23, 2014
99% of my migraine triggers are scents. It's a horrible way to live - worrying about going anywhere in fear of some horrid perfume/cologne/deodorant/shampoo, etc. instantly triggering a migraine. I have to deal with a moron of a co-worker who refuses to "change bathing habits" b/c of my "condition" I have to sit in my office with the outside door open even in the winter months b/c she wreaks. Several doctors letters on file and boss has also told her NOT to wear whatever it is she is wearing. She is a disrespectful moron.
1. By sharonanne
 January 16, 2015
 It has ALWAYS baffled me how something that smells sickening to me, is sold as "pleasant smelling" on the market to the masses? I am so on board with your plight here, I feel for you. I've walked into a room full of women and had to turn around and right out, due to the conflicting degree of the combined deodorants, perfumes and a dryer sheet smell coming off somebody's clothing. I came close to passing out in the hallway, I nearly made it home and within 20 minutes was struck with a migraine.
By herbyh
December 23, 2014
My worse trigger is Nitrate or Nitride food additives(preservatives). The very worse being sausage or hotdogs that aren't preservative free. I'm not Jewish but I learned that Kosher meats don't cause me to have migraines. I started having migraines when I was about 12 years old. I'm now 70 years old and my migraines triggers have changed somewhat. Now that I'm older stress seems to be a more prevalent trigger than food additives. I have the type of migraine that starts with vision distortion followed my migrating numbness that starts in my left hand and gradually moves up my arm to my face. Then I get what I call the Goofy Stage, when I can no longer speak properly.(I think one thing but something totally different comes out of my mouth. This Goofy Stage usually only lasts 15 to 30 minutes. Then the excruciating headache sets in and usually lasts several hours, followed by a hangover the next day. I've tried all the suggested prescription drugs, but none work. I now rely on Excedrin Migraine pills and they help a lot. They lessen the severity and duration of my attacks, and you can buy them over the counter without a RX.
1. By rosiebelle
 January 21, 2015
 I am almost 60 and have had mine since I was 12 years old . I get the loss of vision, numbness on one side and sometimes I can't talk straight. I can't take imetrex or maxsalt and use fiorinal as needed. Some of my headaches are just the headache but no visual issues or numbness! I feel your pain!
By devibala
December 24, 2014
1. Traveling in car with AC on in a hot day 2. Perfume inside car 3. Theater Sounds 4. Bright Lights 5. Crowd and Noise 6. Too much of thinking over stuffs 7. Work Pressure <a href='http://8.Aiming' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer nofollow'>8.Aiming</a> for perfection.................and it goes on...
By slhart
December 24, 2014
I think my triggers pile up and then the migraine explodes so the final straw trigger changes from day to day. Smells (perfume, car exhaust, chocolate, etc.) Noise (any sound that bothers me) Lights (sun, florescent, head lights, etc.) Stress Schedule changes MSG (any processed food)
By potato
December 29, 2014
Depersonalisation. When I no longer feel like I connect with the external world and that my actions/behaviour no longer impact anyone or anything. This is when I know I took Sumatriptan too late and either get home quick, have someone else drive me home or if I'm home, get to bed and deep breath and get ready for the battering.
By potato
December 29, 2014
Apologies, I mentioned a symptom...I'm in day 3 of a migraine! The worst trigger for me is bright light going directly into my eyes Flickering lights Perfume Stress Dark chocolate
By eskie102709
December 29, 2014
One of my worst triggers is stress...loud noises.
By jinn
December 31, 2014
My worst triggers are scents - perfumes, colognes, scented body lotions, car exhaust, strongly-scented chemical cleaners... instant nausea in my gut shooting through my entire digestive system, followed by sharp, pulsing, debilitating head pain ten minutes later. Work can be difficult at times, because so many staff members at my school are unwilling to change their perfume habits, even though my classroom is a "scent-free" zone. Meeting with colleagues in enclosed spaces is a problem. I often wear a mask, sit by the door or open window, and have to leave early during staff meetings.
By dyanidb
January 3, 2015
Sleep deprivation Flashing lights not sure which is worse
By jengee
January 11, 2015
Weather/pressure changes Stress
By virginiarose50
January 11, 2015
Gina Here, I have found that the first triggers I get are the stiff neck,nausea, and just lately pain behind one or both eyes. Triggers can be bright lights also and eating sugars. Stress build up also will cause one to flare.
By shaylieh
January 12, 2015
My worst ones would have to be weather changes, lack of sleep, dehydration, nitrates, exercise, heat,cold,and strong smells.
By sarahyoak
January 14, 2015
HORMONES
By dcrazy
January 16, 2015
Wow, it feels really good to know that I'm not paranoid thinking my "triggers" are real. Thank you all for your input!! Here are my worst ones: - WEATHER CHANGES - Spring/Fall are by far the worst months for me - SALTY FOOD - Two canned meals in one day = 2 day migraine - FLICKERING LIGHTS - I dodge them like an old high school crush - BRIGHT LIGHTS - I literally close my eyes when I turn the bathroom light on at night - MSG - I can tell you every Chinese food place that has that on the menu - COMPUTERS - I can NOT strain my eyes to see the screen, and must look away every few seconds. - (Odd One) - Any sudden cold breeze on my forehead - (Odd One) - KFC Fried Chicken. Omg - the following day - like clockwork. Have heard it from several people. Id also like to say that I _HATE_ when my doctors all assume that my migraines are due to my "monthlys" just because I am a female! Yeah, once in a while I can't rule it out. But when I said that weather was the main trigger, I got looked at like a Looney. Glad to see it truly is a trigger that bothers fellow sufferers.
1. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 No one seemed to believe my weather trigger until I started seeing a female neurologist who specializes in migraines.
By christines
January 18, 2015
My teenager,a.k.a. STRESS...
By emhernan
January 18, 2015
strong smells I cultivate basil and albahaca so that day when I have to cut the leaves... is the worst. MSG flashlights very loud noises lights in general chocolates drinking a lot of coffee sleeping a lot not sleeping enough not eating not eating enough not eating on time stress anxiety when I'm angry and continuing looking for triggers.
By rosiebelle
January 21, 2015
The weather! Rain, snow, thunder storms, changes in barometric pressure! Which happens regularly! Also sitting a certain way.. I am fine one minute then suddenly I have a whopper of a headache!. Flashing sunlight triggers optical migraines and those are unstoppable. Changing light- like going from a bright room in to a dark closet. Watching tv sometimes! I realize that I can't see half of the picture and it's over. I have just enough time to cancel whatever I was going to do. Sleeping late is a guarantee of a migraine. In college I used to have to be up and out by 8am or I'd be in bed for days! Certain times of year are worse but I can't pinpoint why. My entire family gets them and everyone's triggers are different!
By lynnv
January 21, 2015
The weather--or the barometric pressure rising and falling. It's getting to be my only trigger, but there is stress and MSG too.
1. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 None of my preventative meds seem to help with the weather migraines.
By mialorraine
January 22, 2015
Hormones. I think even if I could avoid all my other triggers (food, sleep, weather, smells) I would still get a multi-day migraine due to hormonal changes every single month. It seems like it's should be easier to control since they know what causes it, but I think I've tried it all. It's by far the worst and the most guaranteed trigger. Period. 😉
1. By nlekelund
 February 9, 2015
 Me too! I take Levora birth control pills for 84 days straight and then a week off. It helps a lot. I just have to deal with that week off every 84 days. I was actually put on this regimen to control symptoms of menopause but I have heard of others taking this same pill for migraines.
By paulaff
January 22, 2015
Flickering light. The 'strobing effect' caused by the sun filtering through the trees from my side window when I'm driving means instant migraine if I don't move my visor over to the side.
1. By fiorinal
 January 24, 2015
 I feel your pain, or should I say experience your aura. People look at me like I'm crazy when I describe this trigger. Thank you for sharing. I have gone from the visual aura starting at the differing intensity of light to complete blindness in one eye, usually the left one. I have gone up on the curb twice, gone through stop signs and through red lights. I almost hit a young man recently, who stepped off the curb to cross the street. It's scary.
2. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 I believe flickering florescent lights trigger mine at work.
By megdole
January 25, 2015
Bright/ flashing lights, odd smells, stress, lack of sleep.
By lmcfalls
January 27, 2015
Red wine. It means an almost instant migraine. I have many other triggers but red wine is consistent and causes a severe migraine quickly. I have tried premedicating and it is useless. Next on the list would be any other alcohol. I am not much of a drinker obviously! Could be worse, I realize but it is human nature to want what you can't have. Cured meats, aged cheeses, nuts, cherries, dried fruits, chocolate,MSG, flashing lights, strong smells, weather changes, loud noises, lack of sleep, too much sleep, crying, stress, increased BP, exercise, being sick with other illness, anger, talking loudly. I am thankful for Botox, Cefaly and topamax as well as what I can eat, drink and do plus improvements for us all in the future.
1. By nlekelund
 February 9, 2015
 Red wine for me too. I call it a migraine in a bottle. And whenever we have guests, they always bring wine as a gift. I don't want to be rude so I just say thank you. It's a shame, really, because I used to be able to drink it and loved it.
By deejaye33
January 28, 2015
Strong smells - mainly perfumes & cologne but anything strong, too much or hoo little sleep, weather changes.
1. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 Yes, yes, yes. Though my chemical sensitivities got a little better when I stopped using nasal steroids and went back to prescription allergy pill. Something about the nasal sprays really intensified my sensitivity. Now flonase is otc.
By luvgsd
January 28, 2015
Noise. If I am in a noisy public place for too long I will get a migraine later. It wears me out.....and all the other triggers mentioned below.
By still-smiling
February 3, 2015
Lack of sleep is my biggest trigger, but I also think I'm hypoglycaemic as I get an instant migraine if I eat Jam on toast! 🙁 Other triggers include: noise (I have to jam my hands over my ears when an emergency vehicle goes past, even on a non-migraine day!) weather (especially if a storm is brewing or too bright sunlight) bright lights skipping meals oversleeping glare from TVs/Computer's etc travelling (i get travel sickness that will trigger a migraine!) not drinking enough being on the tv/computer for too long exercise! (i can't do any form of exercise without triggering a migraine!)
1. By betsyd
 February 3, 2015
 Oh boy....these all sound real familiar! Just add sugar and a stiff neck to the list and ya got me!
2. By nlekelund
 February 9, 2015
 When you are not getting enough sleep or sleeping too long, you may be waking up with a REM sleep induced migraine. I have had this happen a few times and they are the worst! My neurologist gave me an injectable form of sumatriptan for these times. It works much faster than anything else because it goes right into your system. it works kind of like an epi-pen.
By karencurry
February 4, 2015
Sugar and any form of it such as honey, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose, artificial sweeteners. I've found the only sweeter I can use that doesn't give me a migraine is Nectresse.
1. By nlekelund
 February 9, 2015
 Have you tried Truvia? That doesn't seem to cause me the problems the other things do. It doesn't have the after taste of stevia either, which is great.
By simpgourdjus
February 5, 2015
weather
1. By rrhae88
 February 12, 2015
 Bingo
By corena
February 5, 2015
I've read thru the posts and saw all but one of my triggers mentioned, Lavender. The stuff kills me and is hidden in so many things, cosmetics, hygiene products and even food items like tea. Supposed to be relaxing. Ha!
By nlekelund
February 9, 2015
Hormones. To alleviate symptoms of menopause and heavy menstruation, I take Levora for 84 days straight and skip the weeks of placebo pills. This has also alleviated or at least minimized most of my migraines. Before I would have migraines the entire week of placebo pills. I do have to take a week off every 84 days and have migraines almost daily for that week. This is in spite of the propranolol. Fortunately, I have found that the nasal spray form of sumatriptan works much faster than the pill.
By bbigley
February 11, 2015
Definitely gluten. I had daily chronic migraines for 20 years. Nothing helped even Botox treatments or any migraine medications. I went on gluten free foods 5 years ago and have had 2 short lived migraines since. Those I attributed to carmel in foods [there are many]. Wheat is used to carmellize. There are numerous foods with wheat that you wouldn't normally think of. It is an easy diet to be on AND I lost 30 pounds really fast. NO MORE baked things!
By rrhae88
February 12, 2015
Weather
By tammy-stephensmcdonald
February 12, 2015
In a word my worst trigger is lack of sleep.
By
March 10, 2016
Strong Perfumes smell of mildew ( can smell it a mile away ) Strong Odors Smell of burnt eggs Muscle tremors start with migraine minutes behind them