Sensory overload and Migraines?
Hey guys,
Just curious about your thoughts. I often get over stimulated by sounds, smells, and bright lights when I'm stressed (makes it hard to go out into large crowds) but it isn't always followed by a migraine. I read recently that Aura migraines can have Aura symptoms without the migraine part. Could the sensory sensitivity be a thing with out the migraine all the time as well?
Hello!
I have been reading articles here for some time, and came today to find some info on having the strange symptoms without the big headache pain. So it is fortuitous that I then found your post question.
As of right now, I am getting some weird symptoms but it doesn't seem to be devolving into a full visual aura and much pain at all. I have some tingling and numbness in my face and hands, some bizarre perceptual sensations a'la Alice in Wonderland (i have read about Alice in Wonderland syndrome and migraine here https://www.healthline.com/health/alice-in-wonderland-syndrome), and some awareness of cognitive changes. I do rarely have difficulties with language and speaking with a migraine (the words don't come out right). And I am a writer and editor, and sometimes when the aura starts, I can feel my ability to come up with words and sentences in writing shift significantly. My eyes are also feeling "shifty" but not yet to the real visual aura I am used to.
So my answer is yes, I do get weird aura symptoms a lot I think. The sensitivity to light, sound, and noise are with me very often. And the sensations I am getting today seems of a stronger nature, and do often accompany a full on painful migraine. But this may be the third time in a couple weeks that I have had just the aura symptoms and no full on headache.
I seem to have a nervous system that is easily over stimulated, and stress is a huge part of that for me. Being out a lot of people is always a triggering event for that, and I do have to watch how much time I spend in crowds and with a lot of people.
I wonder, but have never read anything to support this, if somehow these symptoms are a part of the cascade that leads to the pain of migraine, but somehow it is a lesser form that does not necessarily (and I think thankfully) end in the full on painful headache experience. It is still a weird and uncomfortable and distracting experience. I tend to start medicating in minor ways that I hope will help (mostly non drug remedies I find somewhat helpful) and I am heading to take a hot bath with a cold cloth on my head. I still have a hard time thinking the pain is not coming, so I try to do things that will abort the process.
A long answer from me, but I hopefully my thoughts are helpful. And seeing as I am within the experience right now, I had plenty to say. I would love to discus this more. Heading for that bath now 😀
I hope the bath helps! It's helpful to know I'm not the only one who is sensory-sensitive and migraine prone. Maybe it is a nervous system thing. I'll have to look more into that!
