Strange prodromes and auras
Hello!
I hope everyone is doing ok-ish and having the best day that they can today!
I have been getting migraines for 46 years, (but who’s counting?!), and I have recently been diagnosed with chronic daily migraine with aura. Oh the perks of life with Migraine!
I have read the list of prodromes and auras, and did not come across one that I get recently: a striking, horizontal, intense pain, straight across my back from shoulder blade to shoulder blade. It feels like somebody just swung a bat right there. It hurts insanely for a few minutes and then totally disappears! I cannot associate it with any type of movement that would cause that reaction. But, when I get it, it’s right before a migraine starts. Anyone else ever experience something similar? It’s bizarre, but it’s happened enough to make that conclusion.
Thanks for “listening!”
Hi- Thank you so much for posting this great question. I did a quick search through the articles we have here on Migraine.com, and I didn't see any results related to what you've experienced. My hope is that others will come across your post and chime in on the conversation soon. I have a strong suspicion that you're not the only person who experiences this. Migraine is a complex disease, and there are just so many potential symptoms.
In the meantime, help us understand a bit more about what helps. Do you just wait for the pain to go away, do you use treatment like stretching, ice, or heat?
Warmly,
- Cody (Team Member)Hi, Cody!
Thank you for answering so quickly! When this started happening, I just thought I was stressed or tired. So, I waited for it to pass. Now, I know the migraine pain phase is near. So, I try to quickly do a couple of shoulder/neck relaxation stretches if I have time, and hope it goes away soon. But, it’s like getting a leg cramp. It comes on fast and you can try to intervene, but it may have to run its course before it disappears. Sometimes there’s not enough time to really do too much other than try to stretch. It doesn’t stop it, but at least I feel like I’m trying to do some thing! And luckily, it doesn’t last long! Annoying, but another heads up for awareness!
So important to try to employ self-care techniques as we navigate the various phases of migraine. As you note, there seem to be windows of time in which we can have a better outcome when we employ these techniques. If we miss said window, our strategies don't seem to work as well. As many of our migraine doctors will tell us, we have the best chances of slowing or stopping an attack if we respond at the earliest juncture when we first become aware one is unfolding.
Interesting about this physical manifestation of pain you are feeling in your back and shoulders. Have you ever considered trying botox as a preventative? I ask because the injections can go down into the shoulders. I wonder if that would help you. Thinking of you. Warmly- Holly -migraine.com team
Hi
- Thanks so much for engaging here in our community. As Cody has, I also looked into this topic on our site, finding very little. I am sure that others have had similar experiences. I did come across a study done in 2016 that mentions (an 8-year-old boy) having pain between the shoulder blades prior to (aura?) migraine. Here is the link https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5056596/ It's an interesting study. I hope it helps answer your question. Warmly Rebecca (community moderator) Sorry - meant to write the article delineates an 8 year follow-up of 4 generations - not 8yo boy. Ugh ... hope you are well. Warmly - Rebecca (team member)
A wee late, like with everything else in Migraineville, but a sincere “Thank You” to all for addressing this issue. It still happens and I just put that physical reaction in the box of “crazy drama prodromes” of migraine!
I did read the article a while ago, and it was very interesting! Thank you for validating my sanity and conclusion! Those migraines are tricky little things!
Also, I just want to thank all of you for your dedication to this site. You are amazing that you can do all this AND have migraines!
Sending gentle hugs and praying for everyone to have the best day they can have!
Thank you for your kind words! They mean so much to us!! It's so important to know we're not alone in our migraine disease journey. We're here for you! Sending out pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com TeamOh friend - you are so very welcome. We put so much into this site because we appreciate the pain, suffering, time loss, and difficulty migraines bring about. We do it, and I'd like to think I speak for all here, because we want to give support to those, just like you, suffering through episodes of migraines. Knowing you are not alone on this journey can be a tremendous help. Thank you for appreciating us. Wishing you relief as you navigate this journey of migraine disease. Sending hugs back to you. Warmly - Rebecca (team member)
