Extinguishing the Final Embers of a Multi-Day Migraine Attack
Multi-day migraine attacks are exhausting. Paralyzed with pain, we watch life go by without us. We miss work and family commitments, and watch the laundry pile up, without sufficient energy to shower. When the intensity of the pain lifts, we are left facing the pressure to catch up with life while still experiencing the after-shocks of the attack.
Walking on eggshells during postdrome
Just because an attack begins to clear doesn’t mean it’s over. The period following a migraine attack is called “postdrome” and can last for days. It’s a delicate period in which it can be easy to re-trigger an active attack. Symptoms like brain fog, weakness, head pain, and mood changes are among those that can occur during this window of time.
Head pain at the end of the attack
After an intractable attack, we often are also dealing with inflammation. We are sore from being curled up in odd positions or from vomiting. It’s a tender time. We bend over and stand back up only to experience head pain. A reminder that the attack is still under the surface - like an ember waiting to reignite a fire with the slightest breeze.
Migraine medication aftermath
Another dynamic at play following a multi-day migraine attack is related to medications we may have onboarded during the attack. Especially during an intractable attack. To quiet the severe pain and complex neurological symptoms – including nausea and vomiting – we may take multiple medications. Each medication carries its own set of side effects which sometimes can rival migraine symptoms. Worse, the medications combine to create a cumulative effect - a wash of dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue.
What am I experiencing?
In the days following an attack, it can be hard to sort out what we are experiencing – is it a medication hangover, postdrome symptoms, or a continued migraine attack? Either way, the result is an overall lack of well-being. Hydration is key at this time which can be challenging if nausea and vomiting continue to occur.
Can I rest to quiet the quake?
Do you have the ability to rest and take it easy today? It can be difficult to justify rest when we feel like we’ve been quiet and resting during the attack itself. In reality, managing a migraine attack is hard work. There is very little rest that happens. We labor hard through the pain and our bodies become exhausted in the process. When coming off a lengthy attack it’s difficult to resist the urge to catch up. Even so, it's important to prioritize quiet time to avoid re-triggering the migraine. We are vulnerable in the days following an intense attack - so it's key that we don't overdo.
Again, like a fire going out, we must let those last embers extinguish entirely before we encounter any wind.
How do you quiet a multi-day attack? We’d love to learn from you in the comments section below.
Join the conversation