Turning a corner? I may have found my cure?

By susanmcmanus

1 min read

I have suffered with migraines for about 15 years. More recently, they have become chronic (about 4 years now) and most recently have been almost daily (about 7 months now). I am 53 so my doctors all felt that peri-menopause was the main culprit. I was also having issues with insomnia (also could be due to peri-menopause) so my family doctor sent me for a sleep study. Well, to my shock, I have been diagnosed with sleep apnea. I do not snore and am a very quiet sleeper so this was not something I was expecting! I received my CPAP machine about 10 days ago and it has been LIFE CHANGING! For the last 10 days, I have only had one migraine which lasted for two days. I feel like I have gotten my life back! I don't think this will "cure" my migraines, but I think that being well rested and oxygenated is helping me to not react to every trigger out there!

I realize it has only been 10 days, but I am getting ready to "shout from the rooftops" about how good I feel in all aspects of my health/life. Much less fatigued-actually I would say it is not fatigue anymore, just getting tired after a lot of activity since I have been so non-active lately. I actually played tennis twice this week and had not played or gone to practice in months! PLEASE ask your doctor(s) to prescribe a sleep study. No medication is involved and it certainly can't hurt to give it a try.

I sure hope I have not jinxed myself, but I am enjoying every minute right now without a migraine!

I guess a big question is: Has some type of study been done linking sleep apnea to migraine? My neurologist is NOT the doctor that prescribed the sleep study, but on my next visit, he will hear me give it a glowing recommendation!

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jennl Member
Hi mammapeaches, Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, and for being part of this community. We are so happy for you that you have found such helpful information and have experienced new developments in connecting your sleep apnea to migraine. We thought you might find this article -and the comments beneath it- useful: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/is-snoring-giving-you-a-headache' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/blog/is-snoring-giving-you-a-headache/</a>. Thanks again for sharing your story, and we wish you continued success. Warmly, Jenn (Community Manager, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>)
1. susanmcmanus Member
 Jenn, Thanks for including my story on the blog! I hope it will help at least one person! I read the article that you included. It was interesting and I certainly did not check off those boxes. I do not snore and did not feel un-rested although having daily migraines was making me feel so bad I probably was not making a connection. I DID have the daily morning headache but still, that is not what sent me to the sleep study-my insomnia did! I see that article was from 2011. Maybe someone will do some new research and forge the way for so many sufferers! Thanks for making this blog a great source of information and comfort for migraineurs all over! Sincerely, Mammapeaches
lponce Member
I have suffered with migraines for over 30 years, now in my 50's they seem to have taken over my life. I've always been a positive person but lately its a struggle to see a future without migraines. My main guilt is what my family, especially my husband, has had to put up with. Many parties,events, trips and functions have been missed because of migraines. I feel like a prisoner in my home at times but other times just staying home is a relief because it keeps me from having to be asked over and over about my migraines. Being out when one occurs is just as hard, having to disappoint people or family and having to come home because the pain is just too much and the noise and smells around me make them even more unbearable. I know one day their will be a cure, but for us who are still waiting it's a nightmare! I'm happy for those who have found a solution for their pain and I pray for us who are still seeking. May God give us the hope we need not to give up and may our families and the few friends we have left continue to be patient and prayerful.