caret icon Back to all discussions

Swing Shift & Changes in Sleep Schedule

My husband is a sufferer of sporadic migraines. He is a police officer and enjoys working the night shift. Unfortunately for him, this shift is also his downfall. If he has to switch his sleep pattern for any reason (a daytime training, a weekend trip or activity, working overtime) he can usually expect one to come on. To prevent them, we have had to plan well ahead for activities so that he may take extra time off to slowly adjust the sleep schedule. Otherwise he keeps the same sleep schedule year round, even on days off. Anytime he has to sharply change his schedule, I cringe and await the call which usually means its right to the ER for treatment.

His other known triggers are excessive amounts of cheese, over exertion in workouts, and strong fluorescent lights.

  1. Hi here4husby,

    Thank you for reaching out to us for your husband, and thank him for protecting us!

    Having a migraine attack triggered by sleep issues is not uncommon. Swing shifts are notorious for triggers a migraine attack. I wish I had a better answer for you, but there you have it.

    Has he discusses this with his doctor? There are medications that stop the migraine process he could try. These are called triptans and are taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. Let me share information on these with you here; https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment/triptans/.

    Let me know what you think,
    Nancy

    Please read our rules before posting.