What's Your Secret: Postdrome

By Lisa Robin Benson

1 min read

Postdrome is also known as the "migraine hangover." It's the last stage of a migraine after the attack abates. In this What's Your Secret video, we discuss tips and tricks for dealing with this nagging and often frustrating phase of the attack.

What is your postdrome like, if you experience that phase? What are some of your tips and tricks for helping yourself feel better?

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latodavia Member
I'm always exhausted, like a limp dishrag. Sometimes I have what I call "migraine echoes" -- just the faintest head stiffness. I drink tea and thank the Fates that the worst is over -- until next time.
1. Peggy Artman Moderator
 Latodavia, the prodrome phase can be very difficult and annoying to get through. I feel exhausted too, sometimes for days. Be good to yourself during this time. Your body is recovering from all the things that go on during a migraine attack. ~ Peggy (<a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a>)
cp Member
I find I am exhausted. Like "lie on the couch and don't move or talk" exhausted the next day.
glassmind Member
I usually have restored and normal energy postdrome, but my short-term memory is shot and my cognition can lag. (I think the meds are as at fault as the migraine.) Example: Day after migraine attack is relative's birthday. Day before migraine had planned to call. On the birthday? Woke up happy to be migraine free with energy to do laundry! That day and for the next two days get concerned texts and voicemails from various relatives asking if I'm okay. I assure them I'm fine just had a migraine. Why were they prompted to check on me? Because I never forget birthdays! I'm the one who calls at 5am to sing to you. But none mentioned the missed birthday! One of the concerned voicemails was from the birthday girl! On her birthday! And she didn't mention it. It took me to day three to remember and send a horribly embarressed belated birthday well wish. So glad my post migraine brain fog is understood and forgiven by my loved ones. But there have been times I've missed appointments or dates, too. Which is why I try to put everything on a calender. But if I fail to remember to look at the calendar then what? Alas.
goddess-of-grammar Member
I only found out about this phase a month ago, thanks to an absolutely awesome, incredible tracking and research information App, called Migraine Buddy. PS., I hope this site will review and feature the app soon for your users! Many don't know that it exists. I only found it by accident! During postdrome, I have the zombie fog, I call it advanced Alzheimer's forgetfulness. Plus achy head, and often nausea, or diahreaha, etc. I feel happy, or maybe grateful, that the bad headache is over, but to be honest, the fog/forgetfulness is almost bad sometimes, and it's dangerous when driving, walking, etc as I'm not at all alert. It lasts up to 48 hours for me. It's frustrating, but I'm grateful to migraine buddy for "telling" me, or I still wouldn't know. It's important to know about this phase and track it (that's another task that migraine buddy does in detail), because we must realize when we're foggy so we take extra care when driving, walking (so we don't fall down,) working, and just any task where we're not napping!
jthomp7 Member
When I am in the postdrome phase, my main symptom is fatigue, especially when I've had a migraine for about 3 days. Battling the pain and nausea just wears me out! Over the years, I've felt frustrated that I can't "bounce back" once the pain and nausea have subsided, or are mostly gone. I've learned that I need to give myself time to get through this phase and to do what I can. Just being up and out of bed all day is an accomplishment. By the way, Lisa, you have a pretty cat!