Migraine/headache: What is the difference?

[Bluestone]

As above, what is the difference between a headache and a migraine?

Last night, I was feeling absolutely fine, and then all of a sudden my head started hurting.
It wasn't like a normal headache, and didn't have a build-up, it literally came out of the blue and really hurt.
It was right at the front of my head, in the middle of my forehead, and continued for over an hour at it's peak. I'm not being dramatic, or being a wimp, but I was crying with the pain.
I took paracetamol and ibuprofen (two of each) and it dulled off after a couple of hours. I was sick during this time also.

I have no headache this morning, but have noticed I look *very* pale. In fact, a courier just asked if I was alright, so I must look a bit peaky.

Really bad headache/migraine/something else?

[NOX]

A migraine isn't simply a headache, it's debilitating beyond words, usually but not always one sided, sometimes with flashing lights, noises, vomiting or nauseus feeling, dizzy, disorientation etc etc etc sometimes it also affects the abdomen, or even make you unable to speak properly. If you've never had anything this severe before then could well be a migraine. I pity you in that case, I've had them for years and they're bloody vile.

[vodkancoke]

I have migraines a lot Bluestone. I have had them since I was 8. I think migraines can differ from person to person.. Mine come on all of a sudden, they tend to be on one side and go down the back of my head and neck. I get flashing spots in my eyes, I am light-headed and I am always sick. I have sumatriptan nasal sprays which can help sometimes, but I usually have to call the doc/nurse out and they give me an injection which makes me sleep and 9 times out of 10 it goes away.

I hope you feel better, they are not nice at all. :( xx

[vodkancoke]

Oooh and just to make your headache worse......I got tickets to see ROBBIE this morning! lol xxx

[daffy654]

It does sound like a migraine to me. When I have them it can leave me feeling 'washed out' for a couple of days afterwards. I'm usually better if I can actually vomit and then sleep for a couple of hours in a pitch black, cool/cold room in complete silence.

[Sqad]

Could be many things, none of which are life threatening...........migraine is a possibility and you took the correct measures.

The cause?................monitor the situation for further developments........if they occur.

Could well be associated with your nasal problem.

[Bluestone]

Nox, Oh god! No, it wasn't that bad. Jeez, that sounds horrific! :-(
I think it was probably just a really bad headache then. I did feel really sick throughout, and was then sick, but I think comes with a lot of pain-related things, doesn't it. There were certainly no flashing light, nor dizziness. Blimey, I really feel for you now.

[Barmaid]

I'm not sure what this was, but I get the odd headache and I also suffer migraine (although thankfully I haven't had one for several months now). If I get a migraine it will knock me out - completely. Sometimes I will throw up, I can't bear ANY light and have to have a cool dark towel over my eyes; I get dizzy; I am extremely sensitive to smells and certain smells are guaranteed to make me chuck up. The only cure is tablets and laying down in a dark cold room in absolute silence. When it passes (anything from about 4 to 9 hours) it leaves me feeling "hungover". Trouble is, mine are "clusters" so I know if I have one, I will have another within a few days. The second one is invariably more violent than the first.

Do what Sqad says. It could just have been a one off nasty headache.

[Bluestone]

As with you too, V&C. They sounds bloody awful!
However, your's is probably Robbie related. The love you have for that man can't be good for your health!! lol x

[Bluestone]

Daffy, BM, I really feel for all your migraine sufferers now. It sounds terrible! Now I know for sure it was just a nasty headache, as it was nothing like you have all described. It blimmin hurt, but not quite to those extremes. I am obviously just a massive wimp!

Sqad, thanks for the "nothing life threatening" comment. You know what I'm like... I would have been straight down A&E if you'd said anything different!! :-)
I did wonder if it could have been nose related...

[marje]

Hi Bluestone, I suffer from migraines but I don't get the really bad pain. I get a funny black & white zigzag pattern in my eyes but it's not always in the same place and I can't see anything where this pattern is, if you see what I mean. It's only after this has gone that I get a dull headache and feel washed out.

Anyone who gets the 'real deal' has my sympathies.

[Hopkirk]

Probably sinus pain.

[Robinia]

I agree with Hopkirk...I get terrible sinus pain, sometimes bad enough to make me feel nauseous, when it eases I feel the pressure release.
I was having many migraines, sometimes lasting 3 days. Since my doctor put me on a low dose of atenolol (a beta blocker) I've been so much better. Maybe it was a last resort as they were getting to be so persistent.