r/migrainescience

“Wildfire-sourced fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) was associated with a 6% increase in emergency department visits for migraine and headache. There was no significant link between PM2.5 and emergency department visits on nonwildfire days, and the associations were attenuated in the least materially and socially deprived areas.” https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2853042

Particularly interests me as a climate scientist with chronic migraine

“Conclusion: Digital screen exposure is associated with approximately 60% greater odds of migraine or headache, with biologically plausible mechanisms but low-certainty evidence drawn almost entirely from cross-sectional studies. Screen exposure should be regarded as a modifiable, clinically assessable factor in migraine care, while prospective, objectively measured, and interventional research is needed to establish causality and to test targeted mitigation strategies.”

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42603831/

Hi! New here but Google guided me. I've suffered from textbook migraines for 25 years. Head splitting, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, etc.

Last October, I had my first migraine with aura (shimmering), I went to the ER because I thought I was having a stroke. MRI showed nothing so doctor said it was an ocular migraine or a silent migraine.

A couple weeks later, I had another one. Visual disturbance, I saw shimmering and once again, thought I was stroking out because the right side of my face got tingly and numb feeling. Another ER visit and MRI again showed nothing.

Then nothing from October until today.

This time, I saw zig zags. It was primarily my left eye but I saw a little on my right side. Left eye spread across my whole vision and right eye stayed small and in peripherals. 15 minutes later its over. I went to the ER again because it was different than last time. They did a CT and said its either another ocular migraine or a TIA and sent me home with a referral to Neuro.

My questions: Why am I suddenly getting migraines with aura? I've never had them before and they are terrifying. Why would my migraines change? I still get the head splitting ones but apparently a random aura one with no pain. Do auras change each time or is it a once you've had that type, you'll get another one? Is it normal to go from sparkles to zig zags? What triggers them? I was just watching TV and it came on.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm anxious while waiting for my appt.

No seeking medical advice—I'd really love to hear from people who actually use triptans or have kids who do.
Yay, we finally found a triptan that works without any scary side effects! Unfortunately, it makes my son fall asleep hardand pretty quickly afterward.
I'm torn about what to do if he gets a migraine at school:
Add the triptan to his IHP so he can take it at school, knowing he'll probably need time to sleep afterward.

If he gets a migraine at school, have him picked up early so he can take the triptan at home and sleep it off.

Keep the school plan as just the potent NSAID + Zofran, then give the triptan after pickup.

Right now his prevention is daily CoQ10. His rescue plan is a potent NSAID, Zofran, and a triptan. The IHP currently only lists the NSAID and Zofran because that's what was in place before we found a triptan that works, but his neurologist said the triptan can be added.
For those of you who get really sleepy from triptans (or have a child who does), how do you handle school? Does the sleepiness lessen over time, or has it stayed about the same?