So you're wondering what are the symptoms of migraine? Let me tell you straight up – it's way more than just a bad headache. I remember my first migraine like it was yesterday. I was 22, sitting at my desk when suddenly the computer screen started shimmering like a mirage. Within an hour, I was vomiting in the bathroom with what felt like an icepick stabbing behind my left eye. My boss thought I was hungover. Yeah, not fun.
If you're reading this, you or someone you care about probably gets these monsters too. I've lived with migraines for 12 years now (ugh), and I'll walk you through exactly what to expect. Forget textbook definitions – let's talk real symptoms, surprising triggers, and when you should legit panic.
The Full Picture: Migraine Symptoms Beyond the Pain
Everyone focuses on the head pain – which is brutal – but migraine symptoms are a whole-body experience. Here's what actually happens during an attack:
Prodrome Phase (The Sneaky Warning)
About 24 hours before the headache hits, your body sends signals. I usually get:
- Uncontrollable yawning (like 20 times in 5 minutes)
- Neck stiffness that feels like concrete
- Weird food cravings – I once ate 3 pickle jars at 2 AM
- Mood swings (snapping at my cat for meowing? Yep)
Honestly, I used to ignore these until I realized they're my body's "evacuate now" alert.
Aura Symptoms (The Trippy Part)
Only 25% of migraine sufferers get aura, but boy is it bizarre. For me, it starts with:
- Zigzag lines in my vision like a broken TV (scary when driving)
- Tingling hands that spread to my face
- Once I couldn't remember my dog's name for 10 minutes
My neurologist says these happen because your brain gets electrical "static" before the headache.
Attack Phase (Where Hell Breaks Loose)
This is when people finally believe you're sick. Classic migraine symptoms include:
- Throbbing pain (usually one side, behind the eye)
- Nausea/vomiting (I keep emesis bags in every room)
- Light/sound sensitivity (sunglasses indoors aren't a fashion statement)
- Smell sensitivity (my partner's cologne becomes chemical warfare)
Fun fact: Some people get "silent migraines" with all symptoms except headache. Lucky them?
Postdrome (The Zombie Phase)
After the pain fades, you feel like you got hit by a truck. Common symptoms:
- Brain fog (I once put milk in the pantry)
- Muscle weakness
- Depression or euphoria (weird, right?)
Migraine Symptoms Comparison Chart
Not all migraines are created equal. Here's how symptoms stack up by type:
| Migraine Type | Key Symptoms | Duration | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Migraine with Aura | Visual disturbances, tingling, speech issues BEFORE headache | Aura: 20-60 min Headache: 4-72 hrs |
Higher stroke risk (talk to your doc!) |
| Vestibular Migraine | Vertigo, dizziness, balance problems | Minutes to days | Often misdiagnosed as ear infection |
| Hemiplegic Migraine | Weakness on one side (mimics stroke!) | Hours to weeks | Requires immediate ER visit first time |
| Ocular Migraine | Flickering lights, blind spots | 5-30 minutes | Usually no headache (just visual weirdness) |
Surprising Symptoms You Might Miss
Migraines don't read textbooks. Here are weird symptoms people rarely mention:
- Ice pick headaches - Sudden stabbing pains (last seconds but make you yelp)
- Allodynia - Your scalp hurts to touch (ponytails become torture devices)
- Phantom smells - Like burnt toast or ozone (no, your house isn't on fire)
- Alice in Wonderland syndrome - Objects appear larger/smaller (trippy but harmless)
My personal weirdest? "Cephalic yawning" - compulsive yawning from brainstem issues. Super awkward in meetings.
Danger Signs: When Symptoms Become Emergencies
Most migraines won't kill you, but call 911 if you have:
- Worst headache of your life (like a thunderclap)
- Weakness/numbness on one side (could be stroke)
- Fever with stiff neck (meningitis red flag)
- First migraine after age 50 (needs urgent scan)
Seriously, don't tough this out. I delayed once and regretted it.
Migraine Symptoms Through Life Stages
What are the symptoms of migraine at different ages? They evolve:
Children (Yes, Kids Get Them Too)
- Abdominal pain instead of headache (often misdiagnosed as "tummy aches")
- Cyclic vomiting (every 2-4 weeks like clockwork)
- Dizziness and motion sickness
My niece gets "confusional migraines" where she just stares blankly for hours. Terrifying for parents.
Teens & Hormonal Shifts
When puberty hits, symptoms often worsen:
- Strong link to periods (thanks, estrogen drops)
- Increased light/sound sensitivity (school hallways become torture)
- Oral contraceptives can make them better or worse (trial and error nightmare)
During Pregnancy
Good news for most: 60-70% improve by 2nd trimester thanks to steady hormones. But watch for:
- Aura without headache (more common when pregnant)
- Increased dizziness/nausea (hard to distinguish from morning sickness)
Important: Many migraine meds are unsafe during pregnancy – don't guess!
After Menopause
For many women, migraines improve post-menopause. But some develop:
- New aura symptoms without headache
- Worsening during perimenopause hormone rollercoasters
Tracking Your Symptoms Like a Pro
I've kept a migraine diary for 8 years. Here's what matters:
| What to Track | Why It Matters | My Tracking Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Pain location (left/right/both) | Patterns help diagnose migraine type | Sketch a head outline - shade pain areas |
| Associated symptoms (nausea, aura etc.) | Identifies attack phases and severity | Use emoji codes - 🤢 for nausea, 👁️🗨️ for aura |
| Triggers (food, weather, stress) | Helps avoid future attacks | Note weather pressure changes (use barometer app) |
| Medication response | Shows what actually works | Record time taken vs pain reduction (0-10 scale) |
After tracking, I discovered my "secret" triggers: dehydration + bright sunlight + skipped meals. Avoid that trifecta like plague.
Your Migraine Symptoms FAQ
Can you have migraine symptoms without headache?
Absolutely. Silent migraines (aura without pain) are legit. My friend gets temporary blindness with zero headache. Still counts as migraine.
How long do migraine symptoms usually last?
Untreated, 4-72 hours. But postdrome fatigue can linger for days. My record: 5-day post-migraine zombie mode.
Are visual disturbances always part of migraine symptoms?
Nope. Only 25-30% get aura. I didn't get them until my 30s – brains change.
Why do smells trigger nausea during attacks?
Your trigeminal nerve goes haywire. Even "good" smells become overwhelming. I had to ban scented candles from my house.
Do migraine symptoms change after menopause?
Often improve, but some women develop new aura symptoms. Hormones are weird conductors of this chaos.
Migraine Symptoms vs. Other Headaches
Not sure if it's migraine or just a bad tension headache? Compare:
- Migraine: Throbbing/pulsing pain, nausea, light/sound sensitivity, typically one-sided
- Tension headache: Dull "band-like" pressure, both sides, no nausea
- Cluster headache: Excruciating eye-area pain, tearing/red eye, lasts 15min-3hrs
- Sinus headache: Face pressure, worse when bending, nasal congestion
Quick test: Jump up and down. If pain spikes, it's likely migraine. If unchanged, probably tension headache.
Closing Thoughts from a Veteran Sufferer
Learning what are the symptoms of migraine was my first step toward managing them. Still sucks, but knowing the phases helps me:
- Take meds during prodrome (game-changer)
- Explain to my boss why I need a dark room NOW
- Stop blaming myself for "just headaches"
Last month, I had a migraine during my cousin's wedding. Hid in a closet with ice packs. But hey – I knew the aura meant pain was coming, took my triptan, and salvaged the reception. Small wins.
If you take one thing from this: Track your symptoms religiously. Patterns emerge. Empowerment begins. And for god's sake – hydrate.
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