Status Migrainosus

by Brittany

Hi.

I have had a headache for 10 days now, and its constant pain. It seems to be concentrated mainly on the right side, but the pain is also in my forehead. I have had a cough since september.

The pain gets worse if I bend over, and it is excrutiating in the morning, enough to wake me up out of my sleep. I take 3 advil to get rid of the pain, but it takes an hour to kick in, and then the pain is dull, but constant. My mom gets migraines, and I have only gotten a visual migraine once, a long time ago.

I usually don't get headaches. it hurts so bad. occasionally, especially before the medicine kicks in, i feel sick (though I haven't gotten sick) and it hurts to move. I haven't been able to rest though because I can't miss class.
what kind of headache do you think this is?

Answer

Hi Brittany,

With the history you have just given me, you are describing the classic migraine headache symptoms. This means a somewhat disabling headache associated with nausea, and movement makes the pain worse.

You also have a family and personal history of migraine so it is possible that the stress of school is the cause of headache.

Migraines are usually worse or can attack between 4-7AM. When the headache has gone beyond 3 days it is called status migrainosus. Oral medication like Advil will have little effect at this point.

I would recommend that you go to an urgent care center or the ER. They will be able to treat the headache in a more aggressive way. You should then consider seeing either your own physician or the school doctor as a follow up and talk about the best headache medication for you.

Many of the triptans for migraine are very effective and fast acting.

Good luck!
Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C