Migraine Headaches Support Group

Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.

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Punkee 12/06/2009

I started crying earlier this evening because of something I was watching on TV. (Please, don't ask). And then after I had finally stopped, I realized I had a headache. Thinking back then, I realized that when I cry, i get headaches. It feels almost as if it's a sinus headache. You know the type, right at the bridge of your nose that pulsates back through your head? Yeah, those. Has anyone ever had crying as a trigger to headaches?? I realize that when we figure out triggers for these types of things, we generally try to avoid the triggers, thus avoiding the headaches/migrains, but considering, it's kind of hard to avoid crying, especially when it helps with so many other things in the depression era. So what do you do?

I also noticed that earlier when I was crying, I was holding back. And what I mean by that is I was trying NOT to cry. Do you think that could have onset the headache??

Thanks for any responses in advance!! It's appreciated. :)

-Nicole

starkeeper 12/07/2009

For myself a good cry has set off not a really bad mirgraine, but some pain if not congestion around forehead, eye sockets bridge of nose, I believ during the crying in some of us we have more sensitive blood vessels in the area. My whole face turns red. That means the vessels are dialating or contricting and for some of us headache. I try not to cry too easily, but once and awhile it's prpbably a good thing+

Punkee 12/08/2009

I don't doubt that crying is a good thing. Idk, maybe it's because of the congestion that crying causes that gives me a headache? Could be.

KelleyPaterson 12/08/2009

I often get headaches from crying and it is absolutely due to congestion. I tend to cry a fair amount, probably hormonal I suppose. Not usually over my problems or stress just something on tv or a sad book. I wish I could prevent it from happening. Sometimes it is kind of embarrassing.

RaeFx 12/08/2009

I have PTSD and when I have a anxiety or panic attack I do tend to cry. I also can hold back the crying if in an inappropriate setting but still get the congestion. It definately is the congestion that sets off my migraines. (one of many reasons.)

angee7 12/19/2009

If I cry because there is something sad on T.V. that does not trigger a Migraine.

But, if I get all worked up and stressed, or angry and cry hard, then yes, that does give me a headache which will trigger a MIGRAINE.

So, for me it's the level of the cry!

Rachel100 12/20/2009

I always get a headache when I cry. So, I just don't cry. Well, almost never. Because when I do cry, I get a bad migraine. It's just not worth it to me to cry. But then I'm not a really emotional person, so that is good. Yes, I can feel sad, but not to the point where I feel I have to cry over things very often. I would be in big migraine trouble if I was a person who needed to cry every time I felt sad!!! owie owie owie

deleted_user 01/04/2010

I get one every time after I cry.. I had someone tell me once that when you cry, it makes your brain swell?? Don't know how true that is.. But I go through this all the time.

deleted_user 01/11/2010

happens to me too...not so much now that my migraines are better but it would always happen in the past. couldn't cry cause it would get so much worse. i understand your pain

deleted_user 01/13/2010

I get nasty headaches if I cry hard....stinks, doesn't it? Wonder if it's the muscles?

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