Headaches and dreams

[Nia]

Hi everyone,

This sounds crazy but I was wandering if anyone else had this problem and what they are doing for relief.  I've noticed that about 15-20 after falling asleep I'm disturbed with a powerful headache.  It wakes me out of sleep and doesn't go away until I take some medicine.  It usually happens when I'm dreaming (i know, silly right)  I haven't detected a pattern besides the time and the dreaming and it doesn't happen everynight but when it does, OMG the pain!  Has anyone else had this issue?

[It is what it is]

Do you remember the content of your dreams?  Is it usually a similar theme?

Karen

[Nia]

It doesn't matter the content. I've had dreams of having a conversation, running, watching TV... anything. The entire thought process of the dream is interrupted and I end up holding my head in pain and waking up. Only to realize the headache is real and everything else was a dream.

[It is what it is]

Since it's the dream state and not content that triggers the pain, I wonder if it is the rapid eye movement which is part of the dream state that is causing the problem.  You could simulate that by having someone wave their finger back and forth in front of your eyes as rapidly as your eyes can follow.  If it triggers the pain, you'll know that is the cause.  Of course, we aren't doctors and you may want to check this experiment out with your doctor before doing it. This does not cause pain for most people.  It is also an exercise used for vestibular issues. 

Karen

[leapyrtwins]

I don't have either issue, but hope you find a solution to the problem 

Jan

[geexploitation]

Nia, are you lying flat while you sleep or is your head a bit elevated? I've found that can make all the difference for me -- when lying flat I have woken up with such headaches at times.

[skipg]

Gee, do you use bed raisers under the headboard? This is what Dr Thorton of the Hampton Proton Center advises his  AN patients to use.
Skip

[geexploitation]

No, I'm just using some pillows since I'm assuming the issue is temporary. Bed raisers makes sense, though -- I think that what people with acid reflux problems do, too.

[Suu]

I get bad headaches during the time that I'm about to wake up.  Not daily but often enough that I sometimes don't want to open my eyes to face it.
The funny thing is that it disappears quickly.

I'm going to use 2 pillows for a week or so and see what happens with my head elevated a bit.  I'd assumed the pain was coming from my neck but the REM sleep happens when we're stirring in the mornings as well.
Gosh this site if so full of useful advice!

Happy days to all of us.
Suu