Migraine Symtpoms

Here is a complete list of migraine symptoms. Hardly anybody experiences all these symptoms, and migraineurs often experience different symptoms during different episodes. Some people do not even get the classic migraine headache, or they might get the headache during only some episodes.  For most people the symptoms are episodic, although some people experience back-to-back migraines or continuous migraine. The phases listed below are possible but do not occur in all migraineurs or always in every migraine episode.  Many of the symptoms present on one side of the body, although that is not always true, either.  In other words, there is no hard-and-fast rule. Every migraineur is unique in how the disorder manifests itself.

Some of the symptoms are indicative of other conditions, so it is wise to check with a doctor if a new symptom appears suddenly.

1.  Prodrome Phase (hours or days before the headache)

• Irritability
• Depression
• Euphoria
• Fatigue and/or sleepiness
• Yawning
• Cravings
• Stiffness and/or pain in neck
• Dizziness
• Changes in elimination

2.  Aura Phase (minutes to an hour before the headache)

• Blurred vision
• Clouded vision
• Tunnel vision
• Flashing lights
• Dazzling zigzag lights
• Eye pain
• Numbness and/or tingling (esp. in arms and face)
• Ringing or roaring in ears
• Decreased hearing
• Vertigo (imbalance or spinning sensation)
• Olfactory (smelling) hallucinations
• Difficulty finding the right word or words to say
• Oversensitivity to being touched

3.  Headache Phase

• Pulsing, throbbing, or pounding headache
• Often on one side only or worse on one side
• Can start as a dull ache and get worse
• Lasts from a few hours to a few days
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound or both
• Pale skin
• Prominent blood vessels in temple
• Neck stiffness
• Vertigo
• Tinnitus
• Chills and/or Sweating
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating

4.  Postdrome (lasting up to several days)

• Impaired thinking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Less severe head pain
• Muscle weakness
• Neck stiffness
• Fatigue and/or sleepiness
• Euphoria
• Depression or malaise