I've had a miserable h/a since waking from a dream. It's not the first time it's happened; I guess I'm just fed up!!
Does anyone know why this happens??

Thanks,
Sue

I have the exact same problem and I wish I knew what caused it. I usually keep that headache all day too. Also when I dream my body temp increases and I wake up sweating pretty heavy. Like you WTF?

Hi Robyn,
Thanks for the reply. I just woke up with one, and I noticed I was dreaming right before - again! That's usually the case; I wonder if there's a connection? Hmmmm.
Take care,
Sue

I started having headaches similar to what you describe during the 2-3 nights before the start of my period. I would wake at almost 4 on the dot with an awful headache that would linger all day. Sometimes I would vomit but most times just nauseated and achy. I thought it was coffee withdrawal, or medication related, or even allergies. But it persisted and I finally noticed the pattern. When I mentioned it to my dr she says peri-menopause. UGGG!! I am seeing a dr who treats with bio-identical hormones tomorrow and pray for good results.

Hi ciarichic,
A few years ago I went to a neurologist who specialized in headaches. I kept a headache diary for a few months, and it was determined they were hormonal in nature. I'm 50 and knee deep in peri-menopause; I have a history of a stroke so I can't do any type of hormone therapy. It's exercise and extra B vitamins for me. (The B's have helped me with hot flashes; as long as I'm taking them regularly I don't get them at all!!)
I noticed your nickname; do you have a chiari malformation?? (My cousin does, and was diagnosed after she got fed up with her morning headaches.)
Take care!!
Sue

Hi, I to am knee deep in perimenopause. I was already on Neurontin for Trigeminal neuralgia and it is also used off label for hot flashes so I haven't had those. The waking up at 4am? Oh yeah I am so there!!!!! It is just awful it ruins my whole day! My gyno put me on birth control pills and it has helped with the sleeping some. I still have to take 2 benadryl and an xanax to sleep at nite. You would think that would keep me down and out but nope! My headaches start in the late morning right before I wake up for the second time, that's when I do my dreaming so I wake up then with my headache and sweating from my dream. If I don't dream then everything is great. Just don't get it.

Hi Robyn,

Neurontin and Lyrica didn't help me at all. (Post-stroke nerve pain.)

I don't understand the dream/headache connection either!

I'm on day #3 of a headache,, and I started my period yesterday. I wonder when this "fun" finally ends, and my hormones aren't on the peri-menopausal rollercoaster, if the headaches will stop?

Take care!!
Sue

Eve and that darn apple......but seriously, yes I do have a Chiari and had decompression surgery in 2004. I have been fairly headache free except for the monthly woes. I went from severe explosive daily headaches to 2-3 days of that dull roar behind my eye. But in the last year or so, I have noticed an increase in frequency and severity, so am looking for new neuro doc.
What I have learned about Chiari or any type of neuro issue, is that it makes us much more sensitive to all the usual migraine/headache triggers and throw in the XX gene combo and it is even more complicated. MSG might cause a crippling headache for me when I am on my period but may not even notice it in the middle of my cycle, for instance.

And yes, I was waking up with headaches, but I was also nearly passing out from the pressure and pain when I laughed really hard, coughed really hard, or even with straining to lift something heavy. Childbirth nearly killed me because I was undiagnosed and had epidurals each time.

I guess what I am trying to say is you don't have to suffer. I am going to see a nurse practioner who prescribes bioidentical hormones. Since my decompression surgery, my hormones have been askew. I now have hypothyroid, low adrenal function and irregular periods. If I forget to take my thyroid meds, I get a horrible headache and it is gone within an hour of my taking my missed dose. When you think it is 1 thing causing that headache, it could be something else entirely.

Believe in yourself, if it doesn't feel right, it probably is not right, and you need treatment!!

I wake up with headaches also--some days they are debilitating. My doc figured out they're caused by my neck. Next we have to figure out what's going on with that--I had a nasty whiplash many years ago that is the likely culprit.

The only thing that helps right now is an ice pack on my neck. I do this first thing in the am these days whether I have a headache or not, my neck is always bothering me.

I'm sure my hormones are involved as well, too.

I've had a long history of awful headaches, but have finally found treatments that work for me, and may well help you too.
1. Try different height pillows. The wrong angle all night will cause problems.
2. Get a series of remedial massages. This will sort out the sore and tight neck muscles. This was the first thing that gave me relief from the headaches. You will probably need a few as it takes time to undo the muscle knots. Must be remedial massage.
3. Start taking magnesium chloride. A magnesium deficiency is well known as a muscle pain cause. Since stating on this, I no longer have to have the massages as my muscles are no longer knotted.
4. Take note throughout the day of what sort of strains you put on your neck, and see if you can moderate them. Laptops are the worst, for instance, as the posture is all wrong when you use the keyboard. Look at the seats you use for neck strain-especially when watching TV.
All of these little things add up and contribute to headaches.
The whiplash is likely to be a factor, so tell your masseuse about it, so the muscle damage can be repaired.