Migraine from pressure on abdomen -- anyone else?
 

I have had chronic daily headaches since I was 10 (I am now 50) -- sinus, tension, migraine, and everything else you can think of. I have had all the tests and tried all the treatments, but there is no known physiological cause. I know my triggers and control what I can. But recently, one of my triggers has become extremely sensitive, and I can't find a doctor of any specialty who will even speculate about the cause.

When I wear clothing that puts any pressure at all on my abdomen, I get a migraine almost instantly. And it's the kind of migraine that doesn't respond to any treatment other than knocking myself out for the night with antihistamines. I now wear only loose dresses and maternity pants one size too large (fortunately I am female!) but even that doesn't always work any more. Any position besides sitting up perfectly straight or lying down flat will now sometimes trigger it.

I had a complete hysterectomy and uterine fibroid removed last year, but that didn't make a difference. I can't see any connection with digestion, but I have a just-turned-50-colonoscopy schedule next month that I have a hope might turn something up (the gastroenterologist says this is highly unlikely). When they run all the usual blood tests, everything is perfect. I have seen a neurologist/pain researcher here at the Univ. of Florida who says "just wear dresses."

Does anyone else have anything like this? Have you found a doctor who will even speculate?

This is a migraine in your head or in your abdomen? There is such a thing as abdominal migraine, because the pain usually occurs in the abdomen.

I did find a description of something similar (headache caused/worsened by pressure on stomach)
Releave migraine caused by stomach using pressure points on head
(Leave the spelling error in there)

Hope there may be a clue in here someplace....

Doc

Hi,

I am assuming, for the purposes of my response, that you do mean you get a headache from pressure on your abdomen, as opposed to an abdominal migraine as described by Dr. Smith above.

Just a few thoughts, and I apologize if the tests have been done:

1. Have you had a recent MRI (to the head)? This is a basic, to rule out brain conditions that could explain your symptoms.
   
   
2. Have you had recent X-rays or a CT of your spinal column? You describe the offending pressure as being caused by posture or restrictive clothing. Both of these also implicate the spine... You might expect to feel back pain if there were a problem there, but with nerves, one does not always feel pain at the point of origin.
   
   
3. Did any important medical incident occur shortly (weeks or months) before this trigger "worsened"? (Car accident, fall with head impact, major infections?) Before it worsened, what was it like?

I hope you soon find a doctor who is willing to keep looking... "just wear dresses" is not a solution. :hug: For your part, don't give up on looking for a helpful doctor... the good ones are few when it comes to these head-scratchers, but they are out there.

waves

Does your neck also ache? .....especially on one side?

Do you have tinnitus (ringing or "whooshing") in either ear?

Does your eyesight get worse during your headaches?

Are you overweight?

Do you have any autoimmune diseases or symptoms? .....kidney issues?

It could be idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), ie pseudotumor ceribri.

IIH is characterized by increased pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. IIH is on the rise. Some cases are tied to position and posture, most notably curvature of the neck. So tight fitting clothing could conceivably cause you to change spinal position.

The pain is in my head, not my abdomen... although the doctors seem to think "it's all in my head." :(

Thanks Waves... I haven't had any of those, because the pain/headache clinic doc I saw didn't feel they were needed. Obviously I need to find another pain clinic!

I can't think of any health incident/accident that could have caused the trigger to worsen. I did have a uterine fibroid, but it arose slowly and has since been removed (complete hysterectomy last fall didn't make any difference at all in the migraine problems, but that's not why I had it).

Veggienft, yes I have the first four (not too overweight but have for no apparent reason gained ten pounds in the last few weeks). The neck pain is usually with sinus headaches, though, not with the migraines.

I don't have any autoimmune or kidney issues.

I will look into IIH -- thanks!

I'd seek out a migraine specialist—not just a neuro who says they treat migraines (they all say that), but one whose practice is limited solely to migraines/headaches. I had both types of headache for years, getting bounced from neuro to neuro (most of whom didn't know more than my PCP about headaches) until an unrelated specialist asked me, "Have you seen the "Headache Guy?" (That's what he's known as in the area.) I've since learned that there are other "headache guys" in practice, but you have to look for them—hard.

Best wishes,

Doc