Neck Stiffness & Migraine

I had to drive quite a long way late last night and although I didn't get lost, I received a lot of abuse when I tried to park my car.

I'm recalling this because that was a 'classic situation' that would have 'started' a migraine build-up.

Basically, my neck gets tense on those occasions and then, if in a couple of days something else happens, that new tension builds on the previous tension and I can actually feel the cells in my neck 'cristalize' and become audible as I move.  Then and I end up with aches and stiffness.

I don't have any neck problems as such, but for a long time now I've noticed a correlation between migraine attacks and extreme neck tension.

I'm fighting against the clock here, in that I intend to find out as much as I possibly can about migraine before my next attack is due.

Because I love all things medical and am one of those people that notes changes in my own body very carefully, the spanner in the works here is 'stress'.  Stress causes all my care and control to fly out the window.  People especially, have a way of really upsetting me at times.  (Like that goofball I met last night on the road that really had it in for me, tooting his blasted horn at me 3 entire times.  Poor pathetic little ****ard!)

So, as a result of all this close observation, I've also noticed that at this time, being (Thankfully) completely well at the moment, I can fully rotate my neck without any strain.  But what's particularly noteworthy is that I cannot 'hear' any strange 'sandy' noises from the back of my neck, as I do so.  By that I mean, when I have a migraine, I can clearly hear noises coming from the back of my neck as I rotate it, it sound like crystals moving around or sand-like substances?

I believe this chemical difference in the presentation of my neck, at around the time of my migraine is linked to my personal triggers.

Apparently, the channels in the neck that ensure free flowing blood to the brain, narrow with age, and so if you are bending for long periods, or stifled in some way, like sitting on an aircraft or in a packed car, you're going to restrict the movement of your neck.  Added to the constriction that's already taking place with age (over 40), then you can imagine how a shortage or whatever, can easily happen?

The neck is pretty central to the mystery of migraine, and I'm going to read more about it, but for now I found a great - general - article about migraine, that I was directed to via: Buckeyes Blog

Quotation from Mayo Clinic Online

"Migraines may be caused by changes in the brainstem and its interactions with the trigeminal nerve, a major pain pathway. Imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin — which helps regulate pain in your nervous system — also may be involved.

Serotonin levels drop during migraine attacks. This may trigger your trigeminal system to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering (meninges). The result is headache pain."

This would explain why migraine happens to men as well?  Because, women are always being told that a drop in our oestrogen levels is the cause of 'predictable', cyclical migraine.  But men also suffer from migraine, albeit less frequently, and they definitely don't have those cycle problems!  So it follows, it must be serotonin that's causing all this terrible mischief?

Interestingly, if you search online for men discussing their headache problems, you come across one group of well represented young males that have a lot of problems balancing serotonin with testosterone, and they are the body-building, beautiful types, that ingest anabolic steroids, the virilizing hormone that mimics testosterone.

That's why I'm researching serotonin generally now, as any old fool can see its a key player in this affliction.

So far I'm aware that although you cannot take serotonin as a pill as such, there are supplements and other stuff that can help you to slow down the breakdown of this valuable neurotransmitter e.g. Rhodiola rosea.

The other thing, just quickly, that I'm reading is how important all the 'B' Vitamins are to the healthy production of serotonin.  Magnesium too plays an important role, which is great because I've noticed when I take that, I do see a benefit in my overall energy and mood.  

to be continued....

How I'm Feeling Today
Today is good.  Considering I was driving for 80 miles on the motorway last night, I feel strangely refreshed.  I feel I have energy and concentration.  My mood is great too.  I need to see my GP tomorrow to pick up some levothyroxine.  The vein at the side of my head is completely flat now and not painful at all.  My neck feels smooth and very supply, actually.  My bowels are fine too (what relief!!!).