[BNLsMOM]

I would say I get headaches 4 or 5 days out of 7. Some are just low level, achey and not too bad. Some turn into migraines. Last night was the whopper. I got a headache that turned quickly into a migraine complete with an upset stomach. Every time I sopke, I thought I was going to throw up.

I was in the sun all day and tried to drink enough water, so I wonder if it was me overheating and getting dehydrated. I take 300mg Lithium, 1200mg Trileptal, 15mg Prozac and 50mg Seroquel. I took Tylenol, a huge drink of water and went to bed. It seemed to help, but I am still a bit off today. I was on a plane today so I might be dehydrated again.

It was probably from being out in the sun. You really have to be careful about that on these meds. Hope you feel better.

[looking4polaris]

I get headaches several times a week, too (mostly migraines). I added a line on my mood chart to track my migraines so I can tell exactly how many I've been having and what time of day. Before the chart, I'd just report to my doc that it was a couple a week. Turns out, I have headaches about 5 out of 7 days a week. I'm on different meds than you are and I've changed meds in the last year. I have not noticed any change in the migraines from med changes. My bipolar meds don't seem to effect the headaches at all. My pdoc says migraines are common in bipolar patients.

I've noticed that I do seem to get more/worse headaches when my mood is elevated and, especially, when I'm manic.

Hope your headaches get better.

[grizmom]

I do know that headaches and musle tension are symptoms of depression...I don't generally get the headaches, but I deal with the muscle tension all the time. My pdoc even had me on a mild muscle relaxer for awhile when it got really bad.

[IndigoRose]

When you're on Lithium, you really need to be drinking tons of water. Most medications have warnings on them about being in the sun. I've always had a problem with the sun and anything too bright in general. I'm the only person I know that wears sunglasses whenever I'm driving at night. That's how bad my reaction to light is.

I've had migraines for 13 years. I had them before I ever went on medication for BD, so I can't say whether or not the two go hand in hand because I only know wat my own experience has been. I have had doctors tell me though that I can really only treat one at a time. Either treat my migraines or treat the depression. It's difficult to find something that will work on either end of the spectrum. I've had a migraine since Friday morning and have only been pain free twice for short periods of time. My whole body sort of shuts down to some extent when I'm suffering through a migraine. It would be lovely to be a person that never got a headache of any kind.

[Julial]

I have suffered from migraines since childhood and now at the age of 52, I sometimes wonder what life would have been like with no headaches. It took me years trying to figure out the triggers and medications to treat the headaches and I have finally found a drug (maxalt) that gives me good results. For six pills, the cost is 139.00 and I don't have insurance so it can be tricky trying to figure out if a headache can be treated with fiornal or if it has gone beyond that. I would love to be able to go somewhere without worrying whether I am going to get a headache or drive my car long distance without the familiar tapping at the back of my head. I love the outdoors but like many of us, the sun can be a glaring pain and then of course there is allergy season! I try to keep my sense of humor and I try not to use these headaches as an excuse to escape to my bed! Hope you can figure out what triggers your headaches. Sometimes food, especially preservatives can do it. Good Luck!

[Alleiron]

I don't take my medication, but I get migraines frequently. However, migraiens run in my family, so perhaps that could be the cause of mine.

Either way, it was probably just being in the sun. <3

[BNLsMOM]

Thanks for all the replies. I have had to take Tylenol every day since that bad headache because I feel one coming on.

So about the sun... How do we protect ourselves? I would want to go off the meds before I give up being outdoors in the summer. I really don't want to be stuck inside all summer. I love to kayak and swim. I wear hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. What more can I do?

[musikcrazy]

Meds definitely give me headaches. Try talking to you pdoc. For the meantime, Excedrin helps, but don't take it too late. It has caffeine.

[BNLsMOM]

Originally Posted by musikcrazy

Meds definitely give me headaches. Try talking to you pdoc. For the meantime, Excedrin helps, but don't take it too late. It has caffeine.

I have to be careful what I take because if Lithium. I was told no caffeine, so I am not sure if I would be able to take that. I have heard that caffeine is good for headaches, though.

[pondbc]

I used to suffer from debilitating migraines. They are much improved now. I take Inderal daily, which helps a lot, but I noticed a big improvement since starting Depakote (Epival) and Neurontin five years ago. Sometimes one starts anyway so I have Zomig which are very effective.
The one med that caused them for me was Lamictal, so I was unable to take it.

[phlashback]

I suffered from migraines, but sense I have been on meds, the frequency is considerably less.

But definitely make sure you drink plenty of water.