Anyone's migraines affected by fumes such as cigars, petrol, perfume?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I'm wondering if there is anyone whose migraines are affected by fumes and other smells. As far back as I can remember, if anyone comes anywhere near me smoking a cigar I get like a ping in my head and then the migraine starts and I have to take to my bed. Within an hour or so after the start of the migraine I will start vomiting. This can continue for three or four days, which leaves me weak and dyhydrated and I am unable to hold down food and drink. It then takes another few days for me to feel well again.
I get a similar effect being around people wearing heavy perfumes and from petrol/diesel fumes, particularly in slow moving traffic. There are other things that affect me like the smell of burning garden rubbish. It all sounds strange but I wonder if other migraine suffers are affected in a similar way.
I have been invited to a wedding in Mexico next year and I would love to go but as cigars are common there I am a little apprehensive.
A forum member reported the great results she has had from magnesium glycinate, which has left her migraine free for over 14 months. I started taking these a month or so ago and although I've had migraines since, I am hoping that eventually they willl help.
Looking forward to hearing from anyone with a similar experience.
0 likes, 7 replies
Mo_46 veemae80819
Posted
Yes I am also extremely sensitive to smells, perfume, deodrants and aftershave being the worse! It means I am extremely fussy over which I can use myself and tend to use very weak citrusy fragrances rather than heavy ones, but like you if I am in the company of someone who is wearing it I can almost throw up on the spot! Instantly makes me feel very very nauseous and triggers a migraine in minutes and I feel so rude sometimes having to get away from people or asking them to wash it off!! My poor husband has got a great collection of aftershaves over the years but is unable to wear them when he is out with me as I tell him to wash it off!!
Cigarettes also a problem, thank goodness there is a no smoking rule in the UK now as it just sets me off and I tend to avoid smokers and when I think about it, I hardly have any friends that smoke luckily. My parents were heavy smokers when I grew up - fags, cigars so wonder if that started my problems as a child (have now been a migraine sufferer for 30 yrs).
I can also sympathise with you about petrol/diesel fumes affecting me, my worse has to be in Sri Lanka - had to endure a 4 hour car journey from the airport in bumper to bumper traffic - driver had the windows down as obviously too costly to run his air conditioning but subsequently nearly poisoned me and my hubby to be by the time we got to our hotel, with constant tooting of car horns it was just horrendous and I had to ask him to pull over a few times so I could be sick! How embarrassing but totally necessary!! Got to the hotel and passed out literally for about 15 hrs, not helped I reckon by the fumes.
I hope you have luck with the magnesium - I tried that for over 12 months but sadly it never worked for me.
Good luck.
veemae80819 Mo_46
Posted
Tezes veemae80819
Posted
I use fragrance free products and do not wear perfume
I'm on propranolol 80 mgs once a day it has reduced migraine to one episode a month, usually lasts 3 days but is also less intense, I take triptans the only drugs that help for me. Best of luck with the magnesium. X
veemae80819 Tezes
Posted
Glad to hear your migraine has improved.
It's good to know that there are others out there who share the same experience and can give support Over the years I've had a range of medication and I am now on Almotriptan and Amitryptyline, as well as having regular chiropractic treatment. I also have permanent vertigo and tinnitus but, thankfully, I am now able to have a good quality of life on my current medication.
Best wishes.
elizabeth60171 veemae80819
Posted
Tezes veemae80819
Posted
good luck, let us know how you get on with the magnesium
amanda17434 veemae80819
Posted
Yes, I can sympathise too - strong smells are one of my main triggers as it’s possible, to a fair extent, keep an eye on what we eat but it’s so much more difficult to avoid perfumes, aftershaves, pot pourri and scented candles in shops, etc. I, too, stick to unscented products, never wear perfume, etc. and I also use unfragranced washing powder and cleaners as I’ve found, from bitter experience, that certain household detergents and cleaning products can trigger as well but, like you, if I unavoidably get bombarded with a heavy perfume or smell, I’m floored with a migraine for three or four days.
It’s a shame that so many of us are affected with this.
Best wishes,