With all the different stages of migraine, it can be confusing to know what is a postdrome migraine. Some people understand migraine postdrome as a “migraine hangover”. It is also a myth that we will experience all the stages or symptoms of migraine. Migraine prodrome, migraine aura, migraine attack, and migraine postdrome make up the 4 stages that we may experience.

Previously, we discussed what is migraine aura, prodrome, and migraine attack (or pain). For the final post of the series, we will talk about the final stage of a migraine: The Migraine Postdrome Stage.

What Defines the Postdrome Stage?

According to Jessica Ailani, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology at MedStar’s Georgetown University Hospital and Director of MedStar Georgetown Heachache Center, “[The postdrome] is the end part of a migraine when the pain is on its way out, but functionality isn’t completely back to normal…during a migraine, the brain is overactive.

Often we believe a migraine to be over because the pain stage has subsided. However, many migraine warriors have a feeling of migraine hangover that has been labeled as postdrome. Like the usual hangover feeling, a migraine hangover feels like this: I can’t take it anymore. I need to rest and reset myself.” For up to 24 hours, an array of symptoms occur that are less dramatic than the previous three stages but still can impair function and quality of life.

Unfortunately, the postdrome stage has been discovered only recently, with the studies dating back less than 15 years and no extensive research has been undertaken.

Migraine Postdrome Symptoms

Similar to the other stages, the symptoms of migraine postdrome seems never-ending. However, it is also important to note that not all migraine are followed by migraine postdrome.

Some of the symptoms include:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Sensitivity to light

• Sensitivity to sound

• Mental exhaustion

• Fatigue

• Difficulty concentrating

• Dizziness

• Weakness

• Decreased energy

• Reduced ability to work

• Decreased interactions with family and friends

• A feeling of cognitive impairment

Here are how people who have experienced the postdrome stage describe it:

“My head is sore and my brain is tired.”

“…Feels like a mental hangover….like being drugged.”

“…feels like working through a mental fog.”

It would seem to make sense that after hours or days of severe pain, the body and brain would be worn out. Also, we must consider that during the pain stage of a migraine attack, migraine attacks may leave one dehydrated or hungry due to skipped meals.

Why Isn’t There Any Research on Postdrome?

Firstly, since the postdrome stage does not include pain, it isn’t taken seriously enough the expend resources to study it. Also, why study something that may just be a complication of the usual stages and issues of a migraine?

Finally, what if it doesn’t really exist? There have been substantial numbers of reports of these symptoms, but no biological indication has been observed to account for it. Not only that, but not everyone experiences postdrome, although many do.

Postdrome needs to be researched because it can frustrate the need for us to return to work. It undermines one’s confidence and affects daily performance. After all, it is still the same constellation of symptoms that occur throughout the stages of a migraine attack. Every symptom and stage should be considered when developing a hypothesis of what a migraine is and what causes it. Sometimes, migraine postdrome might lead to work discrimination and stigma.

A prospective daily electronic diary study was conducted by Nicola J. Griffin, M.D., et al. The study lasted three months including over 120 patients with migraine. All non-headache symptoms before, during, and after were recorded daily. A visual scale was used to capture the overall level of functioning and the severity of the pain. Postdrome was defined as the period between the end of pain to the return to normal.

In the study, 81% reported at least one non-headache symptom during postdrome. Symptoms included weariness, difficulty concentrating, and stiff neck. Residual head discomfort was also reported. A return to normal was noted after about 24 hours of spontaneous pain resolution.

There appeared to be no relationship between the medication taken for headache and postdrome duration, nor was the severity of the migraine related. This particular study found the most frequently reported symptoms were mood changes (72%), muscle weakness (54%), and a reduced appetite.

However, a better-controlled study is definitely needed to clarify the definition of a migraine to determine adequate treatment.

Current Hypothesis Of The Causes of Migraine Postdrome

Postdrome symptoms are thought to be caused by the cortical spreading depression that plays a role in aura. Kevin Weber, M.D., a neurologist specializing in treating patients with headaches at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, states, “It’s essentially an electrical wave in the brain that occurs with a migraine, and the aftereffects are thought to be neurochemical changes associated with that. We’re still not 100% sure.”

Potential Migraine Postdrome Treatment

The best way to prevent postdrome is to tackle the migraine in its tracks as soon as possible. The less the brain and body must struggle with the pain, the less chance that it will become exhausted. If patients can stop a migraine before it enters the pain stage, then a postdrome is unlikely to happen.

Certain supplements have been found to help reduce symptoms and delay migraines.

• Coenzyme Q10, which already exists within every cell of the body, helps the cell to function. Oral supplements may benefit migraine sufferers by increasing their availability.

• 5-hydroxytryptophan is an amino acid formed from tryptophan by the body. It is then converted into serotonin, which can reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine attacks by reducing the constriction and dilation of the blood vessels in the brain that lead to migraine.

Until further research is conducted, better treatments cannot be formulated. Research must be driven by the need of patients to return to normal, even when pain is not involved.

Tracking Helps Migraine Postdrome

Migraine attacks have been separated into four stages: aura, migraine prodrome, migraine attack itself, and migraine postdrome. In our series, we have attempted to educate you on the symptoms of each stage as well as the most recent research.

We hope an understanding of each stage will tell us what causes migraines, which could lead to better treatments or methods of eliminating migraines. What has been your experience of migraines and do you ever suffer from any of the postdrome symptoms previously mentioned?

Find out more about the different stages of migraine in the Migraine Buddy app and track migraine postdrome now. Download your Migraine Buddy app now!

Thank you, Dr. Mark Khorsandi for writing and sharing this guest post with the Migraine Buddy community! Dr. Mark Khorsandi works at the Migraine Relief Center who provide surgical treatments which reduces and eliminate pain for migraine sufferers.