What is comorbid with migraine, and what does that mean? Comorbidity basically refers to two conditions that tend to go together. That doesn’t mean that one caused the other. In fact, we usually don’t know why they go together.
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It could be there’s a common cause, or maybe one could cause the other. It could be something in the environment, or something genetic, or even a coincidence.
But, of course, when we see the same diseases going together over and over, the coincidence hypothesis eventually goes out the window.
What we do know is that the two (or more) things interact. Sometimes there can be a common treatment. Sometimes it means that you can’t take a certain medication, because it may increase your risk of something else.
So it’s important to think about what you may have on top of migraine disease, and it’s important to talk to your doctor about it.
Now there’s a great deal of debate when it comes to migraine comorbidity. Most of these have pretty good research behind them, but sometimes research conflicts and there’s debate about whether a certain thing should be in the list.
But for what it’s worth, here are 15 common diseases, disorders and syndromes that tend to go hand in hand with migraine. That does not mean you will definitely have any of these . . . just that they seem to be more common in migraine patients than the general population. Ones that seem to be more common come first:
Now wait – did I miss one that you’re familiar with? Or have you found one or more of the 15 to be true of you? Leave a comment, and let us know how knowing this has helped or hindered in your treatment.
And if you’re thinking about the connection for the first time – talk to your doctor!
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{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
Doesnt this fit in with the doctor who calls it Migraine syndrome.
he talks about all these conditions.
I had IBS first, then Fibro, then Migraine (which is the worst of all).
I have anxiety, had thyroid problems, get depressed (reactive)
Thing is, what do we do?? Shouldnt there be a clue here??
I have numbers 2,8,11, and 14. I hope other people weigh in and we see what everyone is dealing with.
Interesting that Pen says migraine is the worst of all. I would have to agree but I’d like to know what others think.
It is for me Suzie, because I managed to have a life with the IBS and the Fibro. The migraines are chronic (3 a week for at least a whole day) No drugs really work.
I guess before I got the migraines the IBS was worst.
I got myself over the FMS to an extent whenit was still CFS.
If I coudl get rid of the migraines and myofascial head pain, I could maybe have a life and enjoy my grandkids.
Chiari Malformation wasn’t mentioned, but so many go years being treated for ‘migraines’ that end up finding out after years of ineffective treatments that they really do have Chiari Malformations.
Yes, Chiari Malformation can trigger migraine. It’s not included because it’s more of a trigger or underlying cause, not technically a comorbid condition. There are actually quite a few things that, like Chiari Malformation, could be causing your symptoms.
Thanks for pointing that out!
I am sorry, I have never heard of this, could someone explain please.
I’m not sure if you’re referring to my post, but just in case: A Chiari Malformation is where part of the cerbellar tonsils protrude down, outside of the skull. This can put pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord. You can go to conquerchiari.org or asap.org to read more information about it. Often times, it will be noted on an MRI radiology dictation as “tonsilar ectopia” or “tonsilar ectopia, but within normal limits”. There is much disagreement about what those limits really are, and most neurosurgeons base their decision about its signifcance more on symptoms than films.
Apologies, Yes I was. I have had to try to get through today without a Triptan today. I think perhaps I am a bit Tripped myself.
Should have been more specific, sorry.
I will go take a look, and also check
this out over here in the UK.
~Thank you for explaining
I’ve read that mitral valve prolapse and migraines can go together. I’m not sure if this often minor heart defect actually causes migraines or not.
I suspect I have 1, 2, 14, 15 to go along with migraine, but I don’t think I had any of these other than 14 before the headaches started. The human body is so weird…
My mother suffered from migraines. I’ve never had one, but one of my sons does. He also takes meds for hypertension, so he’s got at least one of the 15.
I started with IBS, I all but fixed it and then started with the FMS but took years to get diagnosis and had CFS crash before that happened. THEN the migraines, with peri menopause.None in my life before that.
Between I have had 3 bouts of depression, one post natal., And now a lot of anxiety, not surprising when I ma told to take medication immediately for the pain, but don’t take too much or I will get MOH…..
Yes to 1, 2, 5 and 9, but I would also like to include other general nerve pain. I also suffer from spinal stenosis. It seems that in general my nervous system is very sensitive to stimulation and frequently reacts with the sensation of pain.
I have 1, 2, 7, and 14. I also have heard that clotting is another migraine related disorder. I have factor V leiden and my pulmonary embolisms happened after a really bad month of head pain. Maybe not a coincidence.
Many of the diseases in the migraine spectrum are related to serotonin. This is at least one of the links. Medications for IBS, myofascial pain, fibro, anxiety, depression all use serotonin changes just as migraines do.
Wow, I have nine of the fifteen on your list … perhaps I win the Migraine Bingo? *wry grin*
Another one which is definitely not be “comorbid” in the technical sense but sort of amusingly fits the list would be “close relatives with migraines”. I have at least 5 of those too!
I suspect Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is another condition which often pre-disposes one to migraines, just from anecdotal evidence in my EDS support group, but EDS is pretty rare itself so it wouldn’t be in the top 15.
I have exhibited or experienced Reynaud’s Syndrome during the last 2 or 3 years. I don’t know if it is just part of the aura that my left foot goes numb and cold and my left hand becomes lazy. A also tend to go white on the face whenever there is a stressful moment, that is why I avoid going confrontational because it drains my head of blood then when things go back to normal, I get a headache.
I thought for 25 years I had IBS but just found out I have Celiac’s disease. I have had migraines for 28 years. Has anyone else been told they have IBS been tested for Celiac’s disease? I suffer at least 6 migraines a month and sometimes more.
While not as significant of a co-moribity as the list of 15 one of the common ones I look for is neck pain/stiffness/tension. After ruling out other causes through vascular and neurologic exam, I treat many migraine patients with soft tissue manipulation and chiropractic adjustment. Typically within a few weeks we know if treatment will help and we do get a significant number of positive responses. Currently we have an 8 year old boy with 6 years of migraines. He is currently headache free for 160+ days, the longest he has ever gone since his first episode. I do not mean to imply that chiropractic adjustment is a treatment for every migraine, but for those who have been through appropriate testing and ruled out other causes, it is a safe, effective treatment for headaches that can offer significant improvement.
I have 7 of the 15, –8 if you count high cholesterol as cardiovascular disease. I have suffered from migraine since I was 20 yrs old and am now 55. None of my three siblings have migraine and neither did my parents. Only an aunt had them. However, on a recent MRI for increased migraines there were scattered white spots throughout all the images on the brain. Neurologist thought these were either due to chronic migraines, or could be atherosclerosis. Interestingly, my sister who does not have migraines had a recent MRI and was found to have the same white spots–unexplained. Does anyone else out there who has migraines have those white spots on their MRI? If so, what was the explanation?
I have 1,2,8,10 and 12. RLS has not been diagnosed, but I’m sure I have it. My nother has migraines as well and has the same issues as well as IBS. I wonder if any of you have this problem… I have chronic itching. It started mostly on my legs, and has since become a problem all over. I’ve been to allergists, dermatologists. No one can really give me a straight answer. I’ve heard that this can me linked to Fibromyalgia. Something about an over reaction of the nerves that manifests as itching rather than pain. I’ve had this problem for 15 years or so and it has worsened as my migraines have become more frequent and my thyroid has worsened as well. Anyone else have this issue?
I have what’s referred to as “red ear” syndrome, which is thought to be tied to migraines. My ears flush bright red and are hot, often uncomfortably so, to the point I start sweating from the heat generated.
It affects both ears, though not always at the same time or intensity. I might go days without an attack, or have one that lasts all day, every day for a week. It’s not a “hot flash” but an attack lasting at least an hour (usually several hours), but only creating heat in the ears.
I also have TMJ syndrome, but I think that’s considered more a triggering condition, especially since I had that for years before I had severe migraines.
Diagnosed with Migraine syndrome–later in life! Daily head pressure that limits enjoying normal activities. Began with inner ear problem–cochlear hydrops–and fluctuating hearing loss of one ear. Have seen Neuro/ent and Neurologist. Has gotten worse in last 6 months. Periods where pressure is so bad I have to lay back in recliner or go to bed and let it ease. Feels like head is about to burst–no pain, just heavy eyelids, upper band like inside my head pressure. Makes me feel like I’m about to get dizzy—feel nauseated. Tried Nortriptolyine but it caused heart rhythm problems. Am now increasing exercise with walking more. Also, have to take low dose Xanax to deal with it and keep on doing daily activities. Ambien to sleep almost nightly. Sooo frustrating!
Is there anyone here who has this ongoing and daily—no let up? thanks
I also had an MRI that showed white spots on my brain. My neurologist informed me she thought they were from ‘silent strokes’ that I had suffered. Has anyone else heard of this? I have suffered with migraine headaches for over 40 years since I was a little girl. Also was told that MS could leave spots on brain?
Hi, another problem with migraine as the main symptom is Hughes Syndrome. It is sometimes called sticky blood and if you are treated with blood thinners the migraine is relieved. Testing can be done at the GP for anticardiolipin antibodies. It also shows white spots on the MRI of the brain and some people get migraine while others don’t. Anyone interested in finding out more there is a Hughes Foundation website and treatment at a clinic in London, I think St Thomas More hospital but not sure. Hope this helps someone.
This is Very interesting to me. I’ve been getting migraines for years and because brain MRI’s have shown those white “plaques”, I’ve been diagnosed with MS. I’ve had lots of tingling in feet over the years and lately even some numbness, also creating the appearance of MS. But I don’t have the markers for MS in my spinal fluid. I have been taking anti-inflammatory supplements and exercising because I really don’t believe in the MS diagnosis. I’ll check out the Hughes Foundation website. Thanks.
Apparently a lot of people have been diagnosed with MS who actually have Hughes syndrome. The disorder is very new and really a lot of doctors do not know much about it so they seem to stick to what they know! Just go to the Hughes Foundation website and the details are all there.