Comments on: My Hair Hurts! Migraine and Allodynia http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/ Thoughts and information about the latest news in the world of migraine, cluster headache and other headache treatment around the world. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:36:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Natalie http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-109713 Natalie Thu, 07 Apr 2011 12:15:17 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-109713 Hi, I've sort of been diagnosed with allodynia today. I say sort of because my doctor thinks that's what it is, but he needs to research it more to figure out what to do for a better diagnosis and treatment. My allodynia is intermittent, and is only associated with migraines every once and a while. But sometimes the skin on my arms, legs, bum, feet or hands will just start to hurt. The first time I ever got allodynia, it only lasted for an hour or two and was only the size of a dime and I'd only ever get it every couple of months. Now, two years later, my whole leg, or arm, or whatever, will hurt for two or three days and I've been getting it once or twice a month. It's definitely getting worse. But only recently, after telling a couple people about this "skin pain" I get, did I realize that it wasn't actually normal and made a doctors appointment. The pain I get is different than what I'm reading about though because mine is sporadic, brought on by touch and cold, not isolated to one part of my body, and is not associated with migraines. This makes it a lot harder to diagnose than those of you who get it often. I just don't know what to do in the meantime to soothe the pain. Are there any over the counter creams that work for anyone? I've heard linocaine, but because it has a "cooling" action, I'm thinking this will make my skin hurt more. There doesn't seem to be much literature on allodynia, so I'm wondering if anyone has some advice or information? Thanks! :) Hi,

I’ve sort of been diagnosed with allodynia today. I say sort of because my doctor thinks that’s what it is, but he needs to research it more to figure out what to do for a better diagnosis and treatment.

My allodynia is intermittent, and is only associated with migraines every once and a while. But sometimes the skin on my arms, legs, bum, feet or hands will just start to hurt. The first time I ever got allodynia, it only lasted for an hour or two and was only the size of a dime and I’d only ever get it every couple of months. Now, two years later, my whole leg, or arm, or whatever, will hurt for two or three days and I’ve been getting it once or twice a month. It’s definitely getting worse. But only recently, after telling a couple people about this “skin pain” I get, did I realize that it wasn’t actually normal and made a doctors appointment.

The pain I get is different than what I’m reading about though because mine is sporadic, brought on by touch and cold, not isolated to one part of my body, and is not associated with migraines. This makes it a lot harder to diagnose than those of you who get it often.

I just don’t know what to do in the meantime to soothe the pain. Are there any over the counter creams that work for anyone? I’ve heard linocaine, but because it has a “cooling” action, I’m thinking this will make my skin hurt more. There doesn’t seem to be much literature on allodynia, so I’m wondering if anyone has some advice or information?

Thanks! :)

]]> By: macthewife http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-102791 macthewife Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:19:15 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-102791 My scalp doesn't hurt but my hair does. This happens sporadically and I'm sure people think I'm nuts to - especially hairdressers! I have had brain surgery, chemo injected in a brain tumour and 165 blasts of radiotherapy and never had this problem prior to my treatment. Strange thing is I rarely have headaches and have never had a migraine. Any suggestions for sore hair please?! My scalp doesn’t hurt but my hair does. This happens sporadically and I’m sure people think I’m nuts to – especially hairdressers! I have had brain surgery, chemo injected in a brain tumour and 165 blasts of radiotherapy and never had this problem prior to my treatment. Strange thing is I rarely have headaches and have never had a migraine. Any suggestions for sore hair please?!

]]> By: Nickie A http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-89094 Nickie A Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:33:22 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-89094 Message to 17 about Botox - It does wear off after 2 to 3 months. My neurologist administers it. It doesn't work for me, but for those it does work for, they get a set of injections every few months. Message to 17 about Botox – It does wear off after 2 to 3 months. My neurologist administers it. It doesn’t work for me, but for those it does work for, they get a set of injections every few months.

]]> By: jackie http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-86195 jackie Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:45:44 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-86195 thanks for the article I thought I was nuts--- whos scalp hurts? I cant comb my hair or wash it without pain but I dont have any headaches. thanks for the article I thought I was nuts— whos scalp hurts? I cant comb my hair or wash it without pain but I dont have any headaches.

]]> By: 17 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-85513 17 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 23:37:25 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-85513 Hi, When i was 15 i had Meningitis and since then i have had cronic migranes and i think everything believes i am crazy, Everything i do gives me a headache, i have seen a neurologist and she gave me topomax as well and thought the doctors were crazy for diagnosing me with meningitis! ha, Can you believe it?! I am now 17 and cant really live my teenage life because of my migraines, its terrible, Im going through the same thing! my aunty tried Botox for her migraines and hers it wearing off so i dont want to bother with it either now, i wish someone didnt think i was crazy either! Hi,

When i was 15 i had Meningitis and since then i have had cronic migranes and i think everything believes i am crazy, Everything i do gives me a headache, i have seen a neurologist and she gave me topomax as well and thought the doctors were crazy for diagnosing me with meningitis! ha, Can you believe it?! I am now 17 and cant really live my teenage life because of my migraines, its terrible, Im going through the same thing! my aunty tried Botox for her migraines and hers it wearing off so i dont want to bother with it either now, i wish someone didnt think i was crazy either!

]]> By: Nickie A http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-75826 Nickie A Mon, 03 May 2010 21:40:41 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-75826 Thanks for posting this article, just for the simple fact that it confirms I'm not nuts. :) I suffer terrible allodynia with my migraines. My husband doesn't understand it at all. He will try to cuddle or give me a hug when I'm feeling ill and I literally crawl up in to a ball and move away. His feelings get hurt sometimes because he is just trying to help. I used to use DHE (in injections) and now sometimes use Toradol as an injection and it can be really difficult to administer. If I catch a migraine soon enough I'm okay, but full blown I can't stick the needle into my leg. Thankfully my husband will do it for me and sees the pain just from the needle. I think this helps him understand how much it hurts. My escape is very loose pyjamas and nothing on my head (like hair clips, ponytails). I sometimes find a warm bath comforting. The water can be soothing. Thanks again!:) Thanks for posting this article, just for the simple fact that it confirms I’m not nuts. :) I suffer terrible allodynia with my migraines. My husband doesn’t understand it at all. He will try to cuddle or give me a hug when I’m feeling ill and I literally crawl up in to a ball and move away. His feelings get hurt sometimes because he is just trying to help.

I used to use DHE (in injections) and now sometimes use Toradol as an injection and it can be really difficult to administer. If I catch a migraine soon enough I’m okay, but full blown I can’t stick the needle into my leg. Thankfully my husband will do it for me and sees the pain just from the needle. I think this helps him understand how much it hurts.

My escape is very loose pyjamas and nothing on my head (like hair clips, ponytails). I sometimes find a warm bath comforting. The water can be soothing.

Thanks again!:)

]]> By: James http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-31866 James Mon, 05 Oct 2009 23:09:10 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-31866 I'm glad you've found this helpful! Yes, this is another of those symptoms that you get and you wonder what in the world is going on. Thanks for sharing your experiences! I’m glad you’ve found this helpful! Yes, this is another of those symptoms that you get and you wonder what in the world is going on. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

]]> By: deb http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-31392 deb Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:33:10 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-31392 I'm so glad I stumbled on this today. I too recently starting experiencing what I think I can now call Allodynia. I get to where my hair hurts so much i can barely stand to touch it even to wash it usually on top slightly off center near the roots. A patch of skin on one arm was bothering me for a couple of days ago recently but there was nothing there. It even hurt to touch. Had my first migraine about 6 or 7 years old then nothing until a major stressor in my life in 1998. I would get them multiple times a week but now they are just monthly although now that feels like too many. I'm 39. Thank you so much for the information. I’m so glad I stumbled on this today. I too recently starting experiencing what I think I can now call Allodynia. I get to where my hair hurts so much i can barely stand to touch it even to wash it usually on top slightly off center near the roots. A patch of skin on one arm was bothering me for a couple of days ago recently but there was nothing there. It even hurt to touch.
Had my first migraine about 6 or 7 years old then nothing until a major stressor in my life in 1998. I would get them multiple times a week but now they are just monthly although now that feels like too many. I’m 39. Thank you so much for the information.

]]> By: Amy http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-31374 Amy Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:07:32 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-31374 Hi, I've suffered from migraines since I was 5, I'm now 43. I've just recently started experiencing what I think to be allodynia. It's happened a couple of times in the past but this week on Tues. my "hair" hurt so bad I could not touch it & then last night -Thurs I got a migraine, at least I now know what it is & to expect a migraine soon after, thankfully I always have my relpax on hand. Thank you for the info. Hi, I’ve suffered from migraines since I was 5, I’m now 43. I’ve just recently started experiencing what I think to be allodynia. It’s happened a couple of times in the past but this week on Tues. my “hair” hurt so bad I could not touch it & then last night -Thurs I got a migraine, at least I now know what it is & to expect a migraine soon after, thankfully I always have my relpax on hand. Thank you for the info.

]]> By: James http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/my-hair-hurts-migraine-and-allodynia/comment-page-1/#comment-30335 James Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:35:11 +0000 http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/?p=1161#comment-30335 Thanks, Jeanne, for sharing your experiences. It's good to hear from someone who deals with this problem outside of migraine, because it is a serious issue all its own. Thanks for taking the time to stop by! And Gwen, thanks for sharing your experiences as well. The short answer is that we do know there is a relationship between migraine and fibromyalgia. However, we haven't nailed down what the connection is (although there certainly are theories). Fibromyalgia is one of many issues that seems to come along with migraine, and we're trying to understand why that is. To set your mind at ease - <i>many</i> people have both migraine and fibromyalgia. It is <i>not</i> unusual, though I wish I could say it was! Thanks, Jeanne, for sharing your experiences. It’s good to hear from someone who deals with this problem outside of migraine, because it is a serious issue all its own. Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

And Gwen, thanks for sharing your experiences as well. The short answer is that we do know there is a relationship between migraine and fibromyalgia. However, we haven’t nailed down what the connection is (although there certainly are theories). Fibromyalgia is one of many issues that seems to come along with migraine, and we’re trying to understand why that is. To set your mind at ease – many people have both migraine and fibromyalgia. It is not unusual, though I wish I could say it was!

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