Posted by gary g (209.187.112.93) on August 29, 1999 at 11:48:35:
In Reply to: Aura and shadows..... posted by Sonnie on August 28, 1999 at 22:12:05:
the WORD doesn't matter I guess certainly which word is selected doesn't a diagnosis make
BUT:
I think the word "PRECURSOR" is good - and most specific -
distinguishes from "shadow", which I understand as more of a lingering disconmfort in between attacks,
and is a bit different from "aura" which usually leads people to say "oh, an aura, you have migraines"
this is common with many afflictions: a change in how you feel, different from but predicting, a more serious development which is impending
I have ABSOLUTE early warning signs of a CH attack, the actual pain attack manifests anywhere from 5-15 minutes later:
1. usually: vision blurs sporadically on attack side only
2. usually: a very slight dull pressure feeling in eye & sinus area on attack side
3. always: a little patch (3/8' diameter) on my upper palate, on attack side swells up - really strange I agree, but it's a sure thing - when I "grow" this little bump just above the roots of my upper molars, an attack is on its way
4. sometimes: slight nasal congestion on attack side
IMPORTANT:
if and when I IMMEDIATELY use the attack mitigators upon awareness of precursor, I have MUCH MUCH better chance at relief than waiting until pain phase of attack before dosing
(o2, benadryl, etc)