migraines when sleeping on the left side

[kak80]

Hello,

For the last 2 months, I have found that often if I sleep on my left side that I develop severe pain behind my ear that then travels down my neck. If I get up then, it will turn into a migraine. If I turn over and go back to sleep on my right side I'm usually a-OK within a short period of time (~15 min?). Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing??

Thanks,
kak

[Ashes]

this migraine is probably happening in my sleep. that is why I wake up with the headache.

[boats]

I've had the same problem for 30 years on the right side. Something structurally wrong with the neck vertebrae I think. Ive never found a solution (other than training myself to stay off my right side).

[Beth]

I wonder if it could be TMJ related?...and maybe the pain radiates from there??? Just an idea.

[jpn9736]

I would push your doctor to order a CT scan to make sure nothing's going on in the brain area.

If that checks out, I would try to find a Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) who practices osteopathic manipulation. They can work on your vertebrae with their hands, like a chiropractor, but also manipulate muscles, tendons, and ligaments. They can also prescribe medications and do surgery like an M.D.

Good luck!

[LearningRelief]

Your top two vertebrae, C1 and C2 are most likely out of place. Don't pay for a CT scan. If you go to the doctor they'll scan you and possibly spinal tap you and still not help you - they are as useless as **** on a boar. Go to your chiropractor or find one and get an adjustment. C1 & C2 can be off because you practice bad posture or have trigger points in your sternocleidomastoids (muscles that run down the sides of your neck) or trigger points in your traps and or in the back of your occipitalis(muscle in the back of the head) that are causing pain. Also, have the chiro check your jaw position. If he says you have TMJ, you need to see a physical therapist or read up on treating it with trigger point therapy/massage. The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies is one I recommend. Put the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth and open it for TMJ muscle stretching.

Most likely the adjustment won't hold if you have trigger points in the areas I mentioned. If C1 and C2 are indeed out and you do not get an adjustment and massage out those trigger points or change your posture, your symptoms will get progressively worse and your cerebral spinal fluid will build up in your head and get cloudy.

There are tons of arteries and nerves running through your spine and they are very easily impinged upon. Also, I do not recommend sleeping on your side. I also recommend drinking a lot of water, daily stretching, and massaging out these trigger points. You would be surprised how many people who have supposedly dedicated their work to the body have no clue as to what can cause simple headaches. Drugs offer something for nothing and have side effects. Self education is a necessity unless you want to live in pain or spend excess money and still be in pain.