Jacquie802 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Hi Everyone,For the past few weeks I have been having severe headaches, which I'm guessing are migraines. I see a headache specialist in a few weeks. Sometimes before my headaches I get a phantom smell of nail polish remover..I am the only person who smells it. Do you think that could be an aura? Everytime I look up auras with headaches it only mentions visual auras... I have a brain MRI over the summer which came back normal. Also, Tylenol isn't helping with the pain, is there anything that can help until I get to the headache specialist?Thanks,Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flop Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Hi Jacquie,visual auras are the most common aura for migrane but are not the only sort. Some people experience a particular smell or taste - often something metallic or chemical in nature.The aura can be quite useful once you have a confirmed diagnosis of migrane, as you may be given medication to abort a migrane attack and taking it when you get the aura and before the pain starts can be very helpful.Classically the normal pain medications such as tylenol / paracetamol and ibuprofen don't help the pain of migrane, but they do for some people so are worth trying. If migranes are confirmed you may be offered a medication to take at the start of an attack to abort the migrane, or if you have very frequent migranes you may be offered a preventative medication to reduce the frequency of the migrane episodes.Good luck for your specialist appointment,Flop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajw4790 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Yeah, I knew someone who smelt gas, when no one else did... I don't remember having these symptoms, but I know it is possible.Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Burschman Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Jacquie,I agree with what Flop said, and as someone who gets a visual aura before my migraine pain starts, I can truthfully say I love my visual aura! If I take my Midrin right when my vision gets blurry, I can usually abort the migraine to the extent that I can keep on working. The trick is I've only got a couple minutes. Otherwise, I get the full migraine experience (severe pain, puking, etc.)You should be OK trying the over-the-counter migraine meds. They typically contain a pain reliever and caffeine (which is also what Midrin contains, along with some sort of muscle-relaxant.) Or you can try to drink a caffeinated beverage when you start feeling one come on. The caffeine works as a vasoconstrictor -- it helps close up the dilated vessels that are a hallmark of migraines.Good luck! Migraines stink!Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat57 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000115/427.htmlolfactory aura is listed on the above page with migraine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEE Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 ICE on the back of the skull where it meets your neck...that usually has some kind of counteracting effect. I have used tht before. And other than that tylenol or motrin. I try and eat a chocolate bar(een though Is tay away from caffeine at all costs but when it gets that bad...Good luck with the specialist Jacquie....B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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