What is an Abdominal Migraine?

It always hit without warning. First a cramp, moderately painful, in the middle or left abdomen; then a series of cramps, and the beginnings of a cold sweat. At this point, I've suffered enough times to know that I need to get home or to a bathroom facility immediately. Soon, I will be swept with alternating waves of nausea and cramps severe enough to double me over; then a bout of vomiting, a possible session of loose bowels, and then it will all be over. Afterward, I just need to lie down and sleep for a while. I'll be lethargic for a few hours, and then I will feel completely normal, maybe even hungry.

The worst thing, of course, is that it could happen anywhere. I've had attacks while riding in the car (fortunately, not while driving), while eating in a restaurant, and while on vacation. In the latter case, I was traveling with my husband and parents. We were walking down a street, when I felt the unmistakable warning signs, and without a word, bolted across the street and into a diner. Fortunately, my Mom had an idea what was wrong and followed me. They all assisted me back to the hotel room.

The attacks were often months apart, and I always chalked them up to viruses, or bad food, or stress.

I never consulted the doctor, because there didn't seem to be much to report.

Then I had an attack in a grocery store parking lot, and collapsed from the pain. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital, and given all sorts of tests. My family doctor followed up with more tests. The results? Nothing showed up.

I don't remember who, but someone in an overheard conversation mentioned the term "abdominal migraine". Being familiar with the headache variety of migraine, I was intrigued. So I looked it up.

Several sources mentioned, first off, that the condition was mostly seen in children. I kept reading.

Abdominal pain, moderate to severe; nausea; vomiting; pallor; lethargy; episodic in nature; the symptoms fit me perfectly.

Unfortunately, no one really knows the cause. Some say its hereditary, or that it can be triggered by certain foods, or food allergies, or stress, or some combination of all of these.

There doesn't appear to be any agreed upon treatment, either. I've found mention of everything from sedatives to drugs commonly used for the headache type migraine. There are one or two prescription drugs my doctor suggested, such as Reglan, but so far I haven't been willing to experiment. So I've just had to create my own treatment plan.

At the first sign of cramping, I take a dose of acetaminophen. This has always worked well for me, in minimizing the cramping. Next, if I'm not at home, I get to a safe place, a hotel room, public area with restrooms, or a friend or relative's house. Then, it's just a matter of waiting it out. Generally, the episode lasts an hour or less, and after I've vomited and the cramps die down, I feel a lot better. Then its plenty of fluids, and a rest in a dark, quiet place. For some people, however, it can last a lot longer. If that's the case, you'll need to see your doctor, who can try out one or two drugs available for regulating the digestive tract.

I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but I seem to have had fewer attacks since I began eating yogurt with active cultures in it; I also have a very mild sedative on hand, for stressful situations, in case anxiety is a trigger as well.

Abdominal migraines seem to be one of those mysterious maladies that medical science hasn't really addressed yet. I hope that will change; in the meantime, I will just spread the word, and always be prepared.