The postdrome is the phase that comes after the pain of a migraine has gone. A lot of people call it the migraine hangover, and that is a good description: the headache is over, but you are not yourself yet.
What it can feel like
- Deep tiredness, even after a full night's sleep
- Brain fog, finding it hard to concentrate or find words
- A washed-out, fragile feeling
- Low or flat mood, or sometimes a strangely elated one
- Sore muscles or a tender scalp
- Leftover sensitivity to light or noise
A postdrome usually lasts a few hours to a day, sometimes two. Not everyone gets one, and the same person can have very different postdromes from attack to attack.
Why it is worth logging
When you log an attack with the wizard or the Daily Check-In, you can record how the aftermath felt as well. That matters for two reasons:
- It shows the true cost of an attack. A "one day" migraine that leaves you foggy for another day is really a two-day event. Your reports and the PDF for your doctor can only show that if you log it.
- It helps you plan. If your postdromes follow a pattern, you can be kinder to yourself in that window: lighter plans, easier food, no big decisions.
Being gentle with yourself
The postdrome is part of the migraine, not laziness. Treat it like the recovery phase it is: drink water, eat something plain, rest your eyes and do not rush back to full speed. Many people find that pushing hard during the postdrome invites the next attack sooner.
