A family member is currently pulled over on a motorway hard shoulder with a violent migraine. What should he do?
Posted by ellieisstucklikethis@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 223 comments
My brother has a very bad migraine with a blindspot, pain and non-stop vomiting, so he obviously can't keep on driving. He was heading back to his uni in the north, while I (and everyone else in the family who can help) live in the south, so he's at least a good 3 hours drive from me at the very least.
He's insisting that no one come and get him, and that he's going to try and sleep it off in his car, but having witnessed many of his migraines, they often last a LOT longer than that, and he's woozy and incapacitated for a long time afterwards.
Any suggestions about what we can do? Should he really just stay there on the side of the motorway, should i come up, should he call roadside assistance, an ambulance?
Thanks so much
Artistic_Impact_8566@reddit
Surely you can think of something mate instead of posting on reddit
Suspicious__Lurker@reddit
Exactly! So many people are so quick to just jump online & ask for the most basic of things these days. Zero ability to think for themselves (critical thinking?) & rely on the advice & options of strangers.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
We only moved to England a couple of years ago, and we're not entirely familiar with the capacity of the various agencies (aka - what is appropriate for 999, what is the range of help offered by highway services, etc.)
It seemed to me that he was safe in his lay-by, so, given that i was having trouble finding any information about this specific type of situation online, and that he was hours away from anyone he knew who could help him, i thought I could supplement my own ideas with advice from other people who are more familiar with highway emergency protocals.
If seeing a benefit in asking for supplemental opinions from people more qualified and experienced than you in new and unfamiliar situations is just having "zero ability to think for yourself", then I guess i'm just an idiot,
Suspicious__Lurker@reddit
I don’t need to ask for help because I’m capable of thinking for myself & making an informed decision rather than reach out to online strangers. But thanks for explaining…
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
i don't normally advertise this kind of stuff, but I have three degrees, two from oxbridge, and I regularly rub shoulders with, quite frankly, some of the smartest people on earth. One thing i've learned is that none of them have any qualms about asking for advice from strangers - especially if it's regarding a subject they're not personally expert in. that's a healthy, constructive way to supplement your own critical thinking and create more effective solutions. We're social creatures, you shouldn't be so stubborn in your self sufficiency! Sometimes strangers give us dumb responses, sometimes they give us insights that genuinely shape our whole perspectives. it's all gucci, brother, and way more interesting this way
Suspicious__Lurker@reddit
LOL enjoy your shoulder rubbing & congratulations on the degrees 😉
Artistic_Impact_8566@reddit
Agree with what you say but in actual real life situations like this one when your brother is stuck on the hard shoulder in a bad way in a very bad way....
thecornflake21@reddit
Definitely get out of the car. Then call the non-emergency police number or highways to request assistance. They may be able to send traffic officers to get him and the car to the next safe services or place off the motorway.
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
No, call 999. This is 100 percent an emergency matter. There is an ongoing and immediate risk to safety and life.
thecornflake21@reddit
If the car is on the hard shoulder and the person is safely out of the car does it still count?
simkk@reddit
This is what the highway code says
"if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
TheInspectaa@reddit
Visual migraine by sounds of it. I get these and they are debilitating. He needs to try contact emergency services for assistance. Will be hard if his migraine is taking up his vision slowly. Eventually that visual phenomena will disappear over time but it can take a hour or so. Very psychedelic and frightening in ways.
MesoamericanMorrigan@reddit
I have migraines(?) with blind spots visual auras that also make me confused unable to speak properly or use the left side of my body. I had one that seemed to be lasting over 12 hours after waking up with horrendous pain and and a subconjunctival haemorrhage suddenly in my left eye. I had really bad pulsatile tinnitus, throbbing twitching veins in one side of my head and felt like my head was going to explode. I also have Ehlers Danlos syndrome and had suspected CSF leaks before. Went to Specsavers but was starting to feel really out of it and couldn’t drive my mobility scooter in a straight line. 2 different groups of people called an ambulance that day both times the paramedics seemed annoyed like I was wasting their time, made offhand comments about how they get migraines all the time etc I was terrified couldn’t see, was in so much pain I was having suicidal thoughts but that was the last straw and as an autistic person who took 3 decades to get their EDzs diagnosis I didn’t have any fight in me to explain her a headache that severe with my blood vessels spontaneously bursting should be evaluated in someone with my condition but I wasn’t in a place to argue, told them to take me home, crawled into bed and cried for another 48 hours not caring if I died at that point
annoyedatlife24@reddit
That's a terrible way of describing it, you're not going on a fun trip filled with peace love and unity while seeing funky patterns that aren't there. If you've a migraine that's that debilitating you're in excruciating pain.
It feels like you're being bludgeon with a baseball bat while something is trying to tear it's way up and out your skull. The fact that you've also just lost half your vision and what's left is blurry and filled with floaters isn't frightening, it's terrifying! Add in the sudden need to projectile vomit and it's -5/7 experience.
Thankfully I've only ever experienced that once. Unfortunately I had a large coffee while thinking it was a normal headache I could shrug off. Projectile vomiting wasn't an exaggeration. Exorcist/scary movie kind. Fortunately I hadn't yet left the house yet, spent the whole day in bed with a cold flannel on my eyes and the blinds drawn. Do. Not. Recommend.
TheInspectaa@reddit
Pretty well summed up to be honest! It's more like looking through shattered glass in regards to psychedelic weirdness.
krakeneverything@reddit
I had one come on while in my local supermarket and i lost all bearings. Knew the place well but it became a maze and i was lost in an internal snowstorm.
Nightmare to be suffering that and be stuck on the cold shoulder. I hope he ended up ok.
herwiththepurplehair@reddit
Same, he needs medical help. Some prochlorperazapine (hope I spelled that right) or rizatriptan and a taxi to a nearby hotel.
KingForceHundred@reddit
Sounds he shouldn’t be driving anyway if he doesn’t know what a motorway/hard shoulder is.
-aLonelyImpulse@reddit
I forgot how to spell my own name when I had a migraine once. I'm sure ordinarily he's fine.
a-liquid-sky@reddit
God no, he shouldn't stay in the car. Horribly dangerous to stay in the car when it's on the hard shoulder.
I'd be ringing an ambulance, personally.
chicaneuk@reddit
Sorry but a migraine does not constitute a health emergency.. calling police and ambulance is a horrible waste of the emergency services time. And I say this as someone who suffers from terrible migraines.
lou_kevins@reddit
I woke up with a really bad migraine when I was 27. Turns out I had a stroke. I, myself, wouldn’t have been able to (and couldn’t) recognise that it was any more than a really bad headache/migraine. So dismissively saying ‘migraine does not constitute a health emergency’ kind of triggers me ngl.
chicaneuk@reddit
As I say I suffer from migraines too and indeed have had visual ones. Poster said their family all suffer from them so clearly not an isolated incident and said they all suffer from them regularly.. so I would imagine it wasn't a stroke. You are free to remain triggered if you want though.
Ok-Rain6295@reddit
You’re right. He should just wait until there’s a car crash due to him being in an unsafe place. THAT would be an emergency!
chicaneuk@reddit
If they have a condition that can completely dehabilitate them at the wheel then the doctor would probably want to know as they should surrender their driving license.
pajamakitten@reddit
Anyone can get a migraine though. It does not sound like this is a chronic condition.
TooLittleGravitas@reddit
A migraine itself is not a medical emergency. Being stopped on the hard shoulder and unable to drive is an emergency. The police will come and move the car to a safe place.
SaveOurPandas@reddit
Urm given where he is… it’s absolutely an emergency!!!
ODFoxtrotOscar@reddit
Yes, he should exit the car, and go to a place of safety on the verge. And either you or he should call for help (suggest police, as they’ll know who to pass it on to if it’s not their shout)
DondeT@reddit
While I completely agree with this, I can't imagine a place I'd less like to be while suffering from a migraine. Especially on the warmest and possibly brightest day of the year so far.
kiradax@reddit
yep, needs to be cool and dark, although the car will be hotter i imagine
mdmnl@reddit
And traffic cops often trained to drive HGVs/buses etc. for that eventuality too.
Practical-Command634@reddit
You never watched police interceptors. They jump in all sorts of vehicles some not even road worthy just to get them out of harms way. It's a dangerous situation, even if you're the only car in the hard shoulder. If nothing else the police use it as an emergency lane when the roads are extremely busy.
Tonyjay54@reddit
They are, I have done this many times as a Police officer before I retired
Jacktheforkie@reddit
Even if they can’t drive it they can arrange a flatbed
kalendral_42@reddit
And make sure his hazards are on while it’s on the hard shoulder
DallonsCheezWhiz@reddit
If he were truly on the motorway hard shoulder - you call 999. It's an emergency.
As he's actually in a layby...
He's pulled over and safely parked - then leave him be and check in on him again after an hour.
There's not much an ambulance can do, apart from take ages to reach him and then dump him in an A&E where there's bright lights and a Doctor or Nurse who most likely tell him to go home and take a double dose of ibuprofen, or aspirin.
In the future, he can create a migraine kit and keep with him; have water, medications, ice pack/hot pack, some snacks, sunglasses; whatever you need during a migraine. And also nag a GP about getting on some (maybe better if he's already prescribed) better preventatives or abortives.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Great advice, thanks so much! He did exactly this - dozed for a while until the closest distant relative came and picked him up.
The migraine kit is a very good point - I have one in my own car (the migraines are a family trait, unfortunately) - and i personally think he's a total idiot for not having one already haha. Not even any triptans on hand! honestly.
rwapp@reddit
Hey I'm late to this but I suffer from the same migraines.
Please pass on a suggestion to your brother to start taking Vitamin B2 riboflavin. It reduced my migraines by like 75% and really helped me.
Best of luck to your bro
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice! I also suffer from these types of migraines, so I'll try it out too :)
UnablePackage5973@reddit
Sudden onset headaches, especially if he doesn’t have a history of them, is very concerning. They are sometimes called thunder crash headaches. He should call 999.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
everyone in my family gets migraines like this - they're genetic. while thankfully not SUPER frequent, we've all had them once or twice a year since we were around 11 years old, so it's pretty standard by now - but thanks for your concern.
mwhi1017@reddit
Well this deescalated quickly
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
lol yeah. he had me freaking out over nothing!
okiadmit@reddit
Is this a joke? Ring an ambulance if it's that bad, obviously
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
It's nothing medically new or shocking; migraines are genetic and most members of my family have had them since we were kids. They suck, for sure, but the process is pretty routine at this point.
TedWasler@reddit
‘Worst headache ever’ may just be a really bad migraine, but to an Emergency doc, it means brain haemorrhage until proven otherwise. Not meaning to scare you, but I really would call him an ambulance.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Migraines are genetic - we all get them in my family, and share pretty similar symptoms that follow a reliable pattern. Alien arm, then flashing lights, then blindspot, then pain, then vomiting. I sometimes get a little spicy and throw aphasia into the mix too lol - so while the timing of this was very unfortunate (and my brother is an idiot for not keeping triptans on hand), it wasn't anything medically new or worrying. Thanks for your concern though!
BackgroundCookie752@reddit
I had this exact scenario when I was in my late 20s, terrified as I just wanted to get home, was at least 90 minutes on the motorway away, and I had all the visual aura, started being sick, etc etc. migraines were not new to me and I knew what was in store.
I actually pulled over and rang the police for advice. The highways agency Wombles (sorry I don’t know their real titles!) came within 10 minutes, and one drove my vehicle to take me to the nearest services, where I slept in the car for 3-4 hours and then had a decent meal and was absolutely fine to get back on the road.
Emergency services are there for a reason and migraines are a real emergency, you can’t see or stand up or function atall.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Thank you so much for this! We ended up tracking down a nearby distant relative to pick him up and take him somewhere safe, but it's a huge comfort to know that that's an option if that ever unluckily happens in the future :)
DrMamaBear@reddit
Any updates on this OP? Is your brother ok?
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
He's okay now! The layby he was in was safe - he rested there for an hour while the closest relative we could track down came to pick him up. He's now home safe and sound :) thanks for your concern!
CraigTheBrewer12@reddit
If your brother has frequent migraines that result in blind spots, non stop vomiting and leave him woozy and incapacitated for a long time afterwards then he needs to stop driving and surrender his licence.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
a huge portion of the population has migraines with aura. most members of my family get them, including me. This is the first time it has ever been an issue while driving.
a) i never said they were frequent? usually once or twice a year, in direct response to triggers.
b) auras give you about 15 minutes to find somewhere safe/comfortable before the migraine hits. if you have triptans on you, which we all do (my brother apparently lost track of his while packing the car), you can stop the migraine before it starts at the first sign of aura.
I think you just want an excuse to morally posture at people online, craig, to the extent that you're willing to make up things to be cross about.
WaterSmooth8773@reddit
Call 999. I wouldn’t be attempting to sleep in my car on a motorway hard shoulder.
RepresentativeWay734@reddit
It's not on a motorway. He's parked in a layby.
WaterSmooth8773@reddit
The original post said he was on the hard shoulder.
FreddiesNightmare65@reddit
Tjey have updated the party, he's in a layby
WaterSmooth8773@reddit
OMG. I know. I said the original post (which I replied to) said he was on the hard shoulder of the motorway
PtotheBee@reddit
It’s a lay-by 👍
FreddiesNightmare65@reddit
And my predictive text is crap and running wild
FreddiesNightmare65@reddit
Ok, got you now.. I thought you meant the other person hadn't read the post and he was on the hard shoulder. Apologies to you. May your knickers stay untiwsted for the rest of the week 😁😉
simkk@reddit
This is also what the highway code says
"if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
atomic_mermaid@reddit
Christ your crtl+ V buttons must be worn down to a nub.
simkk@reddit
Not a fan of people giving life-threatening information
Kaiisim@reddit
Yeah incapacitated while driving is an emergency due to the high risk of something very bad occuring.
Not_Mushroom_@reddit
Why on earth not call 999 or highways agency instead of making a thread on reddit ffs? Absolute madness.
FinalEdit@reddit
This is peak reddit. Outsource your thinking even in emergency situations. Absolutely amazing.
Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you of a fire that has broken out at the premises of... No, that's too formal. [Deletes text] Fire! Exclamation mark! Fire! Exclamation mark! Help me! Exclamation mark! 123 Carrendon Road. Looking forward to hearing from you. All the best, Maurice Moss
fastboots@reddit
011899988199725 3
graceofspadeso@reddit
This is still helpful to other people though, I didn't realise the hard shoulder was that dangerous, now I do! And if someone else is in a position where they are second guessing themselves then this thread will probably come up now if they google it, then they quickly know to make a call rather than considering for a long time
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
He's begging me not to, and is insisting that it doesn't seem like a bad one and that it will be over soon. We've both experienced migraines our whole lives, so it's not implausible that it will just go away in an hour or two. Anyhow, it turns out he's in a layby, not a motorway hard shoulder, which is a much safer position. I came here to figure out if I should ignore his pleading and call someone anyway.
snafe_@reddit
Are 2 people able to go and get him and bring the car home? Even 1 person and go back for the car tomorrow
Greedy-Mechanic-4932@reddit
Word for next time.
He might be begging you not to, but you've no idea what he's actually experiencing there and then unless you're medically qualified, sat next to him observing him and with appropriate equipment.
There's a reason NHS111 have a reputation for "referring everyone" - it's because it's better to be safe, than sorry.
That migraine may just be a migraine, but it could also be any number of other medical conditions that require urgent medical care.
If you have any doubt whatsoever, make the call and get the emergency services to triage on scene. You want them calling you back and saying that everything is OK and he's heading to wherever his destination is - not having a couple of police knocking on your door to break some news...
namegame62@reddit
... at least he's not asking ChatGPT?
Although in fairness, in this situation, an LLM would 100% give pretty much the same advice reddit is crowdsourcing here, which is "call 999 and let them triage it, fgs."
Baffled as to why his brother would call him simply to tell him not to call anyone, and why OP would hop online to ask for opinions on what he should do - IMO it sounds like both him and his brother are just covertly asking for permission to be concerned? The brother wouldn't have even called if it was truly NBD.
Ok-Slip-8663@reddit
I would be calling emergency services. He shouldn’t be sleeping on the hard shoulder. Can he drive to the next junction, even with his hazards on and slowly?
DigitalStefan@reddit
That’s a terrible idea. Driving slowly with hazards on is ill advised. Get out of the car. Get the other side of the barrier. Call emergency services. Wait for emergency services.
Popular_Set_9042@reddit
I would guess Driving With hazards on at a slower pace in lane one is much safer than leaving a car on the hard shoulder for a long period of time.
Personally if he's driven into a designated layby on a hard shoulder if use the telephone to call highway patrol and ask them to assist. As it's not a emergency services requirement He just needs to get off the motorway to safety.
Service stations have a max duration you are permitted to stay without penalty.
Spare_Tyre1212@reddit
Driving with hazards on due to medical state is basically admitting that you are not safe to drive. That us a crime and worst case he could plough into another car and kill multiple people. Police would much rather be informed and take over. That is what they are there for.
Popular_Set_9042@reddit
Well I meant when they were driving and were deciding when and where to stop. I'm certain the migraine wasnt instantaneous and he happened to be on the hard shoulder.
But I see I'm just gonna get pure down votes.
pajamakitten@reddit
They had no choice to not drive there though. Continuing to drive when you know you are medically impaired is very different.
Icy_Gap_9067@reddit
You can't drive with visual problems from migraine, it's like having blind spots in your vision and would be extrememly dangerous. He should call non emergency police line and they'll come and help him out, even if it's just driving him to a holiday inn or something.
DigitalStefan@reddit
Also driving slowly on the motorway is simply dangerous. If you are unable to drive at motorway speed either through a fault of the car or you're having a medical issue, you should pull over.
You do not want to be in lane 1 at 30mph with an inattentive lorry driver approaching at 60+
No-Taro-6953@reddit
I'm fairly certain he'd risk losing his licence if he did that.
If you jump into a car while your ability is impaired, you're basically committing an offence.
I suffer from migraines and there's no way in hell it's safe to drive in that condition.
cherryxgrenade@reddit
As someone with migraines that also result in blind spots this is a BAD idea.
theModge@reddit
In fact if police / traffic wombles see him, they may well come to see what's going on
Armodeen@reddit
This is an ideal traffic womble job tbh
cankennykencan@reddit
999 and let them decide. If his life is at risk. (Which it is) Then someone will be sent.
As a migraine sufferer myself and as a police officer myself, get him some help
SByolo@reddit
Not related to his position. But if he suffers from any neck pain/stiffness during his migraines it could be a Cervicogenic headache. Just a random suggestion but worth looking into as it’s something that can be treatable/addressed as it’s often just written off as stress headaches/migraines
a_paulling@reddit
Call 101 or traffic police (not a 999 issue). He is not safe, sleeping in your car on the hard shoulder is dangerous, and with the sun out the car will get hot quite quickly, which will likely make his migraine worse. He is also not safe to drive afterwards, and will not be in the right frame of mind to recognise that fact.
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
I can't believe people saying this. If you are going to give people dangerous advice then do not bother. A car stopped on the hard shoulder of a motorway due to the driver having a medical episode is 100 percent a 999 issue. 999 is for emergency where there is an immediate risk to life and safety, which there certainly is in this situation.
a_paulling@reddit
I have changed my comment, thank you for your reply.
simkk@reddit
This is what the highway code says
"if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
a_paulling@reddit
Thank you for the correction, I have amended my comment.
Own_Average7810@reddit
I’d be calling emergency services, or at least taking the FM back to mine
Ok_Bug7382@reddit
Does he get them regularly. Always good to have a blood pressure check with very bad headaches.
ASpookyBitch@reddit
So those lay-bys are usually safe. But the non stop vomiting, he will need paramedics to at least get him hydrated and stable enough to drive again.
He’ll at this point just a friend or someone to go out to him and take him a meal deal or something to just set him right.
pheonix_balls@reddit
Bit late to this but magnesium deficiency is a big cause of migraines.
t0mni@reddit
He needs to get on Reddit and look for answers
LeanDreamMemeMachine@reddit
Yeah you're gonna get in some serious trouble for taking a nap on the hard shoulder.
If you are unable to drive, you need someone to get you and the car to a place of safety.
okiadmit@reddit
Oh stfu are you balls
Overflooow@reddit
If he has breakdown cover it might cover him if he's medically unfit to drive. Mine says you have to be "declared" unfit so I'm not sure if a paramedic or doctor would have to do this.
peppermint_aero@reddit
Override your brother and call 999.
There is a small risk that he may be angry at you tomorrow, but the much greater risk that he could be in an accident is much more pressing.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Even if it's a layby on a single carriageway and not a motorway hard shoulder?
MrsSEM84@reddit
Yes. There is no downside to getting him help, except for a maybe a little embarrassment or annoyance for him. But there could be a dire downside to not doing so. Especially if this continues for hours.
And what happens if he decides to continue driving before he is really ready? Are you willing to risk him, or somebody else, being injured (or worse) just so he doesn’t get annoyed with you?
DallonsCheezWhiz@reddit
If OP were to call 999, it'd probably be hours before an ambulance got to him - migraine isn't classed as an emergency.
MrsSEM84@reddit
No a migraine isn’t an emergency and an ambulance probably would not even be called. More likely a police car would be sent to deal with the possible danger of having a car stuck on the side of the road, and they would be able to move him and the car to safety.
DallonsCheezWhiz@reddit
But since he's parked up in a layby, and if he's parked safely, there's not much the police can do.
annakarenina66@reddit
the downside for him will be if he has consistent migraines that put him in a dangerous position while driving he could have his licence revoked on medical grounds
In a previous line of work i experienced a man with epilepsy who wouldnt declare it and lied to dr that he had no issues anymore and his friends knew not to call 999 if he had a fit. He nearly drowned but at least he didn't take out several vehicles with him
MrsSEM84@reddit
Maybe, but that’s a downside that he’ll just have to take on the chin. If he isn’t safe to be driving then he should have his license revoked.
Affectionate_Day7543@reddit
Get off here and call 999
Fit-Thanks-3834@reddit
Since he’s NOT on the hard shoulder of a motorway but parked up on a quiet country lay-by he should be fine to sleep it off and you should calm down and leave him alone to recover. As long as he’s locked the doors he should be fine. Leave him for a couple of hours and text him to tell you his situation and revised ETA .
Amonette2012@reddit
He could be a danger to himself and others and needs emergency care.
Recent-Climate6942@reddit
He could call police on the non-emergency line and explain the situation. someone might be available to come and drive his car or provide help in some way.
Weary_Judgment_9871@reddit
Definitely call 999 on his behalf (paramedic here). He’s poorly and sat on the hard shoulder of a motorway (a dangerous place to be poorly!)
SaveOurPandas@reddit
This should be top comment.
woollover@reddit
Former nurse here. Just wanted to say a huge thankyou for the job that you do. One of our many unsung heroes.
FunkyYoghurt@reddit
In what universe are paramedics unsung heroes?
V8boyo@reddit
What he's got is a migraine with visual hallucinations - I used to get them - multi coloured jagged line that gradually got bigger. It was down to my posture. I no longer get them. It's nothing bad for his health but if it's the first time I'd tell him to go see a doctor.
AtLeastOneCat@reddit
I'm someone who gets regular, severe migraines after a brain injury.
Your brother needs to be on some kind of medication for these migraines, especially if they're coming often. I take Candesartan to lower the chance of them occurring and Sumatriptan at the outset.
The vomiting is worrying and if he hasn't spoken with his GP recently he needs to do so again, especially if the migraines have increased in regularity or severity.
I would also be re-considering driving at all in his position if this happens regularly. I, unfortunately, chose to not drive as I didn't want to end up in a situation like this. It's really hard but it's in everyone's best interest.
ellieisstucklikethis@reddit (OP)
Hiya, thanks so much for the advice.
As for your concerns: It's genetic; I get them as well, as does our father.
We're all blessed with having really intense auras with our migraines; I've had them so badly that i've lost the ability to speak or feel my left arm, and had ambulances called on me by people who thought I was having a stroke. It happens to us all about a few times a year - it is unlucky that this one happened today (i suspect it was from some teenage girls' very strong perfume next to us in the cinema yesterday - we both normally stay away from people with perfume but we were fully trapped next to them for hours).
Our GPs are aware - he's never had a migraine while driving before (neither have I, thankfully), but I do agree that he should avoid long drives like this unless unavoidable! The one good thing about the auras is that it gives us some warning time to get to a safe(r) place before a migraine hits, at least.
Opposite_Position125@reddit
Ambulance xx
Gullflyinghigh@reddit
Call them regardless. He might be grumpy about it or it might not be needed BUT if anything does happen how would you feel knowing you didn't try to send someone?
PsycommuSystem@reddit
Get out of the car and behind the guardrail (as far back as possible from the road way) and call the police/ambulance whichever needed and explain he is in medical distress.
DiscoDoberman@reddit
Check in on him in an hour.
How far is he from his destination? Since his car is in a layby I'm thinking could he get a taxi to his Uni and get a taxi back out tomorrow to retrieve his car?
ambergriswoldo@reddit
As he’s in a lay by and not the hard shoulder then he’s safe to rest there for a bit but unless he has sufficient migraine meds and water with him then he may not feel any better in a few hours. The bigger concern is if he’ll definitely be safe to drive in a few hours time - I know when I get migraine I feel quite spaced out definitely wouldn’t want to drive - let alone a big distance or on motorways
RepublicWarm2383@reddit
This used to happen to me occasionally on the motorway. I found if I parked up and set a timer for 15 mins, closing my eyes for the entire 15 mins it would abate to the point I could continue driving.
Don't call 999 call 101
liamnesss@reddit
It has been said that you can expect to be parked on the hard shoulder for about 11 minutes before being hit. Seems that's a bit of a misuse of statistics, being an average of how long cars were parked before they were hit, and of course all the cars that weren't hit don't get included in that data!
Regardless, spending 15 minutes parked up on the hard shoulder is likely one of the more dangerous things you've ever done in your life. Really you should pull over, get out of the car, then call the emergency services.
RepublicWarm2383@reddit
Yes sounds like a BS stat tbh but I'd always got to a service station. Ping boss, explain. Wait until safe to drive. Fortunately he was a migraine sufferer so he understood.
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
Its a 999 matter for a car parked on the hard shoulder of a motorway and the driver having a medical episode. I know people do not like to bother 999 since they are busy, and people think "oh its not that bad", but telling someone to dial 101 instead of 999 in this situation is absolutely silly.
RepublicWarm2383@reddit
No wonder the country is in the state it is when people think this is an emergency warranting a 999 call.
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
If someone stranded on a motorway with impaired vision and actively vomiting doesn’t count as an immediate safety risk to you, I don’t think we’re going to agree on what an emergency is.
If you read other comments on here you will see people that are/have been in the emergency services telling them this is a 999 matter. But sure, you have a lot of experience and know better than these people...
ScottishMoscow@reddit
Behave
Practical-Command634@reddit
I broke down on a dangerous bit of motorway. Not all the way off the main carageway. I called the AA and they instantly put me on hold and dialed 999. There was a police car there in minutes. Cop told me next time to call them first if in doubt or fear for my life. I was a bit of both as I was on a fly over and the other side of the crash barrier was a 100 ft drop. They were happy to help. They parked behind me with the blues and twos going while we waited for an X5 police jeep to come and tow me off the motorway, where the AA dude was waiting for me. Bit of an experience but would 100% recommend calling the police straight away if on the motorway and for whatever reason you're unable to continue.
Tonyjay54@reddit
While we are on this subject, if you know this, that’s ok but if you don’t, please get yourself the What3Words app. It is a system that is in 80% of emergency services and breakdown recovery control rooms in the UK. I am a retired Met Officer and I have taken 999 calls of all types of emergencies where the caller could not identify where they were. It’s a hell of a job trying to get an accurate location to respond to when the caller may be sick, distressed or just totally lost. All you have to do, is to press the location button and three words will appear on the screen. If you tell the control room operator those three words , it will plot on their system, your position down to 10 yards on the GPS mapping. It costs absolutely nothing and it is a superb piece of kit. I was out in the wilds of Dartmoor and we came across a nasty traffic accident. I used the system and the 999 operator was able to dispatch to our location with no fuss. It’s no hyperbole to say that this may save your like one day
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
If his migraines are this bad is he even medically allowed to drive?
Lielune@reddit
Speaking as a fellow migraine sufferer … it is extremely rare for migraines to disallow someone from holding a licence. While you obviously cannot drive during an attack, the difference between migraines and medical conditions that do disqualify you is that attacks are usually rarer, come on slowly and give clear warning signs, which would mean that in most scenarios where you might have one come on while driving you’d have time to get to somewhere safe to pull over before the symptoms that interfere with your ability to control a vehicle safely came on.
I obviously can’t speak for OP’s brother personally, but even with attacks this bad, it wouldn’t be out of the norm for him to hold a licence with no need to medically declare to DVLA. It sounds like just bad luck on timing and location in this instance.
Ok_Aioli3897@reddit
Except if they start to be a source of danger to the public.
Which it sounds like the brother is if they are driving while still being woozy
Lielune@reddit
His own stupidity in not taking his medical condition and the importance of full control behind the wheel of a car seriously might well get him disqualified regardless of whether being a migraine sufferer itself would, yeah… and honestly, if he’s incapacitated for as long as it sounds like he is after an attack and planning to drive anyway because he refuses to call for help, he’d deserve it.
FinalEgg9@reddit
This is what migraines with aura are like, I'm a sufferer myself. You have to inform the DVLA but they won't stop you driving.
Worth_Strain1806@reddit
I'd call 101 and ask for advice. Not an emergency but could easily turn into one
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
This isn’t a 101 situation. Someone stopped on a motorway hard shoulder because they’re medically unwell is at immediate risk, especially if they’ve lost vision and are vomiting. It 100 percent is an emergency and that’s exactly what 999 is for. I know people do not like to bother 999 at the risk of it "not being a real emergency" or "oh, its not that bad", but this is not one of these situations. Telling them to dial 101 is dangerous and irresponsible.
Greedy-Mechanic-4932@reddit
TBF, the moment you describe the situation to 101 they'd put you through to the control room anyway (which is where you end up when calling 999). The difference is the time spent waiting - 999 calls usually a few seconds, 101 could be an hour or more.
Either way. It's a 999 situation. It's not just the danger to the "driver on the hard shoulder", but every other vehicle passing that point at speed.
(just to clarify - I agree with you!)
simkk@reddit
This is what the highway code says
"if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
Jcgcuk@reddit
He needs to get some Anadin Extra most corner shops even sell it. It's the only thing that works on my migraines. He'll get relief in 15 minutes
EtwasSonderbar@reddit
How does he get that if he's stopped on the hard shoulder of a motorway and can't drive?
Jcgcuk@reddit
I thought about that but he can make phone calls he's not totally disabled.
momghoti@reddit
It's nice that it works for your migraine, but it did sod all for mine. Migraines are massively individual.
BG3restart@reddit
Normally the advice is to get out of the car and stand behind the Armco barrier in case anything hits his car. It has happened more often than you would think. If he can't get to the next junction or a services, maybe a call to the emergency services to let them know where he is.
liamnesss@reddit
If you can't get on the other side of a barrier, standing behind the car is the next best thing. You can at least see traffic coming more easily that way, and if your car is hit you don't want to be in front!
Greedy-Mechanic-4932@reddit
I don't particularly want to be in between, either...
Bukr123@reddit
If he wants to avoid ambulance or police then I suggest (this is kind of dangerous) someone drives to him with a mate who can drive his car home for him. What he shouldn’t do under absolute zero circumstance is sleep in that car on the hard shoulder. In my opinion the easiest and safest solution is to call the police/ambulance.
NorthernStar2184@reddit
He MUST get out of the car. I personally knew someone who was killed when a car hit them while parked on the hard shoulder.
BunglingBoris@reddit
You, call 999. That's a very dangerous place to be. They need to be out of the car and behind the barrier.
Don't dick around, do it now
Reddit____user___@reddit
Ambulance immediately.
If he can’t drive the car off the hard shoulder he should be laying on the embankment on whatever he can use that approximates any comfort.
Assuming he’s too incapacitated to use the SOS phone, arrangements need to be made by family asap.
RowRow1990@reddit
When my dad was to ill to drive, he called his breakdown and they recovered the car home. Pretty sure a lot of them offer this.
Hcmp1980@reddit
Thats a 999 situation.
FinalEdit@reddit
No, its a make a thread on reddit situation!
GhostLeopard_666@reddit
He needs to call 999 and explain the situation, he cant just stay on the hard shoulder & hope for the best.
strodey123@reddit
If he is on the hard shoulder he will have police / highway patrol moving him on pretty quickly, its really not a safe place to be.
YetAnotherInterneter@reddit
Call an ambulance
SaltyLilSelkie@reddit
Do you know how many people die from stopping in their cars on the hard shoulder? It’s incredibly dangerous - if he can’t get safely off the motorway himself he should get out of his car, get on the embankment and call emergency services
zilchusername@reddit
I see this stated a lot and I don’t disbelieve it but in all the time I have traveled on a motorway I have seen anyone drive on the hard shoulder. Perhaps I have just been lucky I admit I don’t use motorways as much as others but it was that common I thought I might have seen it at least once.
RafRafRafRaf@reddit
Watch the truck drivers. Little excursions onto the hard shoulder are SUPER common. Extended periods of straddling it a bit are unsafe and illegal but still not unusual.
EveningHere@reddit
Absolutely. I see them do this all the time.
SarkyMs@reddit
Do you know? As all figures I can find relate to smart motorways.
Ok_Comfortable3083@reddit
Did their migraine come on instantly and they had no warning where they couldn’t possibly make it to the next junction or services? This seems extreme and a very dangerous situation to put themselves in. I would suggest they reevaluate their decision making.
sparklybeast@reddit
Many people who suffer from migraine don't have easily noticable warning signs. Or any warning at all, in some cases. I would suggest you refrain from judging until you're better informed.
Ok_Comfortable3083@reddit
Well as someone who does suffer from migraines to the point where it wipes me out, I have learnt the early warning signs. Even the “silent” migraines have triggers, just not ones that you always feel beforehand. It’s pretty simple to be honest if you’re curious enough to figure it out. Stressful situations, neck and/or shoulder tension, bright lights. Mine are caused by muscle tension, if I’m at a desk for a long time or go too hard at the gym I suffer in the next hour or two.
momghoti@reddit
It's nice for you that it was that simple and easy to determine your triggers. Sadly, that's not the case for many of us. Triggers can be many and varied, can lead to a migraine days later, and can change over time. The prodrome can be incredibly subtle and hard to identify.
Ok_Comfortable3083@reddit
Downvoting because I’m suggesting being proactive in future.
simkk@reddit
I will say that you should never not call 999 because you think they are over worked. They have a triage system for a reason. They can also direct non-emergency resources such as highways to an area if needed.
This person is having a medical episode in a potentially life-threatening area not only for themselves but for others too. With quick intervention a collision might be prevented.
Ok_Comfortable3083@reddit
111 is a great system, if it’s that bad they will put you to the emergency services.
Profession-Unable@reddit
Terrible advice.
OP’s brothers life is in danger by way of him sitting on the hard shoulder in speeding traffic. Furthermore - should there be an accident - everyone on that part of the motorway will be in danger.
That’s not really your place to say tbh. The emergency services will triage the call and respond as they feel appropriate that their job. This isn’t at all what they mean when they talk about wasting the time of the emergency services.
TheInspectaa@reddit
These migraines are hard to predict and advance quickly. Sometimes it's not always the case of decision making protocols. More of if it happens, it happens. Mine are somewhat predictable, once every 6 months, and you do notice patterns of it emerging.
For me, I get stroke like symptoms and cant speak properly. Get very lightheaded then the visual spot comes on. If I see that spot I need to move quickly. When it takes over my vision and resets, thats when the migraine knifes in the brain start stabbing away. Then im out for the next 3 days.
Screaming_lambs@reddit
I don't have anything to add to what others have replied. Just wanted to say I hope your brother gets rescued and feels better soon. I get these type of migraines, they are awful. They knock me out for hours once I've stopped puking.
cookj1232@reddit
Immediately exit the car before a lorry driver on their phone flattens him, call 999 asking for police to make the situation safe and from the sounds of it an ambulance too
beavertownneckoil@reddit
This is maybe immoral advice but I'd be careful ringing emergency services - they might revoke his right to drive. But he can't stay on the motorway either, tough call for sure
oraff_e@reddit
That would depend how frequently the migraines come on. Most of the people I know who have migraine attacks get a bit of warning like flashing lights in their peripheral vision, so a sudden attack on a motorway would be incredibly rare. If it's the only time this has happened while he's been driving, they probably wouldn't jump straight to revocation but possibly medical surveillance?
Front-Pomelo-4367@reddit
My migraine with aura move from visual disturbances in my peripheral to "blindspot in the middle of my field of vision" in ten minutes or so. In some places that would be plenty of time to find somewhere quiet, in other places you'd be out of luck for sure
oraff_e@reddit
Maybe he genuinely thought he had more time if they usually don't come on that fast? Personally I'd have got off the motorway ASAP but I don't think it's enough to draw a conclusion to ban him from driving full stop.
Front-Pomelo-4367@reddit
DVLA requires notifying if your migraines are "sudden and disabling" – most people do have a prodromal phase (measured in minutes or hours) that mean they would at the very least be able to pull over before the attack seriously hits. Being on the hard shoulder isn't ideal, but you're pulled over and not an active danger (vs suddenly and with zero warning having a blind spot in the middle of your vision)
oraff_e@reddit
Yeah, absolutely let DVLA know - I'm not saying it's not a serious medical condition. I just think there are probably other ways to try and deal with it before jumping to a ban, especially when you consider most people don't drive 3+ hours on a regular basis, it's just day-to-day pootling round town to the shops or work etc. Unless he drives on a motorway regularly it may never happen again.
The1non1y1@reddit
Are people this thick? Call the traffic officers. It's not police emergency
simkk@reddit
This is awhat the highway code says
"if you have not stopped near a free emergency telephone, call 999 immediately and ask for the police."
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/breakdowns-and-incidents-274-to-287
ODFoxtrotOscar@reddit
Who do you mean by ‘traffic officers’?
The1non1y1@reddit
National Highways traffic officers in England and Wales manage traffic flow, safety, and incidents on motorways and major A-roads, operating 24/7.
Copied from Google but that's what they do
terryjuicelawson@reddit
There is a good TV show that follows them, think it is just called "The Motorway". They do a lot of good work that people may not realise, like if a car needs recovering after an accident they may have to stop traffic entirely for a short time, cone off lanes, attend to broken down cars while they wait, take stray tyres off the highway, all sorts.
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
National highways traffic officer, they are the ones that patrol the motorway. Kind of like an emergency service but not quite.
AgileInitial5987@reddit
Ex police. Phone 999.
ScottishMoscow@reddit
Ex
SeniorMoonlight21@reddit
I mean not everyone knows the number for national highways, and I doubt someone that is in that much pain they are throwing up is in a state to look it up. Since they are stopped on a motorway and are ill, there is no harm in calling 999, if the police do not deem it an emergency they will just pass it over to national highways anyway.
CodeToManagement@reddit
It’s crazy dangerous to sleep in the car on the hard shoulder and tbh not exactly great for your health to stand behind the barrier near traffic
I’d personally say call 999 and explain the situation. Or call the non emergency number and see if traffic cops could help him get the car off to the next junction or services so he can sleep there safely if he insists
Rich-Ad-6817@reddit
Has he gone for immediate medical attention, this happened to me 3 years ago, not driving thankfully. It was a ruptured brain anuersym and the paramedics where insistent it was probably a migraine
Lunaspoona@reddit
Get out the car, through the passenger side, go over the barrier. Call emergency services. They will close the lane off and escort him to the nearest services where he's safe to sleep it off or get picked up.
He is not safe on the hard shoulder. It's a deathwish, people can and have died on there.
Justan0therthrow4way@reddit
Call 999 ambos/police can come get him maybe drive his car to the closest services so he can at least sleep safely
DrainpipeDreams@reddit
This is why 999 have a triage system. If the call handler decides that it doesn't require police / ambulance / immediate assistance, they can put other things in place or advise on next steps.
Jacktheforkie@reddit
I’d call 999, the police would be able to safely recover the vehicle and give him a lift home/to hospital in an ambulance if needed
PingouinFluffy@reddit
I have suffered migraines all my life and if it happens when I am driving, I pull over and wait for the visuals to end - normally 40 to 50 minutes? If he is on the motorway, put some sunglasses on, and sit over the other side of the crash barrier until he is able to move the car.
NecroVelcro@reddit
A paramedic has replied and multiple other people have said that this is an emergency situation.
You shouldn't be behind the wheel.
momghoti@reddit
Sadly, not all migraines work like that. I'm lucky enough that mine never caused vomiting and could usually drive through then, but I've had a few that the photophobia was so bad daylight whited out my vision. My migraines lasted between 4-6 hours minimum, and would not have been able to drive.
Wickedbitchoftheuk@reddit
He calls the police and gets their advice.
toxic-banana@reddit
He needs to get out of the car onto the verge and then call the police I'm afraid. You could offer to handle the call for him?
forgottenoldusername@reddit
He needs off the shoulder now.
I used to work in major motorway projects and I lost count of how many times we started meetings acknowledging the death of lads working on the road, they were almost always on the shoulder.
Not said to cause fear or sound hyperbolic - but it's something close to my heart - ALWAYS go on the other side of the rigid metal barrier and ideally travel a few meters away from that on the verge.
edit incoming
Thin_Formal_3727@reddit
What you NEED to do. Get breakdown cover, use breakdown cover (will have a premium for immediate use) get him home. All in you will be about £150 down but you get to see your brother again. Not guaranteed he will be hurt sleeping there, but I dont like the odds at all, especially when there is a solution.....GO.
GlitteringBryony@reddit
Tell him to get out of the car and off the carriageway, that is the most important bit. There will be a pale coloured marker post within a hundred yards of him, with an arrow marker on it, and tell him to follow the direction of the arrow, which will take him to the nearest emergency phone, which will also have a coordinate code written on it. Then, tell the operator on the emergency phone the coordinate code on the phone, and everything you've told us, and they'll take it from there.
They're used to people being panicked and incoherent, they will treat him kindly and will get him to safety.
fishaac@reddit
I suffer from these myself & the only thing that works for me is taking migraleve as soon as I notice it (the pink ones for the onset of migraine) & closing my eyes for 20 mins.
I always make sure I have some in my car & ive got some in a key chain tablet case in case I get caught short wherever I am. The darker I can make it with my eyes closed the better, so if im in my car ill put my shades on & a beanie hat pulled down over my eyes, the quicker I can react to it the more effective all of this will be.
Usually in 20 mins or so the visual disturbance would've died down enough to a point where I can safely resume driving.
Toothfairy29@reddit
999 for ambulance and police. Police at a minimum to collect him and move his car for him.
L-0-T-H-0-S@reddit
Tell him to get out of the car, climb the embankment. Get away from the car and the motorway. The visuals will pass presently. Tell him to just keep calm, breathe, and relax. Fresh air is good. If he has specific meds on him, take them.
If the highway patrol or the police pull up, explain the situation.
Etheria_system@reddit
Either he or you need to call 999 immediately
cboel@reddit
Get a local police officer to do a medical check on him and, if necessary, immediately go to hospital to get checked. There's a very small chance he could be having a stress related stroke instead of a migraine headache and catching it quickly could lead to better outcome for him in the long term.
If it isn't anything other than a severe migraine, at the very least the officer can give him instructions on where to park safely away from the motorway to wait it out (if that's what he insists on doing). A motorway isn't safe to park on itself, he needs to get off it and onto a quieter side street nearby.
You can determine if he needs an ambulance from there.
Neddlings55@reddit
He certainly shouldnt be in his vehicle, but standing somewhere safe.
He needs to move his car one way or another. He wont be allowed to nap on the hard shoulder.
LevelsBest@reddit
If he doesn't actually need medical attention, but has roadside recovery that will take him home or to a safe place then call them and explain this is urgent. If he does need medical attention then he needs an ambulance and vehicle recovery. Whichever, he needs to get himself out of the car and away from the carriageway immediately.
-Rhymenocerous-@reddit
Urbanyeti0@reddit
He CANNOT sleep it off on the hard shoulder of a motorway, that’s incredibly dangerous
If he can’t drive and has nobody to go take over driving then break down / tow truck?
Dull_Hawk9416@reddit
Phone the police to take him to nearest town or services. He can’t stay on the hardshoulder it’s far too dangerous. Arrange for him to stay in a premier inn or something if they take him to a town. Alternatively can you contact a local-ish facebook group. There’s so many good people arround who would rush to help
Tight-Principle-743@reddit
He should not be driving at all - by the symptoms of what you’re describing it’s time to call the emergency services.
Full-Suggestion-1320@reddit
Car on the hard shoulder is a 999 call or use one of the roadside telephones. This is one of the most dangerous situations you can be in.
amBrollachan@reddit
Call emergency services. There's also a good chance that traffic police in the area will stop to check in on him if he's sitting on the hard shoulder.
Yippym@reddit
He should go to the hospital via ambulance or pick him up. Leave the car, as he's not able to drive it safely.
Chickenhugga@reddit
If he’s on the hard shoulder, that’s not a place for rest. Highways will check on him but he cannot sit on a hard shoulder without a plan for rescue
Big-Restaurant-9946@reddit
He's on the hard shoulder? I would call police for advice- not safe for him to "sleep it off" there or keep on driving. Don't think safe for you to come for him there either- police would need to be aware so lane could be closed if needed, etc. Good luck
Competitive_Test6697@reddit
I mean, roadside assistance for a medical issue is strange.
If possible I'd chance that and get towed to next service station with a hotel and go to bed.
Call NHS24 and see what they say about an ambulance? Just means leaving car on hard shoulder which isn't a great idea.
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