This blog post was originally supposed to be about something fun and lighthearted but just before I sat down to write, I started getting the warning signs of a migraine. I know that of all the medical afflictions out there, migraines are modicum in comparison. I have been suffering from migraines since age eleven; in fact I still vividly remember my first one. It was excruciating and they continue to be to this day. I know there is some debate over whether or not migraines are hereditary…in my case I honestly believe it to be true; both my mother and father suffered from them. In addition, I fully acknowledge that there are lifestyle and other factors that come into play like food, alcohol, sleep patterns, stress, hormones, environment, etc.
For anyone who has not experienced a migraine, I envy you. And, in case you are unfamiliar, migraines are as complex as they are painful; they have four stages which include: prodrome, aura, headache and postdrome.
Prodrome — For me my warning signs of impending migraine are mood swings (I go from weepy to happy with little rhyme or reason), food cravings (for fast food in particular a greasy cheeseburger from McDonald’s), neck stiffness, thirst and increased urination.
Aura — Perhaps the oddest feeling and hardest to explain to other people. For me I lump this in as part of the prodrome since it starts before the headache; before the pain. My auras are flashes of light; I liken it to driving during an intense snowfall at night.
Headache — Migraines can last from anywhere from four to 72 hours. For some people they can be rare occurrences but for me at my worst point they occurred several times a month. With my migraines I have experienced pain on only one side of my head as well as on both sides of my head. The pain is throbbing, even pulsating. During this stage I am super sensitive to light, sounds and occasionally smells. I suffer from bad nausea during the headache; and of course the vomiting makes the headache even more painful. The aura will sometimes subside but usually when it does, it is replaced with blurry vision.
Postdrome — This is the light at the end of the tunnel portion of the whole ordeal. At this point in time I am utterly drained, sometimes confused and still fairly sensitive to light and sound. I’m back to feeling like myself the next day.
I know it probably seems silly to blog about a “headache,” but they majorly affect my life. After being hospitalized numerous times for migraines during my mid twenties; I knew I had to try and get a handle on this condition and trust me, it took a long time. Maybe in sharing, I can help bring some relief to other sufferers; keeping in mind that I am NOT a doctor, so please consult yours! Some of the things I have found successful include…
1. Maxalt (aka Rizatriptan)
This is the prescription medication I have been using for years. However, it is only effective when I take it as soon as the headache begins. According to my physician, this triptan works by narrowing blood vessels around the brain. It reduces not only the pain but also the nausea.
2. Lifestyle Adjustment/Avoiding Triggers
I spent many years figuring out what my triggers were and the thresholds; tomatoes, processed meats, red wines (even the smell) and chocolate especially get me; although there are others. Drinking more water has helped. A student of mine a few years ago who suffered greatly from migraines told me about Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo’s book Eat Right For Your Blood Type.
This book helped me make different dietary choices and I found that a lot of the food that was labelled as ‘AVOID’ for my blood type; were actually on my triggers list. Despite cutting out those foods and making better/different lifestyle choices, my migraines do still persist however, but it has allowed me to reduce their frequency and intensity and take back some control over my life.
3. Listening To My Body
When I get busy or stressed I forget to stop and check in with myself; I forget to listen to my body. Unfortunately, there have been times when I have run out of my prescription as well. Making sure I am cognizant of the warning signs from my prodrome and then taking immediately actions can make the difference between a shorter less intense migraine or a debilitating one. I have over the years had to keep migraine journals to help me track and pay attention to my body.
4. Acupuncture & Chiropractics
I did a lot of research about alternative ways to treat my migraines because I was afraid that the more I relied on my Maxalt the less effective it might become and then where would I be? I found several scientific articles that highlighted the benefits of chiropractic care in reducing the body’s reaction to stress and since stress can be a cause of migraines it was worth a shot.
I found when I was going regularly to the chiropractor I experienced less migraines. It was actually my chiropractor who introduced me to acupuncture; which helped to reduce my migraines even more. Unfortunately, since my move to the country I have had a hard time sticking to my regime of acupuncture and chiropractics and therefore have had more migraines; so I’ll be jumping back on that bandwagon.
5. Mint Oil
My acupuncturist introduced this to me. Whenever I get a migraine I put a little dab wherever the pain is, then where my maxillary and ethmoidal sinuses are. My husband knows I have a migraine when the mint oil comes out; they have become synonymous with each other.
6. Lights Out
If I am at home I usually retreat to the darkness of my bedroom and sometimes I wear my sunglasses in the house if it isn’t dark enough; which I am sure my husband finds ridiculous, funny but ridiculous.
7. Sleep
The best thing for me is to try and sleep through the whole ordeal, if that’s possible, sometimes the pain keeps me awake. When I get a migraine at work; sleeping is impossible of course.
8. Coffee & Tylenol
In a panic, when I am out of my Maxalt or unable to get to it in time a cup of black coffee and two extra strength Tylenol can take the edge off, if it is early enough in the headache. Why does coffee help? Well, it helps to narrow blood vessels. According to the National Headache Foundation, “when caffeine is added to the combination of acetaminophen and aspirin, the pain relieving effect is increased by 40%.”