Migraine-pain in the ass and everywhere else
So, I am somewhat prone to migraines.
Five years ago it got so bad I was having about 12-15 migraine days a month. This was mostly caused by those devils-hormones. After my hysterectomy, they subsided for a long time. Sadly, the beasts reared their ugly heads again. Not in the numbers before but they are KNOWN. I have had one for the last two days, thus the topic is on my poor recovering brain. I think people are so misinformed about what a migraine is, including my own parents. So I thought I would share my experience with them (migraines, not my parents) and maybe it would help those of you, darling readers, to explain it to others if you too suffer.
- They are a full body experience! And that body will feel so in pain that you are almost but not quite numb from it. I tend to shake from my pain, it gets so bad at times. My neck carries a lot of the pain as well. I have tried different lineaments to help. I have found roll on Biofreeze is easiest and I can, in fact, chuck one in my purse for emergencies. The absolute best, as far as relief goes, is the Ben-Gay that comes in a red tube! Put that on your neck, wrap a towel around it to keep it warm and lay the heck down, or sometimes it helps to have your head slightly up, so if you have a fancy schmancy bed that raises your head slightly that might work better and relieve some of the nausea as well. I like to lay in my Pottery Barn recliner which reclines without being too flat.
- The nausea! OHMYGosh! And there’s just not much to do about it except eat some carbs like soda crackers or toast. Again, sitting in a slight recline, instead of flat, can help.
- No lights please! Leave me alone in the dark, dark!
- Cool room, please. Not artic, just cool,
- NO NOISE! Now is not the time for the Beastie Boys to be playing loudly. It’s quiet coyote time. Whispers only. Odds are what you are saying may not make sense to me anyway.
- Water, cold water. Need to drink a big bottle down when taking your migraine meds (which can be prescribed or over the counter).
- Feed me, Seymour! Feed me as much protein and carb as I can eat! This experience is a bit different for everyone. I Find chewing in general helps the pain by exercising and loosening up your jaw and neck. I have a friend who swears the only thing that alleviates his migraine pain is….Taco Bell.
- I can’t see you! Most migraines come with either tunnel vision, what I call the scratchy lens effect or, worse, auras.
- Sometimes it’s the second round of meds that make you feel better.
- Recovery is real. After the migraine has left the body, it takes a full 24 hour rest and recovery period. The body has been through trauma. It takes a minute to recover. During the recovery process, no overhead or sunlight, no intense smells (although aroma therapy might be your thing), no loud noise and a good warm (not hot) shower please! Stay hydrated!
- Recognize triggers are different for everyone! Mine include stress, barometric pressure, long bouts of sodium lighting and sulfite/nitrite.
So, my loves, maybe that helps you get across what you are going through. But mostly it’s a highly personal experience and each will have it’s on path. I tried to hit universal highlights but there are so many personal ones. Establish a protocol for when you sense one is coming. If you have more than a few migraines a month, definitely talk to your doctor!
So much love for you all!
Staci
