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Poetry and snark blogger who also has a creative side (who knew?)

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #30: Blogger's Pick.

Migraine Awareness Month #30: Blogger's Pick. Choose your favorite blog from any of this month's prompts from someone else's blog to share with us and tell us why it's your favorite.

There have been many terrific blog entries this month. One that has stuck with me, however, is by Jill at What Hill?

She writes of a greeting she'd use for migraine sufferers that means " hope, confidence, faith, expectation; to hope; thoughts that rise or float, like expectation and hope" in Hawaiian. The word is mana'olana. I love this as a greeting and think it represents all the things I'd like to say to fellow to migraine sufferers and to keep in mind for myself.

Thank you, Jill!


 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Migraine Awareness Month #29: "More Often that Not."

Migraine Awareness Month #29: "More Often that Not." Today is Chronic Migraine Awareness Day. People with chronic Migraine have a Migraine more often than not. Think of and share a random act of kindness that you could do for someone with chronic Migraine.

There are times I feel like I have chronic migraine. I have weeks when I get a migraine every day and then I'll go for a week without one (thank heavens!) I'm SO thankful that during the awful weeks, if I take my rescue meds as soon as I feel a headache coming on, I can usually stop it in its tracks. Learned this the hard way, though!

Anyway, I know that when I have a migraine, the last thing I feel like doing is shopping for food and cooking. A kindness for someone with Chronic Migraine would be to take over a prepared dinner that could be kept frozen for one of "those" days. I know I would love to have a homemade meal I could just pop in the oven or microwave and then go to bed while it cooked and not feel guilty about my family not having dinner. If I were really smart, I'd give this gift to myself and prepare some meals ahead of time and freeze them, but, really, what planet are we living on?!!

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

anne taintor

Thursday, June 28, 2012

It's the End of the World and I Feel Fine

 High court upholds Obama health law by 5-4 vote

   

Woo Hoo! YESSSSS!!!!

and in the D.C. weather today...


You don't think this is a sign, do you?


Migraine Awareness Month #28: "Lights, Camera, Action."

Migraine Awareness Month #28: "Lights, Camera, Action." Pick a movie character you can identify with, talk a bit about them and why you identify with them.


'nuff said.



"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #27: "In my Head and Heart."

Migraine Awareness Month #27: "In my Head and Heart." Who inspires you to keep trying and not give up, despite your Migraines?

Definitely my family. They need me. I know this even though when I'm at my worst, I sometimes feel like more of a burden than a help. I know my husband loves me unconditionally as does my daughter. My two boys (the dogs) would be bereft without me! Knowing that my family depends on me keeps me going even when I'd rather give up. Since my daughter also has migraines, I want to set a good example for her of not giving up despite the pain and unfairness of this awful disease. I try not to be unrealistic and pretend that everything is great when it's not, but I also don't want to model that's I think it's okay to use migraines as an excuse for not doing one's best, avoiding responsibility, and/or not following through on commitments. I'm proud to say that despite her migraines, my daughter doesn't give in either.

Some days are just a fail (http://migraineland.tumblr.com/)

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month 26 : "I learned the hard way..."

Migraine Awareness Month 26 : "I learned the hard way..." We learn a great many things the hard way, through experiences that are often difficult and unpleasant. Of all the things you're learned the hard way, what sticks in your mind the most?

(This is a substitute post)

One of the things I've learned the hard way about having migraines is that in order to manage this disease in the best way possible, I've got to honor what my body tells me and not try to ignore these signals in order to get more done, not inconvenience myself or others, or even try to hide that I have migraines.

I now carry small "mini meals" around in my purse when I know that we may go for long stretches of time without eating. In the past, I wouldn't mention that I needed to stop and eat something or risk getting a migraine because I didn't want to make others have to comply with my schedule for meals. The result was often that by the time we stopped for a big meal, I was too sick to eat. I don't do that to myself any more. My husband now knows that when I say "I need to eat," I mean NOW and not in an hour or 2.

I also learned that I get easily overstimulated by sights, sounds, and smells. Everything seems to register in my brain at an increased intensity, especially at certain times of the month. What to most people is an exciting, fun filled day in New York City is, for me, a dizzying frenzy of competing stimuli that leaves me anxious and exhausted. I can enjoy it for only limited amounts of time and need rests, like ducking into less crowded stores or restaurants for a break to recharge. Now that I understand this, I can plan better for it, as can my family, with fewer misunderstandings.

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Monday, June 25, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #25: "Through My Children's Eyes."

    Migraine Awareness Month #25: "Through My Children's Eyes." Write a letter to yourself from your children. 
Dear Mom,

I know it's sometimes hard to find the right gift for kids. You watch commercials; you ask friends; you wander the aisles of stores looking for just the perfect thing to make your child happy. I know that you do that for me. I know that you try. I appreciate the effort, I really do. And I love that we're close. I love that we enjoy the same TV shows, laugh at the same odd humor, and find most of humanity insufferable. I even tolerated when you highlighted your hair the same color as mine. But...

These migraines, Mom. I have to tell you that this gift sucks. It sucks more than the awful eyesight you and Dad gave me when I was in kindergarten. Don't think I forgot that one! This migraine gift tops it. No, sharing meds with you isn't cool, and yours don't even work that well for me. Plus, it's not like when you were in school and could just whip some pills or a cigarette or some pot or whatever out of your purse and head to the girls' room. I have to ask the teacher for a pass to go to the nurse to get my meds every time I get a migraine and then I miss class time, which is really inconvenient!

Why the hell did you ever think I wanted migraines?!! I really hope you can return this gift because I don't want it! I hope you're not offended or that your feelings aren't hurt. We can still be close, but you can keep the headaches--I don't want them!

Your loving daughter,

Baby Mouse

source

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."


Sunday, June 24, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month 24: "A Guy and a Girl Walk Into a Bar..." - Tell us your most amusing Migraine Story

Migraine Awareness Month 24:  "A Guy and a Girl Walk Into a Bar..." - Tell us your most amusing Migraine Story

(This is a substitute post)

There is a local place where we go for take-out Chinese at least once a month. The lady who runs the place knows me, calls me "Mami," and we talk and joke around while I wait for my order (always with no MSG!) Once we were discussing how MSG is a staple in Chinese cooking. I said that it gives my daughter migraines. The Chinese woman said, "Oh, she needs to use [and here she said something that sounded like] seri."

source

I immediately perked up, thinking that maybe this was the answer to our problems-some ancient Chinese herbal remedy or something! I asked her, "Is that Chinese?" She looked at me like I had two heads. "You don't know 'seri?'" she asked. I shook my head. "What is it? Say it again?" She repeated the word at least a couple more times but to no avail. At this point, most people probably would have just said, "Okay," and left it at that, but I wasn't about to let a possible migraine remedy go unexplored just because of a language barrier! "I still don't understand," I said. "Can you spell it?" She shook her head at me like I was a slow witted child. " 'Seri' like you use in 'sarad' " she finally said. Then the light bulb went off. "Oh," I exclaimed, "celery!" "Yeah, tell her to chew it. Good for headache."

I did try it. It didn't work. Oh well. So much for Chinese herbal remedies!

 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #23: "I Drank the Kool-Aid!"

Migraine Awareness Month #23:  "I Drank the Kool-Aid!" We all try things out of desperation, even when our common sense is telling us they're not going to do anything. Share your experience with this. 


Even though cigarette smoke is a MAJOR trigger for my migraines, in college I was so desperately sick with a migraine at one time that I stupidly decided to try smoking pot to see if it would help decrease the pain or the nausea (hey, it works for chemotherapy patients, right?) I happened to have a small stash from an old boyfriend left over so I gave it a try. VERY BAD IDEA. Not only did it not help the migraine, but it made it worse. What a waste of weed. It figures--that relationship was nothing but a big headache!




"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Friday, June 22, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #22: "The Game Changer."

Migraine Awareness Month #22:  "The Game Changer." Tell us about a time your plans changed due either an unexpected Migraine or an unexpected Migraine-free experience.

I've always prided myself on not changing plans due to a migraine. I always follow through on commitments even when I'd much rather be in bed in a dark room. There have been countless times that I've spent the frantic last few moments before an event brushing my teeth and applying make-up to make myself appear like I haven't just puked my guts up and feel like there's an ice pick in my eye socket and the devil is twisting my eyeball out. Usually I get by. Once, however, the migraine won.

It was in graduate school. I was in training for clinical psychology and was doing psychotherapy with a client. It wasn't unusual for me to have a migraine during a therapy session. This one was particularly horrendous, however. My head was throbbing, and I really felt like I was going to vomit. I tried to stay with the flow of the conversation, but all I could focus on was trying not to throw up. Then, in the middle of my client's session, the nausea overcame me. I jumped out of my chair, mumbled a quick "excuse me!" and ran out of the room to go to the ladies' room and puke. This was not good therapy protocol! When I returned, I had to explain that I wasn't feeling well and apologize. The client was so wrapped up in his own problems, he just picked up right where he left off without a mention of my exit! I'm just glad that this wasn't one of the sessions that a team observed behind a one-way mirror for teaching purposes!


"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #21: "Shaking in My Boots."

Migraine Awareness Month #21:  "Shaking in My Boots." What's your biggest Migraine related fear. How do you cope with it? 


 My biggest fear usually involves a major trip or event. The scenario is that I will wake up with a killer migraine (pounding headache, puking, vertigo) and not be able to even get out of bed. My usual meds won't work, and even the dreaded injection doesn't help. The hours are counting down; the departure time is quickly approaching, and I haven't even managed to shower, brush my teeth, or dress yet. This is not a matter of walking zombie-like through the day but of a complete inability to function. Panic sets in. I'm going to ruin everything for this big event/trip that has been planned for so long. What do I do now?!!

How do I cope with this fear? I have yet to totally conquer this one. Although we've never actually had to cancel a trip due to one of my migraines, and I've never bailed on an event, this scenario continues to haunt me. I get very anxious before upcoming trips. It's become a sort of joke in our house that Mom gets crazy before a trip. I try to do as much as possible beforehand, so that there is little last minute preparation, just in case I need to sleep in or don't feel well. This includes a wild cleaning frenzy because I hate coming home to a dirty house. Thank goodness I have an understanding family!
hyperbole and a half.com

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #20: "Run, Forrest, Run!"

Migraine Awareness Month #20:  "Run, Forrest, Run!" Describe the approach you think is best when it's time to move on to a new doctor.

Since my doctor is my husband, that's a bit tricky for me! I have consulted with other doctors about my migraines, namely a neurologist and a headache specialist, in the past. After giving them some time and trying a few tweaks to my routine, they didn't seem to have much more to offer, so I stopped going back.  One of them kept pushing Botox, which I wasn't ready to try yet.

I really don't think it's a big deal to switch doctors unless you make a habit of doing it regularly or have so many different doctors treating you that things get messy. Sometimes it takes a few tries to find someone you are comfortable with and/or is interested and willing to work with a migraine patient. Sometimes it's just a matter of a personality fit. Sometimes it's more problematic. I think if someone ever feels like his or her doctor is unethical, incompetent, condescending, or just makes him or her feel uncomfortable, then it's time to find someone else. Quickly. That goes for anything, not just migraines!


 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #19: "The Match Game."

Migraine Awareness Month #19:  "The Match Game." Describe your perfect doctor to treat your Migraines.

I already have one--my wonderful husband! He reads all of the most up to date literature on migraines and knows more than most neurologists. Living with 2 migraineurs has probably made him one of the most sympathetic and knowledgeable physicians around. And I get to sleep with him too!!!

 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Monday, June 18, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #18: "The Price Is Right."

Migraine Awareness Month #18: "The Price Is Right." What one thing would you do for the Migraine community if money were no issue. 



 If money were no issue, I would make sure that all migraineurs could have access to whatever medication(s) were most helpful to them without worrying about how much they cost, whether they would have enough until their insurance would cover another refill, what they may have to give up in order to afford their meds, and/or the guilt of spending their family's money on expensive prescriptions that sometimes don't even help. I sometimes find myself figuring out the cost per pill and deciding whether or not my headache is "bad enough" to justify the expense of taking a dose or two. This was especially true before my prescription became available in generic form. That is just a ridiculous way to have to live, but it is the truth. And I am one of the lucky ones that has fairly good insurance and a family with a steady income. I really feel sad for those of us who don't have the money or insurance for their meds at all. It's bad enough that we have to suffer with migraine pain but to suffer more because our medication is not affordable is just wrong.


"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #17: "Father Knows Best." Some understand Migraines, some don't.

Migraine Awareness Month #17: "Father Knows Best." Some understand Migraines, some don't. Write a letter to your father or the man closest to, and talk about your Migraines.

This letter is to my husband, who has always been supportive and understanding.

Dear David,

Thank you for sticking with me through the good days and the bad. I how that my migraines frustrate you as much as they do me. Thank you for your help--the neck rubs, eyes rubs, acupressure, calming talks, and all of the prescriptions you've called in for me without complaint (he's a physician-it's legal!) I know it hasn't always been easy to understand that migraine disease is more than just the pain itself, and I wasn't always the best at explaining it, especially in the midst of a pre- or post- migraine fog. Thank you for striving to understand my strange neurology and how it affects my moods and behavior. Not everyone would have the patience or the desire to do that. You did, and I appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I love you.

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #16: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

Migraine Awareness Month #16: "Lead, follow, or get out of the way." Which role fits you and why?

In most things I tend to be a leader, especially if no one else steps up. My preferred style is really to work collaboratively with others who I feel are talented and motivated or to work on my own. I will admit to a slight (ha!) problem with authority, especially if I don't feel that it is earned.

source


"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Friday, June 15, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #15: Free Blog!


Migraine Awareness Month #15: Free Blog! Blog an a Migraine related topic of your choice.

Okay, I'm gonna brag! I entered a Migraine Poetry Competition and won 5th place!


 
Alice in Migraine Land
by Sheri L. Tardio (aka lolamouse)

The Queen of Hearts
has baked some tarts
but they have MSG
Now Alice has a migraine
and can't hold down her tea.

Her head feels like a blimp now
Her legs are made of lead
There's pounding in her ears and
Alice wants to go to bed!

The caterpillar's smoking
is making Alice queasy
If pain vanished like Cheshire Cats
then life would be so easy!

One potion makes her larger
One potion makes her small
but Alice knows the awful truth-
There is no cure at all.

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #14: "Live Long, and Prosper."

Migraine Awareness Month #14: "Live Long, and Prosper." Come up with a short, simple phrase or sentence that could be used when saying "Hello" or "Good-bye" that expresses your wishes for fellow Migraineurs.

 Although I probably wouldn't bring up the subject unless we were already discussing it, I might say, "Here's hoping for a headache free day." Short, sweet, hopeful, and perhaps possible (maybe?)


"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #13: "You Are Beautiful." Write yourself a love letter.

Migraine Awareness Month #13: "You Are Beautiful." Write yourself a love letter. Tell yourself how wonderful you are. Remind yourself of the things you have accomplished despite Migraines. There are times when we need to be reminded of the good things about ourselves that others see that we may have missed.

So true. Yes, I have accomplished a lot despite having migraines. Although I can't bring myself to compose a love letter to myself (not a fan of schmaltz!), I will make a list of some accomplishments to remind myself that there is more to me than these damn headaches.

  • I am a good wife and mother
  • I am a devoted and loyal daughter, sister, friend, pet owner
  • I have a Masters degree and a Ph.D. in psychology
  • I volunteer in my community
  • I just completed training to become a community mediator and a mediator for the District Court
  • I write poetry
  • I blog
  • I have taken up painting
  • I have a wicked sense of humor
  • I have NEVER backed out of a commitment because of a migraine
 Not bad for off the top of my head! Yay me!

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #12: "Let's Do the Monster Mash!"

Migraine Awareness Month #12:  "Let's Do the Monster Mash!" Choose a movie monster that reminds you of your Migraines and tell us why.

THE BRAIN THAT WOULDN'T DIE (1962)

My migraines often make me feel like a disembodied head, like the poor woman in this movie. During my 40+ years of migraines, I have been put on so many different pills, potions, injections, and other medical and non-medical interventions, I often feel like it's all a big experiment by a bunch of mad scientists! And though I don't really mean it, the pain has gotten so awful that I too have begged to just be left to die. Poor Jan in the Pan, I feel her pain.

 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Monday, June 11, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #11: "Say What?!" What's the most ridiculous thing ever said to you about Migraines, who said it, and under what circumstances?

Migraine Awareness Month #11:  "Say What?!" What's the most ridiculous thing ever said to you about Migraines, who said it, and under what circumstances?

Tough one. I think I would have to go with a professor in a behavioral psychology class in college who introduced me to the "migraine personality." From what I can remember, this theory stated that migraineurs were anxious, depressive, and controlling and that our headaches were the result of these dysfunctional personality variables. I found this extremely offensive as well as impossible to prove. It's a chicken and egg question really. If you suffered from extreme and uncontrollable pain, you may be anxious and depressed as well. You also may try to control your environment to prevent headache triggers. 

Sadly, this theory still exists. As recently as 2007, a study was done on the "migraine personality." The results claimed that
Patients suffering from migraine show more depressive symptoms, difficult anger management with a tendency to hypercontrol, and a distinctive personality profile with high harm avoidance, high persistence and low self-directedness.... The results suggest that the personality traits and psychosomatic mechanisms of migraine patients may make them vulnerable to stress and less skilled in coping with pain.

Great. Just what we need. In addition to such helpful advice as "have you tried Advil?"now we can be subjected to advice about shoring up our poor coping skills and doing a better job dealing with our anger. Such blatant stupidity is enough to give me a migraine!

  "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #10: Name the Spokesperson

Migraine Awareness Month #10: Name the Spokesperson. Choose any celebrity to represent Migraine (whether they have Migraine or not) who would it be and why?


I think Kristin Chenoweth would be a great spokesperson for Migraine Disease since she actually lives with the condition.  She is an Emmy and Tony award winning actress and singer who has appeared on Broadway and television. She has struggled with migraines as well as other health conditions but continues to work and achieve. At one point in her life, she described having debilitating migraines once a week until finally agreeing to Botox treatments. Since then, her migraines have been under control.  Speak up, Kristin! Let the world know that you can have migraines and still be productive. So many migraineurs live under the stigma of their condition and try to hide it for fear of being denied jobs, promotions, etc. It's time for us to come out from under the covers!

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #9: "Day Dream Believer." Describe your dream day - without a Migraine to hold you back.

Migraine Awareness Month #9:  "Day Dream Believer." Describe your dream day - without a Migraine to hold you back. 

Any day without a migraine, getting over a migraine, worrying about getting a migraine, or feeling a migraine about to come on is a dream day for me. The specifics are secondary! A nice hike or walk with my husband, doing something fun with my daughter, even just staying home and watching movies and eating junk food with the family and the dogs would be fantastic if I could forget about migraines for a day.

I think what so many people don't realize is that migraines can really take over your life. It's not just about the time that you are in pain but the time you spend thinking about the "what ifs." What if I have a migraine and can't meet my obligations? What if we have a fun day planned and I can't enjoy it because of a migraine? What if I forget to pack my meds? What if the meds don't work and I get really sick? Then there's the downward spiral of negative thoughts. What if my family really gets tired of my always being sick? What if I never feel better? What if my family would be happier without me and my constant migraines to inconvenience them? It's a constant battle against the negative thoughts taking over, especially when the migraines are chronic. No wonder depression and migraine go hand in hand so often.

source

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Friday, June 8, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #8: "Let there be light."

Migraine Awareness Month #8:  "Let there be light." Most Migraineurs have issues with light sensitivity. What do you do to cope with it?

Ah, yes, light. So bright. So evil. Light is a double edged sword for me. If I go for too long with gloomy, overcast, rainy days, I get mopey and depressed. However, too much bright light can be a migraine trigger. I've always been VERY sensitive to light. I ALWAYS carry sunglasses with me and am never outdoors without them. When I do get a migraine, I'm even more light sensitive. I retreat to my bed, turn out the lights, close my eyes, and try to lie very, very still. Of course, with two hyper needy dogs, this often proves easier said than done. Mommy lying down in bed to them means tummy rubs and snuggles. Stinky dog with dead fish breath is not on the top of my list of recommended migraine treatments!

Migraine Barbie is ready for her day outdoors! (source)


 "National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #7: List Topper. There are lots of myths and misconceptions about Migraine

Migraine Awareness Month #7:   List Topper. There are lots of myths and misconceptions about Migraine. Which one tops your list as the biggest and most common? What can we do to get the truth out there?
George Cruikshank 1819 The Headache
One misconception about migraine that really bothers me is that it's just a bad headache. Having dealt with migraines since I was seven years old, it annoys me when people casually throw the term around like it's just a paper cut or the sniffles. If someone says, "I had such a migraine, but I took an Advil and it got better," or "Wine always helps my migraines," then that person most likely does NOT have migraines. I love my wine, but when I have a migraine, just thinking about alcoholic beverages makes me queasy. And I may as well take a Pez as an Advil! Migraines are so much more than just bad headaches. They overtake not just your head but your entire being. They can last for days. Their aftereffects can last for days even after the pain is gone. Migraines can make you doubt your very existence. A drink and an Advil won't cure all that. I wish it could.


 National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #6: Name That Tune! Choose a theme song for Migraine disease

Migraine Awareness Month #6:   Name That Tune! Choose a theme song for Migraine disease or your headache disorder. See if you can find a YouTube video of it for your blog post. 




The Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" is a good theme song for my Migraine disease, although it probably makes migraines sound a little too trippy and interesting and not awful and painful enough. It does, however, capture the strange "out of body" experience I get during a migraine when my senses don't seem to work quite right and everything seems a little "off." My mind can't seem to focus and my thinking is slow as molasses. Sometimes I have a heightened sense of hearing, vision, or smell. There have been times I've had olfactory hallucinations. And believe me, most pills "don't do anything at all."

National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #5: "Do That To Me One More Time."

Migraine Awareness Month #5:   "Do That To Me One More Time." What comfort measure do you find helps you enough during a Migraine that you go back to it again and again, and how do you use it? 


Other than SLEEP, if I'm lucky enough that my husband is available to give me some intense acupressure on my neck, base of my skull, and above my eyes, it sometimes helps diminish the pain for a while, at least while he's doing it. Unfortunately, I can't seem to acupressure myself, and believe me, I've tried!

National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #4: "June Is Bustin' Out All Over!"

Migraine Awareness Month #4:  "June Is Bustin' Out All Over!" What's the best tip you can offer others for having some summer fun despite Migraines? 

Summer can be tough on us migraineurs. Heat, humidity, schedule changes, etc. can all be migraine triggers, and together, they can make summer one hell of a season. Some tips I keep in mind to mitigate the headaches:

1. Stay hydrated. Drink before you feel thirsty.
2. Don't skip meals. Low blood sugar is NOT your friend.
3. Sunglasses, sunglasses, sunglasses!!!
4. Try to keep a semi-regular sleep schedule
5. If you sleep late, remember that if you're used to a morning cup of coffee at 6 a.m., sleeping in until 10 a.m. may bring on a migraine
6. Remember to pack your rescue meds with you when you go to parties, on vacations, etc.

National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #3: Just shoot me now!

Migraine Awareness Month #3:   Just shoot me now! What's your worst Migraine trigger? Can you avoid it? How do you handle it?

Worst trigger? Wow, there are so many....cigarette smoke, loud noise, bright lights, flashing lights, hormones, weather, heat, dehydration, hunger, lack of sleep, too much sleep, overstimulation, stress, drinking too much, perfume, air fresheners, scented candles, too much computer time...I could go on indefinitely! Sometimes I feel like life itself is just a big trigger.

My two worst have to be hormones and weather changes. Changes in my monthly cycle wreak havoc with my head as do weather changes. The weather can change from nice to rainy or vice versa, but either can trigger a migraine. If hormones and weather changes happen at the same time, it's a synergistic  trigger convergence nightmare! Just shoot me.

"National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com."


Saturday, June 2, 2012

Migraine Awareness Month #2: Tea for Two

Migraine Awareness Month #2:  Tea for Two. If you could invite someone (any living person) to your home for tea for the purpose of explaining Migraine disease to them so they would truly understand it, who would it be and why? 

This is a tough one! My family is very supportive and understands my migraines all too well. Unfortunately, my daughter also has migraines. It seems to run in the maternal side of my family. If I could invite someone over for tea and explain Migraine disease so it would be truly understood (although I'm not sure it ever can be truly understood unless you've experienced it), I would invite Ellen DeGeneres.

Why Ellen? First off, she seems like she'd be a blast to have over for a cup or two of tea. She makes me laugh and I can always use a laugh. Secondly, she's popular and in the public eye. Thirdly, she has the ability to communicate with a large number of people through her TV show and other media outlets. If she understood migraine disease and became a spokesperson, she might be able to better educate the public about what migraine is and is not.  She could have other celebrities who have migraine disease on her show to speak about how the disorder has affected them and how they cope. Overall, having a celebrity spokesperson could increase awareness and understanding of migraine disease.

National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

Friday, June 1, 2012

June 1: Your First For the First

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Sorry to disappoint those of you hoping for a juicy sex story from my past. June is Migraine Awareness Month, and I'm participating in a blogging challenge.
  1. Migraine Awareness Month #1: Your First for the First. Share the story of your first Migraine, what it was like, if you knew what it was, what you did, how you felt.  
I don't remember my first migraine. I do know that I've had them since I was at least 7 years old. At the time, however, no one knew they were migraines. My mother referred to them as my "sick headaches," since I would often throw up during one of these headaches. The only thing that helped the pain and nausea was sleep. I remember having a diary at the time and referring to them as "blah days." They often seemed to occur on Sundays, and even back then, I worried about how I would feel. Looking back through the diary (I had saved it over the years), I saw that I had written, "I hope that I don't have another 'blah day.'" How sad.

National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation. The Blogger's Challenge is initiated by www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.