Today's topic concerns what you believe to be the biggest myth out there re migraines.
I have to say that the most common thing I get from people is the whole - well my friend/aunt/family member takes this. Have you tried that?
The whole mentality that what works for one person should work for all.
I can't tell you how many different meds I've tried. At this point in my migraine life, it's probably close to 50.
And yet I still have yet to find what works for me.
Right now, the pill Frova is the best thing I've found to help with my migraines. But before that, Imitrex was what worked best. And then I became immune to Imitrex.
Long story short - what works for one doesn't work for all.
While I do appreciate those that show their concern and desire to help by offering suggestions, please don't be offended when dismiss your suggestion as I've already tried that med and have had zero luck with it.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Day 6: Name That Tune
Sorry I slacked and failed to post these past couple of days. I just needed some time away from the computer for a bit.
Anyways, day 6 is all about putting a theme song to your migraine.
I actually have 2 songs.
The first is Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." Because what doesn't kill you truly does make you stronger!!
Click here to listen to "Stronger."
The second is my go-to whenever I'm down, struggling, having a bad day, or just want to be comforted. It's called, "In Christ Alone." The lyrics to the song are quite powerful. They always get me through the tough times because the song reminds me that I'm not alone, God is watching over me, and He loves me greatly.
Click here to listen to "In Christ Alone."
Anyways, day 6 is all about putting a theme song to your migraine.
I actually have 2 songs.
The first is Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)." Because what doesn't kill you truly does make you stronger!!
Click here to listen to "Stronger."
The second is my go-to whenever I'm down, struggling, having a bad day, or just want to be comforted. It's called, "In Christ Alone." The lyrics to the song are quite powerful. They always get me through the tough times because the song reminds me that I'm not alone, God is watching over me, and He loves me greatly.
Click here to listen to "In Christ Alone."
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Day 3: Just Shoot Me Now
For today, the topic of discussion is your worst trigger.
My worst trigger, without a doubt, has to be scents. Particularly, perfumes. Man, do they send my migraine up a wall!!
The bad thing about it is that they're really hard to avoid. And not all perfumes are triggers. But those that mostly elderly women wear, without a doubt, are always triggers.
I love my grandmother to pieces, but she always wears perfume that triggers my migraines. She told my parents one day that she felt as though I didn't want to be around her. Reality - it's hard for me to be around her because of her perfume.
Finally, a family member stepped in and told her that her perfume doesn't help my migraines. So, whenever she hears that I'm coming to town, she stops wearing perfume (is that sweet or what?!). I do feel bad whenever I don't get to see her when I'm in town (because of being preoccupied for something like being hospitalized for migraines). But, luckily, she knows that I struggle with them and doesn't get too upset with me.
Luckily, I've learned from all of this that 1 squirt of perfume is just the right amount. Even though it may seem like a little, others will notice that subtle scent enough to comment on it.
My worst trigger, without a doubt, has to be scents. Particularly, perfumes. Man, do they send my migraine up a wall!!
The bad thing about it is that they're really hard to avoid. And not all perfumes are triggers. But those that mostly elderly women wear, without a doubt, are always triggers.
I love my grandmother to pieces, but she always wears perfume that triggers my migraines. She told my parents one day that she felt as though I didn't want to be around her. Reality - it's hard for me to be around her because of her perfume.
Finally, a family member stepped in and told her that her perfume doesn't help my migraines. So, whenever she hears that I'm coming to town, she stops wearing perfume (is that sweet or what?!). I do feel bad whenever I don't get to see her when I'm in town (because of being preoccupied for something like being hospitalized for migraines). But, luckily, she knows that I struggle with them and doesn't get too upset with me.
Luckily, I've learned from all of this that 1 squirt of perfume is just the right amount. Even though it may seem like a little, others will notice that subtle scent enough to comment on it.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Day 2: Tea for Two
Today's challenge is discussing who you would invite to tea to help better understand your migraines.
As odd as this sounds, I would invite my doctor.
The last time, he asked me what a migraine felt like because he's never even had a headache before (can you say totally jealous of him?).
Now, just because he's never had a headache, I don't feel as though that makes him a "bad doctor" nor does it make him unable to effectively care for/treat me. In reality, he's the absolute best doctor I've ever had. The doctor I saw before him had struggled with migraines. That doctor's response to my complaints: "Just suck it up and deal with them. You don't need medication. You'll grow out of them like I did." SO glad that guy is no longer my doctor!
Anyways, I would invite my doctor to tea (and by tea, I mean he can drink tea but I'll be drinking water since caffeine is a big no for me). I'd love for him to see me in my environment. See how migraines really do effect my life. And not feel like I have to quickly answer his questions as he has somewhere else he needs to get to or other patients waiting to see him - although he rarely ever makes me feel as though he's in a rush.
I know my doctor understands migraines in the textbook sense. And I know he's seen me on some of the worst migraine days of my life. But I'd love for him to see me do my daily living tasks all while fighting a migraine because I believe if he could see that, then he truly would understand the full impact of migraines - both in the medical and human sense.
As odd as this sounds, I would invite my doctor.
The last time, he asked me what a migraine felt like because he's never even had a headache before (can you say totally jealous of him?).
Now, just because he's never had a headache, I don't feel as though that makes him a "bad doctor" nor does it make him unable to effectively care for/treat me. In reality, he's the absolute best doctor I've ever had. The doctor I saw before him had struggled with migraines. That doctor's response to my complaints: "Just suck it up and deal with them. You don't need medication. You'll grow out of them like I did." SO glad that guy is no longer my doctor!
Anyways, I would invite my doctor to tea (and by tea, I mean he can drink tea but I'll be drinking water since caffeine is a big no for me). I'd love for him to see me in my environment. See how migraines really do effect my life. And not feel like I have to quickly answer his questions as he has somewhere else he needs to get to or other patients waiting to see him - although he rarely ever makes me feel as though he's in a rush.
I know my doctor understands migraines in the textbook sense. And I know he's seen me on some of the worst migraine days of my life. But I'd love for him to see me do my daily living tasks all while fighting a migraine because I believe if he could see that, then he truly would understand the full impact of migraines - both in the medical and human sense.
Day 1: Your First for the First
Today's topic is to discuss your first migraine. So, here it goes...
I can remember mine vividly. Never in my life had I had a migraine before. Sure, I'd had a random headache here and there. But I could always take some OTC pill and knock it out - and 1 pill was always sufficient!
Then, one January afternoon, a got my first migraine. I remember coming home from work and not feeling all that great. This wasn't all that uncommon as I had been fighting bad vertigo since November. So, thinking it was just the vertigo getting to me (afterall, I had been staring at a computer screen all day long at work), I changed into my pjs and crawled into bed.
Next thing I knew, my head was pounding. And then came the nausea. I knew I needed to get up and go to the bathroom as I felt like I was about to throw up, but my head was pounding so bad and I felt so dizzy. I just couldn't get up out of the bed.
Then the vision change. Now, I had been somewhat familiar with some vision change with the vertigo and all. But this was nothing like that. I could barely see. I was seeing a lot of black spots. And, in some places, all I saw was an empty void.
I remember thinking something was seriously wrong. I remember thinking I probably needed to go to the ER. But then I remember thinking I couldn't see well enough to drive myself to the ER. And I surely couldn't afford to call an ambulance to take me there. Plus, while I knew something wasn't right, I felt as though it wasn't a "call the ambulance" emergency sort of situation.
I decided to crawl deeper under the covers, pray to God for comfort and peace, and try to sleep off whatever this was.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had had a rough night. I've never been intoxicated in my life, but I have been to college. I have heard all about the classic symptoms of a hangover. I had pretty much everyone of those. So, I popped an OTC pill, went to work as if nothing was up, and came home to have a repeat of the previous night.
It wasn't until this went on for a solid week that I finally sought medical attention.
Little did I know that this one week of my life would soon develop into a diagnosis of chronic migraine...
I can remember mine vividly. Never in my life had I had a migraine before. Sure, I'd had a random headache here and there. But I could always take some OTC pill and knock it out - and 1 pill was always sufficient!
Then, one January afternoon, a got my first migraine. I remember coming home from work and not feeling all that great. This wasn't all that uncommon as I had been fighting bad vertigo since November. So, thinking it was just the vertigo getting to me (afterall, I had been staring at a computer screen all day long at work), I changed into my pjs and crawled into bed.
Next thing I knew, my head was pounding. And then came the nausea. I knew I needed to get up and go to the bathroom as I felt like I was about to throw up, but my head was pounding so bad and I felt so dizzy. I just couldn't get up out of the bed.
Then the vision change. Now, I had been somewhat familiar with some vision change with the vertigo and all. But this was nothing like that. I could barely see. I was seeing a lot of black spots. And, in some places, all I saw was an empty void.
I remember thinking something was seriously wrong. I remember thinking I probably needed to go to the ER. But then I remember thinking I couldn't see well enough to drive myself to the ER. And I surely couldn't afford to call an ambulance to take me there. Plus, while I knew something wasn't right, I felt as though it wasn't a "call the ambulance" emergency sort of situation.
I decided to crawl deeper under the covers, pray to God for comfort and peace, and try to sleep off whatever this was.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had had a rough night. I've never been intoxicated in my life, but I have been to college. I have heard all about the classic symptoms of a hangover. I had pretty much everyone of those. So, I popped an OTC pill, went to work as if nothing was up, and came home to have a repeat of the previous night.
It wasn't until this went on for a solid week that I finally sought medical attention.
Little did I know that this one week of my life would soon develop into a diagnosis of chronic migraine...
Happy June!!
Did you know June was Migraine Awareness Month??
They say you learn something new everyday! This is what I learned today.
In honor of Migraine Awareness Month, I'll be posting (or should I say, attempting to post) everyday this month.
I'll somewhat be following the Blogging Challenge . I'll be changing some of the days posts as they aren't applicable to me and/or I don't have much to say concerning that topic.
I'm looking forward to reading what others who are attempting this blogging challenge post about throughout the month!
Happy Migraine Awareness Month!!
They say you learn something new everyday! This is what I learned today.
In honor of Migraine Awareness Month, I'll be posting (or should I say, attempting to post) everyday this month.
I'll somewhat be following the Blogging Challenge . I'll be changing some of the days posts as they aren't applicable to me and/or I don't have much to say concerning that topic.
I'm looking forward to reading what others who are attempting this blogging challenge post about throughout the month!
Happy Migraine Awareness Month!!
Welcome!
Welcome to my new blog, The Chronic Migraine Life!!
This isn't my first go-around at blogging. I had a blog a few years back - and I was terrible at updating it (The Topper Life). But, for some odd reason (probably because I was terrible at updating it), Blogger won't let me log into it. So, here's to a new blog!
As the title of the blog gives away, I am a chronic migraine sufferer. I've been in the club for about 3 years now. I never knew what a migraine was till I got my first. Since then, migraines have become part of who I am.
As my "about me" section states, I look at having migraines as a blessing. My faith is incredibly important to me. Without it, I definitely wouldn't be where I am or who I am today.
I know in my heart that God chose to bless me with chronic migraines for a reason. And, to be quite honest, I am glad He did! Through my migraines, I've met some amazing people, become closer to friends, and (most importantly) become closer to God.
My chronic migraines have shown me just how strong I am, just how important my family is to me (man, do I ever cherish them!), and just how much I love the Lord.
So, if you're a chronic migraine sufferer or know of someone who is, please feel free to follow along with me as I strive to overcome my migraines, look for the positive in the negative, and strive to be the best me I can possibly be (despite having migraines).
Just because I have chronic migraines, I refuse to let them control my life. I hope this blog will be my constant reminder of that!
This isn't my first go-around at blogging. I had a blog a few years back - and I was terrible at updating it (The Topper Life). But, for some odd reason (probably because I was terrible at updating it), Blogger won't let me log into it. So, here's to a new blog!
As the title of the blog gives away, I am a chronic migraine sufferer. I've been in the club for about 3 years now. I never knew what a migraine was till I got my first. Since then, migraines have become part of who I am.
As my "about me" section states, I look at having migraines as a blessing. My faith is incredibly important to me. Without it, I definitely wouldn't be where I am or who I am today.
I know in my heart that God chose to bless me with chronic migraines for a reason. And, to be quite honest, I am glad He did! Through my migraines, I've met some amazing people, become closer to friends, and (most importantly) become closer to God.
My chronic migraines have shown me just how strong I am, just how important my family is to me (man, do I ever cherish them!), and just how much I love the Lord.
So, if you're a chronic migraine sufferer or know of someone who is, please feel free to follow along with me as I strive to overcome my migraines, look for the positive in the negative, and strive to be the best me I can possibly be (despite having migraines).
Just because I have chronic migraines, I refuse to let them control my life. I hope this blog will be my constant reminder of that!
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