migraine again

[snugglekitty]

Today marks a new and unpleasant milestone.

To wit, this is the first time I have had two migraines in one week.

This is movement in a direction I am not at all comfortable with, and I am ramping up my attack on this problem. Drastically.



Here's what is good: I was able to tell that I was going to get one, by the ominous sparkling of light, so I started doing stuff to deal with it before it really started to hurt. Here's what else is good: this is the first time I took actual migraine medicine (I have been concerned about how I'd react to the caffeine) and it really REALLY helped. Not only did the pain go away fast but I do not feel as wiped out post-migraine as I normally would. I am going to start carrying it around with me and taking it whenever the light gets sparkly.

More good: apparently there is a place in Cambridge that studies women's headaches. My next steps are to see an acupuncturist (I got her name and number a while ago) and to see a neurologist specializing in migraines. Oh, and to make a checklist of things to do when I have a migraine, because my brain doesn't work well enough when I'm in intense pain to be able to remember everything.

Just odd: Today was the first time that I had a migraine on the right side of my head. All past migraines have been on the left.



ETA: I now have calls in to both the acupuncturist and the Women's Headache Center here in Somerville, the latter claiming a holistic approach. Cool...

Comments

[staceyinastoria.livejournal.com]

I hope that this is not a trend that continues. Migraines are awful.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Stacey. Yes, they are awful - I never realized how awful until a few months ago.

Your well-wishes are appreciated.

[boy-wonderwolf.livejournal.com]

Have you tried the "tie a bandanna as tightly as possible around your head" approach? I find pressure helps a tiny bit at least. (It's either that or an ice pick.)

Here's to hoping you are feeling better by the time you read this!

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Hmm. No, I have not tried that - perhaps I will. I do seem to find heat more effective than cold for mine.

[boy-wonderwolf.livejournal.com]

*laugh* Oh, the ice pick is for a self-lobotomy that I keep threatening to do if the pain doesn't go away.

I still get migraines but not nearly with the intensity that I used to. Warmth, darkness, quiet and time are what finally work for mine. Sometimes medication, but only when they are really bad - as in head spinning, Exorcist imitations.

I hope yours cease and desist immediately. Gentle, soothing hugs coming your way.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Oh oh oh! I saw "ice pack." It's all about the context. :)

ETA: The funny thing - I was pretty unwilling to take medication to ameliorate them, but preventative medicine? I'm all over it. :)

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

If you want to come in next week for some trade-massage, drop me a line.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Can I get back to you? I already have a few doctor's appointments, work times, and the like scheduled.

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

Sure!

[thesarcastix.livejournal.com]

One of my checklist items is to put out in plain view a card that says, "I am having a migraine. Please take me to ______________ Hospital and call _____________ at (area code)____________" since I sometimes lose the ability to speak, but can always still write.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I don't lose the ability to speak, but I do sometimes have difficult locating words while in a migraine. I have not yet had a migraine that requires an immediate trip to the hospital - my management of them has improved over the last few months, though I'd much prefer to not have them at all.

My list includes things like: take migraine medicine as soon as you see sparkles, lie down in a dark room, put on comfortable clothes, don't try to read...