Health and migraine thoughts

Aug 15, 2012 14:35

So it's Day 10 of this migraine, not aided by the two hours of sleep last night between mania and discovering another close friend of mine is gone. I'll post separately about that ( Read more... )

contemplating, myhealth

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jajy1979 August 19 2012, 03:45:29 UTC
My migraines are most commonly associated with weather changes, and oddly it's clear high pressure that makes hit me worst, not low pressure fronts. I also suffer when I get severe tension headaches which then triggers the migraine. Temperature bothers me less than most sufferers I think, but I dislike sudden swings between extremes as they jolt me pretty badly. I prefer slightly cooler rooms to sleep in though when recovering.

Typically I'm light and sound sensitive, but I don't get much haloing until I'm at about a 7 on my mental scale (a 10 requiring an immediate trip to a doctor, and I function up to a 4 or a low 5). I prefer a dim room with a pillow. Posture can make a migraine worse, as can any violent jolts (like riding the bus).

Sleep is my cure all, though I found that a mix of aspirin and acetaminophen works well for me. Ibuprofen works better for the tension headaches. Spice is a craving, though I tend towards things like cinnamon imperials. I've wondered if I couldn't create a version of them with a slight capsicum content for my headaches. This is a bit of a catch with a migraine because I can't chew, so I tend to suck on them more. Cinnamon seems to help a little, even the fake stuff.

Other things that work, about 50% of the time, are cold showers and washcloths. Hot makes it worse. Lots of fluids, usually water or Gatorade. Some V-8, but I don't like the spicy version. Soda is not a good choice, particularly not acidic sodas like sprite. Popsicles are a nice inclusion of cold and fluid. I just have to avoid biting them. Ice cream is bad though, as are other very cold drinks.

Things that I know make it worse? Thumpers... assholes who think base = virility. Fuck them with a splintered broomstick. Strong scents, just about anything but particularly perfumes and chemical smells. Chewy foods / candy don't help either. Good & Plenty's as much as I love them are a major problem because the combo of the increased heart rate from black licorice and the pain from jawing on them? Yeah not good. Love them, but not when hurting. I think Olives and Pepperoni, i.e. oily foods, also seem to be prone to making it worse but I'm less certain. As sensitive as I am to alcohol, I definitely have to avoid wines while I have a migraine. Also a problem? Cats... pressure points, sound, and head-butting do not make me happy.

Basically my solution is: stretched out posture sleep in a dim quiet scent-free room with, little or no food, cool fluids on hand, a cool compress, and a couple aspirin or acetaminophen. Takes about 4 to 6 hours to recover on average.

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