Migraine.

I am constantly torn between: “I can’t let this illness ruin my life” and “I have to listen to my body and rest.”

I recently was scrolling through Pinterest and came across this quote. I love collecting quotes, they are excellent reminders that we all are in this together- past, present, and future- we all contribute something!

June is Migraine Awareness Month. And the above quote hits so close to home that it brings me to tears.

Two quotes that came underneath as “suggested”: “Never get a chronic illness. It’s really inconvenient for other people.” “‘But you did it yesterday.’ Yes, and today I can’t move.”

All three of these quotes get to the heart of chronic illness, but today I am going to focus on migraines. If I had to narrow down the two toughest things about migraines, aside from an actual migraine, would be: one, accepting that assumptions will be made, and two, the feeling of forever disappointing people. I pushed myself for many years trying to “keep up” until my migraines got so bad that I spent hours making friends with a trash can or toilet. And the hardest thing of all, is that I missed moments with my little one. I was concerned about what people would think if I had to cancel plans again, or if they saw me as “not getting out of bed.” When in reality I was doing harm to my mental health and eventually get sick from the pain because I wouldn’t just rest.

So, if you battle migraines or know someone who does, I encourage you to lay down the battle, the fight, choose to rest, encourage rest. If you are walking with someone who struggles with migraines, maybe you can pick up the battle in some of the areas I am about to share, but of course get their permission first. Every person is different. Every migraine can take on a personality of it on. We are all wired and knitted together just as our Creator made us, none of us are exactly the same. So no one “solution” will work for every person. Keep in mind that in the midst of a migraine is not the time to roll out this list. Also, if you are coming along side someone, in the midst of a migraine is not the time to suggest something new to try, just be with.

The following are things/tips I have gathered over my 20+ years of migraines, most I had to discover by my own stubborn self, so be patient 😊 I have discovered that my migraines are triggered by weather-air pressure, heat, humidity, etc, stress, and certain foods (this is the only one I can control for the most part!) Unfortunately, as a woman, people just always assume I have migraines because of my gender and cycle. Well I’m here to tell you, they are wrong, so wrong that sometimes I get so irritated that I get a migraine from being so mad at the assumption! That’s called a stress trigger!

First, let’s take a look at what helped in getting the doctors, insurance, family and friends all on the same page:

• Medic Alert: medicalert.org I personally wear a bracelet because of other diagnosis, but recently they started making wallet cards and QR code stickers that you can give to your family or stick in your wallet. Honestly, this is the best way for your family to keep up with your doctors and medication, etc. Especially if you have to visit the ER or urgent care for treatment.
• Migraine Buddy: You can find this in the App Store. Thanks to my migraine buddy, Byrdie, 😊 for suggesting this one! At first, I thought, “I don’t want to be recording all this information during a migraine.” But I sure am glad I pressed on, because I showed the reports to my doctor at my next appointment, and my insurance was approved for a new therapy! (And if you know anything about getting insurance approvals, you know this is a true miracle!) Every month it gives you reports: how many, how long, the levels of pain, triggers, etc. And you can send them straight to your doctor.
• Food Journal: If you have any suspicion that you may have food triggers, start this asap! Write down what you eat and drink- everything! This seems tedious too, but it’s so worth it! I wish I would have listened to this tip a whole lot earlier! “Heal Your Headache- 123 Program for taking on your pain” by Dr. David Buchholz and thedizzycook.com along with her cookbooks are the best resources I have found by far!
• Paper Calendar/Planner: I suggest this because you can see the whole month all at once. Make sure you spread out appointments and activities. Make time to rest. Attempt to keep a bedtime- give yourself time to cool down before laying down. Also, this is a great place to keep your action plan for when you have a migraine- if children need to be taken care of/emergency numbers/doctors/etc, what is needed information about your medication and care, list of your Doctors, and list of your medications. If you tend to get anxious with pain- I do- my parents know that I have hymns playlist and calm playlist on my phone that they can turn on real low volume, or they can start singing one of them (this actually works better if I am really anxious). The playlist especially helps when I am alone. Whatever works, it is good to have it written down or at least communicated to the people who are with you the most.

Now, products that have helped (not a cure! but ease the pain or nausea or anxiety):

• Peppermint or Spearmint essential oil – I use DoTerra – and I like the roller DeepBlue also.
• Dr. Teal Eucalyptus Epson Salt and Bubble Bath – The epson salt I use when I need that relief that water can give, but not up for a bath or shower. I run warm water and add epson salt and soak my feet. It could all be in my head, but it calms me somehow.
• Crackers, Shortbread cookies, gum, and water- very rarely do I leave the house without these essentials.
• Water wipes https://www.waterwipes.com/us/en – one of my first symptoms, other than pain, is usually the left side of my face gets hot and red- so I keep these wipes handy.
• Venty Fan- https://ventyfan.com – I just splurged on this! I have tried handheld fans- fans that hang around your neck- I am so hot natured that they don’t cool me at all. So if you see me carrying this cute little tote around- you will know why.
• Towel 28 SOS Spray- https://www.tower28beauty.com/products/sos-daily-facial-rescue-spray?variant=13413450186807 – so the credit for this, all goes to my fabulous niece! If you need any skincare suggestions- I refer you to her! This refreshing spray is AMAZING!!! It cools my red hot cheek and face down fast when I can’t get to cool air.
• TheraIce Cap- https://theraice.com/products/theraice-rx-form-fitting-gel-ice-headache-migraine-relief-hat-cold-therapy-migraine-relief-mask-comfortable-stretchable-ice-pack-eye-mask-for-puffy-eyes-tension-sinus-stress-relief?variant=45450063446329 – Ice packs are great, but they always are falling off. The compression of this cap and the cold gel… perfect!
• Mini refrigerator- I just got one this year to have beside my bed for the ice packs above- don’t know what took me so long! You can get makeup/cosmetic ones, not the bigger bulkier ones.
• Weighted blanket- https://hushblankets.com – I have this one and love it! Of course if you are not hot natured, you could opt for a less expensive one. Laying under this blanket helps me truly let go and rest.
• Leg/Knee pillow- https://www.thecompanystore.com/selections/knee-leg-pillow/PP87-OS-WHITE.html – this helps with nerve pain in general. Also, having something under your knees helps with relaxing your body.

In conclusion, Chronic illness can be expensive. 😂 Kidding, not kidding. Most of the items above I have put on my birthday or Christmas list. It’s worth it for the relief!

If anything, I hope that if you suffer with migraines, today, you feel less alone. The fact that you have read my ramblings- you are not letting anything ruin your life, well done! Even if you can’t move today, or people are making you feel as if you are an inconvenience, you are a masterpiece, woven and knit together by the finest and Master knitter, never doubt this! And to the doubters and assumers, I always think of the story of Madeline in the zoo, she went to the lion and said, “Poo, Poo.”

If you are close to somebody that does, I hope you gain an understanding of the effort it takes to just put one foot in front of the other, when possible. Give hope. Encourage rest.

Life Book of the Week: Not Finished Yet: Trusting God with All my Feelings, by Sharon Garlough Brown

The picture above is of Evening Primrose. The flowers bloom as I am getting ready for bed at night. It is a reminder that today is over and God is soon going to unfold a new day.