Tips and Tricks for Dealing with Migraines

If you read my last blog post, you'll know that I had a pretty decent migraine this week. I had to cancel dinner with friends and spent the majority of the day with an eye mask and a blanket.

Migraines run in my family. Most of the women on my mom's side of the family get them. I had my first migraine as a teenager. I remember it vividly. I went into my parents' bedroom almost in tears because my head hurt so bad that I couldn't sleep. My mom took one look at me and ran to the bathroom to get me a warm compress. She knew what was going on. Most people don't get them that frequently, but I find that when they do get them they're at a loss as to what they should do or are obviously not doing what they need to do to treat it. I know you can get this info from a simple Google search, but I wanted to share what works for me. So, here are a few things that I think you should know and some things that I do when dealing with migraines.

Know your triggers: Migraines usually happen for a reason. Something in your life can cause your migraine. Mine are usually caused by stress and sometimes caused by bad weather, lack of sleep, and this month hormones. Don't rule out food triggers. I know that I get a pretty gnarly headache if I drink Crystal Lite. If you know what causes your migraines, you will be able to eliminate the trigger from your life and lessen their frequency. Obviously you can't eliminate all of your triggers, but the following tips help me deal with my migraines when I do get them.

Know your symptoms: For me, there are pre-migraine symptoms. My migraines usually start with achey eyes or spotty and blurred vision. When I have a full blown migraine, I have photo-sensitivity, and nausea, but no vomiting. If you can catch it early enough, you may be able to avoid a full blown migraine. The earlier you catch it and treat it, the better the possibility of lessening the severity of the migraine (based on my experience anyway).

Know what treatments work for you: There are a number of things I do to treat my migraines. I like warm compresses. Some people like cold. When I get a migraine, I feel a cold sensation in my forehead which is why I like a warm compress.  Regardless of which you prefer, I think a compress is essential. It relaxes and soothes the muscles in your eyes, and face. My herbal eye mask is a life saver. There are unscented versions if you are sensitive to floral scents. I would recommend one with lavender in it if you can stand it. They seem to work better in my opinion. There should be an eye mask in every household. Other than treating headaches, they can also help relieve eye strain and help you relax at bed time.

Not all pain killers are alike. Plain old pain killers just won't cut it here. I prefer Excedrine Migraine (or any other brand with "Migraine" on the label). They're not gimmicks. Migraine labeled pain killers are different than they're non-migraine counter parts. Honestly, I prefer one with caffeine in it. Generic brands work well too if you're on a budget. If over-the-counter medication doesn't work, take yourself to the doctor. They can give you a prescription.

 A quiet, dark room is the best place to recover. If you can, sleep it off. If you have kids, I don't have much advice other than "I hope you have someone who can help you out and take care of them for the day." Don't go on Facebook and write a status about your migraine. I see this all the time "Ugh! I have a migraine and it won't go away!" Well sweetie... get your ass off the damn computer. That back lit screen is doing more harm than good. A migraine day is a sick day. Take care of yourself like you would if you had the flu... just with your eyes closed... Cancel your plans because you shouldn't be doing anything. Sorry! It's the truth. A migraine is sooooo much more than "just a headache." If you don't take care of it, it can last for days. Trust me, I've been there. Though if I get one while at work, I do try to make it through the work day. Then I would treat it when I got home.... There are times when I just need to go home. I found that my employers were very understanding when it came to migraines. It could become a problem if you get them too frequently, however that would be a time that you would want to see a doctor anyway.

Caffeine is your friend. Even when I'm suffering from a normal headache, a cup of coffee really helps. I don't know the science behind it. All I know is that it works.

Also, don't forget to drink lots of water. I'm sure you already knew that.

Migraines are sneaky little buggers: Just when you're feeling pretty good and start to get back to doing things you need to do, the tricky migraine can sneak right back up on you. Recovering from a migraine is sort of like recovering from a sports injury. When you get back up and moving, do a little bit at a time and see where you are. I call it a "migraine hangover." The length of the hangover depends on the severity of the migraine. Sometimes I feel pretty good toward the end of the migraine day. Sometimes it takes me a couple days to feel 100% better. So listen to your body. If you start to feel it coming back, get some more rest.

Keep a journal: Until you know what your triggers and symptoms are and the best way to treat it, keep a journal. It'll help you figure out what works for you. Once you figure it out, treating the migraine will become second nature.

I am not a doctor. This is just the stuff that works for me. Some of these things are also helpful to lessen the duration of normal headaches. If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, please see a doctor.

And this is one long ass post... So I'll end it there.