How To Survive A Migraine

I’m not looking for sympathy….I just need to rant.

This weekend was Family Day Weekend up here in Ontario Canada and it SHOULD have been a weekend to relax, play with my kiddos, or at worst, get caught up on laundry and movies.  Instead I spent most of the weekend trying to hide how much pain I was truly in.  I had a migraine that just would not quit.  For those of you who have not had a migraine and are thinking oh boo hoo, headaches are not that big a deal.  Let me set you straight.  A migraine is not your average headache, it is a knock you to your knees, make you question your sanity, hold your breath and pray for help, kind of headache.  Headaches that make your vision blurry, the world spin, your stomach lurch, and make you want to cry.  They must be the work of the devil. 

In short.  Migraines suck, and this weekend the migraine monster stole my weekend.  I think I hate that the most.  The fact that these damn headaches keep stealing from me.  Stealing my time, my joy, my life. 

I know I am not the only Mama suffering so thought I would once again share this.  Every trick I know;  my tips on how to survive a migraine. 

–Nail that headache with your Liquid Advil (or your drug of choice) as soon as you feel that familiar twinge of pain.

-Take your migraine meds right away, don’t be a hero.  I repeat, do not be a hero.  you can not beat this on your own.

-Drink a ton of water.  Drown that nasty beast.

-Try caffeine, sugar, a quiet dark room if you can get one.

-A hot shower or a cold ice pack might help.

-If you have to go out, embrace your inner movie star and wear those dark sunglasses.  Shades help. 

-Breathe.  Do not forget to breath.

-Try and escape, find 20 minutes to go lie down somewhere quiet and get on top of the pain.

-Remember, this too shall pass. 

-When it does pass…..it might try and come back.  Migraines are very tricky beasts. You stop the drugs and end up with the lovely “rebound” headache.  Keep drinking the water….and then give that migraine the double tap.  One more dose of drugs is not going to hurt.

Also:

-Avoid aspartame, mushrooms, all the fun cheeses that you love, say no to wine…all booze really.  Chocolate is a big fat no no for many.

-Remember MSG is not your friend, say no to deli meat, hot dogs or prepared food. 

-Do not forget to eat, even when you do not feel like eating!

-Get regular sleep.

*Note to self, you probably shouldn’t write a blog post while heavily medicated and have a migraine!  Forgive all typos and repetitiveness.  Hope my tips help someone…PLEASE add you own!  Wishing you all a healthy happy, headache free week.

PS Don’t forget to enter the giveaways I have going to celebrate my 5 Year Anniversary!  You can win yourself some beautiful jewellery here, $300.00 worth of Angelcare Products, and Tommee Tippee care package.  More amazing giveaways coming later this week!