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!
I can’t imagine. I think I have had maybe two really bad days where I had to be in bed because of a headache. Great advice for those who suffer. ((HUGS))
I sympathize, I had a horrible migraine that seem to last forever. Thankfully I have not had a repeat since. Migraines suck! I hope you are feeling a lot better and that it doesn’t come back ever again (wishful thinking I know).
Ugh that sucks! I also get them, and out of the blue. Hope they stay away for a looong time!
I don’t have a mushroom rigger that’s a new one I’ll have to look into it. I’ve also heard of mustard being a trigger. . I do have the red wine one though, and weather. A weather system comes through and BAM! I’m down. Another Trigger here is hormones. Clock work almost.
I also suffer from migraines and have since I was a child. I now how have to take daily preventative medicine. I still get them though and I agree with all your suggestions. It is really hard though as you often have to tough it out, especially when you have work or kids needing you.
I don’t suffer from migraines but I do have occasional headaches that I just can’t shake sometimes. Chronic migraines run in my family, so I’m thankful to only have to suffer occasionally. PS Loved your disclaimer about writing while having a migraine! 🙂
Luckily I don’t suffer from migraines but I know plenty that do.. so sorry about your weekend and hopefully you ideas will help others
I HATE Migranes. I rather throw up 5 times in a row than deal with a Migrane! I don’t get them that often, thankfully but I remember getting one when I was pregnant with my first son and I couldn’t take anything more than Regular Strength Tylenol which does NOTHING! That was the worse Migrane I ever had.
Ugh, migraines! Years ago when my girls were little and I was working full time I used to get at least 2 migraines a week. If I didn’t leave work I would end up in my supervisor’s office laying on the floor with the lights turned off.
I can’t stand heat when I have a migraine but I do love cold. I used to get what I called “migraine hangovers” as well which would take a a good 2 days to get over. I ended up injecting myself in my thigh with migraine meds.
Lets hope you don’t get another for a looooong time!
Migraine hangovers are the worst! I don’t like taking my migraine pills unless I have to since they are so pricey so I do 2 tylenol and 1 advil chased by coffee and a nap. Sometimes it works.
Also known as an Aura. Anyone else crave Beef burgers during that time?
I hope the migraine beast leaves soon. They are nasty, I get atypical migraines and NONE of the migraine meds work – I tried them all! All I can do is take some heavy duty pain meds and crawl into bed. The last couple of times it has lasted 3 days, not fun!
Oh I am so sorry I remember having them steal my time and yes I do hope yours go away like mine eventually did hormones were the culprit in mine I do hope yours are too.That is the one thing good about getting older Take care Hug B
Argh, headaches are the absolute worse! I’ve had them so bad this winter, every day, really, from the moment I wake up. Literally the only week I was headache-free was the one week I was in south Florida. (This just proves how allergic to winter I am!)
This is my second day with a bad headache…thankfully it’s not a migraine though. Even my bad headaches have a way of knocking my flat down. I feel like a bad mom during those times too. 🙁
I suffer from Migraines as well.. the kind that make you pray for death.. vomitting throbbing light sensitivity.. it’s a nightmare.
So very sorry you had to experience this especially over a holiday weekend. If I don’t catch the headaches at the right time.. its over. .. factor in I hate pills.. so everytime I avoid medications I know I’m taking a risk and it sucks when i lose lol
Liquid Advil, water and caffeine is what I usually try. I am sorry you had a migraine, not fun. Hopefully you will get another day soon to make up for missing out on family day as you did. Heck I always say make a holiday, just pull the kids from school and have a good day one day this next month.