How to Survive Life in the Suburbs

How To Survive A Migraine

in Everyday, Lifestyle on

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. 

Meds

–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!

    • Comments

    2. Migraines are the worst. You give some good advice on dealing with them. Hot compress and lie still works for me

    3. I love liquid Advil – it beats any pain that comes along. I didn’t know caffeine helped for migraines though – thanks.

    4. I get hormonal migraines. Every darn month. I had a pharmacist recomend taking the advil with tylenol 1s. It works most of the time. Migraines can be tricky sometimes and what works for one doesn’t work for the next

    6. I always reach for water before taking anything when I have a headache. It’s most likely that you’re dehydrated!

    7. i’ve also tried a cold compress on the back of the neck and forehead with varying degrees of helpfulness

    8. Oh boy, my sister gets really bad migraines as well! These sound like great tips – I will be sharing them with her!!

    11. When I get a migraine I find it goes away faster if I take some Advil and Lay in a dark room with a freezing cold cloth over my head.

    12. I feel so fortunate to NOT have suffered with them yet. They sound agonizing…..and Lolo gets them on occasion. Yuck. I hope your upcoming weekend is all YOURS.
      XO

    13. I get them, and I hate them.

      I have found if I catch them right away, Ex. Str. Excederin seems to work best for me I am good. If I wait, phft.

      Good tip on the aspartame. I was chewing gum w/it and getting headaches every time I did. I also have found since I’ve gotten older that I can’t skip meals (breakfast I still skip) like I used to when I was younger or I get them.

      I was out once and got one, a swig of Coca Cola and an aspirin got rid of it, a suggestion from someone who was with me.

      My worst experience…getting on on the way to Prague (I felt it coming on in the airport in Germany where we were on a layover) and being sick for 2 1/2 days. I missed 2 1/2 days of Prague. I finally crawled out of bed and fought being nauseous … not quite making it sometimes. It was soooooooooooo dumb. I was not a happy camper.

    14. As you know, I get migraines too. The first migraine medication I tried, I was allergic too, the second didn’t work so I gave up but after my last bout that had me down and out for three days, I think it’s time to go back to the doctors and try again.