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  marcoujor's musings

mar's Desk

​This multi-topic blog publishes weekly on Wednesdays.
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marcoujor: Musings on Migraines

5/23/2017

21 Comments

 
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​Over the last ten years, I have experienced migraine headaches. A migraine has a way of running the show I call life.

When I suffer a migraine, I cannot endure light, noise, food, even coffee. After I’m sure the nausea et al phase has passed, I will take one OTC Excedrin Migraine tablet.

The headache and recovery time takes me about 12-hours. Afterwards I am physically exhausted, as though I had run a marathon.

​
​In checking out the Migraine Research Foundation website, I found an incredible amount of information available. Check out some of these sobering statistics from their Facts page.

Everyone either knows someone who suffers from migraine, or struggles with migraine themselves.

  • Migraine is the 3rd most prevalent illness in the world.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. households includes someone with migraine.
  • Amazingly, 12% of the population – including children – suffers from migraine.
  • 18% of American women, 6% of men, and 10% of children experience migraines.
  • Migraine is most common between the ages of 25 and 55.
  • Migraine tends to run in families. About 90% of migraine sufferers have a family history of migraine.
​Most people don’t realize how serious and incapacitating migraine can be.

  • Migraine is the 6th most disabling illness in the world.
  • Every 10 seconds, someone in the U.S. goes to the emergency room complaining of head pain, and approximately 1.2 million visits are for acute migraine attacks.
  • While most sufferers experience attacks once or twice a month, more than 4 million people have chronic daily migraine, with at least 15 migraine days per month.
  • More than 90% of sufferers are unable to work or function normally during their migraine
​I can personally relate to most of these statistics.  Over the years, I’ve identified triggers that can predict, even anticipate, a migraine. Some triggers are in my control and some are not.

I considered the following migraine triggers found on the Mayo Clinic website:
Foods. Aged cheeses, salty foods and processed foods may trigger migraines. Skipping meals or fasting also can trigger attacks.Food additives. The sweetener aspartame and the preservative monosodium glutamate (MSG), found in many foods, may trigger migraines.
​I steered away from artificial sweeteners after learning their dangers in Nutrition class. As much as I love Chinese food, there are some restaurants (now avoided) that are sure to give me a headache, presumably from high amounts of MSG.

I have banned processed foods from my diet over the last few weeks and have felt a resurgence of energy and no headaches.

Drinks. Alcohol, especially wine, and highly caffeinated beverages may trigger migraines.
​Alcohol is not an issue for me. I got a handle on my coffee consumption after some long years on evening and night shifts. My limit is two enjoyable cups in the morning. Ironically caffeine is a major ingredient in my OTC pain medicine but coffee turns my stomach when experiencing a migraine.

Stress. Stress at work or home can cause migraines.
I know that stress in life is inevitable. That being said, I’m all about mindfulness, relaxation and holistic methods.

My gravitation towards ‘peace at all costs’ is directly related to my intolerance for needless stress. My coloring pencils get a workout when my mind is heavy with worry.

Sensory stimuli. Bright lights and sun glare can induce migraines, as can loud sounds.
​For me, this occurs after the migraine has started. As much as I love the sun, I must retreat to ‘vampire mode’ with shades drawn and some soothing ocean sounds (from my bedside clock).

Strong smells, including perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke and others, can trigger migraines in some people.
My eyes begin to burn and tear up at any overpowering scent. I feel as close to fainting as one can get at the dispersing of incense at holiday Masses or funerals. As such, I am avoidant of strong smells and / or gravitate to fresh air as soon as possible after the exposure. ​

Changes in wake/sleep pattern. Missing sleep or getting too much sleep may trigger migraines in some people, as can jet lag.
​Sleep and I have a love/hate relationship (truly another story for another time). For me, migraines are most likely after a long stretch of work hours. With my schedule, this is sometimes unavoidable. I’ve found that knowing this is more than half the battle. I tend to schedule an ‘off’ day as soon as feasible after a marathon. The nurse in me will push through until that rest day before entertaining the thought of a migraine.

​Changes in the environment. A change of weather or barometric pressure can prompt a migraine.
​When we have consecutive days of rain or high humidity, I am prone to migraines. While the weather is out of my control, I strive for balance in the temperatures in my home - avoiding extremes on either sides of the thermometer.

​Some recent feedback reminded me that I connect best with readers when sharing my experiences.  As a teacher, I want to share what I continue to learn in my journey of dealing with migraines, hopefully to the point of total elimination.

Hoping you will join me on next week’s desk post  when I interview a good friend, who has tried a different strategy for dealing with her migraine pains.

ShoutOuts

☙RC Helicopter Fail via molometer
☙ It's Not My Imagination via WarnerWords
☙ Character Building for Novels via Fireside with Rolly
​
☙ #OrganicAlternatives: Tasty twists on Pond Water tea! Via flashPress

Until next week, keep healthy and happy.

Hugs,

mar  ​
21 Comments
Rolly A. Chabot link
5/24/2017 08:05:07 am

Hi Mar...
A weeks ago you mentioned in a comment that you felt we were kindred... smiles... well now I am certain of it and I think after reading this post we are virtually connected at the hip.
Migraines and I are dear old friends, your writing this was like you were reading my mind. I have kept a journal of them for the past three years and have illuminated most of the triggers. We get what we call Chinook Winds where barometric pressure changes can happen within hours, in the winter months they are warm winds. I have come to the point I can tell you with a day or two they are coming or there is a drop or rise in barometric pressure.
Some of the meds I have been on are brutal and do carry some serious side effects. One thing I have found is keeping my body slightly alkaline has helped. Yet another is taking magnesium daily which also has helped and certain to take Calcium as well.
If all else fails I will take the meds at the onset, then I am allowed another 4 hours later.... The final remedy is I have a standing order for morphine in emergency then its out of commission.
Thank you for the informative writing... stay well.

Hugs from Alberta

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 09:02:10 am

Oh my word, Rolly...we each have our ways of dealing with these murderous migraines. Your holistic strategies / supplements sound wonderful.

I hope morphine is rarely needed. From my limited experience, 'out of commission' sounds about right.

I also appreciate your predictive abilities. We surely know our bodies best of all.

I'm having a grand time exploring your website. Looking at your Book Store, I'm excited to read your many books in the months to come.

Have a peaceful day and hugs to you too, Maria

Reply
Vicki link
5/24/2017 08:14:33 am

Dear Maria,
This is a very interesting and comprehensive article, and it will be very useful to migraine sufferers. When I was about 22-24 I suffered from them, almost every weekend. During the week I worked at a very stressful job, and it seemed when weekend came, and there was a sudden cessation of the stress I would get the migraines. They were terrible.
As soon as I quit the job the migraines left too, and have never returned. It was a major lesson on how stress can affect you. You've done such comprehensive work on the causes of this disabling condition.
Love and hugs,
Vicki

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 09:16:42 am

Dear Vickster,
I'm grateful you no longer have migraines - or that stressful job.
My body similarly waits until I have a day off. I seem to start the feeling in the middle of that night - about 3-4AM and I'll be exhausted but finished up by early evening.
Thanks for sharing your experiences and support.
Love you and hugs, mareer

Reply
Mike
5/24/2017 10:14:52 am

Knock on wood, I guess I will check off another thing that I am lucky about. No migraines, though I know a few people that suffer with these. They have all made adjustments in their diets which seem to help.

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 09:20:13 am

I'm grateful you are not afflicted with migraines, dear Mike.

It is incredible how much our nutritional choices help us feel better (or much worse).

Reply
Michael link
5/24/2017 12:21:22 pm

A very comprehensive and detailed account of the signs, symptoms and triggers of migraine.
This is a great resource to identify and deal with the things that can be controlled by sufferers of this very prevalent condition.
Thanks for sharing your insights and experience.

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 09:22:53 am

Thanks, dear Michael. I appreciate your comments and your generous sharing of my writing.

Have a peaceful day.

Reply
Martie link
5/24/2017 03:10:51 pm

Dear Mar

Thank heavens, I can count the number of migraine attacks I've had in my life on the fingers of one hand. Although I cannot remember the triggers, I do remember (and still fear) the consequential agony.

I also remember that I was not able to decide which pain is the worse - a migraine, or an abscess in a tooth.

Nowadays I only suffer pain caused by old-age maladies. Yikes!

My sympathy to all who suffer regular migraine attacks!

Hugs,

Martie

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 09:26:01 am

Thanks for this comment, dear Martie. I'm also grateful these episodes are 'few and far between' for you.

It's interesting that I am constantly comparing migraine pain to my experience in 1999 - as if to mentally remind myself that 'this too shall pass'.

Hope you are having a peaceful week. Love you lots, mar

Reply
Peg Cole link
5/24/2017 04:57:35 pm

Dear Maria,
This article rings so many bells. (Ouch, Please! The noise!) I had no idea that so many people share the debilitating effects of migraines.
Here's a hopeful thought. Since retiring from the corporate pressure cooker my migraines have been cut in half. I used to go through a bottle of Excedrin Migraine Formula way too fast. The light sensitivity, the noise issues, the smells and the symptoms you've described here are all too familiar. Good to know some of the triggers and things to avoid.
I wish I'd thought of telling you that about sharing your personal experiences and how well it is received.
Hugs and well wishes for fewer migraines. Love, Peg

Reply
Maria link
5/25/2017 10:05:15 am

Oh Peg,
We are kindreds indeed... I've known of our mutual penchant for puns but I'm sorry to see that you also have migraine experience.
I'm grateful the incidents for you have lessened by half - mine seem to be on a downward trend as well which gives me hope.
Thanks for your visit and the kind words are appreciated as well.
Love you too, Maria

Reply
paula link
5/25/2017 08:49:29 pm

Maria.....I went through a strange "Migraine" journey from 1978 to sometime in 1980, during such time period, I too earned quite an education on these ferocious attacks. Saw a couple of Drs. had the standard medical tests. After that, I hit the "libraries & book stores" (remember 1978!...no google! LOL) I researched like a mad scientist. The result was that I discovered the original trigger and why I suffered for as long as I did. Figured it out, took the bull by the horns & cured MEself, I did girlfriend....just as I have done with a few other various annoying maladies! Stubborn, determined & relentless I am, Maria amiga mia.
Your musing is great, as well as spot-on. I can see clearly, there ain't a dang thang I can tell you that you haven't already discovered yourself! Bravo. Here's to the strong, smart independent wenches of the world who refuse to accept anything less than the health, happiness & good fortune available to us! Move on over, we're comin through!! Love ya girl. Keep those nasty headaches at bay! Have a safe, easy-going Memorial Day week-end. Paula.

Reply
Maria link
5/31/2017 07:14:41 am

Hi Paula,

Your comments make me smile, feel empowered and make me love you even more. You have more spunk than a skunk (just made that up...?!) but you smell much sweeter!

I'm happy that your migraines are history. Love you, Maria

Reply
paula
5/31/2017 02:03:18 pm

PHEW!!!! Yeah Peeee-Yewwwww Skunks stink! Now, there's a headache trigger! But you know what? You;re right! Skunks MUST have spunk! How else could they walk around with their head up high and their tail all bushy....when they know damned well they stink to holy hell!?? Some nerve. That takes Balls! Power to the skunk with spunk!! I like it Maria. Just gave us a new mantra!! Always thinking you are, girl! Ya make me proud.

Maria link
6/1/2017 06:35:15 am

And you, dear Paula, make me giggle... you are a keeper for sure.

Thanks for sending me off to work with a big smile plastered on my face. :))

Angelia Phillips link
5/30/2017 10:52:26 pm

Prof. Mahreer,

Sorry I'm late to the head-banger brainstorm.

This post came out great!

The migraine dilemma has sooooo much material migraine victims have to sort through to learn how to best combat and defend against them. This post works perfectly to deliver info without being tiresome or overwhelming.

I shared it all over the place. :)

Reply
Maria link
5/31/2017 07:11:52 am

Thanks for this feedback, fellow migraine sufferer, Ange. I know you've done your homework on this issue as well.

Wouldn't it be awful if reading this post gave someone a headache... :(

Thanks for sharing - as well as agreeing to an interview for today's follow up post. Love and hugs, mar

Reply
Angelia link
6/7/2017 12:32:30 pm

LOL!!!

It's totally possible. Migraines are wicked like that!

Shauna
6/22/2017 03:20:08 pm

Mar, I feel for you. I've never had a migraine, but I know people who get them frequently. The advice you offer here makes complete sense.

I hope the lifestyle adjustments result in no more migraines for you. Or at least many, many fewer.

Reply
Maria link
6/23/2017 06:53:54 am

Dear Sha,
I'm happy to report that I've had only one (relatively minor) migraine over the last month.
And strange that I'm not even missing those processed foods - yet my body is ever grateful.
Thanks for the visit and your friendship. TGIF and Love, mar

Reply



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    Marcoujor

    Welcome to my desk...

    I am a work in progress, so a rule of thumb is to expect the unexpected every week!

    Pull up a comfy chair and make yourself at home.

    Thank you,

    mar  



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