Migraine To Do List

My Migraine To Do (and not to do) List

'Computing is not about computers any more. It is about living.' – Nicholas Negroponte

I've had a lingering migraine for over a week so yesterday I was trying to figure out why it won't go away. I've been getting plenty of sleep, not eating anything bad and continuing to exercise. Then I realised that the two books I'm reading are both ebooks. This means that even in my downtime (and while recovering from the migraine) I've been staring at a screen. I did a quick search and found these two potentially useful websites:

• Migraine Trust – this is a general fact sheet about migraine triggers but offers some information about computer use near the end
• Migraine Relief Centre – this blog has some useful tips about 'light induced migraines' and how to make screens less migraine-inducing

My course of action now is to read a paper book and limit TV watching so that my screen time goes back to a more manageable level. I think I'll also try to make one weekend day a 'no screen' day. That means writing will need to be on paper, no checking social media, no Skype and no TV.

'It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.' – Benjamin Franklin

During this week's migraine I noticed two things about my migrainey self, which I hadn't been aware of before. As with my other blog posts, the purpose of this one if to create a record for myself since I have a bad memory at the best of times, let alone when I have a migraine.

Firstly, I noticed that when I have one of those migraines that doesn't respond to medications, I often take a large number of drugs anyway. I think this is because I take some, then two or three hours later I'm still feeling terrible so I take something else, then another two or three hour later I'm not feeling any better so I try another pharmaceutical option. By bedtime I realised that, in my desperation, I would have taken the maximum dose of paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin, codeine and/or any other drugs I have on hand. Hopefully now that I'm aware of this I won't fall into the same pattern of sending good medication after bad, as it were.

Secondly, I was feeling very lonely during this week's migraine: alone in my suffering, ill-equipped to deal with it, and in need of genuine empathy and encouragement. Often during a migraine I'll wish my mum was with me. This time I needed something stronger, more effective. I went online to see if I could find a migraine support group or forum to join. I came across three likely-looking options. Once I started reading, I noticed that mostly they were filled with comments about all the different drugs people had tried and how crap migraines are. None of the people commenting seemed to have anything proactive or helpful to say. Even when sufferers posted questions (like where to find a good doctor), the commenters didn't address the question and only mentioned their own struggles. Maybe we're all selfish, us migraineurs; maybe that's understandable, but I don't think it's helpful. Now I'm looking for any support groups in my area that I could attend. Will a group of us in person be more supportive?

'Out of difficulties grow miracles.' – Jean de la Bruyere

After three days of migraine and feeling worse and worse each day, I broke the cycle with coffee. To make the miracle even sweeter and more memorable, I got to indulge in two delicious cafe lattes at a bistro in Paris. I had heard that some people use caffeine as a migraine treatment, but I'd never tried it since coffee is a trigger for me. This time I was desperate enough because I was travelling, and rest days and drugs had not had any effect. Below are some articles that talk about caffeine as a migraine treatment. I don't know that I'll drink coffee whenever I feel a migraine coming on, but I'll save it as a another option.

Some articles:

• Migraine.com – Migraine and Caffeine: an introduction
• LiveScience.com – Five Experts Answer...
• ACHE.org – Caffeine and Migraine
• WebMD – Migraines, Headaches, and Caffeine 

'We don't need sugar to live.' – Mehmet Oz

Usually I have cereal and yogurt for breakfast. Twice in the last two weeks I've had an especially sugary breakfast, then got a migraine by mid-morning. I mentioned this to a dietician friend and she confirmed that sugar is often a trigger, especially for people who are on the cusp of a migraine, as I perpetually am. It's not good to get a migraine, but it is good to learn more triggers. Unfortunately I will have to rein in my sweet tooth.

'Every silver lining has a cloud.' – Mary Kay Ash

I went for my regular check-in with my neurologist this week. I was pleased to tell him that it's been weeks since my last migraine – it's so nice to be measuring in weeks, not days at the moment. On a friend's suggestion, I asked if fewer migraines could be a result of being on anti-inflammatories and codeine. The neurologist agreed that those drugs could be having a positive effect. He told me that they used to perscribe anti-inflammatories for migraines, but people experienced too many stomach and liver issues after being on them for extended periods. Once my hip is sorted and I'm off the anti-inflammatories, I'll have to see how the migraines are. Maybe there's an anti-inflammartory that's easier on the stomach. Maybe I could just take them when I feel a migraine coming on, rather than daily. The reduction in migraines is the silver lining to having this hip problem. Maybe anti-inflammatories will become a gold lining if they lead to another treatment for my migraines.  

'Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let everynew year find you a better man.' -- Benjamin Franklin

This year my goal is to have fewer migraines than last year. It's started out well since I haven't had one in over a week. As long as I don't start getting them a couple of times a week, then I'll be doing better. Ideally it will be a healthier year, but I'll have to see how hip surgery goes. Once the labral tear is all fixed, I'd like to get back into yoga, bike riding and tennis. I'd also like to restart boxing, which I did a few years ago and enjoyed.

What are your health goals for 2015?

You can read my Small Considerations blog for some links to websites to help you with your resolutions.