10 Ways to Navigate a life with Migraines

What is a migraine? According to The American Migraine Foundation, “Migraine is an inherited neurological disorder that is characterized by over excitability of specific areas of the brain. Although we do not clearly understand how a migraine brain is different or what happens in the brain to start a migraine, we know that individuals with migraine are more susceptible to the influence of transient factors, termed “triggers,” that raise the risk for having a migraine attack. These triggers include hormonal fluctuations, environmental stimuli like weather or bright lights, certain smells, alcohol, certain foods, poor sleep and high stress. However, not everyone has a clear trigger for migraine attacks.”

This stat from their website was shockingly surprising to me:

“The World Health Organization named migraine as one of the 10 most disabling illnesses.”

I wrote this post so that I could help others like me- those who live a life of migraines- and I put together a list of 10 ways to navigate a life with migraines to tell others about the things I’ve found that has helped me.

Living with migraines is rough. The feeling of hopelessness can be daunting. Sometimes I feel like it’s never going to end. I’ve been living with migraines for years. It started back about 15 years ago. I had them on a regular basis for about 8 years.

Then one day, in 2016, I was out to eat at Round Table with my co-workers. It started with the aura in my eyes. I knew another migraine was inevitable. I told my boss and it escalated so quickly that she had to drive me home.

Within minutes of being home, I was in the bathroom throwing up nonstop. My vision was only getting worse. I had to keep my eyes closed. I knew something was different with this one. I called my husband and told him I had to go to the Emergency Room. I couldn’t drive. Someone had to come get me. He worked 30 minutes away, so he sent for my sister, and she drove me to the ER.

I remember getting to the ER. She was guiding me as I tried to walk from the car to the door. I honestly don’t remember all that much after that.

I recall laying on a table and the Dr.’s asking me what year it was, who the president was. I couldn’t speak. I had tears streaming down my face. I was crying uncontrollably. I knew some answers in my head, but I couldn’t make the words come out. Other questions though, I couldn’t remember. The answer was right there, but I just couldn’t recall it. Like it was on the tip of my tongue. It was the most frightening experience I’ve ever had.

This was different. My body and my mind were uncontrollable. I was confused. My head was pounding. I was throwing up every few minutes. It was presenting itself as a stroke. And that’s what everyone around me was thinking. Including myself.

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My grandpa had a stroke many years prior to this, and I read a book about it shortly after he did to gain a better understanding of what he went through. It was called My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte Taylor.

I recalled this book as some of the things she described when she was having a stroke resembled very closely to what was happening to me. She had pain behind her eye and began to feel dazed. Her verbal thoughts became inconsistent and had periods of silence where she couldn’t concentrate even on the things going on around her. She knew in her mind that she needed to call for help but she couldn’t recall the phone number she needed to call a friend. Luckily, she was able to call for help, but the thought of knowing you needed to do something or get help and not being able to do it is frightening. This is how I was feeling. Once I was in the hospital, it was all up to them to help me. I felt helpless. I was unable to function normally, and it was terrifying.

After many scans and tests, it all came back negative for a stroke fortunately. While it presented itself as a stroke, it was ultimately diagnosed as a Complex Migraine.

Since then, migraines have been more common for me. Living with migraines means headaches almost daily for me. There are a few days that I don’t have a headache, but the headaches and migraines are the new normal for me unfortunately. I’ve learned to live with them as best as I can. I have chronic neck and back pain as well. The neck pain goes hand in hand with the headaches and migraines.

Living with Migraines:

Here are 10 ways that help me navigate this life of migraines.

1. Relax with Heat: I’ve always used heat to help me relax. My favorite heating pad is a small back and neck pad that I throw on while I’m watching TV. It’s absolutely amazing!
2. Relax with an Epsom Salt bath: I use Dr Teals. My favorites are Detoxify and Energize with Ginger and Clay, Relax and Relief with Eucalyptus and Spearmint, and Soothe and Sleep with Lavender.
3. Ice my head! Wow, this one is a newfound love. A friend of mine that also struggles with migraines told me about this! The TheraICE Form Fitting Head Gel Ice Cap is lifechanging! The second I feel a migraine coming on, I grab this, take my meds and pull it over my head and eyes and just lay there. This has helped reduce the length and severity of my migraines!
4. My meds! Of course you will need to work with your Dr. to get a prescription and find what works for you. I use Sumatriptan, amitriptyline (head and neck pain during the night) and over the counter pain meds.
5. Turmeric Curcumin supplement! This natural spice is known for its antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. This is an everyday must.
6. An alternative to the Turmeric Curcumin supplement is Golden Milk! It is so creamy and good. I like the flavor of turmeric though, so I love this warm milky drink right before bed as I sit on the couch with my heating pad.
7. CBD Roll on Stick! When my neck feels tight and painful, I roll this on and it really tends to help.
8. Hemp Relief Cream! I use HEMPACTIV Joint & Muscle Relief Cream.
9. Hydration is SO important! I drink at least one Liquid I.V. a day! My favorite is strawberry! It tastes delicious too!
10. I gave up alcohol completely. I enjoyed having a social drink or two with family and friends, but I would almost immediately get a headache and a feeling of being hung over was inevitable even after just a drink. It wasn’t worth it. Now, I find other drinks to indulge in. In addition to the Golden milk, I’ll make tea, decaf coffee with different sweeteners and try new things to spice it up, apple cider and sparkling cider and other nonalcoholic beverages. Check out my blog on fun nonalcoholic drinks to try!