How I Cope With Migraines

To give some context, I've suffered from migraines for a few years now, so I sympathise with you if you also get them. Mine were at their worst a year or so ago, I had them every couple of weeks. They are now down to one or two a month, but because I was used to getting them so regularly I had to learn how to work around them or kill them quickly...not easily done when they normally last for around 2-3 days.

I will start by saying, there is no "cure" for migraines, not yet anyway. There are also several types of migraines, so knowing what type you have can go a long way to managing an episode. It should go without saying that you should seek medical advice from a professional.

If you suffer from migraines, let me know in the comment section below how you cope with them.

SYMPTOMS

I don't suffer from all of these symptoms,  I mostly suffer from nausea, nasal congestion, sensitivity to smell and sound, neck stiffness (sometimes back too) and head pain.

Nausea 
Vomiting 
Giddiness
Dizziness
Insomnia
Nasal Congestion
Anxiety
Depressed Mood
Sensitivity to Light, Smell and Sound
Neck pain and stiffness
Head pain; throbbing, drilling or icepick

WHAT HELPS ME

If I feel a migraine coming on and I can treat it right away, I can minimise how long I have it for. Most of the time though I'm out and it's not possible.

The Ideal Treatment for Me:
As soon as I feel the neck stiffness and fogginess, I'll take ibuprofen tablets then stretch for about 10-15minutes. I'll also massage my neck, shoulders and along the shoulder blades (that's where I tend to hold a lot of tension). If it's the evening, I'll go to sleep, if it's during the day then I'll make my room dark and take a nap.

I've successfully pulled this off twice because migraines aren't polite, they don't wait for a convenient time. Most of the time a migraine starts I'm out and unable to get home right away.

My Normal Treatment:
Pain medication, I'm a bit more aggressive with the dosage when I know I'm stuck for a while.

If I'm somewhere noisy and can move somewhere quieter, then I will. Otherwise, I'll put headphones on without any music because it dampens it a tad. I normally carry an Olbas inhaler nasal stick to help with the congestion and massage my shoulders slightly to take the edge off.

As soon as I get home, I'll stretch then put on a Kool 'n' Smoothe migraine cooling strip. Followed by naptime as above. I don't have a massive preference over cooling migraine strips, I'd like to try the cooling hats and see how they work. For now, those strips are great, especially because they're ready to use.

None of the medication I take gets rid of a migraine, but it usually dampens it enough that I can get on with my day without wanting to hit my head off a wall.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Always follow the dosage advice on the box of any medication and speak to your doctor or local pharmacist if you have any queries. 

CAFFEINE

I consume quite a lot of caffeine a day from tea and coffee, anywhere from 3-8 cups on an average day (benefits to caffeine consumption from the NHS here if you're interested).

Having a small coffee when I have a migraine helps me, this could be down to my regular consumption of it. Caffeine withdrawal headaches are a whole other matter. If I'm feeling particularly nauseous, I'll have a fizz stick instead with some ice (these also contain caffeine).

Arbonne Pomegranate Fizz Stick

DAITH PIERCING

I'd hear a lot about the daith piercing so August 2018 I decided it was worth trying. I went in hoping it would help but not relying on it.

It has helped me a lot, I went from having migraines every couple of weeks (sometimes two in the one week) to maybe one or two a month.

I'm in no way trying to encourage anyone to get a piercing, but it was a valid option for me, and I like piercings anyway. Although because of where it is the piercing itself is still healing.

I've heard reports from others when I was researching it that it helped them for a while then their migraines came back as before. Even a few months of relief was worth it for me.

Overall health and fitness are important, eating nutritious meals and exercising regularly. Getting out for a walk in the fresh air can help a lot when your migraine is starting to get better, especially if it's cooler outside. The key thing for me is regularly stretching before bed to try and avoid tension build-up. There are plenty of other ways to cope with migraines, these are just a few things I find helpful.

Wishing you all a migraine free week!

"Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me." - Psalm 30:2