07/09/2011

Summertime Survival Skills with Migraine and other fun things

Living with Migraine disease can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Getting Migraines during the summer can be especially draining because this is typically a time when families take vacations, relax and have fun. Summer is time for pools, picnics and party’s; three things that can trigger a Migraine attack in a snap. So here are some survival skills to help with the three big summer “P’s”

Spending time by a pool can be very problematic for many Migraineurs.  As we cover ourselves up with sunscreen, wear lightweight protective clothing and put hats our heads, our eyes need to be shielded too. When we sit around a pool, care needs to be taken with our eyes, because the sun may not be the only Migraine trigger. Any glare that may reflect from the pools surface and from other objects around the pool can also be problematic.  Wearing good sunglasses is a must when around any pool. The Center for Disease Control recommends (however untrendy they may be) wearing wraparound sunglasses with as much UVA and UVB ray protection as you can buy. This type of protective sunglasses may also help reduce the risk of cataracts and protect the fragile skin around our eyes.  Shade may be the only option for some people with lupus, ms and other chronic diseases. Being prepared is important when managing these conditions, so packing a big beach umbrella, or cabana in case you are unable to find shade is a good idea. Moderation here is important too.

If you plan a picnic this summer, whether a family outing or romantic rendezvous, here are a few things to consideration before you go:  

• Plan your event for the time of the day that is “normally” good for you. Maybe a lunch time picnic would be better than a dinner one, or vice versa?
• Pack items that are trigger “safe” foods – ones you currently know won’t trigger a Migraine.  
•  If it’s a family affair, have your family members help plan the foods they want to eat
• Picking your picnic location is important too. With a little effort, you will be able to find a spot that has both a quiet peaceful area for you and some fun for the family.
• When invited to a picnic, pre-planning is essential. Eating a light trigger free snack (if you are unsure of the menu) is not a bad idea. If you don’t think there will be anything for you to eat so you won't trigger a Migraine, bring you own and have fun!
•  Make sure you have enough water to stay hydrated  – bring along an extra bottle if need be.

Summer parties are fun, but not when you have a Migraine. To ensure you make the most of you party try maintaining a regular sleep schedule, especially on weekends. Sleep plays a vital role in our Migraine management plan. Consider these things when trying to maintain your sleeping schedule

• Keep the time you go to bed and time you wake the same each day
• Make sure your bedroom is restful and relaxing; a place you want to sleep not read or watch TV
• Try to limit any drinks a couple hours before bedtime
• Eat your last meal four hours before you go to bed
• Try to stop napping  during the day - if you must - only take a 30 minute nap before 3 pm
• Use visualization and relaxation techniques to aid with sleep.

There you have it. These simple, easy to do "survival" tips may help us have a better, less Migraine-filled summer. Don't forget about keeping a Migraine diary too!

To read other fabulous information  on "Summertime Survival Skills for Migraineurs" check out the July 2011 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival. 

Thanks for reading and feel well,

Follow me on  or 

MyMigraineConnection.com    WNYMigrainsupport.com

© Nancy Harris Bonk, 2011.Last updated July 9, 2011.

07/15/2011

Miserable Migraines

My Migraines et. al (and other chronic conditions) are making me feel more miserable lately. My head actually feels like this photo a looks, a bit transparent, as if my brain may slip out of my head at any moment. My joints are achy and the ringing in my ears is incessant. My muscles hurt all over  and I experiencing  overwhelming fatigue. I’m not normally a complainer (my son disagrees) but the chronically ill feeling I am having is getting a “little old” now.

A few weeks ago I posed a challenge for anyone who wanted to accept it - keeping a Migraine diary with me.  My Migraine diary is looking pretty dismal of late. I seem to be having more Migraines than I ought to (this doesn’t include my chronic head and neck pain) and there are some unavoidable triggers such as weather changes and hormones added to the mix. I’ve been tracking my attacks using the Migraine Notebook by GlaxoSmithKline, and it is a simple, neat and handy way to keep track of them which I can share with my doctor at my next appointment.

The fatigue I’ve been experiencing lately is pretty extreme - so much so I can hardly stay awake or concentrate for more than a few hours at a time. What is happening with my body now? Is it having some kind of autoimmune flare? Which chronic “issue” would it be? Let’s see;

• Post-concussion syndrome
• Mixed connective tissue
• Fibromyalgia – was actually diagnosed.
• Intractable headache
• “Swollen optic nerves” is this shorthand for Papilledema?
• Depression
• Chronic head and neck pain
• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
• Thyroid
• Cervical Spine Fusion

Any of the above conditions can trigger a Migraine attack and/or head pain for me. How long will this bout last? There is so much I want to do, looking around my home, knowing what needs to be done, knowing I’m unable to do these things in a timely fashion, sometimes it is just too overwhelming and plain sad. Let’s not even talk about being a single mom. Really?  It seems the harder I fight to try and ignore what's a flare, the farther away I get from acceptance. I’ve been working on “accepting” chronic illness as part of my life for the last 14 ½ years. I wonder if I will ever get it?

But what are my choices? In the grand scheme of things, life isn’t so awful. It is just very different from what I intended it to be. If someone were to tell me I’d be a disabled, divorced mother of two, I would have said “you’re nuts”! Life has stomped on my toes, and pulled the rug out from under me, literally. Apparently I better dust under that rug and bandage my toes –because no one else is going to do it for me. If could choose a life, it would certainly be one without pain, but that’s not an option right now. I guess I will continue to learn how to accept and cope a life with chronic illness and pain - 0ne day at a time. 

Thanks for reading and feel well,

Follow me on  or 

MyMigraineConnection.com    WNYMigrainsupport.com

© Nancy Harris Bonk, 2011.Last updated July 15, 2011.

07/18/2011

WNY Migraine and Headache Disorder Support Group Meeting 7/19/11

Please join us for the fourth meeting of The Western New York Migraine and Headache Disorder Support Group on Tuesday July 19, 2011. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the All Care for Women building on 6095 Transit Road in East Amherst, New York 14051. Anyone whose life is affected by Migraines and/or headaches is welcome to join us, we start the meeting at 7pm.

July's  topic  - per request - will be  "Open Topic Night".  Bring your questions, concerns and anything you'd like to discuss regarding Migraines and headaches. We provide support, information and education and hope you can join us. For more information on the Western New York Migraine and Support Group and our mission see WNY MigraineSupport.Com.  We hope to see you there!

Thanks for reading and feel well,

Follow me on  or 

MyMigraineConnection.com    WNYMigrainsupport.com

© Nancy Harris Bonk, 2011.Last updated July 18, 2011.