I recently had a run-in with my old foe, the migraine headache... horrible experience, as always. But, it did serve as a helpful reminder that my definitive work on headaches is still unfinished and my file about migraines is still in the works. So I thought I would pick up where I left off last time.
File Number 4: This is my migraine file and of course, it has subgroups: miserable, more miserable, and most miserable....
The miserable migraines usually come on slow over a few hours and end in nausea and light throbbing in my head around my temples. They are persistent and noticeably painful, but generally manageable with an Excedrin and lots of water.
The more miserable migraines usually come on a little quicker and bring some serious nausea and often some throwing up (like my episode in the McDonald's parking lot on the way home from Oregon, or the epic up-chuck of all my breakfast in a flower bed at the Idaho Falls Air Show... very nice). They are very painful, throbbing mixed with sharp pains behind my eyes and around my temples. I almost always have to stop what I'm doing and give these headaches attention or unfortunately they stay on and get worse. Luckily they are preceded by a warning sign, which for me is some sort of noticeable change in my vision. At that point I usually have about half an hour to get an Excedrin down and take it easy for a bit (nap if I can), and usually that combination takes the edge off the pain and I can manage the rest of the day. Otherwise, it's on to....
The most miserable migraine. This one comes on without warning or as the result of another brand of headache left uncared for. These headaches are excruciating, induce plenty of vomiting, and are ridiculously difficult to get rid of. Unfortunately, the cure-all Excedrin Migraine pill doesn't stand much of a chance with these, given that I usually throw it back up as soon as it's down. Like the more miserable brand, the most miserable migraines cause vision change, but it's more due to the pain rather than as a warning. With this type, my head just feels like it's in a metal crusher... so I can never really tell where the pain ends up. Getting rid of this one usually means lying in a completely dark room breathing slowly while trying to sleep until the pain eases enough to let the nausea subside long enough to keep a pill down... lots of fun. Fortunately I do not get this type as often, though we have had some fun together.
When I can afford to I do try to be brave and suffer through migraine headaches without meds... but more often than not they beat me and I give in. I've tried quite a few things for these ones: more careful diet, more water, exercise, back adjustments, new glasses prescription, etc, etc... but so far nothing has consistently worked. If anyone has suggestions I am open to anything!
