1. I've had migraines since I was about 18.
2. When I first started getting them I didn't know what was wrong - I swear I thought I was dying. I was admitted to hospital several times and had sooo many tests for 'viruses' and kidney disorders and brain problems and all kinds of things and no one EVER considered migraines. Even though the pains were in my head no one even QUESTIONED migraines!!
3. Finally when I had moved to a different part of England and had a different doctor it was finally discovered that I had migraines. I had an amazing doctor and he was happy to drive straight over any time I had a migraine and inject me with an anti-emetic and pain killer. I was also put on meds to prevent the migraines. they made me tired and made me gain weight (they were beta blockers) but helped with the migraines.
4. I get migraines sometimes 6 times a month and sometimes 4 or 5 times a week - every week depending on the time of year.
5. My triggers are weather. If the pressure changes and the weather changes then I get a migraine. If my routine changes I get a migraine. If I miss meals I get a migraine. Certain foods can give me migraines. Being over-tired can give me migraines. Stress can give me migraines - but it tends to be AFTER the stress has passed. Hormones play a part - certain times of the month cause problems too.
6. My WORST migraine was the day we travelled back from Florida in 2007. A MAJOR weather system had gone through Orlando - tornadoes had ripped through killing several people. I was so ill I could not even lift my arms or dress myself. I was so sick. Lloyd had to do everything for me. I had to travel via a wheelchair and do not really remember anything about the two flights back. Horrible :(
7. I have been on Imitrex which helped for a long while. Now I take maxalt which helped for a long while but now I am starting to get horrible side effects much like imitrex. Time for a change I think.
8. I take a preventative daily. I take Topamax daily and that helps a lot - when I don't take it, my migraines increase. Topamax is the first drug NOT to cause weight gain. Woohoo....finally a brighter side to something ;) However - a downside to this drug is that I had to give up running as it causes my bloodpressure to rise if I run :( I miss running. I can swim and walk still etc etc but when I run on this drug I feel very ill very quickly.
9. I am not sure I get an 'aura' as such with my migraines, but I do know when one is coming - I start yawning a LOT shortly before it starts. Also my nose will block on one side and it will feel as though I've been punched in the nose - it will feel kind of numb.
10. I have tried all kinds of natural remedies/ diets and natural methods or dealing with migraines.....nothing helps really - Lloyd massages my shoulders regularly and I do find that helps a little with tension etc.
11. I am lucky though - I get migraines but I don't really get headaches - very rarely anyway!!!
12. My doctor has offered me botox for my migraines and that may well be my next step - he actually gives botox injections in his clinic. I have had a prescription in the past but never actually got it.....Im still not sure....maybe I will try that next. The movie 'Christmas with the Kranks' puts me off a little (lol).
13. migraines have ruined a lot of days and I live in dread of the next one. I dread my meds not working, however, the days of vomiting for 18 hours are long gone. Thankfully these days meds can control things. If mine don't work I can go and get some that DO work. I don't have to suffer the way I used to. Migraines are miserable and horrible and I hate them - but when I think about all the other problems I COULD have - really, I could be a LOT worse off ;)
I don't know who created these fabulous pieces of artwork - but they really do explain migraines through art sooooo well!
You can find Thursday 13 HERE
