Migraine | Simple. I Just Do.

I’ve mentioned how stressful the fall has been. Know what happens when I get stressed?

First is my back-shoulders-neck-head. Mostly shoulders-neck-head. Tension-soreness-headaches-migraines happen to my shoulders-neck-head. It can get bad, where I need to consciously lie on back at night (normally, I’m a side sleeper, curled into a fetal position), take too much tension headache medicine, be in a darkened quiet room, etc.

Second is my stomach. Polite way of saying I need to run to the bathroom every two seconds. Again, not fun, but uncontrollable, and a sure sign that something (or someone) has me stressed out.

Third, I begin to shake. Somewhere between a shiver and a quake. Deep breaths help, but again, it’s uncontrollable.

All the while, I worry it, shake it like a rag doll in my brain. In other words, I get a bit obsessive about whatever or whoever it is in my brain, and I can’t let go. Probably one of the reasons, “Don’t worry about it,” sounds just as awful as nails on a chalkboard to me. It’s just not even practical, not even a realistic goal. Shut up.

Why do I know this much about how stress affects me physically? Because I was a teacher for over 17 years. No, that was not a sarcastic answer. It’s the truth. And I’ve paid attention to my own body.

What helps alleviate some of these? Regular yoga (oops, need to get back on that wagon, too). Me-time. Deep breathing (goes along with the yoga). A massage now and then. Reading (to some extent). Being able to vent to someone about my source of stress (but not too much, because that can get me ramped up again). And a realization that This Too Shall Pass. I forget that a lot. Maybe I should get it tattooed somewhere I’ll see it all the time.

What does stress do to you? What do you do to alleviate it?

It takes a lot to stop me in my tracks. And thankfully, migraines don’t affect me on a daily basis. But they do catch up to me every so often. I have learned what can lead to a migraine, and I have learned how to cope. Besides that, there’s not much I can do. And when one happens, I am so thankful that The Boy is of an age to take care of himself for the most part. It isn’t an ideal day when mom is dead to the world and incapable of functioning, but he can feed himself and occupy himself, even if his teeth don’t get brushed.

I had a migraine yesterday, and it started as day four of a tension headache. But I knew this one was different because it became centered on my left side, and there was absolutely nothing I could do to ease the pain. I slept most of the day.

I’ve said it before – being ill and having to provide for others is one of the worst parts about being a single parent. Migraines are a lot worse than just “bad headaches”.

I know there are lots of others who don’t have it as easy as I do. If you know someone who gets migraines, make sure to ask them in advance how you can help. Can you take the kids for a bit, make sure they eat? Do some laundry? Come over and make sure the house stays quiet for awhile? Every little bit helps, and we have to take care of each other!