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What are your "go to" essentials that bring you comfort during a migraine?

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We asked both our Facebook and Migraine.com community to respond after reading the article titled,  "A List & Call for Creature Comforts" what have you discovered that helps ease, address and get you through a migraine?   Check out a summary of their responses below. Additionally, we would LOVE to hear more from you!  Please be sure to comment at the end if there are any other ways that you pacify the pain, ease nausea or pass the dreaded time during a migraine.

How you sooth the pain:

Hot/Cold Therapy:

  • I pack the migraine side of my head and back of my neck with ice packs which I put in comfortable covers. Be sure to keep extra frozen to have more in rotation!
  • I keep a gel face mask in my fridge that I put on
  • A rice pillow, that I made properly chilled placed on the site of tension
  • Old fashioned ice bag which also travels well and stays cold for hours
  • “Be Kool” gel strips
  • “BioFreeze” pain relieving gel (keeps the skin cool)
  • A neck/shoulders heating pad plus gel ice pack to the forehead can feel like heaven in an attack!
  • Battlecreek Thermophone (moist heating pad)
  • Taking a bath or shower as HOT as I can stand it

Easing Nausea And Calming Methods:

  • Peppermint Oil
    • I put it on my wrists, the back of my neck, temples, forehead, around my hairline (avoid eye area) and in my ice water or tea.
    • I carry a bandanna in my purse sprayed with it which helps when smells bother me.
    • A few drops in a hot bath gives aromatherapy bath and added bonus of all over skin cooling when you get out.
  • Lavender
    • I carry a vial of it that I can put under my nose
    • Lavender herbal tea bags, the taste is wonderful and calming
  • Ginger
    • Homemade ginger tea
    • Ginger ale (adding aromatic bitters too sometimes!)
    • Double check your brand, so far I’ve found the Seagram’s and Canada Dry Ginger Ale’s do not have ginger listed in their ingredients. I’ve taken to making my own ginger drink. The ginger root itself is what you need and you should be able to find it in your local grocery store.
    • Ginger candy
  • Motion sickness bracelet
  • Duff headband - Can be worn around neck as a scarf or pulled over the head. I pull it up to cover my mouth and nose when in a stinky situation!
  • “EarPeace” (earplugs) - Block high end noise, but still allow you to hear conversation in your vicinity. Great for sporting events!
  • I like to drink strong chamomile tea in the evenings which helps calm me and to fall asleep.
  • VICKS
  • Medical marijuana
  • Using my diffuser with basil, lavender and spearmint essential oils.
  • Drinking a regular coke as well as eating salty foods (i.e. chips, crackers, french fries, etc.).
  • Activated charcoal powder
  • I like Lemongrass to bring everything back to a neutral clean smell.
  • There’s an app I use called Lightning Bug. It’s one of the best white noise apps I’ve found.

Essentials For Helping You Get comfortable All The While Trying To Pass The Time:

  • Blackout curtains
  • I use my infinity pillow
  • Bose Noise Canceling headphones, and they go with me everywhere! Sometimes I hook them up to my iPod, but a lot of the time, I don’t have them plugged into anything. They are quiet is a life saver.
  • Sunglasses (polarized!)
  • Theraspecs, because I can’t find sunglasses that are dark enough for me. Light is a huge trigger for me, and when I’m in the middle of a bad migraine, I can’t stand to have any lights on in the house.
  • Wearing a hat
  • Installed dimmers on my lights in my home.
  • Watch Netflix, movies and TV binge watch (low volume as senses tend to become hyperactive during migraine episodes).
  • Listening to audio books or Podcasts as my eyes really hurt during a migraine
  • Reading on my tablet with a black screen and sepia writing as the normal screen is too bright.
  • Nothing beats the warm feeling and relaxation from a soft blankets, comfy clothes, warm socks while laying in a darkened room.
  • Curling up with my pets

One of our Migraine.com community members said it very fittingly, “Thank you so much for all the great tips! Nothing (so far!) takes the pain away, but with these tips, I might be able to ride the wave a little easier. “ - Karen

What about you? What else do you do to help manage your pain and time during a migraine? We would love to hear more! Share your comments with us below.

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