May sound like a strange question but how do you pass the time when a migraine hits?
Hi everyone, been having migraines for 30 years, they last for four days, I'm currently on day two. I'm sitting here wondering how others cope with getting through the days? I can't do much only basic cooking and cleaning, I can't watch tv, read, chat, knit or concentrate on anything. I can't lay on the bed because it makes it worse, I'm better standing and moving around with my shades on but it's so tiring. With a pounding head, stiff neck, stuffy sinuses, chills, eyes aching, light headedness, tinnitus and fidgets. It's so frustrating because there's so much I need to do but I cannot do anything except just wait it out. I wish I could sleep it out but even my sleep is affected. How do you make the time pass by? To anyone reading, sorry if you have a migraine right now, hope it's on its way out.
Thank you for sharing your journey with us. Your question isn't strange at all! Living with migraine disease is challenging, we get it and are here for you.
When I have a more mild attack, my iPad is my best friend. I wonder if listening to a podcast would work? I find this a great distraction.
Do you have anything to take for relief and/or try to break this attack? It's important to have a number of things in our migraine toolkit to help combat attacks. This article is a great place to start for treatment ideas; https://migraine.com/migraine-treatment.
Will you let me know what you think? I hope this attacks resolves asap, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com TeamThanks for your reply Nancy. I will take a closer look at the attachment you sent which very much seems to answer my question. I do listen to relaxing Christmas Carols on youtube at night, they help me relax but sometimes they make me think too much of Christmas but I love the music just the same. Sometimes I put the movie White Christmas on my tablet and just listen to it, I've watched it so many times I don't need to watch the screen lol. It's the day time that seems the longest for me. After typing up my first post I took a paracetamol and took my dog for a walk, I got by ok, bumped into a couple of fellow dog walkers but didn't feel very much like hanging around and chatting, I'm glad I made the effort though. It's knowing there's another two days to go that bothers me. I don't take prescription med' (I tried it years ago but didn't get on with it), but I am going to try to get an appointment with my doctor for his advice when this has passed, I've tried twice recently to no avail, maybe third time lucky. Wishing you and everyone here all the best.
Thank you so much for posing this question and sharing your experiences with us. That's so fascinating about listening to Christmas music/movies. Sometimes when we're in extreme pain, it can help to find things that are distracting and comforting. Running into others and trying to hold a conversation can be very taxing to the migraine brain when it's busy fighting off an attack. We often just don't have the reserves to navigate these kinds of things during a migraine. I look for distractions which for me include listening to podcasts, music, or having the TV on (but generally not watching it because the lights are too bright and the movement increases my nausea). Spending time with my dog is also very comforting. I've heard others talk about using the time to be creative in ways that are relaxing (drawing, coloring by numbers, cutting pictures from magazines and making collages, etc). These things can help encourage us to move slowly and engage our brains in light activities that are not taxing. Hope some of these may help and very glad to hear you have an appointment upcoming with your doctor. Depending on the frequency of your attacks, it may be time to discuss a preventative medication in addition to exploring an effective rescue treatment for you. There are a lot of options out there currently. So glad you're with us- keep your thoughtfulness coming! Warmly
- Holly migraine.com team.
Thank you for your kind words and the update!
It's hard to be social while having a migraine attack, it is for me.
I understand how difficult it can be to find the right doctor and treatment plan. Sometimes it can take years, I'm sorry to say.
I did want to mention it's a good idea to talk to the doctor if we have three/four severe attacks a month. Here's why, episodic migraine (14 or fewer migraine/headache days a month) can transform into chronic migraine (15 or more migraine/headache days a month) fairly quickly, and no one wants to be chronic!
I look forward to your next update, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team
Thank you Nancy and Holly, I will let you know how I get on with my doctor, I will mention a preventative medication to him for sure. My migraines have become more frequent over recent months so I need to see him, I think stress has a lot to do with it as my husband has been ill these past 16 months.
Kind regards to you both.So sorry to hear about your husband. Stress can be a major trigger, for sure. We are thinking of you and sending love your way. Warmly - Holly migraine.com team. Thanks Holly. The last 16 months have been challenging for both of us for sure. Hopefully there are better times ahead. Kind regards.
I watch sitcoms I've already seen on repeat, relaxing and zero concentration required
I'm so sorry you are experiencing daily pain - I know how frustrating that is. Have the doctor suggested anything to help ease this? There are over 100 medications, supplements, devices, complementary therapies and lifestyle modifications that can be used to manage migraine disease. Most of us use a combination of these, I sure do!
As far as light sensitivity goes there are glasses made specifically designed to help combat this. TheraSpecs are one such company may find beneficial.
I'm sending pain free wishes your way, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Migraine.com Team
Isn't it strange how some kinds of light can be triggering while others cause less problems? We've talked a lot on the site about different ways people block out sunlight. You're definitely not alone in doing that. I'm glad closing the drapes helps. Also, I just wanted to add that you're doing a fantastic job staying active. It can be so tough to stay motivated, especially when you don't feel well, but the right kinds of exercise (not overdoing it) can really make an overall difference in how you're feeling.
Do you have a favorite Peloton ride or workout? I don't have a bike, but great music is a must if I'm going to get moving.Keep doing the best you can, and thanks for sharing with us! -Melissa, migraine team
