Sleeping and Eating When Episodic Becomes Chronic
Hi, I'd like to ask for input from those of you out there who have more experience living with chronic migraine. This past spring my episodic basilar type migraine turned chronic, and I am taking as many steps as I can to learn to live with it the best way I know how. When my attacks were episodic I indulged myself in doing whatever my body felt like when it came to eating and sleeping. If I was tired and could sleep during an attack, I did. If I was nauseated and didn't want to eat, I didn't. Now I find myself wondering if these habits are triggering my next attack. Perhaps I shouldn't take that ridiculously long nap? Or maybe I should make myself eat in small amounts regularly since zofran is successful in keeping me from vomiting? Any advice from those who have tread this path is greatly appreciated!
The migraine brain relies heavily on homeostasis. Any change in our environment can be a trigger.
It is critical to eat something every few hours. You don't have to eat a huge meal, just enough to keep your blood sugar stable. I learned to buy wholesome snacks for those times when I just couldn't make myself prepare a meal. Protein bars, carrot sticks, celery & peanut butter, nuts, fruit (not the dried kind!) are all nice to have around. You can also prepare extra food to freeze for when you don't feel up to cooking. It is also very important to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day and try not to take a nap unless absolutely necessary. Too much of a good thing can be a nasty trigger.
The good news is that with the right care, it is possible to return to episodic. I had chronic migraine for 14 years and finally broke the cycle just in the last year. It took a lot patience, meticulous tracking, and the expertise of a great doctor. We are still working to get my frequency down even lower.
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-sleep-1/
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-sleep-2/
https://migraine.com/blog/migraine-triggers-skipping-meals/
https://migraine.com/blog/the-riskiness-of-stacking-triggers/Tammy Rome
Thanks so much for the response and all of the info Tammy. I am so happy to hear that your migraine is episodic again that is wonderful! I am currently reading the migraine brain (sounds like you have too) and I guess I was just looking for someone who has been there before I give up my current lifestyle and try sleeping 10-6 every day, eating regularly in small amounts, and doing yoga more frequently. Thank you so much for your support! I'm making the dive, starting last night 😀
You can do this! Remember to make one small change at a time rather than trying to do everything at once. The new habits are more likely to "stick" that way. Keep us posted on your progress.
Tammy Rome
Behavioral Pain Mgmt Specialist
Patient Advocate
