Visiting the Store for a Migraine Warrior...
For those who have not experienced a migraine before, it might be hard to understand what it's like. So I pose this question? What's your favorite grocery store? Close your eyes, imagine you parked your car you're headed into the store. What do you do next? Maybe you grab a cart or basket, and you begin to grab the items on your list... you make it though all the appropriate aisles and head to check out. You scan (or a service member scans) your items, you swipe your card and head back to the car. Sounds normal and it should be... except when you have chronic migraine it's NOT that simple.
Sensory Overload
Now imagine you've just been in a car accident, or you just finished a day at an amusement park. Your adrenaline is still pumping, you're very alert. You notice everything happening around you... all the time.
When I used to go to the store, I'd park my car, get out with sunglasses on of course. I notice all the people, cars and carts. I slowly adjust to the sunlight. By time I get to the door, I can remove my sunglasses but still shield my eyes for a moment. As they adjust to the inside light I grab a cart. Now I'm at the second set of doors, they slide open, it's even louder inside. People talking, speakers announcing department calls, scanners beeping at check out. Then the smell hits me, I'm near the fresh vegetables and Starbucks, but I can also smell the bakery and hot chicken. The smells together are overwhelming. Again the speaker goes off with announcements. I quickly shop for items on my list. Only hitting isles that I must go down. There are kids crying, shopping cart wheels squeaking, birds chirping in the rafters, and more announcements, old lady or man perfumes lingering, overhead lights blinking and all the colors blur together. I'm going as fast as my body can handle to make it to the safety of my car and comfort of my home. I get to the check out, of course I use a uscan as to avoid contact with any more people, but as usual something goes wrong. The attendant comes over with the strongest perfume.
This is Not an Exaggeration
By this time I'm almost ready to just leave it all there and walk out. I cover my face and finish as the mother in front of me gives her child a smack for screening in the store. The announcement goes off again, I grab my items and do everything not to run but swiftly get to my car. I hit the second set of doors and the sun is blinding. I quickly put my sunglasses back down and load my car. When finished I take a seat, take a deep breath in my car, so I don't start crying. That will only make it worse. I drive the few miles home and I'm exhausted. I put away my groceries and I have used all the energy I have for the day and probably tomorrow too.
This is not an exaggerated scene... this is MY real life. This is what it's like with chronic migraine and anxiety.
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