Masking Our Migraine Attacks

By Lisa Robin Benson

1 min read

Do you ever hide the fact that you're dealing with a migraine attack or the associated symptoms? When and why do you put on this mask? Advocate Lisa Benson discusses this in the video below and invites your thoughts on masking migraine disease.

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MommaButterfly Member
The only time I mask migraine attacks is when I know my daughter is needing my attention or I am having to babysit and no one is home to take over babysitting for me, it's not so much a matter of wanting to hide what I am feeling but a matter of responsibilities. I have too much going on to take the time I need to get the migraine under control plus I don't want the kiddos to worry either. Now if the migraine is too severe before the kids are due to be dropped off I will notify the mom that I am sick and can't take care of the kids properly and cross my fingers she can find a last minute person to take care of the kids or get her boss to understand and give her the day off. Occasionally I will 'mask' when my mom is around because she tends to think I am exaggerating or making excuses even though she knows my sister in law suffers with migraines too.
1. MommaButterfly Member
 <inline-mention username="Alene L. Brennan, RYT" user-id="3663804"/> I have a prescription for a strong ibuprofen plus I use some essential oils on the back of my neck and certain pulse points, I also turn on the dimmest lights in the house or limit the TV time depending on if it's sound or light sensitive attacks. Peppermints can also help with the nausea aspect as well as the pain. My go to oil is one my mom found called White Flower Oil, it has some hints of peppermint too. I have 5 cats so I have to be careful with essential oils in diffusers, but I can use ones I can apply to my skin. Soft music also helps sometimes. Occasionally I play a little mind game of 'Anywhere but here' and imagine myself in a place that gives me peace and I say a little prayer too, asking God to help lift some of the pain so I can make it till the mom comes to pick up the kids. My daughter is 15 so she helps as much as she can when I am having an attack and I am babysitting.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="MommaButterfly" user-id="7026391"/> It’s great to already be learning from your well-earned wisdom from your life with migraine. Thank you for sharing some of these lessons learned along the way. I love the idea of “anywhere but here”. I believe we have a lot of power in our minds and imaginations to shift us from severe pain situations. Deep breathing - and shifting thoughts away from pain can help immensely. Many community members talk of using distraction techniques. Essential oils can be very helpful (peppermint specifically) at quieting nausea: <a href='https://migraine.com/video/peppermint-essential-oil' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/video/peppermint-essential-oil</a>. Is the strong ibuprofen script for Toradol? Thanks again for sharing your resources with us! Warmly - Holly - <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team