What's Your Secret Disguise

By Holly Harding

1 min read

In the following video, Holly discusses the many ways that we, as migraineurs, play dress up to protect ourselves from migraine. Even when there’s not any sun out, we are often the only ones wearing sunglasses and hats!

What is your secret disguise that might tip off a fellow migraineur that you, too, are under the thumb of a migraine?

Let us hear from you in the comment section below!

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DarylM Member
I have started collecting hats as a result of migraines. I have a straw fedora and two felt wide-brimmed hats. My favorite sunglasses are roundish and have side shields to reduce more light. I have done a lot of research on the original uses of a hat and sunglasses and found that they are tools to protect us. I tell people, "I control my personal environment so we don't have to change yours."
1. DarylM Member
 I seem to have lost track of my comments on this post. Here are some links of side shield sunglasses <a href='https://www.sunglassmuseum.com/collections/steampunk-signature-collection' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.sunglassmuseum.com/collections/steampunk-signature-collection</a> <a href='https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQB97BL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_MW5zUQ1B5iKWv' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RQB97BL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_MW5zUQ1B5iKWv</a>
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Thanks for sharing this resource, Daryl! Grateful you're a part of our community. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
everist Member
A sweatshirt or jacket even when it is warm out.
1. everist Member
 When I start to sweat I know that it's going to get better.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 That is interesting, Everist. That you get cold before an attack and that breaking a sweat is your sign for improvement. For me, getting clammy sweaty is one of the first signs of an impending attack. It's all proof that migraine is a neurological condition- and so very much more than "just a headache" as many still unfortunately believe. Thanks for sharing! Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
amendt Member
I always wear a visor w a brim so there is no sun in my eyes EVER! I Also drive with the car visor down to avoid light, even on dark, cloudy days. So sad...
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 The car visor! Yes, Amendt! I always have mine down too! In addition to the hat and the sunglasses! Sunroofs are lost on us entirely, yes? My car visor is down so far, I often have a hard time seeing whether or not the traffic light has changed. A good reminder that we're not alone in this crazy world of tiptoeing around triggers. Thanks for sharing. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
lizard123 Member
I often wear a sunhat because it has protection all around. One thing that's very miserable for me is when the sun sneaks in the side of my sunglasses, and reflects off the inside into my eyes. The only thing I've found to prevent that is a sunhat that shades from all angles. I'd be interested in sunglasses that wrapped around maybe? If I could still be incognito, and for them to look like regular non-medical sunglasses. Anyone have suggestions?
1. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention user-id="3808274" username="lizard123"/> , I go to my eye doctor and ask for extra wrap-around sunglasses like the ones they give you when they dilate your eyes. When I told the receptionists up front why I needed them, they put a handful in a bag and handed it over. I wear transition sunglasses too and never go outside without both, plus a hat...never. It works pretty well with all three. If my migraine is full blown and I absolutely have to walk the dog, I just double up on the cheap free wrap-around sunglasses and it adds enough protection. But you have to wear some sort of hat or visor because the sun sneaks on from above. Good luck!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 lizard123 and AZReynolds- thanks for the question and the answer on the question of wraparound sunglasses. I, too, was going to suggest asking an eye doctor- or doing an online search for wraparounds. You won't win any prizes for beauty with those things, but they win for function- and that's all that matters when it comes to battling/managing migraine! Glad you both are a part of our community. Please stay in touch and thank you for being engaged. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
lauriej Member
I have to wear sunglasses over my transition lenses glasses to keep enough sun out, squinty eyes, he opens the sunroof I close it (even on cloudy days), always found in the shade. I also cannot sit on benches, bleachers or stools of any kind or I pay dearly! I also have trouble wearing a hat because my head can’t tolerate the pressure. At times I can move my hair and it hurts. No more pony tails!
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi LaurieJ- Layers of glasses, huh? Sounds like those would be heavy on the bridge of the nose and hard to coordinate. Do they make sunglasses with transition lenses inside of them? I agree on the hat causing pressure- the one I mention in the video took me years to find- made by Columbia- it is super soft and doesn't cause me pressure. The last point you raised is a common one- that of scalp and hair pain- this is actually something called allodynia- a condition that goes along with migraine for many of us- check this out to learn more: <a href='https://migraine.com/video/secret-touch-hair-skin-sensitivity' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/video/secret-touch-hair-skin-sensitivity/</a>. Thanks so much for chiming in! Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
pianomom Member
When my head gets really bad, the pressure behind my left eye makes it feel like it is going to pop out! So there have been entire weeks when I have worn a "pirate patch" with layers of medical eye pads behind it to apply counter pressure. I don't think I have ever worn this outside the house but my husband and kids always know my head is bad when I start looking like a pirate.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Now that's one I haven't heard, Pianomom- but your description is wonderful to illustrate how it would provide relief as I think many of us (including me) can relate to the painful one-sided eye pressure you describe. I would think if there were a way to add some sort of cooling action to this approach, you could market and sell this idea! Thanks for sharing! Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team)
hitesh-goenka Member
I use a baseball cap to limit the light inflection on my eyes. I also turn down the brightness of my laptop and mobile phone to the lowest possible.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hitesh- thanks so much for chiming in. Yes! The laptop brightness turned all the way down! A classic migraineur trick of the trade- and yet one that makes us all feel so very much more connected at its mere mention. Glad you're with us. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
dn2292 Member
My accoutrements to be worn any time leaving the house: Sunglasses blocking 95% of light Gunmuff ear protectors Baseball hat I stand out from other peeps It’s a joke with the wife.....I carry more stuff than she does!! But I have it down to a science if I need to get out.
1. dn2292 Member
 Doesn’t help I’m 6’1 male so no chance of blending in LoL 😉 But ya do what ya gotta do, Props to everyone here!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Dn2292- You paint quite the picture! Love it. I wish there was a way for us all to be able to identify each other out in the world. Perhaps gunmuff ear protectors is the way to do so! Thanks so much for sharing and for being a part of our community. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).