Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
Hopefully, I am getting over a 3 day migraine. Spent most of the last 2 days inside, cancelled a invitaion I had. I took my meds which helped, but as usual I feel like I look like hell and still am spacey. I really wanted to get out a bit anyway, to get a few things at the local Menards. It's a short drive, but the lights in the store seemed too bright and felt the dazed an confused feeling. Got my trash bags and at the register the clerk seem to keep staring at me. I almost asked her why, but I really didn't want to know.. I headed to me car and thought I really must look bad. I was kind of puffy I thought. A few years ago when walking the dog after a migraine some wise guy said hangover eh? He chuckled, I don't even drink. Maybe I am just over sensitive but I feel like hiding out. Anyone else have these things happen.? This is a vent day
I had a migraine Monday, Wednesday, Thursday,Friday and Saturday of this week. We had a 2 year old grandchild's birthday party to go to last night. Yesterday afternoon, I could not shake off the druggy feeling. My daughter says until my migraine is over, I look white as a ghost even with makeup.
My concern about going to the party was having to deal with our DILs family. They are wonderful people but there were going to be 12 kids mostly under 5 plus I would have to talk intelligently with people and yesterday (and today) I was having memory issues. So I tend to hesitate when I am speaking, as I look for a word.
My husband went to the party and I stayed home and vegged (watching more Haiti coverage). It put my life in perspective (at least I have all the prescription medication I could ever need).
Recently, I have found if I take an Ibuprofen and Coke early enough, I don't need a prescription pill. Yes!
So anyway -I don't go out with a migraine unless it is to see a very close friend or my own kids who understand. Otherwise, my husband runs any errands that are needed.
I read in a migraine book that our migraine doctor should give us (in advance) ER direction on paper so we can give it to the ER doctors and they know how to best treat us.
Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?
And yesterday someone says, "You sure looked like crap this morning." So, no, you aren't just imagining it & I like to hide from those looks, too.
That's my vent for today! I might be dumb when the pain hits, but give me some credit for those random days without pain.... :)
I hope that yours is clearing up and you're able to be free for a while! :D
I wonder if these same people would go up to someone in a wheelchair and ask why they are too lazy to walk, or why some one with some other ailment doesn't take time to look better. It is obvious to me that these unkind people are beyond help. We must pity them for they are the ones that are really bad off.
This morning I planned to go to a Bible study and managed my migraine at 6:30 so it seemed like by 9:00 I would be OK. I was getting ready and my curling iron stopped working. Now, let me tell you, my hair is perfectly straight without a curling iron and hair spray. I look dreadful. I was a little panicked and then wondered if I could go at all due to flat hair.
THEN I thought of the people in Haiti AND the commentators there. How does Anderson Cooper still look like he could be on the front page of GQ in the midst of heat, no air conditioning, death all around, hunger, panic, etc. I decided I had nerve to complain (to myself).
Within moments, my curling iron started to work again just long enough to get my hair presentable.
At this moment, I have a new curling iron.
My point is, we as a people put way too much emphasis in our looks. We all do it.
I have a friend in Denmark who said - anyone who bleaches their teeth there are thought of as being very vain. Probably 70% of my friends have bleached their teeth.
I don't think any of us are going to change the thinking of the people in the USA but it is interesting how much focus we have on appearance.
I am prone to migraines, but I have never has one last multiple days. I never realized that they could last that long! I either go to sleep, or vomit, and then the migraine goes away.
AndrewtheCanadian
Starkeeper, to answer your question...when I look really pale and have blood shot eyes, people just ask me if I'm tired. I look at them with this far away stare (because I can't really see them through all the pain) and just sort of say, "uh, no I'm in a lot of pain". For some reason nobody wants to hear any more. They just walk away.
I'm always surprised that my friends don't even ask if I need any help or anything like that. I mean sometimes I could use help getting to my car or help carrying whatever I'm carrying. It seems so selfish for them to ask me a question, get an answer, then walk away. Where's the kindness? I get tired of this. I'm venting too.
I honestly think people just don't know. If they really understood they would help you in a moment.
I have a friend whose feet were deformed at birth and she is in constant pain. She never complains. But to anyone who doesn't know - we have no idea her feet are deformed nor about the pain.
As a friend I am absolutely guilty of not helping her enough. I truly didn't understand.
I know I look fine...really. Well, most of the time. I wear makeup and fix my hair. On really bad days I usually don't go anywhere. So when they see me I look ok most of the time. But if they looked closely they could see the pain because I always have a headache.
Where is the compassion? Where is the help. Where is the shoulder to cry on. Oh, I know. It's here on the DS board! Yeah, you understand. But can all of you come here and paint my walls? LOL Oh, right...I have a husband to help me. He understands because he knew me before the pain came on.
I want my old life back. Whine. Vent.
"God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
by Reinhold Niebuhr