Comment by Ashley Clark on March 29, 2011 at 18:25

I absolutely hate migraines. But you're right. Aside from the nausea and dizziness, it's not hard to make the most of part of the day off. Just have to get through the hard part at the start. 

Sounds like you had a fantastic time though! Definitely going to have to shop around for some winter gear. Judging by the lack of summer, it's going to be a cold one..

While we're on the subject, do you have any tips for dealing with migraines?

 

Comment by Juz on March 29, 2011 at 19:04

Aargh!! I just wrote a huge reply and my computer ate it... I'll get back to you Ashley. Been staring at the screen for as much as I can at the moment.

Comment by Ashley Clark on March 29, 2011 at 19:21

Gah! Don't you hate that! Hope you feel better soon!

Comment by heather on March 29, 2011 at 23:21

I recommend reading 'The Migraine Brain: Your break through guide to fewer headaches, better health' by Carolyn Bernstein. I borrowed it from the SWAP Library Network that includes council libraries in Athelstone, Campbelltown, Norwood, Payneham, Prospect, St Peters and Walkerville.

Comment by Adam Williss on March 30, 2011 at 10:30

Congratulations on doing all of that with a migraine!

 

I am wiped out for at least 24hrs under intense pain when I get one.  No chance of any cycling stuff when I'm down and out!  Staring at the hallucinations under my eyelids whilst "trying" to sleep is the best I can hope for....

Comment by Juz on March 30, 2011 at 12:06

Thanks Adam. I figure I can feel like crap in bed or feel like crap getting some basic stuff done - I'm bound to spew either way :-) But this is after the halos have mostly left my vision too... early stages of the migraine fully cripple me.

I've learned ways ot reduce the frequency, severity and duration of my migraines though so (also in reply to Ashley), here are my tips for deal with migraines.  As they say, prevention is better than cure, so getting to know your triggers and warning signs is important.  Chocolate is a recognised trigger for many people (thank God not for me), but I know I am more prone to migraines if my back/neck are playing up (wry neck, exacerbated by car accident in 2003) so I keep semi-regular physio appointments which has reduced the frequency and intensity of migraines.  And I do some very very basic yoga stretches once or twice a week.  Similarly, emotional triggers exist -  I used to be guaranteed a migraine the day after I got seriously pissed off about something when I was a teenager, so I had to learn some emotional management tools.  People think that's an odd one for me to include for migraines but it's all about neurochemical balance.

As for warning signs, I get glowing halos in my lower right field of vision and go mostly blind in my left eye. The second I notice this, I take aspro clear (soluble gets into the system quickly) and if my neck is sore, I take a nurofen plus tablet for the anti inflammatory. I then know I've got a 30-40 min window to get to a darkened room with a bucket.  But, by doing this, it tends to reduce the length and severity of the migraine.

Keep taking pain meds of choice at the prescribed intervals, don't wait until it gets unbearable before taking another tablet.  Keep fluids up. Keep eating sensible foods, no matter how spew-worthy you feel (low blood sugar makes the migraine so much worse). Shield your eyes as much as possible - dark room, dark sunnies, towel over your head.

A lot of people like being in a cool room, but I'm the opposite. I get cold REALLY easily so I need to stay warm or my muscles tense up, making the migraine worse. That said, a cool, damp towel on my forehead is great if I'm snuggled up in a warm bed. This isn't quite the case in summer mind you. Fresh air is also really helpful but is exciting to manage when you need to be holed up in a dark room.

I also tend to drink copious amounts of tea, but that's because I believe tea solves everything.

 

In a nutshell:  Know your triggers and warning signs.  Treat triggers before they happen if you can or learn ways to manage triggers. Keep up the water, food & pain meds. Get fresh air.

 

It all sounds too simple but I've found that by sticking to this, over time, I've had to take less and less medication, less frequently and the migraines I do get are far more manageable.

Comment by Baron Von Thierry on March 30, 2011 at 12:57

I hate my butcher - never had a headach in his life, let alone a migrane!

Comment by Paul S (Maximus) on April 1, 2011 at 21:25

Hi all

Since I "discovered" medication called Imigran, I have not suffered the massive pain and vomiting associated with migranes. Its a prescription medication. You take it if you feel a migrane coming on and it stops it in its tracks. You feel like you have a bit of a hangover for a while, but you dont have the pain and vomiting. About 5 years ago, I was just about to finish skiing at Falls Creek when a migrane started. I had 2 hours before I was due to board a bus to return to Adelaide. I was NOT looking forward to getting motion sick with a migrane whilst sitting in a bus and vomiting!!! Went to the medical centre and they gave me an injection of a new medication called Imigran. It was not on the PBS at that time so it cost me a fortune, but it was worth every cent. Slept all the way back to Adelaide. It may not work for everyone, but I never go anywhere without an Imigran tablet in my pocket. Its saved me and my daughter at least a dozen times in the last few years. Have a talk to your GP.

Comment by Juz on April 2, 2011 at 13:17

Hey Paul,

I've been told about Imigran in the past, with people giving similarly good reviews of it. I'm not entirely sure why I'm hesitant to try it but for some reason I am.  I try to walk that fine line of 'natural remedies' that doesn't err on the side of 'witches' brew'.

I'm glad it has worked for you though - sounds like an absolute god-send to have been prescribed it in Falls Creek when you were. As I said too, I've heard it works well for a lot of people so definitely worth a shot if you need it :-)

 

Comment by Juz on April 2, 2011 at 13:22

Oh, I should add an addendum to my first post - when I said 'short ride', I mean SERIOUSLY short ride.  Around the block a few times, quite literally. Add to my migraine the fact that I've basically not riden in ~1.5 years and I think it was really a bout of migraine induced masochism/stupidity that got me on the bike.  Glad I did it but I promise you I'm an embarassment to the cycling community at the moment.

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