Anatomy of Migraine

Last night I went to bed with a headache. I woke up with a headache. I took some Advil right after getting to work … no effect. In fact it got worse.

Light started stabbing me … mercilessly.
Then I could smell a fly fart from three miles away.
Every little smell is magnified to something otherworldly.
Do people have to whisper so loudly?
Then my thoughts started to scatter. Not to the point of confusion but … not normal.
…and feel free to whip out the scatter brained jokes, I deserve them

These are the first signs I have of a developing migraine.

Then my eyes start closing trying to get rid of the light and the headache starts producing lightning bolts of pain with an ever increasing “no no no no …. no” to the generalized pain gaining a despotic hold over my grey matter.

Then my stomach starts trying to get in on the act. That’s when I know if I don’t get my tail home I will be throwing up in the car.

I say a quick prayer then a snarky tweet:

Mr. Migraine mockingly says, “How you doin’?” I throw a Bible and Advil
at him in response. Putting off world domination for a week or so.

So, I get in the car and I am worried that I won’t make it home AND I am out of my migraine medication. I took a risk and went a mile or so out of the way and just dropped into my Dr.’s office to get a refill prescription. The nurses are great and one even gives me a free sample of my migraine medication (Maxalt). Ms. GoodNurse said,”You go ahead and take that now so you can just go home. Get that prescription filled when you are feeling better.”

I could have kissed her.

I stopped at the corner grocery and got a Sprite Zero, took the medicine and made it home to go straight to bed. I slept for an hour. While I never took acid (voluntarily) before (remember, I was into “partying” a long time ago), my dreams were *crazy.* Wild series of some surreal scenes. One included Simon Cowell doing his American Idol deal of calling someone “dreadful” but … he had hair just like my Great Aunt Irene, God rest her soul. The woman dyed her hair double batch black for as long as I knew her. Dreaming of Simon rolling his eyes excoriating some awful singer … with that hair… was actually very funny.

I woke up feeling a LOT better. The migraine isn’t completely gone. I can feel it on the edge but I think it is in it’s last gasps. I thought about going to go exercise but decided to not push it.

Well, there you go. That’s the Anatomy of a Migraine (or at least my migraine.) If it weren’t for Maxalt I would be very miserable right now. I am very glad to be listening to rain and it be relaxing not tormenting :).

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Vicki 06/03/2008 10:21 PM 1 point
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hey, I'm so sorry about the migraine! Hope it goes away soon. (Whenever my head hurts, I can't deal with bright light at all) Anyway, take it easy. You should be back to world domination soon:-)

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Randy 06/03/2008 10:25 PM 1 point
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Thanks :). Glad you are following my twittered path to world domination :).

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Cindy Yesterday 02:20 AM 1 point
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My deepest sympathies, Randy, for the migraines. What great ladies at your doctor's office! Wow!

Have you ever identified triggers for your migraines? Sometimes knowing some of these will allow you to avoid at least a few migraines.

I don't like it when you hurt. :p

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Randy Yesterday 09:21 AM 1 point
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Thanks Cindy. I am getting better at identifying the triggers. I mean, the immediate ones like the sensations listed in the post but my doctor says he thinks it is a good possibility it is genetic (Mother and Brother both have them as regularly as I do) and due to stress. I have been working non-stop on some really tough projects lately so the stress induced would make sense to me.

Is that what you are talking about? ... or the manifesting symptoms? or both :).

And by the way, Akismet thinks you are spam for some reason. I am trying to figure it out but all of your comments are getting caught in it. So, if you comment and it doesn't show up immediately... that's why. I am fishing them out asap.

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Cindy Yesterday 11:28 PM 1 point
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The sensations you list in your post aren't triggers; they're symptoms or the beginnings of the migraines. Triggers are the things that set them off or help set them off. I've got a family history of migraines, too, although a different kind. Mine hurt and sometimes hurt enough to make me throw up, but they aren't as horribly painful as yours, from what you've written. On the other hand, I have lost vision, lost the ability to walk, passed out and had a seizure from them, so no, they're not very nice. :p It's ok. I'll take unconsciousness over what you deal with any day. :)

Triggers can work alone but often work in combination, and what may set off a migraine when you're stressed or tired may not phase you much when you're well-rested and skipping through life's tulip bed. Common triggers are cheese and nuts, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, petroleum or other harsh or chemical smells, bright light and loud noises. Flourescent lights, especially in malls or large stores will trigger mine, as will lots of video games or driving down a tree-lined road during certain times of day when the sun is shining very brightly, regardless of what I've been eating or how much I've been sleeping; these are things I have to be extra careful around. My doctor wanted to put me on permanent meds, but once I went to the trouble to identify some of my triggers and work to avoid/handle them, the migraines have really lessened in both number and severity. Hugely.

If you'd like some more info, I'll send you some of the stuff I've looked up, on the off chance that it might help. Are you feeling better today?

As for the spam...hmmmm. Trying an experiment. We'll see if it helps.

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Randy Yesterday 11:55 PM 1 point
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spam: Well whatever you did helped to not put it in spam but it still got stuck in moderation. Moderation is much better than spam because it at least tells me you are there :).

I would love some more information. I was thinking about it a little more today and it seems like when I get on the other side of a season of stress ... like when I start to wind down... blammo.

I know cologne triggers it unless it is all natural (very rare.) I can't do fluorescent lights either. But please send me the information. I would really appreciate it.

Today started off with pain like yesterday morning... I mean the same thing. I took another maxalt, which I hate doing ... I LOVE the no pain part but it makes me a little loopy. And it is a weird loopy. I don't feel high or anything but I get "scattered" is the best way to put it.

However, by mid-afternoon I could tell it lifted. Maxalt or not, some muscles in my head just do not "let go" until the migraine is done. They let go this afternoon and now I have the post-migraine glow thing happening. I even worked out.

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Mama 06/06/2008 03:14 PM 1 point
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It's called an aura and happens as a BIG ONE is coming on SO WHERE IS YOUR PREVENTIVE MEDICINE? That's what te doctors give it to you for. Love, Mama

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Randy 06/06/2008 04:20 PM 1 point
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My Mom? MY very own mother ... ::: blinking eyes ::: My mom left a comment on my blog?!

Awesome!

::: shuffling my feet while looking at my toes ::: I forgot to ask the doctor to phone in a refill of the script... won't do it again.

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Julie 06/06/2008 05:18 PM 1 point
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Listen to your mother! :)

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Randy 06/06/2008 05:26 PM 1 point
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Yes Ma'am :p

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Susan H 06/06/2008 06:00 PM 1 point
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Yep, Mama knows best. Hi, Randy's Mom! You have a very fine son in Mr. Randy Thomas and we hate it when he gets those nasty migrane's.

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Cheryl 06/10/2008 09:07 PM 1 point
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:::silly grin at thought of fly flatulance:::

I'm sorry for your migraine distress. Glad you're feeling better. Continuing in prayer.

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Randy 06/10/2008 11:11 PM 1 point
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:)

Thanks for the prayers.

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