So today (yesterday, by the time you’re reading this) I had a weird medical experience. (I’ve been having a lot of weird medical experiences lately, come to think about it!) I have diagnosed myself with a migraine, but since I’ve never had one before, I’m looking to you, interwebs, for confirmation of this.
I woke up in the morning feeling nauseated and sick to my stomach… just not right. I slept in for a while but had to go to work for a few meetings. Everything hurt – my skin was sensitive to the touch, and walking seemed like an insurmountable chore. I don’t remember having a headache at that point, though. I went to one meeting, slept in my car during my lunch hour, and then went back for three solid hours of meetings, during which is was almost impossible to sit still. I was so uncomfortable! I did not get the friendly co-worker of the day award. After that, I went to get Sam and drove home, although I had a hard time deciding which sounded worse – driving home, or waiting another 50 minutes for Andy to come pick me up. Anyway, when I got home, I turned on a TV show for Sam and went straight to bed. Andy and Kate got home 10 minutes after we did, and I didn’t wake up at all. I didn’t wake up for another two hours, actually, but when I did, I had the worst headache I have ever had in my life. Andy and the kids had gone to Subway, and I couldn’t bring myself to get up out of bed to take medicine, even! Not long after that, Andy stopped at home and brought me Advil (I insisted on taking 4 against his recommendation!) and took the kids to the park. I went back to sleep, and by the time they got home, the medicine had kicked in and I felt so much better. I feel like a new person now.
After some googling, I have determined it was a migraine. Do you concur, Dr. Readers?
Yes, it was a migraine. Next time, at the very first sign do the following three things: 1) take Advil (4 is fine- I used to take the equivalent of 8 on an RX when I first got migraines), 2) have a diet coke, 3) have some protein (Honestly, a cheeseburger from McDonalds is proven to have the best results). I spent 5 years with non-stop migraines so I know a thing or two. 😉
Ah, I knew it! I will remember your action steps the next time this happens. And I might just have to have a McDonald’s cheeseburger for lunch, just to be on the safe side 🙂
Thank God I have outgrown my migraines for the most part, but I do this if I ever feel one coming on and it works great. The advil is obvious. The diet coke is because you want a little caffeine- it helps the blood flow to the brain. And the protein seems to be the added kick that helps it all come together. I don’t know why those little cheeseburgers work so well, but they do! And, obviously, if you can- lie down and take a nap! Make sure to wear sunglasses when you go outside because a migraine can make you very sensitive to light.
I have them, I think, but not as severe as yours. Mine are due to TMJ and neck problems. I will be going to the chiropractor as soon as I get back to Ohio. Massage therapy also helps. You might try chiropractic (you know a good one!) as, with your busy schedule, your muscles are probably tight as can be. I know for sure that can lead to terrible headaches. I know Mackenzie gets them. Maybe she will weigh in on this.
That’s interesting – I’ve noticed my jaw being super tight again when I’ve woken up this week. Thanks, Aunt Diane!
You definitely had a migraine. I don’t get them quite that bad as that but they are bad enough I can barely function and advil does nothing. Ask your doctor for Fioricet. Before you go thinking of my college years and writing off my advice (which some of my activities would have cured whats ailin’ ya…I’m just sayin’…), it is a mix of tylenol, caffeine, and a small pain killer. It doesn’t jack you up or anything and it kicks even the worst headache in the tuckus. They give it to pregnant ladies so it is pretty safe.
I have migraines for men, aka, cluster headaches, which are different. I feel your pain, only my remedy is different. Here’s my story, and a shameless plug for my blog!
http://www.rednecklatte.com/2011/06/this-is-a-cluster/
UP
Bobby takes 3 or 4 Advil immediately when he has one coming on. It almost always works. I am so sorry you had to go through your day feeling like that yesterday. It sounds absolutely terrible! I’ve had a handful in my life, but they are usually hormone-related and involve more visual disruptions and just PAIN in the head than anything. I can’t imagine the skin thing!! Ouch!! I’m glad you are better today!
Definitely a migraine…. LINSLEY and I both have them—she is on prescription meds for hers. A few ways to avoid: drink 11-12 cups of water; avoid caffeine; exercise; sleep 8 hours a night;
Also we carry meds with us all the time–the sooner you get them in you the better; take the meds with a high sodium drink ( sports drink is best); be careful because caffeine can make them worse–you never know if it will help or not; and a salty snack! We also keep peppermint oil in our purses–run on forehead; temples; behind ears and bottom base of neck at first sign of headache. My first sign is eye blurriness….not pain.
They are rough….rest!!!! And pray for healing! 🙂
that definitely sounds like a migraine to me as well. another good idea besides the ones suggested above is to keep a cold compress pack on standby in the event of another attack. the cold compress + lying in darkness & silence can be effective in some instances.
i myself am a chronic migraineur (i currently average 27 migraine days per month). you can read about my ‘story’ here [http://www.cisforcouth.com/2012/10/01/chronic-migraine-my-invisible-illness/]. im on a host of prescription meds, and 90% of them don’t work. my most current prescription cost a whopping $340.99 for NINE pills, and that is WITH insurance!