I have had migraines since I was at least 16. And Migraines with aura from around that time too, however at the time I didn’t know it wasn’t normal to sometimes see colored flashing lights when you had a headache. A few different people sent me the link this week about the new band that is out that you put on your head to help keep migraines at a minimum. My opinion is still out. It kind of freaks me out that you aren’t supposed to use it for more than 20 minutes but then doesn’t go on to explain why not to.

“C”lue-A migraine isn’t just the headache. It’s the nausea, light sensitivity, the sensitivity to smell, the aura….and other symptoms people get. When I’m getting a bad one I can’t talk or think and my brain kind of shuts down. I can’t remember names, or get full sentences out. The other night I was getting one and didn’t realize it until Dan and I were talking and I couldn’t get some/thing out. I still didn’t get it until he asked, “Are you having a migraine?” There are times I have become desensitized to them. My pain tolerance is pretty high and I sometimes will block them out until the pain is so bad and it’s too late to take my meds. Speaking of meds…I take Imitrex to handle all the symptoms and and anti-inflammatory called Etodolac at the same time to help with pain. I have tried daily meds to help keep them at bay and the only thing that has seemed to help is actually magnesium. And that really just helps keep things like the aura shorter & and my bounce back time shorter, nothing for the pain.

“L”ink- The best doctor I have found? Dr. Robert Kaniecki with the headache center in UPMC. His office is amazing and there is over a 6 month wait to get in. If you think you suffer with migraines, he will help. http://www.neurology.upmc.edu/faculty/kaniecki.html

“T”hought-I have found that going to bed and sleeping at night with ice on my head truly helps keep the migraines to a lesser quantity. If I go to bed with one, ice on my head will help lessen it and even sometimes make it go away by morning. There is an ice pack brand that is called Cryo-max. I give it a 10 out of 10. Best one I have found and lasts 8 hours. You can buy at some drug stores and on Amazon.