The Art of the Migrane
New Jersey is a tough state. Tough weather. Tough traffic. Tough people. Tough animals even (bear and bobcats somehow get into urban areas).
Although I like some of the characteristic things of tough Jersey (such as the people and food), I am not a fan at all of the weather here. I hate being sick. I'm the sick person that is dragging herself to clean the house to "beat" the sickness in a stubborn way. Therefore, Jersey saw the need to plague me with migraines here. I never knew what a migraine was till I lived in Jersey. A few days after arriving we were sitting in mass and I got tunnel vision and heard a ringing sound. After a few minutes I was totally paralyzed by the pain. Thank goodness the Chef is a human head specialist and knows how to help, but even he can't make migraines magically disappear.
Last week I sat in the closet of my work for an hour thanks to a migraine.
It was humiliating and so when I felt the symptoms of a migraine starting yesterday I booked home immediately. Here is what I have found works to ward off or soothe a migraine:
1. Know your symptoms they are like warnings that a tornado is coming and you need to get underground. You have about 20 minutes to prepare.
My symptoms are tunnel vision and bright spots in my vision and some ringing.
2. Get coffee ASAP. Caffeine helps minimize the impact, for me at least.
3. Get to a place where you don't need to move for a while (like a tornado).
4. If the migraine hits, close all the windows and make everything dark. The fresher the room the better. If it is hot, migraines (mine at least) get way worse. I have these curtains that totally block out light.
5. Cuddle with a cat...or dog....they will keep you calm.
I find that eating crunchy and salty food helps if I am in the middle of a migraine. Foods I found to be the best are:
1. Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese. The sharper the cheddar the better.
2. Pickles
3. Avocado toast with lots of salt sprinkled on top
I think there is something in the motion of eating that helps relieve the neck muscles that get stiff.
Although I like some of the characteristic things of tough Jersey (such as the people and food), I am not a fan at all of the weather here. I hate being sick. I'm the sick person that is dragging herself to clean the house to "beat" the sickness in a stubborn way. Therefore, Jersey saw the need to plague me with migraines here. I never knew what a migraine was till I lived in Jersey. A few days after arriving we were sitting in mass and I got tunnel vision and heard a ringing sound. After a few minutes I was totally paralyzed by the pain. Thank goodness the Chef is a human head specialist and knows how to help, but even he can't make migraines magically disappear.
Last week I sat in the closet of my work for an hour thanks to a migraine.
It was humiliating and so when I felt the symptoms of a migraine starting yesterday I booked home immediately. Here is what I have found works to ward off or soothe a migraine:
1. Know your symptoms they are like warnings that a tornado is coming and you need to get underground. You have about 20 minutes to prepare.
My symptoms are tunnel vision and bright spots in my vision and some ringing.
2. Get coffee ASAP. Caffeine helps minimize the impact, for me at least.
3. Get to a place where you don't need to move for a while (like a tornado).
4. If the migraine hits, close all the windows and make everything dark. The fresher the room the better. If it is hot, migraines (mine at least) get way worse. I have these curtains that totally block out light.
5. Cuddle with a cat...or dog....they will keep you calm.
I find that eating crunchy and salty food helps if I am in the middle of a migraine. Foods I found to be the best are:
1. Ritz crackers and cheddar cheese. The sharper the cheddar the better.
2. Pickles
3. Avocado toast with lots of salt sprinkled on top
I think there is something in the motion of eating that helps relieve the neck muscles that get stiff.
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