seeking joy in a life with chronic migraine, chronic daily headache and chronic illness
Wait-and-see-if-it-goes-away is my method of dealing with house problems. Not because I want to see if a minor issue will develop into a major problem, but calling someone and meeting with a service person is an exhausting proposition when you have a migraine all the time. So yesterday when Hart told me the shower was… Continue reading Trying Ritalin for Migraine Prevention… and Loving It
Exactly one year ago tomorrow, I had a massive breakdown. Sobbing, I proclaimed that I wanted out of this life. I didn’t want to fight anymore; I didn’t want to live with chronic migraine any longer. I even wished for cancer so that I could choose to not treat it, thus dying without technically committing… Continue reading 2012: A Year of Remarkable Personal Migraine Progress
These migraine attacks are kicking my ass. One after the other and, while not terribly painful, they are persistent and exhausting. Two weeks ago I was sure my new diet was helping; now I think I was unreasonably optimistic. So I’m in the constant questioning of a chronic migraineur: Can I identify a trigger of… Continue reading The Constant Questioning of a Chronic Migraineur
“Immensely frustrating” sums up my experience with the migraine diet I began in January. It seemed to make no difference, but I haven’t known for sure because the high dose of magnesium I started a few weeks later did help. Reintroducing foods is nearly impossible as I can’t tell if any particular one is a… Continue reading Revamped Migraine Elimination Diet: Avoiding Histamine & Salicylates
“This too shall pass” is a phrase people rely on to help them through tough times. It is one I often employ when a severe migraine spell lasts so long that I cannot see a way out. As I’ve learned through mindfulness meditation, it also describes the concept Buddhism calls “impermanence.” The trick is that… Continue reading Bad Migraine Spells Don’t Last Forever — Neither Do the Good Ones