migraine-ology
So, politics and history aside, I’m still doing research. I’m just researching additional information: migraines.
Before you think you know what migraines are all about, don’t. They’re not ‘really bad headaches.’ They are actually a neurological disorder. It sounds all creepy and horrible, and it can be, depending on the level that you’ve had.
Migraines are largely hereditary. Most people don’t just develop them out of the blue. And, they have more to do with than just head pain and nausea. I, unfortunately, suffer from a rather high level of pain, and a disorder aptly named ‘complex confusional migraines.’ Basically, what happens is that they are complex in that they can spawn from any minute pain and are complex in nature, causing a great number of side effects. They are confusional because they literally send crazy messages to your brain and cause debilitating side effects, such as temporary paralysis.
I can usually detect when they are coming on full-blown now, and have only experienced full-out CCMs 3 or 4 times in my life. The countdown to them, however, I have experienced more times than I care to count. The beauty is trying to prevent them, of which I have been through many medications (and still working on them) that will be the right fit. Onset meds are also helpful. The one that I lean upon heavily though is only in emergency situations, because I have to give myself a shot. The kicker? I hate needles. Since I’ve had to do this, I’ve completely had to sympathize for those that have to take insulin shots. Needles… ugh.
Anyway, part of the research that I’m doing has to do with food triggers. I’ve had more frequent and intense migraines than I’ve had before, and I eat much better than I did in high school. But, many of the food that I eat are on a suggested triggers list. Part of my history has been to kind of go the eat-good-carbs, don’t-eat-bad-carbs direction. But, I fear that artificial sweetners might be the death of me. So, after examining this list, I’m going to have to see a dietician it seems to keep from yo-yoing with the whole thing.
Or, I can go vegetarian. Or actually, to be more precise: vegan. Dairy and egg products are also on the trigger list. The thought of going vegan seems great to me, until I look at a menu at a restaurant or think about a family gathering and see how difficult it might be to actually do it in the South. The South revolves around good meat… I mean, barbecue is our claim to fame. And, I’m not gonna lie, I love it. I just don’t know if I can give it up. That’s my only beef with going vegan. Ahhh, puns.
Stress is also a contributing factor in my case. And because I’m not big on breathing exercises, I’m joining into the yoga classes at the rec. I mean, for me, the OCD schedule freak, it’s great. They meet at the same time 3 times a week. It’s fabulous!
But seriously. The migraines are seriously interfering with my reading and are part of the reasong that I headed back to Alabama, because they were literally putting me in the hospital every few months (ask Sassy). So, for now, I’m trying to find a good situation that will help minimize these monsters.
Just a peek into everyday life for me, the Muse.
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