Migraine Musings and Metaphors

I deal with migraines on a pretty consistent basis - and today is one of those days.  I felt it starting last night (it literally feels like a big brick with spikes is is crawling up the back of my neck).  Despite efforts to the contrary - it arrived this early morning.  Of course the hot dog I ate last night loaded with those tasty nitrates didn't help, but I was at a ball game.  Ball game = hot dog.  It is a universal law that those two things go together.  Amen.

Why am I writing then?  It is too painful at present to do nothing and rest.  It's easier for me to keep my mind engaged till the Imitrex kicks in (if it does).  In this stage of the migraine event - I do things to avoid the pain - drink coffee, thumb through magazines, wander around adjusting pictures, writing in the blog...  Unfortunately, avoiding the pain now doesn't necessarily prevent it from having to be "gone through" later.  Sometimes, going through it teaches you how to deal with it the next time and the next time...



During the migraine event itself - depending on it's "personality" - it is a real challenge to exist.   My migraines have different personalities.   Some cause sensitivity to smell, some light, some touch, some noise, some cause extreme nausea, some knock me out so hard I don't even remember getting through them.  They last between 12 hours and 72 hours - again depending on the  "personality".   During that time, unless I can intercept with Imitrex, I need to go through it and come out the other side feeling better.  Going through usually involves a lot of sleeping, ice packs, sometimes a bit of writhing, and just plain praying for the pain to be done. 



Just before an event concludes - the pain is the ABSOLUTE worst.  I have named it the "spike" and it can be wretched.  I can't sleep, eat or move around.  It is basically sitting as best as possible and waiting for the end of it.  Nothing can soothe this phase - it just needs to pass. 


But then - (cue the white heavenly light) - it starts to stop and "lift"...as if almost by magic.

When the migraine is over - the pressure empties, the brick and spikes disappear, and my head feels a rush of (what I perceive to be) cold air filling the vacuum of the spots that hurt so badly.  It is peaceful and refreshing.  The pain evaporates into the ether and there is this exhausted but wonderful "high" that fills in the gap where the pain was.  This transition wipes out any remaining energy I have, but it is such an awesome conclusion to such a nasty time.  There is such serenity in knowing that the pain is gone, and I can return back to my "normal" self (hahaha).   The sleep following a migraine is like being wrapped up in a big thick down comforter with big fluffy down pillows, like 5 of them...

As with migraines and other things, sometimes, the only way through the pain is to go through the pain.  As Winston Churchill once said, "when you are going through hell, keep going."  Feel what you are feeling, don't avoid it, but face it, learn from it, and know that it will soon be done.  And then, on to the plush down comforter (and perhaps some really good macaroni and cheese - yummy). 


The pill isn't kicking in yet, and it appears I am into an event.  Time to gird the loins and get going through it so it can be done before Friday.  That topic for another entry.


To all who are getting and going through pain - I wish you the best.  Carpe Diem, migraine and all...and so it is...