Migraines

I started having migraines years ago, prior to Fibromyalgia, so I don't think the two are linked for me.

My first migraine wasn't long after we were married {maybe a year or two}. We were driving into Chicago to visit my aunt and her family at Christmas time. I was having a bad headache but took some Ibuprofen and thought it'd go away. Not too long after arriving, I ended up in the bathroom throwing up due to the intense pressure in my head. Which of course was really embarrassing and we left shortly after. {My aunt was so sweet about it all, I'm so glad!} I did some research later online to figure out what was going on, and for the first time started learning more about migraines. I'd never known they could be so rough!

Then a couple years later I started seeing auras around my eyes at work, and lost part of my vision suddenly. I had no other symptoms and it was really, really frightening. I went to a coworker nearby who was able to help me, got me calmed down, got me into an emergency eye doctor appointment, and after a couple of hours and an increase in symptoms, I learned I had a migraine. It was so strange to me because it didn't start out with any headache pains. Armed with medicine and a better idea of what was going on, I felt a little better. The rest of the day I had to wear sunglasses and keep my office lights off. I was really sensitive to lights and sounds. But I'm glad I knew what was going on and I just had to relax and slowly let it go away until hubster could come pick me up.

As a result of that, I was able to recognize it last night when I started suddenly seeing auras/rainbows in my eyes, and lost portions of my vision for a time. Within a half hour or so, the intensity of the pressure in my head was nearly unbearable.

I took an Excedrin migraine, got away from sounds and lights, put a cold cloth over my eyes, drank oodles of water, propped up on pillows, and tried to relax. {Hubster got me set up with all of that, he was so so so great!!!} Unfortunately I woke up this morning with it still lingering and creating some intense pressure. It wasn't as bad as the night before, but still not good. It would have been better if I could have really slept. :-/ Thankfully it's dissipating more as the day goes on, and it definitely helped to take a shower and relax.

I had a very special visit from a friend and her son late this morning to help cheer me up, which was so very sweet. And now I'm curled up under a new, lovely, sweet blanket that's warm, cozy, and very special. :)

Migraines are invisible and hard to understand how sick they make people if you've never had it... just like with Fibro. It can be so frustrating to feel so sick but not visibly have any other symptoms. I'm irritated to not be able to be at work, after such a refreshing vacation I was actually really looking forward to getting back and starting up a new process for something today, so I'm bummed but it is what it is.... {yes, I crazy love my job like that!} But I also know the wisest thing for me was to rest and not push it too hard, especially with so many in my family getting so sick!!

Speaking of which... on one more sickly note, my brother was coughing up blood this morning, Jeremi got him to the hospital right away, and he was diagnosed with pneumonia. Man! Please pray everyone will feel better soon.