There is a slow, almost meditative mindfulness that comes the day after a mirgaine.
A quieting. A simplifying. A cautious, measured pace.
I step lightly – quite literally – throughout my day.
I woke at midnight with the feeling that I might possibly die from the pain in my head. (I realized this morning how rarely my headaches live up to true migraine potential. And for that I am so glad.)
Last night, however, was the real deal. A wild storm had torn through our valley and I woke just as the storm broke and the clouds cleared.
Was it the storm? The pressure? Or something else?
Who knows. I never know.
But Pete was still up and heard me stumbling about and brough me ice and essential oils and remedies and a pail in case I threw up. He took good care of me and soon I somehow fell back to sleep. I woke this morning feeling tender and sore, but mostly better.
Thank goodness.
And still. It lingers on. Sometimes the feeling, sometimes the fear of its return.
So I always take it slow.
The day after is not a day for busy.
After Pete left for work this morning the kids and I read a few extra chapters of our book in quiet voices, then made tea.
When they felt frisky they would run out into the yard, into another round of rain to get rowdy.
They get it. I wish they didn't have to, but they do. And I appreciate it so.
Then we walked to the creek to see what messages lasts night's wild storm may have left.
They splashed and tossed mud while I sat on the bank in silence, just watching, then wandered into the moist woods to listen for birds.
So today is slow.
No phone, and but a moment on the computer. Dishes waiting. Laundry waiting. Garden waiting.
And I realize – it's not so bad, really.
The journey was ugly, but I've landed in a place of quiet presence that only comes after a taste of misery.
Love,
Rachel
I understand your migraine pain, Rachel, and the day-after feeling of slowness and relief. I spent last weekend in bed with one, and felt I missed out on my family. I feel very helpless and weak, as if it is something I should be able to manage, and I think that adds to the problem too. Sometimes I just have to give in to it, accept that I need to lie in a dark room and do nothing else. Do you mind sharing what remedies you use, please?
I just sat down to look up a doctor when I decided to check your space first. I too woke in the night this past week with a pain in my head and neck so strong that I actually said good-bye to my husband, not knowing what was to come. I get headaches often, but not as sudden and painful as that one which lasted in a weaker form for 6 days. Today again I’ve been in bed and am so angry and saddened at missing out on a day. Perhaps you, or any of your readers, could share information that may help.
I’m very sorry for that, I had a strong headache from Sunday to Thursday, and now it’s just very light, it’s terrible, but yes the appreciation of no pain life is so renewal.
I wish you’ll be better.
Yep. I feel raw and open after my migraines. Almost as if my senses and emotions are heightened. I would love to read which oils and remedies you use, I try to knock out the pain with Tylenol and Aleve but nothing helps the nausea except sleep (brain reboot I call it). All the best to you.
Me too this week, Rachel. I am finding that they are coming quite frequently this pregnancy and I almost always have a lingering headache. Quite frankly, it sucks. But, I am embracing the quiet that this is requiring from me, and moving slowly, just doing my best.
I too, fully understand. Migraines make me forgetful and my speech jibberish. My senses are heightened and i lack any degree of strength. I do take medication when i get a migraine but i also thank goodness for lavender oil. It soothes and calms me, a good friend! I hope you have recovered. Kind thoughts to you and yours.
Rachel, you totally blow me away. I seriously want you to write a book. Thanks so much for all that you share. I wish you healing from this pain.
Feel better~Ms. Rachel:) I do not suffer but I know of others who do and any holistic way of coping would be a boon to them.
OK – so I am an America economic refugee, and now live in Calgary , Alberta, Canada. At some elevation, on the plains. We have winds that come through the area called Chinnooks, and they do something to the air pressure – I don’t know all the details, but I do know I suffered, A LOT. Until the doctor gave me a formula to ease Barriatric Pressure Induced Migraines. I don’t know if that is a real title, but it is what he called them. Here is the recipe – 6 – 8 servings of water a day, 50 mg of Fever Few twice a day, 200 mg of vitamin B2 (Ribolflavin) twice a day, 150 mg of Magnesium, twice a day. I haven’t had a migraine in 2 years. Maybe this will help you?
Thank you so much for this! I know the day-after fog so well. I often even feel a little lightheaded, which forces me to slow down. Everyone’s comments too have given me a touch of comfort and ease for the anxiety I get about my headaches. When will the next one be? Will it strike in the middle of our camping trip? Will I be left disoriented and slow on a day I need to be on top of my game? For me, the trigger is clear – stress. Each one is a reminder that I have to be gentle with myself. I can’t run at the same speed as many others around me. A hard truth to swallow, but if I can remember to embrace it, I can look forward to a pain-free life. If only I could remember…
Stress plays in for me too, but never acts alone. So good that you know your trigger and can live a life to stay pain-free (mostly).
This is wonderful and I suspect just what I am needing. Thank you Mason. I’m going to give your protocol a try. I’ve had success with feverfew before, but never complete. This magic combination might be just the thing. Thanks!
How sweet you are. Thank you Rita.
I rub a blend on my temples and neck that I make for my LuSa line – it is peppermint, rosemary, and ginger. Energizing Essential Oil).
http://www.lusaorganics.com/ginger-rosemary-peppermint-essential-oil-blend-p/eo-energizing.htm
Some people swear by Lavender (like Karen below) but for me Lavender makes me want to throw up when I have a headache. As for other remedies, Belladonna homeopathic helps a lot for many. For me it isn’t enough and I tend to also take to aspirin or Advil. Hope this helps you!
There are some great ideas below, Amanda. Feel well over there.
I replied to comments from the bottom up today (still brain-foggy I guess) but if you look below you’ll see some of my remedies plus those of other readers!
http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/2010/04/natural-migraine-care.html And great suggestions here as well! (In the comments.)
http://lusaorganics.typepad.com/clean/2010/04/natural-migraine-care.html And check out comments here as well, Amanda.
I know that taste of misery, and the hushed feeling of quiet and slow after the storm. Take it easy, as you say, it’s not so bad, really. Laundry can wait! 🙂
I am so sorry that migraines are part of your life and hope that the after effects of your migraine have dissipated today.
At one point in my life, I felt that “all roads led to a migraine”.
During the maximum pain part of my migraines, I am singularly focused on minimizing pain, and all of my senses are so heightened that all inputs cause more pain. Stillness in a quiet, dark, fragrance-free room is the only thing I can tolerate. As the pain wanes, I am aware that I still can’t put thoughts together. Forming meaningful sentences elude me. My speech is clearer but slow. My mind has trouble retrieving what happened before and during my migraine. It is a very frustrating time that can last for a while, and, if I’m not careful, the balance can tip back to that pain filled place again.
Triggers can be barometric pressure changes, food sensitivities, chemical sensitivities (chemicals, perfumes, cigarette smoke), flickering lights (think of flickering early morning sunlight in the winter as you drive by a stand of leafless trees), head colds, sinus headaches, dehydration, overheating, hormones, hunger, and stress. Oh, in July right when our garlic needs to be harvested, something also triggers my migraines. So, we harvest late…every year.:)
In the past, sometimes two hot cups of caffeinated tea, 2 cooked eggs, and two acetaminophen could head off some migraines. Other times, when the trigger is histamine related, Ecological Formula’s Tri-salts work. SCD electrolyte drink helps when dehydration is the cause. Sometimes, my head needs hot water bottles. Other times, my head needs cold water bottles. Still other times, I don’t know, can’t “catch it” in time, and the passage of time is the only remedy.