Migraine Hell

Share
Tweet
Pin
Alright y’all, this was absolutely NOT ACCEPTABLE. If you read my post yesterday, you know that I got my first-ever migraine over this past weekend.

(And I’m apologizing right now because there was absolutely no way that I was snapping pics on Saturday. I could barely move, let alone take photos!)

I barely ever get headaches, let alone a migraine, so this was something entirely new– and unwelcome– for me.

It began as a mild headache that I had carried throughout the week, but I assumed it would go away. However, as the morning progressed, it grew into a ridiculously painful pounding inside my entire head. I’ve read that migraines often effect one side of your head more than the other, but that was not the case for me. My entire head felt like it was going to explode!

Source

Pretty sure this was inside of my head. Seriously.

I shut off all the lights, closed the blinds, and turned off the ringer on my phone. I drank some coffee after a few of y’all suggested that caffeine would help, but alas, it didn’t help. I also tried putting a cold compress on my head, but again, no luck.

The worst part? I literally had NO IBUPROFEN anywhere in my house! Like I said, I never get headaches or anything, so I never have a need for it. However, I was cursing that problem because the pain got so bad that I was seeing spots and could barely open my eyes. Driving to the store to buy some Ibuprofen was not an option!

Finally, around 4pm, I caved and called my parents. My mom has some prescription Ibuprofen from her surgeries and I bribed them to drive it over to me.

HALLELUJAH. After 1000 mg, it finally subsided and I felt human again. Of course, by then I was totally exhausted so I just went to sleep, but at least I was pain free!

********************
Alright y’all, seriously: do you get migraines and/or headaches??

Any idea why this might have randomly happened?
My dad thought maybe it was because I’ve been staring at my computer so much more due to my thesis. Definitely possible!
Do you have a tried and true cure??

Share
Tweet
Pin

Heather Balogh Rochfort is a freelance writer and author with a focus on outdoor adventure, travel, and fitness. Colorado born and bred, she loves backpacking, trail running, backcountry skiing, and packrafting, especially with her husband, one-year-old daughter, and lovable rescue mutt Tally.

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Migraine Hell

Alright y’all, this was absolutely NOT ACCEPTABLE. If you read my post yesterday, you know that I got my first-ever migraine over this past weekend.

(And I’m apologizing right now because there was absolutely no way that I was snapping pics on Saturday. I could barely move, let alone take photos!)

I barely ever get headaches, let alone a migraine, so this was something entirely new– and unwelcome– for me.

It began as a mild headache that I had carried throughout the week, but I assumed it would go away. However, as the morning progressed, it grew into a ridiculously painful pounding inside my entire head. I’ve read that migraines often effect one side of your head more than the other, but that was not the case for me. My entire head felt like it was going to explode!

Source

Pretty sure this was inside of my head. Seriously.

I shut off all the lights, closed the blinds, and turned off the ringer on my phone. I drank some coffee after a few of y’all suggested that caffeine would help, but alas, it didn’t help. I also tried putting a cold compress on my head, but again, no luck.

The worst part? I literally had NO IBUPROFEN anywhere in my house! Like I said, I never get headaches or anything, so I never have a need for it. However, I was cursing that problem because the pain got so bad that I was seeing spots and could barely open my eyes. Driving to the store to buy some Ibuprofen was not an option!

Finally, around 4pm, I caved and called my parents. My mom has some prescription Ibuprofen from her surgeries and I bribed them to drive it over to me.

HALLELUJAH. After 1000 mg, it finally subsided and I felt human again. Of course, by then I was totally exhausted so I just went to sleep, but at least I was pain free!

********************
Alright y’all, seriously: do you get migraines and/or headaches??

Any idea why this might have randomly happened?
My dad thought maybe it was because I’ve been staring at my computer so much more due to my thesis. Definitely possible!
Do you have a tried and true cure??

Heather Balogh Rochfort is a freelance writer and author with a focus on outdoor adventure, travel, and fitness. Colorado born and bred, she loves backpacking, trail running, backcountry skiing, and packrafting, especially with her husband, one-year-old daughter, and lovable rescue mutt Tally.

21 Comments

  • Reply Janine@ThePurpleGiraffe at

    Ugh, I used to get migraines a lot… chiropractics has REALLY helped!

  • Reply mymarblerye at

    maybe you had a tension headache since it was around your whole head? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tension-headache/DS00304

    Always keep motrin in the house!

  • Reply Kayla Carruth @ kpLoving It at

    I’ve only had one in my entire life….and that was enough to last me a lifetime. It was a worse possible scenario because I was at work…..working in a ICU with all the bells and whistles isn’t exactly the best place to cure a migraine. It started as a mild headache and tension in my upper back and progressed to me whispering report and having Patrick come pick me up from work. I couldn’t even eat that night because the sound of chewing in my head was too painful. I went to sleep with a pillow over my head, since any outside stimulation was too much to handle.

    My brother used to get them often, and my SIL still does, she takes prescribed meds for hers….someone once told me chiropractic’s worked for theirs, but I don’t think there is a flat out “cure”, since everyone has different triggers. I recently read an article that said exercise helped reduce the occurrence of migraines in a group they studied. 🙂

    Hope yours was only a one-timer like mine!

  • Reply Kierston at

    A hot shower or bath has always helped! Sleep for sure. Talk to your Doc should this be more recurring.

  • Reply Jillian at

    Ah migraines. Now there’s something I’m all too familiar with, except mine are a little funky (lose vision in one eye or the other, slurred speech, right hand usually loses a whole heck of a lot of motor skills, and I forget really basic things like how to unlock my car). I used to have mine 2-3 times A WEEK, so my neurologist stuck me on medication. Now I get one maybe once every 2 months.

    It took me a long long time to figure out my trigger, but mine is flickering lights. Stick me under some lovely fluorescent lights or strobe lights for a few hours without my medicine in the past 24 hours and I’m a wreck (and yes, that makes being a cubicle dweller so very difficult). Things that help me are avoiding caffeine (chocolate included), artificial sugars, and energy drinks. There’s some theories that keeping up a strong vascular system can fend off migraines, and oddly enough it seems to be true, so keep as active as possible when you’re feeling up to it. As for computer use, try to use your computer under well lit daylight or incandescent lights.

    As for what to do if one does strike, the moment the first symptom hits (mine is lines in my eyes) start popping ibuprofen. You can take up to 800mg of the OTC stuff every 6 hours I think, so that’s what I do. And sleep it off. Don’t fight it.

    Hope you’re feeling better!

  • Reply Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl at

    I’ve suffered from migraines my entire life. I’ve taken every test possible, seen dozens of different specialists, and tried every pill possible. Some people are just more susceptible to them then others, and the triggers are different for each person too. There really isn’t any great medical explanation as to why they happen either, which is frustrating. But after dealing with this my entire life I can tell that it’s not necessarily worth trying to figure out a cure, rather figure out what the triggers are for you so that you can be somewhat prepared.

    Hope you’re back to your usual self.

  • Reply Bean at

    Sorry to hear you were feeling bad. Hope that was a one time thing.

  • Reply Neon Blonde Runner at

    Oh Heather, I am so sorry to hear about the misery that you had to go through!!!!!

    I’ve never had a migraine (and just like you, don’t even usually have issues with headaches) so I can’t even imagine what it must feel like. However, I’ve had lots of patients with bad headaches and friends who have experienced migraines.

    I’ve hear fioricet sometimes helps, it actually has a little bit of caffeine in it, which always seems funny to me.

    Anyway, hope that this migraine stays away and that you’ll be back to good in no time. I bet the stress of the thesis was trying to take over your brain!

  • Reply Julia at

    blahhhhhh. mirgraines are the worst. my mom finally just gave me a few of her prescription migraine meds to keep with me because i used to get them so much. pretty much i just have to take one of those and go to sleep! i am sorry to hear you were feeling so badly…hope everything is better now!

  • Reply Lena @Fit on the Rocks at

    That really sucks to hear, but I’m glad it finally went away after your parents brought you meds! I’m like you and rarely ever get headaches. I don’t think I’ve ever had a full-on migraine, but I can probably count on one hand the number of times I had a semi-debilitating headache. Definitely not fun.

  • Reply Alyssa at

    Sounds like hell, I am so, so sorry you had to go through this! Knock on wood, I haven’t been there, and hope I never will be. I know they can be debilitating, so I am very impressed that you still got your run done Sunday. Fingers crossed that was a one and done for you!

  • Reply mindy @ just a one girl revolution. at

    Aunt Flo brings me a migraine pretty much every month. Like has been mentioned before, it’s (unfortunately) a very individualistic thing, but what generally helps me is caffeine, LOTS of water, and sleep/staying in a dark room. I hope you don’t get any more – they’re the worst!!

  • Reply Carrie at

    Wow, migraines really suck, my condolences. I get headaches pretty regularly, but migraines only occasionally thank goodness.

  • Reply Meredith Dare You To at

    Oh nooo so sorry. I get migraines and they’re AWFUL. There’s no way to even describe the pain. In fact, what makes them different from headaches is that in a migraine, all your brain’s pain-receptors are activated in overdrive, so everything from a tiny noise to a crack of light will bring piercing pain. So bad, so badd…

    For me, I always keep Excedrin in the house. It has a coffee cup’s worth of caffeine in it, plus the pain relievers. For me, that’s a lot because I don’t drink coffee. Excedrin seems to always do the trick. I also have a different med from the doctor for at night, caffeine-free. And then, yes, just close the blinds and silence your room, and lay in the darkness. Usually I’ll take the medicine, curl up in bed, and then an hour later or so when I wake or feel I can get up, I take a shower and feel better.

    Everyone’s triggers are different; could be anything from a certain food (soy) to a certain exercise… anything that’s a change in your normal routine. I hope you figure out yours! Good luck.

  • Reply PavementRunner at

    Eeek. I am so sorry. I, like you before this, have never expereinced one. I have no suggestions, but just wanted to send some positive vibes and well wishes.

  • Reply Julie at

    I’ve only had one ever…and like you that is plenty. Mine didn’t subside until I finally vomited. The worst. I have much symathy for anyone who suffers from them. Glad you are feeling better.

  • Reply Claudia at

    OMG, you poor thing. I’ve had migraines since high school so I know how bad they can get. You made a good call with closing the blinds. I usually make sure I eat something heavy enough to take Excedrin. Luckily this usually works for me but I have to take the medicine and then head straight to bed. The sleep, meds and dark room so help me out. Lately, I’ve been getting headaches more often (I also stare at my computer for 10-13 hours on any given day). I would suggest trying to take breaks away from your thesis. The combination of staring at the computer and possibly stress could be a huge factor.

  • Reply Rach @ Girl on the Run at

    Sorry to hear! I’ve never had massive migraines before. Hopefully this was just a one time freak thing!

  • Reply Jamie at

    Sorry that it got so bad!

    I’ve had really bad headaches a few times and I just go to bed. I don’t take pain medicine, although with running injuries that has changed a little bit. I’m glad your parents could help you!

  • Reply Ali Mc at

    That sounds terrible. I hate migraines. Can I ask if you’re on the bc pill??? I had to go off mine b/c my migraines and the pill went hand in hand. = not good.

    It could be the computer but migraines are so weird, they come from nowhere.

  • Reply Suz and Allan at

    Oh Heather, I’m so sorry. Migraines are terrible. I get them and the bad ones leave me completely useless and locked in a cold, dark, quiet room for the day.

    • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.