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I’ve been wanting to write a little bit about my migraines because every time I post about them on Twitter, I usually get a deluge of well-intentioned advice and opinions, most of them off-base. Migraines are triggered by many different things, and some people don’t know what causes their migraines.
I’m lucky; I do.
I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders (like most of Americans) but the knotted up muscles begin to spasm, which triggers migraines. I have an admittedly horrible habit of writing while sitting on the couch downstairs, hunched over my keyboard, and then later wonder why I feel like crap.
They are treatable, thank goodness. Usually I take tylenol, an aspirin, and some caffeine if I get a headache during the day or a prescription migraine med at night. The bad part about this is I don’t respond well to caffeine; I get irritable, anxious, and distracted. The prescrip. meds just knock me out. The headaches have been getting worse in the past few weeks, laying waste to my productivity and my mood, so I’m taking drastic measures in the realm of preventatives. I’ve moved back into my office and am again trying to get used to my ergonomic keyboard with my laptop elevated so I don’t have to look down. I took steroid shots in my shoulders. I’m going for a series of massage and chiropractic treatment to loosen me up.
I’m glad I’m doing proactive things, but it’s really hard to shake the feeling that I’m looking forward to grabbing the laptop and going to sit on the couch so I can get some real work done….
So that’s the story of migraines and Mur, and how today, November 19, is the first day in a while I haven’t woken up with a headache. Been doing the ergonomic thing for two days, and saw the chiropractor this morning. I carry around a messenger bag that carries all my tech (Nintendo DS, Kindle, camera, Flip cam, Iriver – this is why Matt F’n Wallace calls me the Tech Magpie), three notebooks and wallet and keys, and I’m probably going to have to scale that down to something that won’t pull on my shoulders. I feel like a fragile flower here, but getting rid of these damn headaches are priority one.
In other news, thanks to all who donated to Doug Price’s burned house fund! The fund drive is ending early after just two days. From the site:
My goal was just to raise enough to get Doug through to until his insurance kicked in and thanks to you, the fans of the show, we’ve exceeded that point in just TWO DAYS!
I’ll get the story out to everyone who sent me their receipts some time in December! More info on the Dr. Floyd site.
Share and enjoy!
13 Responses to Migraines and Mur – and Doug Price fund update
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The Latest from I Should Be Writing- Scrivener review! February 3, 2012
- Fun website stuff February 1, 2012
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- ISBW Special #46 – Stonecoast Writer’s Residency January 30, 2012
- Notice- No interviews for a while January 30, 2012
It never ceases to amaze me how willing the podcast community is to help one of their own. I was going to donate tomorrow when I got my next paycheck.
Gratefully, it sounds like you suffer from relatively mild migraines where you are still able to function even at a reduced capacity. At least that’s what I’m getting from the blog post.
My wife suffers from pretty severe migraines where she is totally incapable of anything because of her nerves firing like crazy. MSG (aka yeast extract) is her trigger.
I’m glad you know your trigger(s) because you can avoid a migraine most of the time.
It’s a good thing to know.
As Abraham Lincoln said to the San Dimas High School, “Party On Dudes!”
I’m glad you’ve been able to find and kick some of the causes of your migraine headaches. There are ergonomic bags to carry techie stuff in, and I’d look at one of the “Healthy Back” etcetera sites or stores. Since you’re small-framed, you’d most likely have to try the bloody things on.
I’ve also found that general NLP/self-hypnosis relaxation exercises are very good for this (and having two fourteen year old kids is a trial at times). It’s either that, a fanny pack, or a little red wagon. You could set a trend…
Cheers,
D
Jason, yeah, mine are pretty mild, relatively, and sorry for your wife. I can get headaches that have me nauseated or, at worst, vomiting, but they’re usually not that bad.
Mur,
I suffer through the same thing and, while the trigger may be different, the result is the same… muscle spasms through neck and shoulders leading to migraines. Hang in there! You can work through it over time. It has taken me 6 years but I’ve finally got them under control. I wish they were completely gone but I’m happy to have them significantly minimized.
Normal headache meds, regardless how strong never really worked. The problem was the spasms and if I could get rid of those the migraines would go as well. Afer trying EVERYTHING IMAGINABLE… I finally got into a routine of using muscle relaxants whenever I felt my muscles begin to spasm. Yes, it would knock me out but it would also stop the vicious cycle before it got out of control. With my muscles relaxed… the rest of my efforts actually worked (massage, heating pad, not bath, etc.) At this point, I probably get spasms once a month but that is much better than the daily pain before. And the amount of medication I take is actually far less!
Yes, I know your situation is different but I thought I’d share anyway. I spent years trying to “cure” the spasms without much success. But aggressively “preventing” them was when I finally made progress.
But let me make one suggestion just on the off chance that no one (even doctors) have mentioned it. If possible, have an MRI done to check for a herniated disc. Yes, computer/office/writing work can cause it and even a mild one can “appear” like simple stress. Eliminating the possibility of a physical injury is important to knowing how to proceed. (again, you probably know this)
Sorry if I’ve rehashed info you’ve heard many time before. I comment because I care! Whatever path is best for you I wish you the best.
Michael
My sister gets migraines. She’s been to specialists. She’s had MRIs and CAT scans and they still don’t know what causes them.
I think it’s her ex-husband.
I get migraines, as do my brother and one of my sisters; both of whom get more severe ones than I. My experience is that it takes at least 1600 of Motrin to make a significant effect. Since I don’t get them as often now as I did in my thirties and early forties, it does make being in my mid-fifties a bit more tolerable.
Interestingly, mine seem to be triggered by (among other things) too much daily caffeine. Cigarette smoke will do it, too, which meant I was one of those people shouting “hoorah!” when smoking in the work place was banned where I live.
Not to sound alarmist, but there are very good reasons why doctors sometimes order MRIs, even if you think you know what causes your migraines. In my case, it’s multiple sclerosis. I get a little anxious when people self-diagnose their symptoms. Please everyone, even if you think you know what something is or why it happens, if you have a weirdo symptom that lasts awhile, get it checked out. That includes things like back/shoulder/neck spasms and migraines.
Mine are triggered by stress and/or lack of sleep and/or an over abundance of caffeine. Usually some combination thereof. Three days to fully get over it. I empathize. I wouldn’t wish them on my worst… wait… ok, maybe on my WORST enemy.
several years ago I heard of a development at McMaster University ,Hamilton <Ontario, Canada, which was supposed to interrupt the firing sequence in neurons which causes migrains, I don’t know if it was marketed. You might be able to find out more about it than my limited research skills.
Good luck. Hanoch Bernath
Toronto.
Hopefully I have found all of my migraine triggers. These include…
Lack of caffeine, withdrawl headache triggers the migraine. Which on the flipside, dehydration headaches or low blood sugar headaches also tend to trigger.
Any kind of artificial sugars which include, sorbitol, nutrasweet, half&half, even a sip of soda I can taste and I gotta tylenol up right after. Otherwise it’s a 3 day migraine bender filled with the fun of trying not to rub eyelashes together as the sound is too much.
hey mur!
I’ve had all kinds of headaches for years, including migraines for the past several.
I’m having extremely good success with acupuncture, after 16 years of headaches. i get the tension in my shoulders as well, and that has also let up, thank the good lord, because that would keep me awake all night even without a headache.
so i know, who wants to be pelted with advice.
But I couldn’t help myself. because i finally helped myself and i had to tell someone…
(and yeah i have ot avoid diet soda and MSG. and pepper. those kinda things you just have to find out the hard way)
well wishes
Mur
After 50+ years of migraine I’m now using an herb called “butterbur” that greatly reduces migraine… I now need fewer prescription drugs.
Best of luck Mur.