Tips

"I’ve tried everything!"

No, actually, you haven’t.

All right, I understand the frustration of those who have tried one thing after another for years with no relief.  Many of you have even been told by a doctor that there’s nothing left to try.  But the truth is, you would have to live a very very long time indeed to really try everything for migraine or chronic headache.

The list gets even longer when you start to think "3D".  You see, many people (if not most) that I talk to who have found relief haven’t found it in just one thing.  They use a combination of things.  All right, so vitamin B2 didn’t make a big difference on its own.  But along with a preventative medication, it makes aa difference.

Or, how about biofeedback and an occasional abortive medication.  Or a combination of three supplements.  Or changing your diet and taking a preventative.

To really get serious about getting rid of your symptoms, you need to start thinking 3D.  This can be a challenge – the combinations are almost endless, and sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s working and what isn’t.  But that’s why websites like this one are here – to bring to your attention some of the latest research and best results.

This week, shift your thinking – don’t be afraid to look at combinations.  Maybe each thing alone makes a 1% difference – but together it could be much more.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better.  Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge.  Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

Recently I missed – yes, missed a 1% Thursday post.  I’m sorry, but these things happen.

It got me thinking.  Those of us with chronic illness miss many things.  Sure, we try to fight the symptoms, "make do", simplify, plan ahead, make alternate plans, but no matter what there are times when things are simply missed.

We can acknowledge that it’s disappointing.  We can use it as motivation to find other solutions.  Maybe it’s partly our fault, and we do need to apologize or make restitution.

But there comes a time when we just need to let it go.

And it starts with a personal attitude.  You know what, I did my best.  Or maybe I didn’t.  But it’s past now.  And that means I need to move on.

And after the personal attitude, there comes a time to be apologetic to others.  Yes, I missed this deadline/event/whatever.  I was sick.  Don’t tell me what could have happened, or how terrible the results are.  Just tell me where to go from here.

It’s going to be a lot harder to "go from here" if I first take the time to load up with all kinds of heavy baggage – the could-have-beens, the I-should-haves, the punish-myself-sufficientlys, the look-who-I’ve-let-down-nows, and of course the poor-mes.  That stuff gets heavy after a while!

No, there comes a time to drop all the luggage and just go to the next step.

This week, when you miss something, or can’t do something, or don’t live up to someone’s standards (including your own), here’s a suggestion.  Sure, do the fixing and apologizing if it’s needed.  See if there’s anything that can be done better.  But then move on, and don’t let anyone try to load all that baggage back on you.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better.  Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge.  Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!