The answer won’t be the same for everyone – in fact, it won’t even be the same for every attack. But what if someone asks you this question? Are you ready to give an answer that will help them really understand?
It is very helpful to have a bit of an “elevator speech” to use if someone asks you about your condition. That will be a little explanation – about 30 seconds long – that gives them an idea not only what migraine is, but what it is for you.
We’ve talked many times about the strange and varied symptoms of migraine. Why not take a look and think about which symptoms affect you most? Which are most “disabling” or disturbing? How does migraine change your life on a day to day basis, what emotional impact does it have?
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting that you meet-up with a migraine. We’ve done that more than enough, thank you!
No, a migraine meet-up is a special kind of get-together that’s being promoted by our friends at The Migraine Trust.
Recently, the Migraine Trust ran a poll of 1000 people with migraine. 90% said that migraine leaves them feeling isolated – no surprise there, really.
However, 75% also said that they avoid committing to social events because of migraine. 5% said that they miss social events once a year due to a migraine attack, 41% said once a month, and 34% said once a week!
So not only is migraine linked to depression, not only does it make one feel isolated, it’s also keeping us from getting together with people – which further causes deterioration in health (including mental health).
So what if we turned the tables on our annoying Cousin Migraine and used migraine as an excuse for a get together? Well, it might not be for everyone. But basically the idea is to have a little party, giving people a chance to ask you questions about migraine. If you want, The Migraine Trust will actually provide you with a kit, and you can use the get-together as a fundraiser as well.
And don’t do all the prep yourself – invite a friend to make things as easy as possible.
The kit includes tips, a quiz (a great conversation starter!), baking ideas, even little cake flags. It’s a great way to go if you live in the UK.
If not – take the ideas and have your own meet-up wherever you are! If you want to give people a chance to fight migraine, suggest a donation to the Migraine Research Foundation – an excellent option worldwide. Just email them for information and templates.
If you’re doing a Migraine Trust Meet-Up, be sure to send a picture or two in for their special gallery!
Here’s what one woman had to share about her Migraine Meet-Up experience
“What I realise is that the Meet-up offered a really special opportunity to openly and honestly share the experience of migraine, to create something enjoyable and positive out of migraine and, importantly for me, to have a way of thanking those people in my life who really ‘get it’ and support me.”
A meta study was completed last year and just published, which yet again confirms the connection between migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS). It’s nice to know you’re not alone, but what can you do to actually fight these frustrating symptoms?
What is RLS?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke begins their explanation of RLS this way:
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them. Symptoms commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening hours, and are often most severe at night when a person is resting, such as sitting or lying in bed. They also may occur when someone is inactive and sitting for extended periods (for example, when taking a trip by plane or watching a movie).
Many people can immediately identify with that explanation. So if you’re suffering from both migraine and RLS, what are some key things that you can investigate?
Treat both migraine and RLS – don’t ignore either one. It will help both you and your doctor if you think about both conditions. There may be treatments that can help both. Medications taken for one may make the other worse. And treating one well may actually help fight the other.
Take a close look at the medications and supplements that you take. This should be done with a specialist familiar with RLS and migraine. Some medications may make RLS worse – such as Reglan, Benadryl, Largactil, Prozac, and Compro.
Watch out for caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. Again, discuss the options with your doctor. Consider cutting out nicotine, and keep your afternoons and evenings caffeine-free. But you may need to completely avoid all three.
Moderate activity. Both migraine and RLS can be triggered by sudden, vigorous activity. But try starting with some mild stretches and a half-hour walk in the evening.
To bed – to rise – at the same time. Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule, which can be beneficial in both conditions. Avoid looking at screens before bed – see if you can find one of those old fashioned paper books. A warm bath may also help.
A balanced diet – beware of processed foods and sugar. There are many reasons why these may make migraine and RLS symptoms worse.
Other treatments and medications. There are many specific treatments and medications for RLS that people have found to be helpful. If your condition is moderate or severe, talk to your doctor or a specialist and consider your options. But remember, make sure your doctor is aware that you also have migraine.
Thanks to Adrie from South Africa for this question about migraine attacks around the time of her menstrual period (ask your own question here!).
First, a quick definition, because it is important for treatment. There are two classes of migraine here. One is menstrually-related migraine. This is when attacks occur at least 2/3 of the time day -2 to +3 of your menstruation, but attacks also occur other times of the month.
Keeping track of daily activities and symptoms is very important in menstrual migraine.For the purpose of this question, however, we’ll focus on pure menstrual migraine, in which attacks occur 2/3 of the time day -2 to +3 of your cycle, but at no other time. (Here’s a summary of menstrual migraine in graphic form.)
There is no doubt that hormones are related to these attacks – but, surprisingly, just how they’re related is a bit of a mystery. The theory that we should simply be able to adjust hormone levels to solve the problem has not been the silver bullet.
Adrie is actually already a ways down the road searching for treatment, but hopefully we can help her or some other reader consider some options that haven’t been investigated fully. And remember, we’re speaking more generally anyway, because we will not diagnose a specific case here (even if we had enough information, which we don’t).
But first, the “treatment” that should not be tried – hysterectomy. Dr. Robert Cowan explains well in his book The Keeler Migraine Method:
In the past, doctors tried to modify this trigger through hysterectomy but today we know that hysterectomy will not improve migraines and can in fact make them significantly worse. Hysterectomy causes chaos in estrogen levels, estrogen receptors, and the chemicals that estrogen modifies. A migraineur’s brain does not like chaos. It likes things nice and regular and predictable.
So what are better options? Here are a few:
All-month Lifestyle: If certain things make your attacks worse, don’t fall into the trap of being careful only when the symptoms start. Even something you do days before can impact your symptoms. Are you eating properly? Getting enough sleep? A healthy diet and balanced lifestyle overall can improve things significantly.
Drug options: Taking an abortive even before the attack hits, or early on, can help you avoid the migraine monster. NSAIDs are commonly prescribed. One of the most helpful targeted migraine drugs is frovatriptan, taken twice a day for five days starting two days before you expect your menstrual cycle to begin. Here’s a quick summary of other medications.
Hormone Replacement Therapy: If I understood correctly, this is something Adrie is trying, but so far without success. This has helped many women, but again, it’s not the solution for everyone.
Contraceptive Changes: If you’re using a contraceptive that’s affecting your hormones, there are a number of options you could try, either to help narrow down what’s causing the problem, or to alleviate symptoms. For example, trying a low-estrogen pill, or investigating other forms of contraception.
Hydration: Dr. Angela Stanton, the “Queen of Hydration” thanks to her book Fighting the Migraine Epidemic, discusses in detail systems of hydration for migraineurs. Jumping of current research into the reason for menstrual migraine, she suggests that the female brain needs more “voltage” to run the menstrual cycle. Her suggestion (along with her full system that you can read about in the book) is to prepare 5 days ahead – no sugar, and more water (along with more salt). In her system, that would be an extra glass of water and an extra salt pill a day.
Preventative Medications: Preventative meds should be used cautiously with pure menstrual migraine, because they will affect your body 24-7, not just once a month. However, in severe cases, doctors may suggest a preventative.
Supplements: Adrie has tried some supplements without success. But some of the top ones include magnesium (and if one doesn’t work, try another – see Which Magnesium Supplements Work?) and vitamin E.
Other Treatments: If drugs can be avoided, or fewer drugs taken, that’s a better road to travel. Some excellent treatments include biofeedback, massage, deep breathing, and essential oils.
Final note: Keep a diary. Keeping track of your attacks is extremely important with menstrual migraine, even though you would think it isn’t. Some women find that, for example, when they give into a premenstrual craving, they make symptoms worse. Dr. Cowan, mentioned above, gives one story of a patient that illustrates well the need to keep track:
Partial triggers may show up in association with other triggers. For example, I had a patient who got her most severe headaches when she had her nails done during her period but not at other times. It took her about four months of journaling to pick this up. When she changed salons to a place that didn’t use heavy lacquers, she was fine.
Menstrual migraine is a difficult beast to fight (see 8 Reasons why Menstrual Migraine is “different”). But there are good solutions out there. Feel free to leave a comment, letting us know what has worked well for you!
