Your Tips: Out for the Day
Now depending on how chronic your headaches or other symptoms may be, a day out of the house may seem like an ordinary thing or perhaps a great challenge. Some of you reading this only have the very occasional migraine attack. Others have regular though not frequent phases of cluster headache attacks. Others may have headache symptoms all the time.
So taking all that into account, here’s the question. How do you prepare for a day out of the house? What do you take with you? Do you plan ahead to eat at certain times or stop and rest every once in a while? What do you put in the car, or in a backpack or purse? Is there anything you plan to buy along the way? What plans or items have been the biggest help to you?
Think about this too – what do you bring in case of a migraine or headache attack, and what do you bring that may help you avoid a headache or migraine attack?
Leave your comments here our on our Facebook page, and share ideas that will help us all! 🙂
25 August 2011 @ 3:25 pm
If I am planning a day with extra activities I take half a 0.5mg lorazepam in the morning. This seems to relax me without causing drowsiness and keeps me from getting stressed. I take cold water with me to stay hydrated and a hat if I am going to be exposed to the sun. If possible I return home by late afternoon for a 20 minute rest or try to find a quiet place to rest while away. Since I am sensitive to food triggers I usually bring some safe, non-perishable food with me, e.g. a hard boiled egg, some rice crackers and an apple.
25 August 2011 @ 4:02 pm
When i go anywhere (walking, to the shops etc) i always have three aspirin in my bra and haveplenty of water on me in case a Visual Aura starts so it will help till i get home, I eat before i leave home as i dont usually eat anywhere as i stay away from every food known to cause migraines. Not many cafes, clubs or diners cater for this.
25 August 2011 @ 7:19 pm
I have to bring sunglasses, period. Even if it’s cloudy out when I leave, it could get bright and sunny later. And wearing them helps if I’m going to be around harsh fluorescent lights, too.
Also, I’ve learned the hard way to bring any medications that I might need in their original prescription bottles or packs. Always have a big water bottle. Last and most important is a fully charged cell phone.
27 August 2011 @ 11:59 am
I have to pack a bag, in order to prepare to head out for any amount of time. I always carry my migraine abortive and nausea meds and some granola bars in my purse. I also bring a bottle of water, my neurostimulator programmer, my daily meds, sunglasses, and a list of current meds/med sensitivities/etc… I try to think ahead about when to eat because I get very weak and lightheaded, when I haven’t eaten for more than a couple hours.
People don’t seem to understand that I can’t just run out of the house at a moment’s notice. I need to have a few minutes to gather my things, first.
29 August 2011 @ 10:31 pm
Jamie,
Do you have the Stimpath? If so, how much has it helped you? Did your insurance cover it? Did you have it done at Ascendant Neuro? I have been researching this and it is expensive, so I would really love feedback from someone that has it, other than the patients they post on their website. Are you the Jamie from My Migraine Connection? Can you email me? sherryledford@hotmail.com
Thanks so much!!
31 August 2011 @ 12:25 pm
Sherryl:
I do have the Stim Path, and went through Ascendant Neuro. I’ve sent you an email with some more information. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have… I’d love to help!
28 August 2011 @ 5:34 am
I always have my abortive and anti-allergy medicines in my person whenever I go out. As others do, I always have water or a fruit. I also have candied ginger, a packet of nuts, and plastic for vomitting in my bag. I switch bag so often so all of them are equipped with all the things I need on a day out (i.e. sunglasses, meds, medicinal goodies, plastic bags, etc.)…It is difficult to plan ahead so I don’t make appointments with friends and I bade them not to plan on visiting me or including me in any thing because it adds to my frustration of not being able to go out. I always say I’ll just pop out of the blue and when that happens, just think it was only yesterday we met (when actually it was weeks or months). I get tired after an hour or two of walking or looking at things or hearing people talk. If I did go out with a friend, that friend has to be the relaxed type. I know its unfair for my other equally lovely friends but that’s just how life evolved when my headaches got chronic. Four or five years ago it was not this bad. When I am in a shopping center, I find the least busy floor and be in a corner trying to regain composure or listen to classical music in my MP3 player. I only shop when I wanted something for my kitchen. Nature walk is my thing; I love foraging for food (like now, it’s mushroom gathering time). If worse comes to worst, I must have the possibility of a ride so I don’t venture more than 10 Kms. far from home.
9 September 2011 @ 8:58 am
I always try to have at least one Zomig in my purse in case of sudden migraine attack, if not one or two other meds for nausea and inflammation. I find that Alleve works very well in conjunction with other migraine meds. I have been tested for allergies and was found not to really have any allergies other than dust (which everyone is somewhat allergic to). In any case I have found that the nasal allergy medicine of Flonase when used with Saline Solution at least twice a day help if I am in a cluster migraine phase. I also highly recommend using essential oils in a diffuser pot, when soaking in a hot bath, or even diluted and rubbed on temples. The essential oils (Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint are great for headaches) help to keep me calm and relaxed which is of utmost importance because becoming overwhelmed, anxious, and in tears serves no purpose whatsoever except to make the migraine worse. I also find that if I can turn to supportive people and STAY AWAY from the negative people I fare much better and do not go into victim mode. I hope this helps someone.
23 September 2011 @ 3:11 pm
I make sure, first thing in the morning- to take my Neurotin (which I take 3 more times throughout the day- at 4.5 hour increments). I make sure to follow my nutritionists meal plan to a T. I try to stay away from windows from the hours of 12-3 if I have no time to sneak in a snack (this is my migraines favorite time to “surprise” me).
I always carry with me a little bag full of my Imitrex pills, and injections- as well as HeadOn (it helps temporarily and I can then focus on classes). I also pack other things- such as eye drops, anxiety meds, and allergy meds (to prevent too much eye strain, stress, tension headaches, and sinus pain- which all cause migraines for me). I constantly have a bottle of water with me- and a small snack in-case-of-emergency.
I also carry/wear sunglasses with/on me everywhere. I may look weird, but I have had to wear my sunglasses to get through a class in college (I feel very awkward- but it’s better then almost vomiting from the light)
I wish I could carry a small pillow with me or a cold compress… or a small dark room that is odorless and soundless… but you know how it is- I can’t fit EVERYTHING in my purse!
2 November 2011 @ 12:33 pm
I take my daily magnesium and B-2, have more magnesium with me, since taking it when I feel one coming on can sometimes abort it, and never, ever, travel without my Relpax!!!!
9 November 2011 @ 6:34 am
I am glad to know I am not the only one who prepares for the day as though I am heading into battle. I get about 20 headaches a month…which means basically all month long every day migraine has a grip on me in one way or another. I am a nurse and working as such takes a huge toll on me. How do any of you work when migraine or the possibility of migraine is a part of your day? How do you prepare for the work day? I keep my zomig with me but I can’t take it while at work…I take all the preventive steps but nothing can prepare you for the extra stress, the odors, the fluorescent lights, the noise, etc that work entails. What do any of you do to help with migraine and work?
12 May 2015 @ 7:18 pm
I get 22-25 migraines a month and some are pretty bad. I work full time and have had my suicidal moments. The love of my children have kept me going. What I discovered to help me through is odd. I dance, and I dance hard. Every friday and saturday night, I go out at 9:30pm to a live band with flashing lights and I pop my 2- T-3’s (no alcohol) and as long as I am moving and lost in the music, I am not thinking about the hurt. It is not until the music stops at 1:30 am and the pills wear off that it hurts again. I’ve been doing this for a year and a half and I’ve gotten incredibly fit and I crave the adrenalin to keep me going. The next day I hurt again, but I nurse myself back to do it again. In other words, what I do is plunge right into the eye of the storm.