Myigrefreshrefillrehydraterelieverestaine.

I know!  You are asking what in the world is that word, and what does it mean?  Well, if you break it down, it means My migraine needs the 5 Rs: Refreshing (peace and quiet), Refilling (food), Rehydrating (drinking water), Relieving (what comes after drinking water), and Rest (self explanatory).  (My-ig-Refresh-Refill-Rehydrate-Relieve-Rest-aine.)   

I have had serious headaches (migraines) as long as I can remember.  Mother told me many times how, as a toddler, I would stop dead in my tracks, grab my head, and start screaming.  The doctors just told her it was “her way to get attention” and said I would eventually grow out of them.  Well, they were wrong!  They continued into my teen years, when it was rare for me not to have one EVERY day, into my early adulthood, giving me one that lasted SIX WEEKS until the doctor finally gave me something to knock me out for a couple of days, and now into my senior years, when they still are more than a nuisance to me.  Over the years, I have had various doctors prescribe things for me that “will keep you from having these migraines.”  Again - WRONG!  I did get a little relief as a trade off when I started taking medicine for Asthma.  Guess the improved oxygen flow and blood circulation helped.  I have given up on going for help because it’s a waste of my time and money.  On the positive side, they have decreased in frequency, but not in intensity when they do present themselves.

When Russ and I married, he didn’t believe headaches were a real thing, much less migraines.  He claimed to never have had a headache in his life.  When he was in his 50s, he finally admitted “My head hurts.  Is that a headache?”  It didn’t last him long (thank goodness because I don’t think I could have survived HIS pain!), and he didn’t have many (at least that he admitted), but that one time was enough that he finally understood the agony of “headache” and they ARE a real condition.  I envied the fact that he didn’t have enough experience before then to understand us, the headache suffers, really and truly are in pain.

So, why am I writing about migraines today?  The simple answer is that I am on the third day of my latest migraine.  Thankfully, it has been weeks since my last one, but this one is making up for the absence.  This one hit virtually without warning (as most do) and it quickly escalated to the point that the people around me began to notice something was wrong by looking at my eyes. 

Mother could always tell when I was not being truthful if I said I was OK when I had a migraine.  My eyes give me away.  They get “weak” looking, the pupil gets like a pinpoint, and don’t actually focus well.  She knew the signs because her eyes had temporarily crossed twice from a minor headache, even though she didn’t have actual migraines.
                   
I am extremely grateful that I don’t have the type migraines some have.  I normally can go on with my normal activity (even if a little slower and with more difficulty) and don’t have to close myself off in a darkened room or have the vomiting that some have.  I’ve always thought I can continue my daily activities because I have had them for my entire life and gotten used to the sensation of throbbing pain.  In fact, for years I thought it was normal.

This one HAS knocked me down a bit.  I have cancelled two activities so I could stay home and not have to deal with getting dressed or with people.  Yesterday, I took the medication I keep on hand for vertigo (mainly because it helps me sleep), stayed as quiet as possible, and wrapped a stocking leg around my head Indian style (which has never failed to ease my migraine).  I am better this morning.  The throbbing is almost gone, the pain is slighter, but I still have trouble concentrating.  Even typing is more difficult for me right now and taking much longer than normal.  I think I will cut this off for now and go get my stocking headband.  I think I need it again.

Hope all of you have a good day and may God always bless you!  Thanks for being my friend!  (An inside joke with a few of us.)