MY HEAD HURTS, Redux

This is a repeat post from May, 2008. I had (am still having) one of these crazy migraines starting around noon yesterday. I was trying to explain it to a colleague, this is easier.

I'm not kidding - it realio and trulio HURTS! I had another full blown migraine with aura today. I'm just now able to look into the computer screen and it started around noon. I won't look at this screen for long.

The last time after I had one, I collected these images to write about them. The following image describes it well. It starts in my eye like a black spot or wavy spot - like heat waves. Then it starts to spread like a backwards jagged bright C. It gets larger and larger until it completely blocks my field of vision. This is usually in my right eye and my right arm goes to sleep with the needle prick feeling. It lasts about 20 minutes. I know that I have those 20 minutes (which I can't see through it to walk or drive) plus 15 more before I get a brain crushing headache that is totally and completely debilitating.

This image shows the color of it better. It is like a bright light. Twice it has been very colorful like a rainbow.

My headaches can last from a few hours to three days. I never know. I must get to a quiet dark place. There are some days when this is impossible. Like TODAY!

If I take Imetrex (which I ALWAYS have with me) during the first onset of aura, I can cut the time drastically. After four hours, I take two Excedrin every six hours until it's gone.

I mostly know what my triggers are, but I don't have a clue what caused it today. Red wine, peanuts or peanut butter, too much chocolate will usually do it. I have NO IDEA what triggered this one - and I haven't had one in MONTHS~

I'm not writing this to get sympathy, but to explain how they look and feel. I know a lot of people with much worse illnesses or that get these more frequently than I do, so don't waste your sympathy on me. I'm thankful that I don't get them very often, maybe once every quarter or 90 days.

Another point that's new, my fifteen-year-old son inherited these from me. It makes me sad, I wouldn't wish these on anyone especially a young man trying so hard to be normal in the first place. I didn't have them as a child. His neurologist says that ours may be hormone triggered - mine shortly after my last child, his - at the onset of puberty. I hate this for him. He gets them much more often than I.

Here some really cool Migraine Art - Isn't it interesting how pain, sorrow and other strong feelings bring out the beauty in artists and musicians?

Migraine Art - The New York Times > Opinion > Slide Show > Slide 9 of 11