Living with Migraines

Wanted to take a moment to wish all the other moms here a happy mother’s day. We had a family celebration last night so I feel like I’ve had a head start on the celebrating.

I used Frova and seemed to keep at bay the usual monthly migraine. Last week I slept wrong on my neck a few nights which triggered some headaches and pain, but I got through that. It’s hard to manage my sleeping posture unless I somehow get myself to sleep lightly and evaluate my posture throughout the night. This, however, leads to fatigue which - well, guess what happens when I’m overly tired…

I feel really down today, and some of it is work stress. Some days I just want to escape from the entire world and sequester myself in my safe little home. But the world doesn’t let that happen, and it means I’m not dealing with whatever needs to be dealt with. There are always lessons to be learned, but sometimes I just don’t want to learn them.

I think the stress of last week is fading somewhat.  Either I’m dealing with it, or I’m in denial.  Either way, I feel pretty good this weekend as far as my head goes, and for that I’m grateful.

We almost had rain today.  It was drizzly and misty outside, but we never made it all the way to actual rain drops.  I’d like to see some rain, but tomorrow’s forecast is sun.  Oh well.

Delegating - delegating is hard to do when you think you could do the job yourself in half the time, but you know you need to  empower other people to also take on some  ownership of projects and leadership.  I find that managing people from a volunteer position is not necessarily something that I enjoy.

Southern California is ablaze once again. Please take a moment to hold everyone affected in your thoughts - those evacuated, those losing their homes, the firefighters - everyone. It’s so scary out there.

The Santa Ana winds have kicked up something fierce this morning.  There are two fires burning in LA County and it is hot and dry outside, even at 9 o’clock in the morning.  We’ll see what effect, if any, this has on yours truly.  I hope the fires an be contained quickly.  Wild fires are always so scary, especially when we have this kind of wind.

There’s something about the end of the week - but not necessarily the weekend - that gets to me.  It’s worth exploring, because I’m sick of Thursday and/or Friday feeling yuck (three guess how I’m feeling right now).  I actually think this one is more cyclical and have my Frova out and ready to go, as planned.

I took some time today to stop and watch the birds in my yard.  We actually have a fair number of varieties that like to visit, and I often see them in pairs these days.  Hawks, hummingbirds, sparrows, mourning doves and a couple others that I’m not sure of - they’re soothing to watch.  One stopped to take a drink from the fountain I filled up and plugged back in yesterday.  Very cute.

It’s nice to have time to stop and watch the nature right in my own backyard.

I ended up taking another maxalt Tuesday late morning, and after an hour and a half or so, it started breaking that migraine for good.  I made it to the ballet class Monday night, and in some ways it was a good class because I just didn’t care how poorly I did.  I knew I was feeling kind of rotten; I knew my muscles were tense; all that mattered was that I was there, moving and trying to have some fun.  In the end, I had a good time and tried some things I might not have tried on a more ‘cautious’ night.

Still need to make a doctor’s appointment.  I also need to go in for a fasting blood draw (unrelated to migraine, just something my new general practitioner wants for some baseline data).  I ought to do that tomorrow, since Monday I’m back to work.

Speaking of work, I’ve been having nightmares, and I think it’s because I brought work home with me and haven’t even touched it yet.   Well, I have touched it, but only to move the pile from location to another. ;)  See what a procrastinator I can be?  Sigh.

I ended up not seeing the doctor last week, as he had to reschedule his appointments.  I haven’t set the new appointment yet, but I’m guessing it will be a couple of weeks before I go back in.  (That is of my choosing, as I have to travel a bit to get to the clinic and like to try and have appointments coincide with other times I’ll be in that area.)

I’ve got a long drive ahead of me later today.  I’ve already got one stop planned to get out and stretch.  I find that two hours is about my limit before I need to get out and move, or else my neck and shoulders start tensing up and I’m headed for trouble.  I stocked up on some snacks and bottled water, and we’re ready for the trip.

I had a fantastic class Friday night, and the endorphins were flowing for hours afterwards!  What a great feeling.  I still am seeking ways to go more than once a week.  I may not be able to do it week in and week out, but even or two weeks a month would be better than nothing.