Being a mum (or a dad) is hard work, you get up in a morning and your day gets off to a hectic start as you hurry to get the kids ready for school. But what happens when you wake up with a migraine?
If you've never suffered with a migraine then you're lucky I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
A migraine isn't just a headache, oh no, it combines the pain of a headache with nausea, aversion to light, and feeling like you've had your energy sucked out of you.
If you haven't already guessed I suffer with migraines. They don't attack me daily but I get at least one every month. I used to suffer a lot more when I was on the pill but since stopping taking the pill the migraines' regularity has eased.
The thing about migraines is there is absolutely nothing you can take to get rid of them, that's the experience I have anyway. No paracetamol or ibuprofen ever works for me. The only way to get rid of them is to lock yourself away in a quiet, dark (VERY important) place, have a cold compress for your forehead, and try to get some sleep.
But how do you do that when you're a mum?
Having a supportive Hubby is a big help and when he can the Hubby takes over the school run for me. Like today for example, I'm suffering with a migraine and the Hubby took LP to school this morning so that I could go back to bed.
Over the years I've learned a few tricks to ease the pain of a migraine, here they are...
Go for a walk
A walk, particularly when the air is cold, can be a huge help. I often go out first thing in a morning, with no coat, and take the boys on a little walk. They love it because they can run off ahead, scream and shout, and play, and I love it because the cold wind cools my head and eases the pain.
Use 4Head or Migraine Cool n Soothe Sheets
I've used both 4Head stick and Migraine Cool n Soothe sheets (both available from Tesco) in the past. I'm using 4Head right now, it's a stick of menthol that can be applied straight onto the forehead. It can be used as often as you like and it's small so you can keep it in your pocket and take wherever you go. Unlike the Migraine Kool n Soothe Sheets there's no sheet attached to your head so you can try to continue with your day while easing symptoms of your migraine.
Watch a movie
Ok so this is more for the kids than for you but it does have the added bonus that you can sit with your eyes closed while the kids watch the movie. Ensure the kids have something to drink and some snacks, put the TV on and turn off the lights. While your kids enjoy watching their favourite movie you can close your eyes and rest.
Tie your hair up
If you have long hair like me it can be a pain to try and keep your head cool. I tie my hair up loosely with a hairband, it keeps my hair off my shoulders and neck and allows my head to stay cool.
A cold shower
Just the thought of a cold shower when I'm healthy can make me shiver but when you're suffering with a migraine it can be a welcome relief. One of the side effects (for me) of a migraine is I get incredibly hot, a cold shower is the quickest way to cool down.
Pills
You can try paracetamol and ibuprofen, sometimes they may help. I have never found them to help with my migraines but it's worth a try right?
There you have it, my top tips for coping when you have a migraine (and you're a mum). Now, I'm off to lock myself in a dark room with my 4Head.
Oh no, not a great start to any morning. I used to have a lot of migraines, but I learnt to recognise the warning signs when one was about to strike and now manage to stop them in their tracks. All great advice... I'm not sure I'd manage a cold shower though!
ReplyDeleteOh yes I recognise the warning signs but most of the time I can't do anything to stop it from happening. The cold shower is a last resort but I have done it in the past and it worked a treat! :)
DeleteOh no! I hope you feel better soon! Migraines are the worst! I used to suffer a lot but now I get one in a blue moon. I never thought of having a cold shower. Next time I might give that a try.
ReplyDeleteThey really are. The cold shower helps massively, but I hope you don't have to try it out. xx
DeleteMisery Guts routinely ends up in hospital with migraines - total nightmare! Great tipsx #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteOh no - hospital?! I have to say mine have never been that bad! Thanks for stopping by hun. xx
DeleteMigraines are nasty! I used to have tension migraines that would confine me to bed but not often. It is very hard when you have children dependent on you. hugs x
ReplyDeleteThanks hun. My migraines tend to last for a few days, which makes the whole thing worse! xx
DeleteMigraines are horrible - thankfully I have them rarely but trying to keep going with the kids through them is just hideous - as you say, all you want to do is lock yourself in a dark room and try and sleep it off. I've never tried 4Head - will have to get some ready for the next time one hits and see if it helps. Hope you are feeling better now.
ReplyDeleteThanks Louise, I am feeling better thank goodness. 4Head works wonders for me (sometimes). xx
DeleteSounds a horrible thing to suffer from - the tips about keeping cool and the cold air are really interesting - haven't heard them before. Hope you are feeling better now x
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah, I am feeling better. Migraines are awful. xx
DeleteMigraines have to be one of the worst and I am so glad that I have not had them since Grace was born - they used to make me physically sick and feel hot and cold. I love your tips x #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteOh my Victoria you are so lucky! I wish mine had disappeared when I had the boys but they seemed to get worse! Thanks hun. xx
DeleteTouch wood, I've never suffered with migraines. It's always good to have some tips just in case though! x #pocolo
ReplyDeleteYou're are one lucky lady! Like I said, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. xx
DeleteGosh — none of these tips would work for me Morgan. For me, literally, the only thing I can do would be go back to bed and try to sleep. My boy would have to look after our sons — or my mum/sister/friend — or basically *anyone* except me. They're blooming awful aren they? I usually get sick with them too — the pain can be so bad I'll end up throwing up. Just awful. I hope you don't get the too often — mine have definitely become less frequent with age (thank goodness!) xx #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteOh dear Caro I'm so sorry - I feel your pain, believe me. Mine don't usually make me physically sick, although they have done once or twice. I like the sound of them becoming less frequent! xx
DeleteMorgan I feel your pain. I used to get them so regularly it was awful I had these magic powders from the hospital but wasn't allowed to take them too often. Then the Dr changed by blood pressure meds and a side effect was they helped migraine. Touch wood since then I've only had 2. I hope you find some relief because once a month is too regular!!!
ReplyDeleteOoh those powders sound goo! Yes once a month is not good, but luckily I'm gaining experience in what works to ease them! ;)
DeleteHi Morgan, I used to suffer terribly with migraines when I was on the pill too, now I rarely get them. Sometimes they would last for days and like you said paracetamol and ibruprofen didn't touch them, although the chemist gave me a one off tablet that helped, but it's been so long I've forgotten what it was called, but it worked.
ReplyDeleteYou've shared some great tips here. I found coolness helped relieve them slightly, but more often than not I just wanted to be left alone which as a Mum just doesn't happen, which is where a film is perfect!
xx
Thanks Debbie, I've often thought about going to the doctor to ask for tablets that would help. If they continue I may end up doing that. xx
DeleteThey are awful aren't they, I used to suffer very infrequently and it's the worst thing. It's interesting to see the things that you listed. It's like there are some things that you disparately crave and some things where the memory will never leave you. For me, any perfume smelt during a migraine becomes vile and I always associated that smell afterwards. Leather sofa smell is another one. Not that you'd ever notice that normally but it's the heightening of the sense of smell. I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for hosting #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicky, yes you're right it is a funny association isn't it? I'm feeling all better now thanks. xx
DeleteI always find cool, crisp fresh air works wonders for me too. Unless I get it in the early stages, medication does little to help... Great tips Morgan, thanks.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, it has to be the really early stages for meds to help though. Once that vision thing shows up I've got no chance! Thanks. x
DeleteI have been lucky so far and never had one, but my dad has always had chronic crippling migraines. Recent preventative medication has improved the frequency with which he gets them a lot, but there was nothing that could be done to improve them during my childhood. As you say, not fun when you have kids to look after! #PoCoLo
ReplyDeleteOh yes, you are very lucky! Glad to hear your dad's medication is helping. xx
DeleteThankfully I have never suffered from a migraine but I know how debilitating even an ordinary headache can be with children around so I hope your tips can help people who do suffer from migraines. #Pocolo
ReplyDeleteMe too, thanks xx
DeleteDefinitely the dark room, and if that doesn't work then soluble aspirin I find is more effective than tablets, but thankfully it's very rare that I get one < touches wood > xx
ReplyDeleteI've never tried soluble aspirin, I'll have to remember that next time! Thanks. x
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