A Migraine Point of View

Having chronic migraine disease means I don't move through the world like other people. Simple everyday things like fluorescent lights and the crinkling sound of snack-sized chip and granola bar packaging are my enemies. Yes, I feel like I might have a stroke if you continue to try to open that bag.

Although I may cringe when I hear certain sounds, I've learned not to shout at people. I carry headphones wherever I go. And I don't shop at huge stores like Costco. I shop at smaller stores where the lighting is friendlier and the ceilings are lower. It just feels safer.

I also arm myself when I go out. Hat and glasses always. I have three pairs of glasses - reading glasses, sunglasses, and blue light glasses. Discovering blue light glasses was a Godsend. They block out indoor light in the perfect way, I wear them in stores and when cooking in my kitchen or doing chores. I have my teenage daughter and her friend to thank for introducing me to blue lights. The girls bought them to be stylish, I wear them now as part of my migraine armor The ones I like are simply blue light reflection without magnification, and I bought them in a 3 pack on Amazon for around $11.

Patterns and methodologies help me move safely in the world. I go to sleep the same time each day and I never go out at night. Some may view this as being inflexible or boring, and I have to be okay with that point of view!

My migraine point of view is that I want to feel good as many days as I can, and all these small decisions I make help with that. Living migraine life authentically means finding what works to fill in gaps where medication fails, and moving through a hectic world that is antagonistic to migraine pain.

In these pages I will share with you what I've learned in hopes you may find comfort and understanding. Authentic stories of living with migraine are the greatest gifts others can give me, and most importantly, that I've learned to give myself.

Me at the Empire State Building in New York this Fall, wearing my blue lights. I wore them everywhere on that fun trip. : )

Yes, you can travel with migraine disease! More on that under "Traveling with migraine" coming soon!