Surviving

Five days gone. 

Nothing to remember from them except dread-- I actually expected my head to break open. 

And to be honest, part of me was hoping for just that at I knew it would alleviate the pain.

I used to suffer from migraines frequently and regularly. There was an established pattern as well as warnings I could feel lurking behind my eye, in my upper cheek area close to my ear. My vision would blur. After exhaustive journaling, patterns seemed to emerge, and I actively worked towards altering many things little by little (and other things abruptly) to stave off these horrible headaches. 

I wish I could say I found a secret weapon against them or developed a lifestyle that prevented them all together, but that, unfortunately, isn't the case. I have managed to keep them fewer and further between, and a bit shorter in duration, but last week I lost five full days. 

I won't go into too much detail; still, I do think it is worth noting that my migraines limit my vision, though, with my head wrapped in ice packs and towels, I really am not looking at anything anyway. My right eye (and part of my face) droops. It constantly tears up, and it seems as if I am doing a one-eyed crying trick. I become violently nauseous at times and honestly move into "just survive this moment" mode.

When I come out of these times of torture, I have several days trying to re-establish footing. I am always nervous that I will do something to send me back. Once those days of treading gingerly have passed without further incident, something peculiar, but welcomed, happens. I have two or three days of unbelievable energy. I don't take the prescription medicine for my migraines (quick answer for those of you surprised: I have horrible responses to all the ones I have tried; bad enough to suffer through these without them). So this renewed sense of energy isn't from medicines.

I have a ton of energy on most days. My post migraine energy level makes the regular me seem like a sloth!

This energy is, as I said, welcomed. As ice-pack wrapped heads on the bathroom floor for five days results in numerous things to catch up on: emails, comments, posts, patterns, podcasts, not to mention cleaning, laundry, showering... 

I am in catch up mode right now. If you've reached out to me in the last 7 to 10 days, you will be hearing from me soon. If you are awaiting the next episode from Ebbie's Cosy, Saturday morning, you are in for a treat! Looking for a new free pattern? That is coming too! And those are just the Normal Melissa things. Some developments are going to surprise you thanks to Super Energetic Post Migraine Melissa. She's killin' it!

 Now before you go, please share any helpful tips in the comments below that you may have successfully tried regarding severe headaches/migraines. 

Or please share in the comments what you have been doing to keep busy and stay healthy and sane the last week or two!