As a self-proclaimed fort builder, I’ve always had a passion for creating cozy, inviting spaces that transport me to a world of tranquility. And, let me tell you, my basement-turned-dark-room has become my sanctuary during those dreaded migraine episodes. Before joining the team at migrainemedicine.org, I was an actor-in-training, but it was engineering and handcrafts that truly brought me joy. Little did I know, these skills would come in handy when constructing my own “fortress of solitude” to battle chronic migraine. As someone who’s learned so much about living with migraine from the incredible community at migrainemedicine.org, I’ve gained a…

It’s been a while since I’ve written here, and so much has happened! Let me catch you up on my journey with migraines. It all started when I was in my early 20s, after a water skiing accident left me with chronic migraines. When the first one hit, I thought I was having a stroke – it was that intense! And to make matters worse, my anxiety joined the party. Luckily, my doctor sent me to a specialist in Fonthill who gave me cortisone shots to help manage my symptoms. It wasn’t until I turned 70 that my migraines flared…

Have you ever experienced a sudden and temporary change in your vision, followed by a debilitating headache? If so, you might be one of the rare individuals affected by retinal migraines, a type of migraine with aura that’s still not fully understood. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the mysteries of retinal migraines, explore what causes them, and discuss how they can be treated. What is a Retinal Migraine? A retinal migraine is characterized by temporary vision changes in one eye, usually starting 5 minutes to an hour before the headache phase. These changes are slow to develop, lasting…

Migraines can be a real pain – literally! But don’t worry, there are many effective medications out there that can help alleviate the symptoms of these pesky headaches. In this article, we’ll break down the different types of migraine medicines and what they’re used for. Abortive Medications: Stopping Migraine Pain in Its Tracks When a migraine attack hits, you need a medication that can stop the pain and other symptoms in their tracks. Abortive medications are designed to do just that. They work best when taken as soon as the headache starts or during the early warning signs of a…

Ah, summer – the season of sun-kissed days, endless adventure, and… migraines? As much as we love basking in the warm sunshine, some common summer triggers can put a damper on our fun. In this post, we’ll dive into three pesky culprits that might be causing you (and your head) to ache: sunscreen, bug sprays, and chlorine. Sunscreen: The Odor-Filled Menace Let’s face it – sunscreen can be a real migraine trigger for many of us. Between the strong smells, harsh chemicals, and accidental spray-in-your-face mishaps, it’s no wonder why some of you might dread applying it. But fear not!…