As someone who’s lived with migraine disease for years, I’ve learned to spot triggers like a pro. Some are obvious, while others sneak up on me when I least expect it. For instance, I’ve discovered that tomato-based products can be my nemesis – especially those pesky pizza sauces! Luckily, I’ve figured out which ones to avoid or make myself, so I can control what goes into them.
But one trigger that’s really gotten the best of me lately is overstimulation. It’s like my brain gets overwhelmed by too much stimuli: loud noises, harsh lighting, and a cacophony of conversations all at once. I’ve tried to find ways to avoid these situations, but it’s not always easy. In fact, I used to be able to handle it just fine when I was working – managing a team of dozens without breaking a sweat. But that changed when my migraine attacks became more frequent and debilitating.
I eventually had to leave my job and focus on getting my migraines under control. With the help of my headache specialist (who’s also a neurologist) and medical team, we found medications like Emgality, Nurtec ODT, Nerivio, and chiropractic care that have made a huge difference. While I still experience daily migraines, they’re no longer as painful as they used to be.
However, overstimulation remains my biggest challenge. It’s forced me to withdraw from social gatherings, even family events where there’s just too much going on for my brain to process. I love my loud and lively family dearly, but it’s hard for me to enjoy time with them when every sound, light, and movement feels like a sensory overload.
To cope, I’ve started practicing meditative relaxation techniques to calm my brain down. It’s not easy, but I’m hoping that with regular practice, I’ll be able to retrain my brain to handle overstimulation without feeling overwhelmed.
I know I’m not alone in this struggle, and that gives me hope. Someday, I hope to find a way to quiet my brain and enjoy life without the constant stress of migraine attacks.
