Anyone who’s ever dealt with a migraine knows they’re no ordinary headache. Honestly, the headache often takes a backseat to a slew of other distressing symptoms. For me, a migraine is like an all-out assault on my whole body.
My migraine episodes typically kick off with blurry vision and a sprinkle of nausea, topped off with a dash of dizziness. And if my body is really unhappy, I’ll experience an “aura.” It starts with one eye going half-blind, then I’m met with this mesmerizing band of shaking, flashing lights that stretches across my vision, only to retreat after about thirty minutes. The first time it happened, I thought I was having a stroke! Fifteen years later, I’ve had my fair share of these episodes, and while I’ve learned to calm myself with the knowledge that I’ll see again soon, it still frightens me to my core each time.
Once the aura fades, the pain sets in. For me, it’s a relentless throbbing that radiates through my head, neck, and back. Everything feels tight and sore—as if I just completed a marathon or caught a nasty bug. This torment can last a few hours, or if I’m really unlucky, a couple of days.
In the grand scheme of things, I consider myself one of the fortunate ones. I don’t experience migraines daily, weekly, or even monthly. Still, I usually get at least one a month (thanks, menstrual cycle!) and sometimes more if life gets particularly chaotic or stressful.
But maybe the worst part of migraines is managing them while being a mom. Seriously, who thought it was a good idea for mothers to endure these? It feels like a cruel joke.
The unpredictable nature of migraines is downright terrifying. I often worry about having an aura while driving with my kids, picturing myself pulling over, dizzy and half-blind, while they wail in the backseat. It leaves me in a constant state of anxiety.
And speaking of wailing, one of the many migraine symptoms is heightened sensitivity to sound. When I’m feeling under the weather, it’s like my kids suddenly up their volume to deafening levels, turning into little tornadoes of noise and chaos. Young kids don’t get what a migraine is; they just see a mom who should be doing things for them, all while I’m desperately wishing for some peace and quiet.
Recently, I found myself battling a migraine—one that followed another just weeks prior. As I always do, I scoured the internet for potential triggers, hoping to figure out what caused this latest round. Stress, sleep changes, loud noises, hormonal shifts—when I looked at the list, I had to chuckle. Half of them sum up motherhood perfectly! Basically, being a parent can trigger a migraine and then make it worse once it hits. Plus, all the self-care methods to prevent them feel next to impossible when you’re a mom.
So what do we migraine-suffering moms do? Well, kind of a lot! First off, there are medications available to help both prevent migraines and alleviate symptoms, so don’t hesitate to consult your doctor for relief. Some people find success with alternative treatments like acupuncture, chiropractic care, or dietary adjustments. However, not everything works for everyone, and even doctors admit that identifying and eliminating triggers is crucial.
When I find myself caught in a cycle of persistent migraines, it’s a clear sign that I need to prioritize self-care, even if parenthood makes that feel like a Herculean task. Lately, I’ve been taking a more assertive approach: since stress and lack of sleep are my top triggers, I’ve been saying “goodbye” to anything that stresses me out. I cancel plans, hand my kids some screen time, and get some much-needed sleep. This usually keeps those pesky migraine symptoms at bay for a little while.
Additionally, I strive to practice self-care even amidst a migraine attack. In the past, I’ve fallen into the martyr trap—trying to do everything for my kids while battling symptoms I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Nowadays, I’m more transparent with my family about needing space, and it’s amazing how quickly I recover. This not only benefits me, but it teaches my kids empathy, helping them learn that physical ailments aren’t always visible, and that even moms need to recharge sometimes.
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In summary, migraines are an unwelcome reality for many moms, turning the joy of parenting into a challenging task. But through medication, self-care, and open communication with our families, we can navigate this struggle and teach our kids valuable lessons along the way.