Christmas Migraines Past, Present but not Future.

At around 4am on Christmas morning I felt that oh so familiar heavy feeling. No, I’m not talking about the present filled stocking at the end of my bed (though rest assured I had been a good girl so Father Christmas did indeed visit), rather Mr migraine had decided to descend. At 4am, on Christmas.

Aren’t migraines rude? Now, I am officially a Christmas-ophile so nothing was going to ruin my Christmas day. As soon as that dull pain at the back of my head and shoulder woke me up I grabbed my ZOMIG nasal spray triptan (that I already had by my bed side) and shoved that sucker up my nose! I put my Migraine Ritual Care Plan into action pronto! I was somewhat disorientated to find that my bed was covered in a bright pink sparkly bed spread, and that there was a picture of Hannah Montanna hanging above my head. I’d forgotten that I was in my 10 year old niece's bedroom. Indeed, in that middle of night haze, I’d totally forgotten I was staying in my sister’s house. In Kent.

The nieces & nephew...a little taster of what awaits!

I actually blame the journey to Kent for the rude migraine. I’d fallen asleep in the back of the car (without my neck collar on) and my head had lolled forward and I’d essentially given myself mini whiplash. I’d jerked awake and immediately knew I’d be in trouble later. Also, a house full of 3 over excited kids (under the age of 11), who clamber all over you, while lovely, is never good  for those of us with dodgy necks. Also, sleeping in different beds, even when I bring my own pillows, is often enough to trigger a migraine if I’m in a vulnerable state.

Yet, this being Christmas I didn’t want to miss any of the day – 
especially not going to Church to see the Archbishop of Canterbury being lead into the Cathedral by my little nieces and nephew. Mum took one look at me when I made it down to breakfast and said “Happy Christmas. You’ve had to take a Zomig haven’t you?”Although migraines may be invisible to many, mothers have special powers of perception. I also had an especially bad case of migraine hangover. So Mum drove me to Church separately, and in short I got to wink at my nephew and try to make him laugh in Church (what are Aunties for?) but I didn’t last the whole service. I spent a good chunk of the day in bed with a migraine hangover, missing going for a walk to the local pub but made it down for lunch and some vital present opening!

I did feel a bit glum missing bits of Christmas, but it’s not the first time it’s happened and I’m sure many migrianeurs have much worse stories to relate. This year, as I’m getting ready to go down to Kent again I’m feeling very optimistic and totally confident that I will not be getting a Christmas migraine visit. Why? Well I’ve spent the year focusing on my migraine health, plus I will not be falling asleep in the back of the car (I will have a neck collar strapped on even though I don’t really need it) and I will be taking several pillow options with me! I’m also now on the mighty Topamax, I’ve now been having bi-monthly nerve blocks, I’ve finished two courses of Prolotherapy and my Physio re-hab is coming along nicely. So I feel pretty damn confident I must say! Go me. 

Avoiding Christmas Migraines Future:

But Christmas is rife with triggers and many of my fellow migraine bloggers have been posting fabulous tips and tricks on how to avoid the many pitfalls that await – which I have linked to below – including some advice from the fabulous National Migraine Centre. My main advice is to make like a Girl Scout and "be prepared" (I was never actually in the Brownies/Scouts etc so don’t really know what I’m talking about but…) if you’re going away take your own food if that’s easier, own pillows, any and every migraine comforts, don’t forget take more of your medications than you might normally need etc and also don’t be afraid to make a fuss if you need to – it’s Christmas we’re allowed to look after ourselves. Meanwhile, I'll be trying to avoid the temptation of one too many Christmas Champagne Cocktails....

Top Tips:
http://migraine.com/blog/maintaining-healthy-migraine-habits-consistency-during-the-holidays/
http://migraine.com/blog/holiday-migraine-management-entertaining-cooking-baking-tips/
http://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/december-migraine-news/
http://thatmword.com
http://www.migraine.org.uk/index.php?sectionid=1732

I so wish you all migraine free Christmas Holidays!

And so does Chipster!

See you all in 2013 - well probably before....