#morethanaheadache

[simplelittlebrowngirljae]

Things I never thought I'd need almost daily in my life....

As a chronic illness patient..

I have chronic illness. This is a well known fact. And as time has gone on, I have come to realize there are things that are of utmost importance to my day to day life and well without it, I'm highly miserable. And the crazy thing is, when I was growing up I never in a million years would I have imagined I would utilize such things or be the type of person to patron certain services well because I never had access to it and we just didn't do such things. But now, I'm all about doing various things to stay on top of my conditions. So I have compiled somewhat of list of things I have done or need that I never thought I'd do in order to stay upright:

Massage therapy- for pain management and migraine symptoms

Chiropractic care- for pain management and migraines

A particular brand of heating pad- for pain management

A specialized team of doctors- to manage all my various conditions and keep me focused in being the best me I can be

Essential oils- for mindfulness and peace ,management of migraines

Yoga- for pain management, mindfulness and exercise, prevention of migraines

Epsom salts- for pain management

Specific brands of pain relief lotion and rubs - obviously for pain management

Compression garments (shirts, gloves, sleeves, leggings, socks)  - to help with swelling and pain

Botox - prevention of migraine and tension headaches

This is short list but know there is more. And please understand that this is part of an integrative approach to care and no one thing will "cure" me but it's all about maintenance. 

Recently, I was having a rough time and in lots of of pain and my normal massage therapist and chiropractor were going to be closed but I could not wait 2 weeks for relief. I also had my Botox appointment for my migraines pushed back so all my typical maintenance for migraines and lupus and fibromyalgia were just in shambles and I need help fast. I went to social media to find a quick a solution and well, it worked but not without well, some cautionary responses. You know the ones who question your routine and think they have the magical cure...yeah got a few of those. Newsflash: a massage will not cure me. But will it help manage my pain? Yes. Will it make me feel better? Yes. But, I will say, my recent experiences with massage therapy were amazing and helped me more than usual, and for that I am so thankful.

In the past, my experiences with yoga, meditation and chiropractic care have been known to help me and keep things stable, along with my western medicine. But in no way by themselves will they cure me. Also people's judgement about my choices in managing my chronic illnesses is not warranted....different things work for different people. So judge your mamma, not me. Life with chronic illness is hard enough and I dont need any extra stress in my life from humans who don't get the life I live.

So, with all of that being said, I hope that you find some help in my list and my experiences and maybe find some things that will help you navigate your day to day life with chronic illness. Some days one thing may work and some days it may not, it is all a learning curve. But the biggest takeaway is to try different things and see what works for you! In my mind I still can't believe these things are part of my day to day life! Anyways, I wish you all luck! Peace and hugs y'all. 

[simplelittlebrowngirljae]

When worship and health collide....

I never thought my chronic illness would force me to choose between worship and preserving my health. I grew up in a church where every Sunday there was lots of singing and dancing and praising and yelling. In most black churches, this the norm every Sunday morning. Naturally when I left home, I sought a similar worship environment. I found the perfect church home and was really happy.

But then I became ill with endometriosis and would be in the middle of service and pain would get so bad I'd have to leave mid-sermon. Some Sundays I'd miss totally because I felt so bad. Time went in and I adjusted to my new normal.

But then my health began to deteriorate even more, and I missed even more services and had to give up many roles and commitments because my body just couldn't handle it. But at this point I could still make services most mornings, maybe not every Sunday, but I was there enough to still have a presence.

And then things really took a turn for the worse. My migraines became out of control. Before they became a daily issues, sound sensitivity wasn't as much of a trigger for me. Light and changes in temperature were more of a trigger than anything. But I had one terrible hemiplegic migraine and things were not the same after that. I recall going to church one Sunday and not feeling all that great but I pushed through because I hadn't been in a while. I sat and it was a special ceremony that day and there were several folks coming to speak. But some folks started yelling and shouting in the microphone and it sent my head spinning. And then the musicians began playing much louder. And when it was time for the choir to sing, they started singing in a normal tone, but as the song was concluding one of the members took a mic and began singing extra loud and that sent me over the edge. I ran to the restroom because I could feel the nausea increasing. I made it in time to throw up in the trash can and not all over myself. I cleaned myself up, put my shades on because at that point the light sensitivity was increasing and I couldn't feel one side of my face. I tried to quietly leave service but an usher stopped me. I was bluntly honest and told her I was experiencing a severe migraine from all the loud music and yelling. She had no words.

I let a Sunday pass and went back to church. While not a special service, the same situation occured and I had to excuse myself again. It was at that moment I realized that I had a choice to make: sacrifice my health and continue to worship or alter how I worship to maintain my health.

For many weeks I sought alternative methods of worship including podcasts, other churches and even watching my church sermons online. And I felt okay but wondered if maybe after some time things would change. So one Sunday I tried again. HUGE MISTAKE. While we had moved to another location where sound was more distributed, it was still overly loud and I felt the dreaded migraine coming on. I felt defeated. I felt like it would be hard to ever worship in person with the church I knew as home and family.

However I came to this conclusion: my health is important. And as long as I find the time to pray, praise and thank God in my own way, that is what matters. I can no longer afford to stress my body and neglect what it is trying to tell me. We are lucky to live in an age where there are so many ways to worship and receive a word that it is accommodating to us folks who suffer from chronic illness. And before you say that is absurd to even have to choose, let me tell you this: until you have experienced any type of chronic illness, especially one such as debilitating migraines where sounds and lights cripple you, I don't even want to hear it. A migraine is way more than a headache--- it consumes you. And being around your triggers amplifies that to levels I can't even describe.

So yes, I never thought I would have to choose between my health and worship environment but here we are. And I know God understands.  But I push through way more than I should and if there is an instance where I can preserve some energy and prevent a flare up, then that is what I need to do because we never know how many more times you have before that one flare up is the one that puts you out for months instead of days. Something to think about...

After all, the church isn't the building but the people. And we are in an age where there are so many ways to worship, which is a blessing in and of itself. I pray that I can eventually find the right environment but until then I will continue to seek out my other options.

[jendotcohen]

❤ #Repost @mindfulmigraine ・・・ I’m always inspired to learn about how thoughts impact our reality and state of being, because it feels like an area of healing that I have control over and can really work to improve 💭 When I’m feeling low or notice I am focusing on all of the little things going wrong I always pick up my journal to make a list each morning of things I’m grateful for. Just a few days of this practice and I start to feel more light, love and #seethegood around me ☺️ This quote is from @officialdrjoedispenza in the @healdocumentary where they dive into the mind body connection...I can’t recommend it enough! 🙌 #mindfulmigraine #themindfulnessgirl #powerofthought #thoughtsarepowerful #positivethinking #mindfulness #mindfulliving #intentionalliving #heal #healing #emotionalhealing #healdocumentary #drjoedispenza #joedispenza #onedayatatime #mindbodygram #wellnesswarrior #chronicillness #chronicpain #wellnesswarrior #migraine #notjustaheadache #morethanaheadache #chronicmigraine #chronicmigrainewarrior #migrainesupport #migraineawareness #invisibleillness

[magicheadaches-blog]

New blog post for #mham !! Here is a teaser check out my blog (link in bio) for the whole funny comic about my experience with #Botox #botoxformigraines #ndph #newdailypersistentheadache #headacheblog #funnyblog #chronicheadache #migraine #theheadacheprincess #morethanaheadache #1in7

[jendotcohen]

#Repost @mindfulmigraine ・・・ When my pain is high and I am exhausted and hurting I’ll find the words “I can’t do this” or “I don’t want to do this anymore” slipping out of my mouth in between tears of overwhelming frustration 😣 But what is SO important to believe and know deep down is that those are just passing moments, and that no matter what comes our way, we can do this and we will be okay. Accepting that truth was a turning point for me and the place I return to when my mind strays ♥️ I’ll say out loud to myself in the shower “I can do this” most mornings and even though it feels silly it helps. When relentless pain won’t quit, this reminder every morning is an anchor. Repeating this to myself and breathing through this #mordormigraine and sending love and strength to all of you 💪✨🙏💞 #mindfulmigraine #icandothis #keepgoing #migrainewarrior #migrainewellness #migrainematters #mindfulness #createcalm #mindbodyconnection #breathe #innerpeace #chronicillness #chronichope #chronicmigraine #chronicpainwarrior #notjustaheadache #morethanaheadache #migrainewarrior #migrainesupport #migrainerelief #migraine #chronicmigraineawareness #migraineawareness #anxiety #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness #mentalhealthmatters

[jendotcohen]

#Repost @mindfulmigraine ・・・ One of my favorite quotes ✨ It's so amazing that WE have the power every day to think whatever thoughts we want. Read this last night and today I am putting on my positive pants as much as I can in between the moments of pain during this cray flare my body is throwing at me. I feel so much better when I consciously gravitate my thoughts toward this place of gratitude and acceptance. It isn't an either-or mentality and it's perfectly normal to bounce back and forth, especially when things are tough! To all my quiet courageous insta-pals, may you draw from that inner space of courage and let it carry you 🦁✨ sending you soooo much love 🤗 and a sincere thank you to everyone's kindness and support over the past couple of days, it has truly warmed my heart immeasurably. There is so much love in this community and I am so grateful ♥️ #mindfulmigraine #courage #migrainewellness #migrainematters #chronicillness #chronichope #chronicmigraine #chronicpainwarrior #notjustaheadache #morethanaheadache #migrainewarrior #migrainesupport #migrainerelief #migraine #chronicmigraineawareness #migraineawareness #invisibleillness

[jendotcohen]

#Repost @mindfulmigraine ・・・ Reminding myself and reminding you ✨🤗 via @petite_perette #mindfulmigraine #migrainematters #migrainewellness #mindfulness #createcalm #mindbodyconnection #breathe #inhaleexhale #innerpeace #powerofmindfulness #balance #strength #courage #hope #patience #chronicillness #chronicpain #chronicmigraine #chronichope #migraine #morethanaheadache #notjustaheadache #migrainesupport #migrainewarrior #migraineawareness #chronicmigraineawareness #spoonie #invisibleillness

[morethanaheadache]

I'm on facebook if anyone wants to talk.