Migraine: Living in Pain

How Do You Focus on Faith in the Midst of Chronic Illness?

2012-02-20T15:23:00.002-05:00

Living with chronic illness feels like unending suffering. That's what I feel I've been doing for the past 25 years and especially over the past few weeks. Sleep has been a stranger to me and pain has been my companion. So much so that I've fallen into a despair of sorts many, many times. Why must I suffer so? These things combined have ravished my emotional spirit and has challenged it's

Eat 15g or Less of This Daily to Help Slim Your Waistline

2012-02-17T04:57:00.000-05:00

By Dr. Mercola In today's world it's more difficult than ever to keep your weight under control, as evidenced by the fact that over 2/3 of all American adults are now overweight or obesei, as are one in three children. Part of the blame rests with the processed food corporations that spend billions of dollars marketing unhealthy foodsii as "healthy choices." So what do "naturally thin"

Medication and Weight Gain

2012-02-08T18:06:00.000-05:00

So many of us who are on several medications suffer from unwanted side effects. One of the most common is weight gain. It isn't fully known why some medications cause us to pack on the pounds. Maybe doctors can lower the dose or change the medication to a different class to help curb the increase in weight. I was reading the latest issue of Reader's Digest and they had a helpful chart of

Migraineurs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity in 2012

2012-02-07T04:19:00.000-05:00

Migraineurs: 5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity in 2012

Oh the pain!

2012-02-06T21:50:00.000-05:00

Hello again! I'm in the middle of a very annoying migraine attack. I am very exhausted. Sleep has been sporadic and broken. My energy level is pretty low. And I'm in pain yet again for another day. This super sucks. But I was given some pretty good news earlier in the day. I received a phone call from Karen, the lady in charge of my case, and she had the name of a neurosurgeon whose

3 A.M.

2012-02-06T04:19:00.001-05:00

I can't sleep. I have many nights like this where I'm just up. I'm tired and I want to sleep but something is keeping me awake. So, since I'm up I decided to make a video talking about why I can't fall asleep and how migraines and chronic headaches have affected my life. Once you're done watching my video, please take some time to visit the YouTube page of a friend's daughter who has CFS/ME.

To Exercise or Not?

2012-02-04T00:06:00.001-05:00

Every time I see my doctor I'm asked if I exercise. I hate being asked that question. Well you see, I'm in pain every day and the weather often is a trigger for my migraines and doing any cardio gives me very bad exertion headaches. So, no I don't. Now, don't go thinking that I don't want to or that I really enjoy being overweight. I have a good day with low pain or no pain and start

Migraine Increases Cardiovascular Disease

2012-02-01T15:41:00.000-05:00

Please read Teri Robert's post regarding cardiovascular disease and how migraine increases the risk for having it. Migraine and Cardiovascular Risks

AHDA Petition for Congressional Hearings on Impact of Headache & Migraine Disorders

2012-02-01T15:13:00.000-05:00

The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy has created a petition urging Congressional hearings on the impact of headache and migraine disorders. The whole point of this particular petition is to make aware all of the facts about headache and migraine disorders and to bring it all out into the open. Facts like the very disabling effects of headaches and migraines, the stigma of headaches and

Slept Away

2012-01-31T05:02:00.001-05:00

The weekend is over and I can't tell you what at all happened because I slept the entire time. I wasn't aware that I was feeling so depressed that I'd stay in the bed for two days but apparently I was and still sort of am. I'm very put down by the stress of my ailments, my physical condition and appearance, and overall quality of life. I have been really putting an effort into keeping my

How to Help a Chronically Ill Friend or Family Member

2012-01-31T04:14:00.002-05:00

I recently read a post on one of the chronic pain support groups that I'm a member of regarding how to help a person who needs chronic care. Now, the wonderful lady who posted this adapted this list to also include people with chronic pain, as we often find ourselves in need of chronic care, treatments, and may even require hospital stays. It can become very difficult to ask for help or we may

Something New

2012-01-24T03:16:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my primary doctor to discuss weight loss options. I had gained a little over 30 pounds while on Lyrica a few years ago. Since then I have gained ten more to make me a whopping 207. How depressing. I really hate being this heavy even though people tell me I'm not fat. Yeah, ok. It's okay to say I'm fat because I know I am. Exercise is not an option. No

Red alert: That glass of wine at lunch may hurt | CanadianBusiness.com

2012-01-19T22:38:00.001-05:00

Not unlike many migraineurs, I cannot have a nice glass of wine without getting an ER worthy migraine in return. Red wines give me more severe migraines than whites but all in all, it's best if I stay away completely. Drinking any kind of alcoholic beverage guarantees having the worst pain ever. If I really want to enjoy some wine, especially Riesling which is my favorite, I must take a

Should You Drive with Migraine?

2012-01-19T13:32:00.002-05:00

If we lived in a perfect world we would never find ourselves behing the steering wheel during a migraine attack. However, that isn't always avoidable. Migraines can come on while out running errands, going to or leaving work, attending functions, etc. So how do we handle this situation? Especially if there isn't anyone to drive for us? I know from personal experience that if an attack

2011: The War on Women

2012-01-19T13:18:00.000-05:00

The numbers don't lie: anti-choice politicians in Washington, D.C. and the states attacked a woman’s right to choose with a vengeance in 2011.What's worse, these very same politicians are ready to resume the attacks here in Washington, D.C. and in state legislatures across the country.If you think that it's wrong for politicians to interfere in women's personal, private medical decisions, please

People to People Fundraiser

2012-01-18T11:33:00.001-05:00

My 13 year old daughter Kiera is an 8th grader at T. Benton Gayle Middle School. She is raising money to help pay the tuition for the People to People Student Ambassador Program. She has been selected to participate in their European Heritage program this summer where she’ll be traveling to England, Switzerland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. During these travels she will: o

Quotes about Pain and Overcoming by Dawn Michelle Shepley

2012-01-10T22:46:00.001-05:00

Borrowed from a group I'm a member of on Facebook - Positively In Pain created by Dawn Michelle Shepley. These quotes about pain explain what can be an inspirational interpretation or a worldly view. Not all pain is bad if it leads to new beginnings but pain that can't be relieved can be one of the most troublesome and personally challenging to endure. "Constant pain is the most debilitating of

Migraine Symtpoms

2012-01-10T22:36:00.002-05:00

Here is a complete list of migraine symptoms. Hardly anybody experiences all these symptoms, and migraineurs often experience different symptoms during different episodes. Some people do not even get the classic migraine headache, or they might get the headache during only some episodes.For most people the symptoms are episodic, although some people experience back-to-back migraines or continuous

Free Cookbook from Family Circle

2012-01-03T09:11:00.000-05:00

We could all use some inspiration in the kitchen for new dishes! Great selection of slow-cooker recipes for free!Free Cookbook from Family Circle

I Support The Chronic Pain Petition! Do You?

2011-12-15T13:49:00.000-05:00

The American Chronic Pain Association estimates that over 116 Million people in the United States suffer from and are partially disabled by chronic pain. A lot of those are as a result of a work accident. They are given a lower disability rating because they are not confined to a wheelchair or bed ridden. Even though their conditions are just as bad, they are given ratings as low as 5% because

Donate to Fund Migraine Research

2011-12-15T13:12:00.004-05:00

In the spirit of giving this holiday season, instead of purchasing a gift for the migraineur in your life please make a donation to the Migraine Research Foundation. Fund Critical Research! Support MRF While You Shop - Without Spending A Dime! Raise money for Migraine Research Foundation - MRF (New York NY) just by searching the web and shopping online! Search the web now! Money-saving

Suspended in Animation

2011-10-26T00:14:00.001-04:00

It's been a few weeks since I've posted anything. I have had a difficult time this month. Not only has my migraines not gotten any better but I was diagnosed with having myofascial pain syndrome as well. Isn't that great?! I was devastated when I got the diagnosis. How much more pain am I supposed to endure? I can't even get the migraines under control. How am I going to deal with this on

Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival - My Scary Migraine Episode Moment

2011-10-07T20:23:00.000-04:00

The scariest migraine attack that I have ever suffered was last summer. I have been going through a tough time emotionally and my depression was getting the best of me. I was tired of having all the responsibilities of taking care of the house, kids, and my husband all while being in pain daily. On that particular Thursday, my husband decided that it was a good day to give a reprieve. He put

Day/Night Five - Willingness

2011-09-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

The working defintion of WILLINGNESS according to Iyanla is: "It is a state of mental and emotional receptivity. The will is the controlling and directive faculty of the mind that determines consciousness and character. Willingness is a state of consciousness that allows the mental faculty to be infused with the will of the Divine." After reading today's commentary, I realize that I'm not

Day/Night Four - Meditation

2011-09-21T15:40:00.000-04:00

The working definition of MEDITATION according to Iyanla is: "The principle we are working with today is STILLNESS. It is accomplished through the act of meditation, which is stilling of the physical/conscious mind to all external stimuli. Continuous, contemplative thought given to truth. A steady effort of the mind to know and hear the voice of God from within the being. The act of 'not