Stress is not a Migraine Trigger

At least, that's the latest thinking - last year the International Headache Society moved stress from its list of Migraine triggers to a list of exacerbating factors.  In other words, stress makes us more vulnerable to the things that trigger our Migraines.  In other words, pains in the ... do not trigger the pain in our heads - directly.

So here's a list of things that do not trigger my Migraines:

• Passive-aggressive people who don't listen and make me want to pull my hair out. (Note: pulling hair out could well trigger a migraine.)
• Days and days of mysterious computer malfunctions that cannot be solved without spending money I can ill afford. (Note: running out of money and therefore missing meals could well trigger a migraine.)
• Worrying... need I say more?  You name it, I can worry about it.  I think it's a genetic predisposition.  Kind of like... Migraine disease!  (Note: losing sleep while worrying?  Bingo!  Migraine trigger!)
• Not getting my work done due to computer problems, and worrying.  Chasing tail around in vicious circle. (See Worrying.)

And so, I am trying a mantra: "stress is not a migraine trigger, stress is not a migraine trigger, God grant me the serenity, stress is not a migraine trigger."  I'm not entirely sure this is working.  My head hurts!

Actually since striking a note of hope is clearly needed here - I have better mantras.  Some deep breathing - in Hummm - out Saaa... I'm going to go try that.  And please pray to the computer gods for me.  And maybe tomorrow I can write a better, more useful post.  With pretty pictures. 

- Megan Oltman

Comments

[Eileen]

Two words: LOVE IT!!!

Ugh what a day huh? Were you one of my east coast friends to get hit with it today? Seems like we were all down....Laura, Jamie, Nut, All of us!

I love this post girl!
Another two words: Muscle Relaxer!!!!

[deborah]

you said it all, baby! and made perfect sense. I don't know what the heck "they're" talking about, stress for sure makes migraines appear for me. if it smells like a trigger, or acts like a trigger, hmm what do you have??

Oh, and the clouds rolled in here this afternoon also.

[Megan Oltman]

Glad you guys enjoyed it - I make myself laugh, so I'm glad I'm not the only one with this wickety-wack sense of humor. Deb, you know I'm not really criticizing IHS for taking stress off the trigger list - I'm just having some fun with the fact that it's hard to tell the difference. I guess in terms of how we have to handle it, it's different. We can eliminate or avoid a lot of triggers (not weather - that's for sure). We can't eliminate or avoid stress. All we can do is manage it, the best we can. Hmmm... another post, maybe. Feel well dears!
- Megan