Moldy Digs

We have mold all over our bathroom ceiling. It's gross. And embarrassing... :\

I don't think this particular mold is contributing much to my headaches - there's not a lot of it compared to the airspace of the rest of the house, and it's only in the bathroom. I've also read that most mold usually isn't a major concern to people who are healthy to begin with. But it's still interesting (and scary) to learn about the negative effects of mold in your living space.

Most people know mold can be an allergen for some people, which can cause headaches, respiratory problems, skin rashes and itchiness, and other common allergic reactions. On the more severe end of the spectrum, mold can cause flu-like symptoms, respiratory dysfunction (like coughing up blood!), diarrhea / vomiting, and liver damage (yikes!). 

While I'm fairly certain the mold here isn't quite that dangerous, it's still something that probably shouldn't be inhaled on a regular basis, and it's an eyesore.

I've found a few natural remedies like tea tree oil, vinegar, and grapefruit seed extract that can kill most types of mold. I've tried vinegar diluted with a little water, but it hasn't done much. What tips and tricks for getting rid of mold do you know of?

Binaural Beats

I think I tried binaural beats to battle a headache / oncoming migraine once through an app I had on my Kindle. Maybe I didn't give it enough time, and lost my patience and took medicine too soon.

From what I think I understand from Wikipedia, one beat of a certain frequency is played in one ear, and one beat of a slightly different frequency is played in the other ear. In summary, these frequencies can entrain certain brainwaves, which can help with meditation, pain control, creativity, etc.

This website explains binaural beats in a much more understandable way:

"When two tones of specific frequencies are played through headphones, the brain can become confused and produce its own, imagined tone—a three-dimensional audio hallucination heard only within the head of the listener. The frequencies that produce this phenomenon are known as Binaural Beats. 

What is happening is that the brain is not used to hearing frequencies in each ear so close together and with such intensity—these sounds do not occur in nature and so a mechanism in our brains has not evolved to understand them. Instead, the superior olivary nucleus, the area of the brain which controls aspects of three-dimensional sound perception, bridges the difference between the varying frequencies in Binaural Beats with a common “third tone” in an attempt to normalize this audio into something we can understand. What’s weirder is that each person hears the “third tone” differently: People with Parkinson’s disease can’t hear it at all; women will hear different tones as they move through their menstrual cycle."

WEIRD.

So it makes a lot of sense that I didn't notice anything funky without listening through headphones, I'll have to try that next time.

Have you ever tried binaural beats to combat brain pain, or something else? Did they work for you?

Beats intended to provide pain relief:

Beats for meditation / astral projection / lucid dreaming:

The Remedy

Coincidentally, this is the ultimate feel good song for me, especially the live version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ6yA3oZyL4

Granted, it's not curing my headaches per se, but it still takes the edge off for 6 minutes and 23 seconds.

Bad Habits

Wake up, feel a small headache, take some Excedrin. Eat a Little Debbie Fudge Round for breakfast. Then wonder why I have headaches...

I know a lot of my brain pain issues circle around my bad eating and medication habits, but they're such hard habits to break!

Sinus Headache?

I think I may have experienced my first sinus headache last night. There was a lot of pressure and soreness right underneath my right eye and on my cheekbone. At first, I figured it had something to do with my jaw issues, so I tried to ignore it. Eventually the pressure / pain became annoying enough that I realized it wasn't anything related to my jaw like I'd experienced before. I put ice on the spot, but it didn't really do much of anything.

Finally, I tried an allergy pill to try to loosen up my sinuses a little bit. It helped some, but didn't make a huge difference. Eventually I just went to bed and woke up feeling fine.

I wouldn't call the pain severe - it was just there. And wouldn't go away. It certainly wasn't anything like a migraine or tension headache. To anyone who's had a sinus headache before, is that what I was experiencing? 

Brain Fog

While "brain fog" isn't generally something directly associated with migraine, they can be connected. According to Migravent's blog, many people who complain of feeling foggy, or living in a haze all day, often complain of also suffering from migraines, and vice versa.

Brain drain is one complaint that people with migraines and chronic fatigue have- that feeling of walking around in a daze, not being quick-on-the-uptake, thinking in slow motion.

For many, chronic pain and fatigue go hand-in-hand. One of the most common symptoms of illnesses such as migraine disorder, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and pernicious anemia is- you guessed it- constant brain fog, or “fibro haze.”
Sometimes, brain fog occurs because of reduced oxygen resulting from low red blood cells. Such is the case when vitamin B12 deficiency occurs with migraine.

I used to have brain fog a lot. I walked around feeling like I was in a haze all the time. I couldn't seem to get anything done, and my boyfriend complained that I seemed mopey and boring. I blame this primarily on Topamax, but I've also noticed less brain fog since I started regularly seeing a chiropractor again. I think both could have helped with this.

What's your take on brain fog? Have you had it? Does it hinder your daily performance? Tell us what you think.

The original article can be found here.

Coughing and Headaches

I've finally caught a version of the crud that seems to be going around this town. I didn't think it would be so bad at first, but the constant dry coughing I went through yesterday eventually gave me a headache. Which turned into a migraine. Which stayed with me through the night, eventually making me take an Imitrex. I've still been coughing today, but it hasn't been quite as intense or frequent, and the headache has been kept at bay.

What are some ways to prevent coughing and the headaches that can come with it? When you go to sleep with a migraine, do you wake up with it the next day?

Sobakawa

I've heard a lot about pillows and mattresses reducing (or increasing) tension and morning headaches. I've also seen a lot of commercials lately for the Sobakawa pillow, and I've been curious. On the same thought, I'm wary about ordering Seen on TV items.

Has anyone tried it? Does it work/help? Let us know what you think!

Aromatherapy

I've never tried aromatherapy as a pain reliever; I've always assumed it would take too long, or is too inconvenient to be effective. But after doing a little research, I've realized I'm dead wrong. You should always try something once!

Shamefully, I'd always assumed essential oils could only be used in aromatherapy by using the tools necessary to heat the oil and scent the air. I was way wrong:

Today, essential oils are extracted from the plants used for aromatherapy, making them very concentrated. The two basic ways aromatherapy is accomplished is by applying the oils to the skin and by inhalation. The term "aromatherapy" can be a bit misleading because it's not only the aroma that is therapeutic. The oils also interact with body chemistry directly, thus affecting certain systems and organs. You can demonstrate this yourself by rubbing garlic on the soles of your feet. After awhile, the garlic aroma will be evident on your breath.  (http://headaches.about.com/cs/alternative/l/aa_aromatherapy.htm)

What? That's pretty cool.

Now I'm most interested in finding "recipes" that can be used topically to soothe and relieve pain. Here are a few blends I've found:

• Blend #1: 8 Drops Lavender Oil, 4 Drops Roman Chamomile, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
• Blend #2: 4 Drops Spearmint Essential Oil, 4 Drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
• Blend #3: 4 Drops Helichrysum Essential Oil, 8 Drops Roman Chamomile, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
• Blend #4: 4 Drops Spearmint Essential Oil, 8 Drops Lavender Essential Oil, 1 oz. Carrier Oil       (http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromatherapy-essential-oils-for-headaches.asp)

The article also recommends that despite how strong your headache may be or feel, essential oils are incredibly powerful, and less is more.

Another great benefit of aromatherapy is that the side effects of essential oils are less intense and frequent than those of otc and prescription pain relievers, when used as recommended.

What about you? Have you tried aromatherapy in any way? Has it worked? What blends or recipes have you tried? We're anxious to know! :)

Heal Your Headache

Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain by David Buchholz is the book I mentioned the other day. I promise this is a personal plug from me, not from an author or publisher. 

While some may say the book is full of common sense or common knowledge, the motivation in the book is what inspired me to take control and do what I needed to do. Dr. Buchholz reminds his readers that doctors don't always have the time to go through the process of finding and eliminating triggers, and may just reach for "quick-fix" prescription solutions. Sometimes it's up to the person in pain to take control and do something about it.

From what I remember, step 1 of Dr. Buchholz's program is to find possible headache / migraine triggers. He suggests starting a headache journal to track what you eat and do each day and find patterns that could be leading to headaches. Dr. Buchholz lists many common triggers that may be causing a problem, many of which I wouldn't ever think of. 

Step 2 is to eliminate these triggers. Many people might suggest weaning oneself from triggers, but Dr. Buchholz suggests going cold turkey since it may be more tempting to "relapse" while weaning. I remember being hesitant about this at first, but once I bit the bullet, it was a great idea.

Step 3, essentially, is to follow up with yourself. If you know you've eliminated your triggers but are still having some headaches, Dr. Buchholz suggests seeing a doctor for preventative measures. If you are unsure you have found the right triggers, he suggests going back to the drawing board.

Obviously, each person is different and what worked well for me may not at all for others. Regardless, I really hope you give this book a try - I'll be anxiously awaiting your reviews!

OTC Pain Relief

I ran across this little slideshow on WebMD last night. It has a few scary reminders - encouragement to find drug-free pain relief alternatives.

http://www.webmd.com/drug-medication/otc-pain-relief-10/slideshow-pain-relievers

Have you experienced any unpleasant side effects when taking OTC pain relievers? What alternatives have you tried?

You

Now that my story is over, I'm curious about you.

What do you do to ease the pain? What have you tried - what's worked and what hasn't?

With so many different resources to turn to like books, webpages, and YouTube, what do you turn to? What do you find credible vs. crazy?

I'm really excited to learn about you and what works for you. What's your story? Tell us about it!

My Story - Where it All Started, Part 3

I've been spending the past few months sleeping with a splint at night and having my TMJ dentist polish my teeth to get a proper alignment. I rarely find my jaw sore after talking or smiling anymore, and I don't seem to be getting nearly as many random, middle of the day headaches as I used to.

I'm continuing to see my chiropractor and I moderate my caffeine intake. I can honestly say that I feel the healthiest I've felt in years.

I still fight the battle with Excedrin some mornings, but it is an uphill struggle. I know I can do get past this, but I refuse to do what I did last time. I'll find a healthier way, I'm sure.

I don't think my battle against brain-pain is over for good... I don't think it ever will be (maybe post-menopause?). But better is always better than worst.

But that's enough about me. What about you? What's your story? Do you or someone you know struggle with headaches and their causes? My goal is to make this blog a community where everyone can share their stories and solutions, in the hope that others will be able to share that same great feeling. Together, maybe we can make this community the cure :)

My Story, Part 2 (the uphill climb)

I think the cover of Heal Your Headache is what initially captured my attention, and David Buchholz seemed to know exactly what I was going through. The first I thing I learned was that I needed to cut caffeine and fix my diet (surprise!), and eventually, my headaches would become manageable.

After cutting my high caffeine intake cold-turkey and living through the worst (and only) withdrawal-related, three day migraine of my life, I took Buchholz's next suggestion. I went back to the doctor for preventative medications and received Topamax (later to become my worst enemy).

For a couple years, I did okay. Everything seemed to be going well enough. Then, when I transferred schools, things started acting up again. I restarted the battle with Excedrin, and saw my Imitrex counts rise again. Finally, after my first senior year, I saw a neurologist.

The neurologist helped with nothing. He put me on a higher dosage of Topamax and gave me cortisone shots (aka occipital nerve blockers) in the back of my skull and neck in an attempt to relieve the tension. Soon after, my periods became incredibly irregular, my hair started falling out, and the headaches seemed to be getting worse. Now what?? Ignoring what the neurologist recommended, I cut the Topamax and continued to see a chiropractor. I haven't seen the inside of a neurology clinic since.

It was said chiropractor who seemed to be doing me the most good. After transferring schools, it'd been a year or so before I settled down and realized I should start seeing a chiro again. Not only did she adjust my spine, she worked hard to ensure I was eating well and staying as stress-free as possible - key elements to staying happy and healthy.

For a while, I was feeling pretty good - despite my complaints of jaw pain. It was my mother who suggested I ask my dentist for ideas. At a routine cleaning, I told my dentist of my jaw issues, and he referred me to another local dentist who specialized in TMJ problems. I learned that not only was I grinding my teeth on a nightly basis, but my bite was also misaligned. This was causing my jaw to overwork itself, and jaw problems can lead to headaches. 

There's one more shorter chapter to this story. Click here to continue on to Part 3, or here to reread Part 1.

My Story - Where it All Started, Part 1

I remember getting occasional headaches as far back as kindergarten, back when a simple, crushed aspirin did the trick. Gradually, the headaches became worse - both in frequency and intensity. By my freshman year of high school, I was checking the "has frequent headaches / migraines" box on school registration forms. 

Soon after, I began seeing doctors for headaches and was diagnosed with "tension headaches." I was being prescribed everything under the sun that had been known to "prevent" and "cure" headaches. Nothing seemed to do the trick, so I self-medicated. 

With no regard to my liver, I began taking OTC pain relievers on a daily basis (mostly Excedrin). When headaches got particularly bad, I took a prescription Imitrex (or Treximet, I can't remember). On top of this, by my senior year, I was scheduling my day around my trips to the vending machine for a bottle of Mt. Dew. Waking up with headaches every day, my daily breakfasts consisted of a dosage of Excedrin Tension Headache washed down by a swig of Mt. Dew, maybe followed by a donut from the gas station on my way to school. But I was seeing a chiropractor and a reflexologist regularly, and doing all the right things! Why was I still getting headaches and migraines every other afternoon? (hmmmm...)

Regrettably, I must admit here that I did begin to use my headaches as a crutch and excuse. I can't count how many afternoons I left school "ill," or failed to come in until midday. People knew me as the girl who always had a headache, and I used that to my rebellious advantage. Note: Since then I've learned I don't need an excuse to do things I don't want to do :)

By my freshman year of college, Excedrin was no longer doing the trick, and I couldn't afford (physically and financially) to keeping taking so much Imitrex. Before I re-visited the doctor, I made a happenstance visit to the local library. I happened to have a headache that day, which for the first time in a long time, I was attempting to fight sans drugs. After learning I was battling my millionth and first headache, my favorite librarian (bless you Demi!) dashed straight to the self-help and health sections. She brought back a pile of books, one of which stood out to me more than the others. Despite the pain in my brain, I went straight home and ate it up.

This is getting too long, so I've decided to break it up into a few reading-friendly sections. Click here to continue on to Part 2...