MHAM Blog Challenge, Day 12: The Box

What situation in your Migraine / Headache Disorders treatment has made you feel like a lab rat?


"Here, let's try this. Nothing? How about this? Maybe this?"

I went through a slew of different "preventative" medications when I was first diagnosed with migraine, like antidepressants, muscle relaxers, and various beta blockers. I also went through the same type of ordeal when my migraine flared up again in college, but with different medications like anti-inflammatories, birth control, and of course, more beta blockers. Nothing worked, and they usually just had nasty side effects to deal with.

When Treximet first came out, my doctor at the time wanted me to "try this new medication." She even told me I was her first patient to use it, and frequently asked me how it was working.

Going through all these different "trials" took a toll on my body, and that probably caused more headaches and migraine at the time than anything. I'm happy to be doing my own "experiments" now like chiropractic, aromatherapy, and diet changes, and I feel like these are having a much better effect on my headaches and my body.

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June, Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, is dedicated to Unmasking the Mystery of Chronic Headache Disorders. The Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is issued by FightingHeadacheDisorders.com.

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! :)