Those Damn Triggers

One of the most frustrating things for headache and migraine sufferers everywhere has got to be triggers.

It can take years for one to figure out just what seems to be causing the problem, and just like that, triggers can change.

Or, a trigger that hasn't been present for a while may have subtly re-introduced itself to the equation again, without even being realized.

Or, there can be too many triggers all at once, and it's hard to pinpoint which is the most problematic and needs to be addressed first. This is the problem for me right now.

Having just moved to NYC from calm and laid-back Iowa / Minnesota, lots of things in my routine have changed. Now I seem to be back to the grind with headaches I can't quite get the hang of again.

For instance, yesterday I fought the early signs of a headache all afternoon, and finally had to take something in the evening when it got problematic enough. There are sooo many things that could have been a factor - heat, poor diet, caffeine, MOH, bad posture, not seeing a chiro regularly, not using my glasses regularly, not wearing my jaw splint at night - and I'm struggling with which one to tackle first.

Some of them are relatively easy: Wearing my jaw splint and glasses when I should, fixing my diet some, and watching caffeine intake are all pretty easy to remedy. But it's hard to battle the heat when you're trying to conserve energy and difficult to find a chiropractor in a city where you have so many options to choose from.

But we just keep swimming anyway, am I right?

What are some triggers you've been battling this hot and sticky summer?

MHAM Blog Challenge, Day 10: Ocean's Eleven (my favorite movie!)

Who's part of your Migraine / Headache Disorders care team? What essential roles still need to be filled?

Of course, the best part of my team are these wonderful folks, first and foremost. Next I would add...

My chiropractor.
Well, technically I'm in between chiropractors right now and don't have one to call "my own," but I believe my last chiropractor really changed my life. She uses an "arthostim," which essentially taps repeatedly at your spine in order to adjust it, rather than manipulate and crack it. While it takes a little longer term to start making a noticeable difference, it's more comfortable and effective in the longrun. As she puts it, "If you're going to approach someone and want a positive response, do you tap them on the shoulder or do you shove them?"

My TMJ dentist.
I'd still be having some serious issues if I hadn't found him. Simply wearing a personalized splint (bitegaurd) at night and polishing my teeth so that they are even has done wonders for me. While I still occasionally experience jaw pain, I no longer get the random, unexplainable, mid-day headaches that I used to before seeing him.

My last doctor.
While she didn't know a lot about headaches or migraines and couldn't suggest much beyond what anyone else ever had, she was the first medical doctor who was willing to listen and be a little creative about the situation. She was able to motivate me to try new alternatives.

How about you? Who's on your care team?

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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.

Holistic Chamber of Commerce

The Holistic Chamber of Commerce (HCC) is a cool little ditty not much different from a "regular" Chamber of Commerce. It's a national commerce with chapters in various cities with the intent of educating holistic care providers about better business practices.

The idea (though not always true) is that many holistic care providers do what they do because their purpose in life is to help others, and many of them would do that for free if they could afford it. They have to start a profitable business - not necessarily because they want to, but have to. Therefore, some of these providers aren't so savvy at the business side of things, and could maybe use a little help.

That's where the HCC comes in, providing resources, conventions and meeting, and networking opportunities for its members. It can also be a great way for people to find alternative / holistic health care in their area. My chiropractor has been working on starting a local chapter in Southern Minnesota, and hopes to be up-and-running with a board, meetings, and members within the next month or so.

I know many people in similar situations as mine get fed up with clinics, hospitals, and drugs, and look to alternative forms of relief, so I wanted to make others aware of the HCC. Check to see if there's a chapter in your area, and what suggestions they might have for you!

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...