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.

Jaw Tension Massage

This isn't a technique I've yet, but it's also one I've never seen before. It may be worth giving a shot next time my jaw is sore or I feel an oncoming tension headache.


What are some massages and techniques that you've tried for tension pain?

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? 

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.