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 20: Star Trek Generations

What role do Migraine / Headache Disorders play in your family history? Do others live with it? Does this make a difference in how you talk about it?

I'm kind of failing the blog challenge right now, guys. Hopefully this weekend I will be able to play some catch-up.

I know most everyone in my family (particularly on my mom's side) have experienced migraine once or twice in their lives, but my uncle and I seem to be the only two who have continued to experience them on a more frequent basis.

We've both been through a lot of the same things: Neck issues, sleep issues, jaw issues, and so on. We've seen the same chiropractors and reflexologists in the past, and we've been able to share some experiences. My aunt (his wife) and I usually discuss my and his progress when we're together, and share ideas and advice with each other.

In one way, having an older family member also go through the same experiences has been nice. For instance, my uncle was offered a twin-sized Tempurpedic bed because someone knew he had sleep / neck / headache problems. Since it was a twin, he wasn't really interested, but I was the first person he thought of who might want it (and I did). It was like sleeping on a very comfy cloud for several years, and I highly recommend them if you ever get the chance. They are worth the price, I think.

Anyway, it's nice to have someone else in the family who relates, and who can empathize with me.

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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?

Road Trips

I often find myself getting a headache after I've been driving for a couple hours or so, which is sad because I love driving and road trips. I'm not really sure why this is, but I have a couple ideas.

I'm far-sighted, and not very much so, so I only have reading glasses that I usually only use at night. When I try wearing them while walking or driving, I get a little dizzy and get some motion sickness. It's hard for my eyes to process things that are far away while I'm moving and wearing my glasses, which inevitably gives me a headache. But maybe my eyes just have a hard time adjusting to the constant objects moving while driving?

I've also noticed that my head slightly tilts forward when pointed forward for a long period of time, like when I'm at my computer, watching tv, or driving. After a while, this creates a kink in my neck, which can become a tension headache. But I don't always notice the kink before the headache, so I'm not sure if that's what's causing these headaches either.

It's hard to say. It could be a combination of these two issues or something else entirely. Either way, it makes the drive home to Iowa a little tough, and hard to enjoy my first nights back home.

If you've got any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them! :)