Migraine

I had a very interesting demonstration of the stackable nature of triggers yesterday. I have had very minor head pain all week, in my left temple which is my most frequent migraine spot. There have been several times when I thought I would get a migraine, but didn't. Mostly when I felt the pressure building I rested, meditated, or took a walk, and the feeling went away. As far as I can tell, the factors present for me all week have been:

• A lot of stress and frustration over finance, work, a non-functional computer, a troublesome neighbor, and some worries about the kids
  
• A lot of fatigue
  
• Breathing smoke from our fire-pit fire on Sunday
  
• sleeping poorly
  
• Too much caffeine

Yesterday Adam (13 y/o) went to make himself some nachos in the broiler and they caught fire. He came running out to my office screaming that something in the oven was on fire. I jumped up and ran into the kitchen, opened the oven, saw the flames, shut the oven, grabbed salt, smothered out the fire (though flames shot up for a second as I started throwing the salt on). It all took maybe a minute and it was over. There was quite a bit of smoke which I got a snoot-full of. I calmed him down, helped him clean up, went back to work. As I sat in my chair the migraine came on, kaboom - just like that.

It's just really interesting to me that a migraine I managed to avoid all week came on so fast when adding two more triggers to the stack - I think the let-down from the crisis (probably adrenalin?) and the added smoke just knocked me over the edge.

Anyway, I'm okay today, my triptan worked. I just wanted to share because I don't think I ever had such a clear demonstration of a stack toppling over before.

Oh, and don't try melting cheese on tortilla chips with the broiler on high and the rack on the highest setting. And don't rely on your 13 y/o to time 2 minutes - time it yourself!

- Megs

I'm so glad you're triptan worked - broilers must be notorious for starting fires- I had a similar incident happen when one of my children was smaller(but it was my fault!), and it was really scary!
It is amazing how fast a migraine can hit- even when you can feel the "build up". Hope you contine to feel better- and have a great, stress-free week end!

Valerie

Megs, first let me say I'm glad no one was hurt. It was probably scary. I've put out stove fires before.

I can totally relate to your stacking triggers experience. Now that I'm off for temp disability, I'm learning soooooo much about my triggers. I know I can have two triggers at one time without getting a migraine. However, if I add one more, BAM, I'm down for the count.

Which means there are times when I'm SOL because of triggers I can't control. Weather, hormones (although I am on bio-identical hormones to try to help with that) and stress are ones I struggle with. Sleep schedules and explosure to fluorescent lights are ones I try to control. It's so hard trying to have a life and baby myself enough to keep them from stacking up and causing me misery.

Take care and I'm glad you were able to get your to subside.

I'm glad to hear your triptan worked and that no one was hurt.

It was probably not only that they were triggers, but they were at the same time and combined with the stress of the sitution.

FYI... this is why I'm a microwave girl!

Megs--

I often get that flash in the pan dreadful migraine. In fact, if it's going to be a bad one, that's always how it hits. And it's almost always brought on by a sudden emergency type stressor. My last one was triggered when a member of our cleaning team stole about 50 Norco 10/325 from me. All I could think of was would my doctor believe me that I didn't take them!!! Thus--Boom--nasty monster.

Sudden emergencies and sudden stress have got to be Huge Triggers

Tracie

We have an excellent podcast on Migraine Trigger Identification and Management which also includes information on stackable triggers.

sounds scary!! i'm glad everyone was ok!

i've had experience w/triggers stacking, for sure. my most common ones are those i can't control as well stacking with those i can - for example, when the barometric pressure changes and i haven't gotten enough sleep the night before, and i've got plans i feel like i can't change... bingo bango. migraine is hurting. the more triggers, the merrier.

emily

Oh hun I AM SO GLAD everything was relatively ok. Nothing like a headful of smoke to change the rest of your day, huh?

About a year ago, my mother came screaming into the room where I was, hollering that my 17-year-old had the fire extinguisher and was putting out a fire in the toaster oven. My mother had somehow ignited the oven (don't ask--if it can be ignited, my mother will burn it) and the flames were leaping out of the vent and up the side of the cabinet.

A year later we're still finding little bits of 'nuisance dust' all over the house. We have no idea what 'nuisance dust' is or what it does but it's a component of the fire extinguisher mixture put there for some reason. It's listed on the label!

I got a migraine attack that day too and an asthma attack from that cussed nuisance dust.

Megs how did I miss this. Thank goodness everyone was alright and no damage was done.

Personally I don't think boys should be allowed near certain types of equipment until they leave home. Let girlfriends or housemothers, or someone else teach them to cook!!! I think they are safer with power tools than gas stoves and ovens.

The smoke dector would have set me off I'm sure. But I don't know, sometimes those prevenatives surprise me.

Cindy

This is an interesting subject. My last migraine was brought on by a number of triggers starting with:
-very loud music being played at a work function
I had to attend, loud voices, laughing, etc.
-no sleep that evening
-stress at work the next day regarding a customer
issue, no sleep that night my husband had a
crisis he had to discuss
-a very stressful hour drive to my Mom's house
the next day, then finding out my daughter is
failing 2 of her classes at school-I had to
help her with homework all afternoon
-eating chocolate dessert for Mother's Day brunch

It all started with that loud music- I broke out in a sweat( a telltale sign for me), but I didn't take care of myself afterwards like I should have, and those extra things just sent me over the edge.
Chocolate really is a trigger for me- I have to stay away from it!



Valerie

I'm just waiting...

Wed. of last week, Mary's Land Cruiser broke down 200 mi. from here & 40 mi. from her apt. Thurs., the Camry we bought for her had an oil light come on as we were headed up to Graduation. We left it at our other house.

Graduation Friday morning was fantastic! Lunch with my MIL and Step-FIL was nice. Mary's & Friends Dinner Party was wonderful. Mom & Milt never bothered to RSVP nad never bothered to show up. Oh, they never bothered to RSVP or show up for Graduation, either.

Saturday morning, as I'm heading to Mary's apt. to help pack up, Mom tells me lunch is at noon in the dining room of her "Old Folks' Home." (This was around 10:30.) Neither Mary nor I made it to lunch, although I did call & let Mom know we would not be there.

Sat afternoon, at 4:45, Mom calls to tell me supper is at 6 pm. DH calls her back just before 6 to let her know plans had already been made to treat the "packers" to supper elsewhere.

Sat night, Mom gave me major grief about us letting them down. I said nothing about them letting Mary down.

Sun., Matt (DH) & Mary drove to WV (Matt had jury-rigged the Land Cruiser, which had shed a pulley) to move her into the cottage at her new job. I rode home (as far as Moncks Corner, SC) with SIL who sold us the Camry and her daughter. I took phenergan as we were leaving Easley, and again as we were going through Columbia. Otherwise, my niece's driving would have made me quite ill, all over their back seat.

Monday, Matt either came down with food poisoning or a virus. He's finally on his way home now. Sallie had a 15-page paper due on "Heart of Darkness."

I've just been through 3 days of state-wide standardized testing and crazy schedules with my students.

The new dachshund is not really housebroken and is madly in love with Chloe, our queen cat. She can't stand the sight of him.

A major thunderstorm is moving this way. I'm out of Migranal. Will take phenergan and naproxen shortly & head for bed. Oh, will take a nice shower first & use my lavender essential oil, too.

Stack one on top of the other...

Rebecca

Sounds really stressful on top of the weather triggers you're facing- there's nothing like family issues that can get you going- pack your bags, we're going on a guilt trip!

Hope it doesn't turn into a huge headache for you!

Valerie

My stackable triggers for the migraine that I know is invetiable:

1.Vertigo that has kept me from cleaning house the last month.

2.Weather change-thunder storm and first rain in two monthes in New Mexico

3. caffine for last four days

4. chocolate everyday since friday, because of Mother's Day treats

5. Insomina for last three nights, made worse by husband's snoring.

6. Middle schoolers who didn't do a major project, messing up chance of not taking major test.

7. Having to write said major test.

8. Last week of school--semester tests to write,give and grade.

"People" say stress causes migraines. I think the correct statement is life does.

Mary in NM