Migraine

My supersoft oversized blanket
Reruns of Seinfeld
At least 2-3 ice packs
Aromatherapy vial of lavender, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil
My husband playing rennaissance music on his classical guitar
picturing scenes of the Bavarian Alps

Valerie

I know I mention this stuff all the time, but I thought I would post a link of what I'm actually talking about. It never gets rid of my migraines or headaches, but it usually takes the edge off. And smells good. DBF calls it my perfume.

This is a local (to me) company that makes this. It's a "headache relief" aromatherapy stick of lavender, peppermint and sweet almond oil. I love this stuff - put it on every night when I go to bed. It would be easy enough to make your own, as long as you remember to dilute the essential oils - that's what the sweet almond oil is used for.

Lil's lavender stick HERE.

Coke
a pillow and matching fleece blanky
fleece slipper socks
an ice pack for my head or the back of my neck
a fan (I get really warm during migraines)
sprite if I'm really nauseous
crackers
and a stuffed cow to make me feel better

then I have
ZOfran for the nausea
Migranal or Zomig (I choose based on how I'm feeling. NEVER MIX THE TWO though.)
Dilaudid tablets if the pain is out of control (only use these about 1 time per week.)

Old grey sweats,
White fruit of the loom over sized T-shirt
Dark bedroom
fuzzy socks
My two squishy, cuddly pug dogs
Sex and the City season 1-6 DVD's
xanax
sleep

Oh yeah, and sunglasses, sunglasses, sunglasses...

I figured I'd finally post since I just added a new thing to the toolbox...

I have the usual
-migraine cold packs, they stick to your head
-sleep mask
-kitties
-toast
-diet coke
-nap time

my new thing:
-hot shower with Rosemary Mint body wash. I bought it a while ago, figuring it would be nice on a hot sticky day, but for some reason it didn't occur to me til recently it would help w/ my migraine nausea. I have been using it along with the matching moisturizer which makes me smell minty all nite. (BTW, it is from C.O.Bigelow which is carried by Bath and Body Works)

Dreeeeaaaamy!

Recently added: ginger body lotion from The Body Shop. I LOVE this stuff. Smells great and helps with my nausea. Unfortunately it's "limited edition" so I just stocked up on it when it went on sale.

The Body Shop also carries a few other of my essentials: ginger body wash and lavender body wash in particular. I like their products because it's just one fragrance added to their scented stuff, and having a lot of fragrance allergies, that's a big deal.

I feel a trip to Body shop coming on. Who I am kidding? I shop online.

You know what else is great? Johnson & Johnson Sleeptime Baby wash and lotion. It has lavender and other stuff in it. It's aromatherapy meant to relax and calm.... I'm addicted.

quote:

Originally posted by MaxJerz:
Recently added: ginger body lotion from The Body Shop. I LOVE this stuff. Smells great and helps with my nausea. Unfortunately it's "limited edition" so I just stocked up on it when it went on sale.

The Body Shop also carries a few other of my essentials: ginger body wash and lavender body wash in particular. I like their products because it's just one fragrance added to their scented stuff, and having a lot of fragrance allergies, that's a big deal.

I found a new lotion too. It's Barefoot Shea Butter and it's got a lovely peppermint and plum scent! Delightful and inexpensive! It's meant for your feet but I've used it for my hands too.

I've got a great lotion my sister gave me for Christmas. It's Aveda Foot Relief. Nice stuff, that. Which reminds me, I've got to get it out and use some to spiff up my feet. Live in Tevas, get calluses! The Aveda hand cream is very nice, too.

I haven't answered this one yet! I don't think I have really compiled a "toolbox." Maybe I should.

I was going to order some essential oils, would those of you who use lavender say that the essential oil is best or is it best used in a diluted form, like in candles/lotion?

I noticed that my massage therapist used a lavender candle yesterday and I liked it, but I was way too tense to get much from it, I think.

With that said, what I use during my migraines:

Covers up over my head
Cat in bed with me (on me or the legs, no matter, lol)
Massage therapy if I can make it.
Husband gives back rubs or temple rubs
Heating pad for head (or baked potatoes if I'm at work, lol!)
Showers
Coffee (if at work)
Sunglasses
Axert + Aleve
SLEEP!!!

quote:

I was going to order some essential oils, would those of you who use lavender say that the essential oil is best or is it best used in a diluted form, like in candles/lotion?

Leeloo, the safest way to use essential oils, when applying them to your skin, is in a diluted form. Sweet almond oil is often used as a "carrier" oil to dilute the stronger oils (lavender or peppermint).

If you're using it in a burner, I believe diluted is still the way you want to go. Mine have a specific proportion of how much water to oil if I'm burning them.

That said, I don't have any specifics on what proportions are best.

Thanks MJ. I bought lavender with chamomile from Bath and Body works, the oil applicator, plus the hand cream, as well as a lavender candle. I have to say it's helped me to drop off to sleep quicker than usual.

I kind of sneak the oil into my "awake" time, to remind myself to stay relaxed when I smell it.

I like almond oil too, I have some for my cuticles. I will have to check out your links for what you use...I just bought some tea rose oil (which I have always loved to death) and for me it's calming as well, but that's likely because it's just a familiar scent that I like.