Migraine

Argh.

So. Yes, I go to well... Sort of a well, rowdy church we'll say.

And about 1/2 way through the second song I started with a hemiplegic migraine. Not a horrible one. In fact it may have started sooner (I couldn't tell if I was having vision disturbances or if it was the smoke?) lol. But my whole left arm, hand, face, lip-- went numb and weak and I felt a heavy pressure at the base of my skull that lasted then partway into the sermon (it was much tamer than the music segment!)

So am I going to have to convert?

haha.

I'm sorta just being funny. But I'm also being serious. This is not the first time this has happened. I've missed alot of church the last few months because of helping out in other areas and I've had LESS episodes...

Has anyone else had to deal with anything similar? How far do we go to be healthy? Is there a church with "migraine seating"?

Hi Jaimee- I do know music for me (especially at a certain pitch) will definitely trigger a migraine for me. I recently attended a work function where there was loud music being played, and it was one of many triggers that started a migraine for me. The last job I had had a piano right across the department where I worked being played very loud all day long, and it triggered many migraines.

I am so sorry that your church music is doing this to you!
A church for migraineurs isn't a bad idea!

How about a vacation resort while we're at it (no loud music, quiet, dark rooms, lavender scented sheets, etc.)?

Valerie

Ahhh resort.... ahhh lavendar.... Speaking of essential oils. Part of my doing something about my diagnosis was going to be aromatherapy... I loooove the smell of patchouli. Found out I'm allergic to the ding dang stuff. Got little blisters all over my lips, eye lids, hands. Grrrr. So relaxing, lemme tell ya. Anyhow, I digress.

Yeah, I dont know if it was the music or the lights or combination. They have kind of stepped things up in there a bit lately and I honestly don't know if Im going to be able to handle it. I hate that, but goodness, how to you just work a one sided migraine into your schedule every sunday just for kicks you know?

They did just start an earlier service which is supposedly quieter... I'm not sure if that is actually lower volume though, or just not quite so rockin out songs... and then you still have the lights and stuff... oh, who knows. With gas prices the way they are, we may be finding someplace closer anyway... that alone's enough to give you a migraine.

Jaimee,

I'm so sorry the music is giving your head fits! You've already mentioned another service earlier in the day so let me add a thought that popped into my brain: What about a service during the week? I know that my church offers Bible Study and a small service on Wednesday's. Is that an option for you?

Hi Jaimee,

I so sorry that the music at your church is getting to your head. I had the same problem. I go to a pretty loud music church with flourescents lights, not a good combo for a migraine.

Honestly, I don't have a perfect answer for you. At my church they only play the music in the beginning, so I stay outside and listen (trust me you can hear it) then I wear sunglasses if the lights bothers me. I might look silly, but it's church no one suppose to judge, right LOL.

Laura's idea for the middle of the week might work too. Let us know how it goes.

Dar

LOL

Jamiee,

My church is old fashion--piano and organ music, but something there triggers my episodes. Can't tell you how many times in the last 17 years I have had to be helped out of church and come home and sleep off a bad fainting/migraine spell.

People would say I am inactive in my church, except they have seen these episodes for so long and know how I would look like death warmed over if I was there.

People always comment on how pale I get when I am leaving. Sometimes I will get a call later on wondering if I am doing better. That always feel so good. Those are the times when I know I am loved

I would be embarassed, but then I never would go. I know there is some sort of a trigger there, haven't figured it out.

Some Sundays I feel like that the adversary is trying to keep me from going. I have decided that this is trial of my faith. My husband and kids always go to church, but I am doing good to get there once a Sunday in a month.

Mary in NM

Hi Jaimee,

I hear you... it's hard to feel like the place you want to be is the place you need to avoid. This is a much, much smaller issue, but I've found that my favorite area to sit (I'm such a creature of habit) is also where they've aimed the new stage lights at my church... *lovely*

I'd agree, if you feel like this church is home, I'd be hesitant to give it up. If you're already ready to move on (which you kinda sound like you are) then it's no sweat off your back to do so... but I know I'd be crushed to leave my "family" and it would be an emotional experience for me. My church has balconies, where I know the music would be quieter, and like Dar, I've stayed outside before for worship, our church also has video feed right outside that you can watch. You might also inquire, some churches have a mother's room, where parents of small children can go... with video and sound. Granted, you'd be with kids, but it might be better for your head than the band!

Jaimee, I'm so sorry to hear this is happening to you. I have to tell you the same thing happens to me at our church.

Ours is a very large church, but if it were smaller (like my church in the hometown where I grew up) I would ask the pastor if anything could be done.

I know elderly people at our church think the volume is WAY too loud, and if elderly people with hearing difficulty think it's loud, it is LOUD.

If you can't say anything and it continues, I would first have a talk with your pastor. If you do have to leave for that unfortunate reason, the pastor may be able to recommend a nice smaller church for you or somewhere where the atmosphere is more amenable to migrainers.

I know what you're dealing with and I feel for you.

OHHH Jamiee! Interesting topic, as I have the same problem with church! The music can be bothersome, though we are more traditional and toned down, we have an organ, piano, choir that sings to music in speakers usually..and of course congregation singing. But my biggest problem is the fluresent lighting! I will get a migraine triggered BEFORE any music starts! also the PERFUME ladies! UGGGG had one sit behind me last week. I had to move to the other end of the pew, and still had trouble..

I just know that I more than likely will come home with a migraine. I bring my gelstat migraine, my midrin and phenegrin. Dont know how many times I have come home all drugged up and loopy! LOL

I bring my sunglasses in to church too. That helps with the lights a bit. So now whenever they see me with my glasses..they say UH oh did the lights get to you again? They are all very nice and understanding though!

I still go every week though, unless I am really bad before its time to go to church, or if one of the kids are sick.


Tawsha

My church isn't particularly loud. One time I did have to leave in the middle, though, because the organ music was getting to me when I had an active migraine. And a couple of weeks ago, I was in church with sunglasses on the entire time. Like you, I knew I looked silly, but I didn't feel I had a choice if I was going to be there. Our Deacon is also a migraineur, and she guessed why I had the sunglasses on without having to be told.

We have an early service with no music, all spoken. One Sunday I was at that service with an active migraine, and I was certainly glad for the quieter atmosphere. However, I found I could recite parts of the service I said from memory with no problems, but I couldn't read anything, such as the psalm, to save my life. I was just too aphasic. Interesting experience.

Only a couple of things bother me at church. One is the organ if I have a beastie in progress, or if I'm having a rather "sensitive" day with my hyperactive nervous system. Those vibrations are killer. The other is the pews down in the main sanctuary. They weren't built for cushions, yet have them, and they don't conform nicely to me. My shoulders scream in five minutes if I have to sit there. So...I sit in our traditional family spot, up in the balcony, in the corner opposite the organ, as far away as I can get, in pews that are much easier on my collective parts. Mostly that works for me. Thankfully, we don't have flourescent lights, so that's a plus.

You guys are so nifty.

I do have some other things going on at church right now that are probably not making my head (or my heart) real happy right now. But it is so cool to come here and hear you all relating similar instances with the light and sound and such.

I did not expect to be feeling so emotional since getting this diagnosis. I think everything else is magnified like a billion times. Can I just put everything on PAUSE while I process? lol.

Jamiee, Sign me up if you figure out how to pause your life!!

Mary in NM

quote:

Originally posted by ValerieH: How about a vacation resort while we're at it (no loud music, quiet, dark rooms, lavender scented sheets, etc.)?

Valerie

lol...
Can we get a supermarket too?

Jamie... I picked up on something you said "maybe it was the smoke"... does your church use any kind of incense or something like that? I remember as a child having a horrible reaction to the incense at my grandmother's funeral, which was in a catholic church. (Come to think of it I got a horrible headache and terribly nauseous.... wow, that sounds familiar!)

I agree with trying out the earlier service or a weekday service if you can go. It's such a shame this illness keeps us from doing so many things we love, or makes things that should make us feel good trigger migraines.

I hope you're able to find a solution.

Well... Im not sure if they had incense going or not... I think they may have in the past. But I really think they used one of those smoke making thingies... am I making any sense? You know what I mean, like they use at concerts and things? Im not sure how that makes the smoke... is it humidity? Cause if thats the case, this last week with the gray clammy weather we've had has really done me in. Maybe it was the "smoke." I don't recall smelling anything this time.

There were definitely lights. Not just fluorescent kind either--- the flashing, changing colors, spinning... And it seems like vision-wise things have really been bothering me lately...

but sound too (as my 3yo and 2yo scream through the room!) I dunno.

Honestly Wednesdays arent any tamer.

And sometimes I wonder if it isn't to some extent the heightened emotion that I feel as well... Anyone feel that way sometimes with your migraines? Like if you get too emotional, your head may pop off?

We watched that movie P.S. I LOVE YOU this weekend, and I sort of felt like that. All that pressure rising at the base of my skull. Of course crying for 2 straight hours is probably considered strenuous exercise for someone with a sedentary lifestyle.