Traveling with Migraines

[EmJen]

Hi FitBit Community!

Thanks to some incredible people on here I was introduced to the book, The Migraine Miracle by Josh Turknett. (If you haven't had a chance to read it, GO DO IT NOW!!) 

The book changed my perspective on dealing with migraines. Nutrition became a lot less overwhelming because I had a better frame of reference in terms of knowing what potential triggers could be. 

Two months after reading the book and applying what I've learned, I'm back to ask the Community for a few more tips and suggestions.

Lately, my work is having me travel quite frequently. Over the past two days I have had two migraines. Previous to that, I only had one within the two-month period. To be fair, they were much shorter in duration, although it still took out the most productive part of my day(s). I travel with Magnesium and CoQ10, which I take when I'm feeling a bit dizzy or slight numbness (which is rare, and will usually go away within the hour after taking them). 

Diet-wise I've been able to stick to low/no carb, almost no sugar, and it hasn't strayed away from the food planning I'm able to do while at home. 

The only main thing that has changed (aside from slightly irregular sleeping patterns at the beginning of the trip) is my workout schedule. When I'm home, I usually go 5-6 days a week, and due to my traveling, I don't really get nearly the same workout possibilities. 

This isn't meant to come off as a complaint, and I very much want to not use travel as an excuse. Where I currently am, I don't have access to a gym - the ones within commute are incredibly expensive towards guests/visitors. I have access to walking a lot (and have been), along with doing stretches/yoga where I am staying.

So, to the FitBit Migraine Community:

- What are some of your go to stretches in the morning or throughout the day to help with your headaches? 

- What are some things you've learned when traveling and dealing with (potential) headaches? 

I'm hoping to have a better game-plan as I will be traveling frequently over the next few months. 

Thank you in advance for any/all suggestions! 

[fitmissjen]

hI @EmJen,

I myself am luck enough not to suffer from migraines. However, my mother and mother-in-law both do. I will be pointing them in the direct of the book you have recommended (The Migraine Miracle)

I remember as a child, going on family holidays was always tough on my mum, she would almost certainly end the trip trip to our location with a killer migraine (poor thing ) setting everything back for the rest of the family as she slept it off. She still suffers now, which is why i will be passing you recommendation on.

So, unfortunately i am not much help in the advice department! Hopefully there are other people in the community who can help you out 

[RexFeral]

Thank you so much for the book suggestion. I hadn't heard about this book and suffer from migraine. I actually have two types of extremely rare migraine and the only good thing about them is that I rarely experience pain. I have more neurological disturbances than anything else. The Paleo/Keto diet I am on, has improved my symptoms nearly 90%. I went from losing vision on a weekly basis to maybe losing it every few months now. The duration of the vision loss is much shorter too.

I primarily do neck and upper back stretches. I place myself back completely straight, along a door edge and then pull my shoulders back. I hold that position for about 20 seconds and then release. I also let my head hang down, without forcing it down, until my chin nearly touches my chest. This feels great on my neck muscles. I also hold that position for 20 seconds. Its good to do it on both sides of the neck. You can immediately feel that one.

Unfortunately, I have had to travel and that's when I have experienced the painful migraine. Its no joke. I actually carry an ice pack with me when I travel. I find that ice helps me tremendously. I don't bother with the migraine medication anymore because it wrecks my stomach so I don't even carry it with me when I travel. I just carry the ice pack. Putting your head and neck on ice, is a life saver. You have to do it right when the pain begins. The earlier you ice yourself, the better the outcome. The good thing about the ice pack is that you can tote it anywhere with you.

[SuperTara]

I will have to check out that book.

I have had severe migraines for years. I am currently taking valproic acid twice a day to help. It doesn't get rid of them entirely, but they have gone from 4 times a week to 3 or 4 times a month. They are also a little less severe with the medication. 

I also don't go anywhere without my other med, Axert. You can't take too many, but they will knock a migraine out for some people. Works on me. But they are not cheap. 

Along with that, I always take my ice pack and a heating pad. The heat is for the back of my neck. If I can't use an electric heating pad, like on a plane or in a car, I use the self heating pads. 

Everyone has different migraines, so my advice is to trust what works for you.