Timeline of a Migraine
0630 — The piercing noise from my alarm jolts me from sleep. My head is exploding, the early morning light sears my eyes. Voice raspy, I croak out “Alexa, stop!”
0800 — My husband is asking if I’m ok. I’m not. The pain has settled and is less piercing and more bludgeoning combined with pressure from an invisible vice. I take some an OTC for migraines, my allergy medicine, and climb back into bed for 20 minutes.
0820 — Damn it, why did I set such a loud alarm? In the fog of pain, I forgot to change the alarm tone. Obviously, the meds I took are not going to do the trick. I walk downstairs for supplies.
0830 — Back upstairs. “Alexa, play meditation music. Alexa, lower volume.” My eye mask is cold and I put some essential oils on the cloth side. I turn on the heat pad and place it on the bed. Grabbing an extra pillow to elevate my head will help too. The ice pack goes on the pillows. I set an alarm for 22 minutes with a friendlier and softer tone. After ensuring all curtains are completely closed, I climb into bed for the second time.
I try to stay calm and not annoyed. My plans for this morning are being hijacked and I really do not appreciate it. Keeping my blood pressure down will help the headache and I am determined to not be held hostage
0832 — Finally situated. The cold eyemask is soothing and the combination of peppermint and eucalyptus oils will ensure my allergies are not contributing to the migraine. The ice pack is on the nape of my neck. There’s so much tension and pain coming from that area. The heat pad provides warmth. It’s so cold today that I’ll be miserable, even under all these blankets. The two pillows are elevating my head at approximately 10 degrees and my weighted blanket is comforting. Now for the hard part… relaxing.
0833 — I focus on the chimes and wind instruments
0834 — I concentrate on relaxing the small muscles in my feet, moving to my legs, focusing on my breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
0839 — “Are you getting up soon?”, my son asks. I assure him I will be back downstairs in a bit. I explain what I’m doing and satisfied, he runs back to his video games.
0840 — It's been nearly 20 minutes since I got the eye mask out of the refrigerator and it’s definitely warmer than I’d prefer but exchanging it for another one means getting up, and then getting comfortable again. So I focus on the coolness of the ice pack.
That reminds me. The alarm will be going off soon and I haven’t had enough time. It’s ok to be annoyed and its ok to let the emotion go…
0841 — I reset the alarm for 0903. Spending at least twenty minutes is necessary based on my 26 years of experience.
0842 — I focus on the chimes and wind instruments
0843 — I concentrate on relaxing the small muscles in my feet, relaxing my legs, focusing on my breath. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
0844 — I sink into the perfect cocoon and relax
When the chimes sounded, my head was clear. The vise grip was gone and the morning light was beautiful
