Migraines & Vampires – TMI

Like many other people in the world, I suffer from vicious migraine headaches. If you’ve ever had one (God I hope not) then you know it’s not just a headache. It’s not an excuse. It’s a debilitating, agonizing hell. That’s where I am today. The pain has creept into to every compartment of my mind. I am fortunate that my husband (yeah, him too) and my kids are understanding about the pain. When they were little, they said mommy was turning into a vampire, but would be human when she could eat again.

My kids have wild imaginations, but I can see the similarities. Light, any light, but especially flourescent lights, are the bane of my existence. I want a cold cloth and dark cave (er bedroom) to hide in. Especially now while I’m sitting at my desk at work, under these blasted lights, next to an open sunny window. I feel like a vampire waiting out the sun.

My mind feels crowded, rattled, too full of thoughts. The thoughts hurt. Focusing is not an option. I can’t read when I get these things and I sure can’t write either. But, I can think of everything that needs doing, pre-edits, reviews, the WIPS and knowing they have to wait drives me nuts.

And if that isn’t enough to torture a body, here comes the BOOM. (Oww) As in every tiny minute sound echoes like a sonic boom in my head. The phone here is ringing off the hook today…of course. I’ve turned my cell off. Food is so not an option. No cooking. No eating. No going within sniffing distance of any kind of food. Maybe I can talk L.J. into cooking tonight.

Oh and let’s not forget the lights, the dancing lights that disco their way around my vision. Sometimes things look like the are glowing colors. The stronger the pain, the more vivid the lights.

I can see why a kid would relate a migraine to vampires. A human, who is slighty grouchy, avoids food, light, sound, smell and who wants to hide in the dark. Sans the reflection thing, that sounds like a vampire to me.

I’m trying to give myself a pep talk. Only an hour and five minutes until I can go home for the day. Now if I can only fight the light and sound to make it there.

Do you suffer from migraines? Is there anything that helps you?

Brynna