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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Tools of Comfort


Here are some current tools I use for comfort when I'm having a high pain day...

1. Pillows: I have lots of fluffy, soft pillows around the house - very handy when it hurts even to use my neck muscles to hold up my head.

2. Christmas lights: I strung some Christmas lights around our bedroom. It provides a much more tolerable level of light throughout the room without the focused source of our lamps, which can feel harsh even with 40 watt bulbs.

3. Ativan: When the pain is intolerable I can take this with my other rescue medications and it will knock me out. Sometimes it is just better to sleep while the meds do their thing. I don't use it often, but am comforted just knowing it's available.

4. Heat: I know cold is supposed to be what you use on a migraine, but cold makes my body very tense and actually causes pain. I am comforted by warmth, especially by breathing in warm air. Often I'll cover my head with a blanket, the wonderful dark warm comfort!

5. Room darkening curtains: I've been very light sensitive since I was quite young (probably because I've had migraines since I was quite young). These room curtains do such a great job of blocking out most of the sunlight on really sunny days, which is such a big comfort. It allows me to do more than I otherwise could while in pain.

Gosh, I sorta thought this list would be longer when I got started. Oh well, maybe I'll find more tools of comfort along the way. What are your tools?

3 comments:

  1. I have a stuffed animal to cuddle with (or make up stories about) for when my migraines are bad. Also, I have a large-ish collection of favorite dvd's that i can put on in the background to help keep my mind off the pain. (If the migraine is worse, I will cover the tv screen and if it's really bad I have to turn it off.) I also like to have my cell phone nearby so I can text friends for help if I need anything.

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  2. I would have to say that my #1 tool is hubby's touch. When it's a particularly horrendous headache if he will come lay with me and touch me, it helps me relax and fall asleep. I also enjoy soft, soothing music or guided imagery. But I prefer to put my mp3 earbuds under my pillow so I can hear it ever so softly. And the usual suspects dark room, ice, and rescue meds Toradol shots.

    Yes, my gloves and stocking syndrome is nerve damage from Chiari.

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  3. That is a great list. I hope the Christmas lights add a bit of special magic, as well as the right level of brightness!
    My CI isn't migraine, but I do need those special tools/friends. My friends are silence, a big hot bath, heat bags for my feet, miso soup, masala chai, (not at the same time), comfy favourite clothes, and wonderful recipe books to browse.

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