Catastrophizing

Follow-up after to the ski day post: It was great and I slayed this dragon! It rained (yes, rained!) the whole day but WOW, was it worth it. I feel like I’ve done something extraordinary for myself and am finding a sense of optimism. I’ve been listening to podcasts about ‘catastrophizing’ in the past few […]

Commitment

Do you ever feel like you’re gambling by committing to a social event or activity? I’m planning a ski day with my kids tomorrow and I feel like I’ve set myself up for a gamble; will I be OK to go in the morning, will I have an aura attack while on the hill, how […]

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Three Surgeries

In the last two years, I’ve had three surgeries related to a condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS). Before the first signs of this condition presented themselves, I had no idea of the existence of TOS.  Before my diagnoses, I began to experience an increase in the frequency and severity of the migraines I suffered, […]

Stability

I realized this morning that I’m stuck. I’m stuck and I’m breaking, trying to make sense of the world amidst the chaos of every day; the financial anxiety (how long can we hold out like this?), concern for the future (is this year, 2020, an indicator of the world we have to look forward to?), […]
acupressure mat pain relief

The Acupressure Mat (Love It!)

A few weeks ago I bought an acupressure mat and, despite my family’s doubts, I LOVE IT!  The mat, (according to the company’s website), has “…6210 acupressure stimulation points that, once pressed against troubled areas of the body, will increase circulation and relax stiff muscles and decrease pain…”, and in this, I have not been […]

Migraine Fear

This year I went months (months!) without suffering a migraine.  Respite, relief and disbelief were my experience in those months and I eventually began to feel like a ‘regular’ person; making plans, going out alone, having a social life. And, if I didn’t know what it is like to live with migraine, I might have […]

Homemade Granola

I was up at 5.00 this morning, so took the time (!) to try a new recipe for Homemade Granola. Until now, I’ve been buying a Gluten Free (though super-sugary, super-fatty) Health Store brand, so I was pretty excited at the prospect of making my own. I created a slightly altered version of an excellent […]
jolt cola energy drink migraine headache

energy drinks

Remember the early nineties when JOLT Cola came out? It was one of those jokey products you would take to a party and (preposterously) dare your friends to drink. Products that were good for a laugh because they were an exaggeration of things we already had or had and didn’t need or couldn’t possibly imagine […]
Dr. David Dodick doctor interview migraine

Migraines: Interview and Q&A

Below is a portion of a ‘Web Extra’ with Dr. David Dodick, released after an exceptional one hour interview on NPR’s ‘The Diane Rehm Show’. Both are found at the following link (definitely worth a listen/read) http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-08-16/living-migraine-and-search-new-treatments   Web Extra: Dr. David Dodick Answers Audience Questions Is there a correlation between migraine and epilepsy? How are migraines diagnosed in […]