Category: Fibromyalgia Migraines

Fibromyalgia Migraines, Fibromyalgia Pain, Living Daily with Fibromyalgia

24-48 Hour Fibromyalgia Delayed Reaction

fibropage1

Today I suffered the typical what I call “The 24-48 Hour Fibromyalgia Delayed Reaction.” That delay is when our body reacts to what we did 24-48 hours before-hand. It’s a part of Fibro that is frustrating. Most Fibros will get used to this happening to their bodies and learn to live through it.

What does one react to? Well, it took me over a year to figure this out by keeping a journal of foods I ate, things I did, how the weather was everyday, stresses I encountered, chores I did, etc. Journaling helped me to understand how my body reacted as I became more “in-tune” to myself and my body.  It was quite the process, but worth it in the end. Sometimes we remember right away that we raked the yard two days earlier and the “flare” is the delayed response to that. But sometimes it is not that simple.

This flare I find myself in today, I fear, is self-inflicted from my Saturday of pruning when my back was hunched over pruning seedlings that did not belong in my flower beds. (see the post from August 5, 2017)

Yesterday was a very rainy Sunday (and we know how much rain and Fibro goes together *note of sarcasm*) and my family and I went to church to play music for a Homecoming Celebration. (My husband and children play in our family’s Bluegrass Band most weekends and we usually drive within a radius of 200 miles for each event. I’ve done the “Mom” thing over the years. ie; get them to lessons when needed, make sure their clothing colors are coordinated and clean-and still fit-haha, take the calls for bookings, keep our website’s schedule updated, pack food for the journey, make CD covers, take pictures, etc.)

Anyway, by the time we got halfway home, I had a migraine befall me out of nowhere-joint encompassing and all! I felt nauseous and knew there was no going back! I downed ibuprofen with a bunch of water and asked my son to rub my neck and shoulders as my husband continued to drive us safely home. Once there, I collapsed on our bed, covered up my face, and lay there trying to ride it out. Next came a very hot shower as my body began to respond to the meds.

This morning my lower back and hips decided to lock up on me less than twenty minutes into my morning. It was so intense that it brought me to my knees. Literally. I needed to enlist the assistance of two children just to help me up. I have tried moving from chair to bed and back again, doing school lessons with a heating pad in less than comfortable surroundings. Even ibuprofen has not eased the pain today or enabled me to move much at all.  I also feel very lethargic and groggy.

I tell you this to help you understand that this flare began last night with the migraine and continues on into today. How long will it continue? Well, that is the fun thing about Fibromyalgia! (note the positive tone in that last sentence???) You never know how long a flare will last, but what you do know is it won’t last forever!

So, was it the rainy weather? The Saturday chores? The long Sunday drive to play music? Or all of the above? Could this be a Lupus flare and not just a Fibro one? I do run a low-grade temp with this type of whole-body flare-ups. But, regardless, it’s here and I have to live through it. For all you Fibros out there-newly diagnosed or seasoned-it is your outlook that matters. I lean more on God on these rough days and try to have a positive attitude.

Just know, you can get through the flares and you are not alone!!

Fibromyalgia Migraines, Fibromyalgia Pain

When a Fibromyalgia Migraine hits…

fibropage1

Today was a Fibromyalgia migraine day.

I awoke with the familiar feeling of how migraines befall me. The normal awakening to feeling run over and hurting was there, but it was the deep joint aching. Almost a burning feeling. Like your tendons and ligaments are literally peeling away from the bone. That hazy head feeling with a throb or two off in some distant place inside your skull.

Well, I could not stay in bed even though I wanted to. And I wanted to… “But why?”…my thoughts asked me. “Why can’t I???” My mind was all jumbled up this morning! “Oh, yes,” I think as my muddy mind starts to separate a bit and the words begin to form a puzzle of words together, “Now I remember.” My daughter had to have an X-ray and blood work done at the hospital this morning. I must get going.

So, I began the getting up process. Slowly…step by step, squishy flip-flops on to help the feet…

An hour later we were off. I asked one of my sons to drive us there because I was hurting. He gladly said yes. That was nice!

Three hours later we arrived home. My head was throbbing in waves and then the nausea befell me and it was all over. Three Ibuprofen and a cup of water,  a bite of protein bar for it all to land on, and off to my room I went, apologizing to the kiddos for my abrupt exit as I mumble “It’s another one of ‘those’ headaches…” and I scuffled down the hall.

Why didn’t I take the Motrin before I left you may ask??? Because one of “these” headaches and when I take the Ibuprofen actually makes me feel worse before it gets better. If I don’t sleep through the battle of meds and pain, it kills me. Had I taken the meds and then tried to drive…no way! Even with my son driving, I would not have been able to function for my daughter’s sake. Nope. It had to be at home where I could rest. It’s a sad state I was in, to be sure.

So, three hours later, I awoke, and I now write this to you all. My head is over the hump. The pain is off to some distant place in my head and I pray not to return anytime soon. Unfortunately, Ibuprofen does not help my joint pain, really. I currently feel almost paralyzed from the pain in my shoulders and hips. This tin “man” needs an oil can!! Rusty I feel. But not to sing, I’m afraid.  (Some if you are happy for that! Hahaha) it’s like morning all over again. My brain blots out much of the things before the headache hits, too. I feel like I’ve lost a day.

I do a lot of praying and even more than usual, on these days. I ask myself “What caused the migraine today?” I still cannot pinpoint that one. I had PT yesterday…but I went in hurting and on Ibuprofen in the hopes of easing the discomfort…I pulled weeds a day and a half ago for 10-20 minutes, trying to allow my Mum’s to breathe so I can enjoy their beauty in a couple months…maybe that’s it. I did cut up 15 pounds of boneless chicken breasts yesterday for “quick” meal options. Those repetitious movements are hard on me… maybe that’s it. Regardless, it happened. I go crazy some days trying to figure out what I did two days ago that caused me more pain two days later. It’s not raining today, either.  It’s a paradox.

I now need to figure out what to make for dinner…but do it very, very slowly.

 

Fibromyalgia Migraines

Fibro Migraines

fibropage1

Migraines are a drag. Fibro Migraines are worse because they engulf your whole being.

Time has a way of moving by too quickly, but when you have Fibromyalgia, it tends to go by slower, especially if you are having more pain than usual. When you get a Fibromyalgia migraine, you lose blocks of time out of your day.

Yesterday, the kiddos and I were getting the family room together for company that is coming in for our son’s High School Graduation this Saturday. Out of nowhere, I had a migraine come and completely knock me off my feet. You know the kind-that hazy feeling that suddenly engulfs your very core, settling into your joints-ALL your joints. Your neck and back begin screaming at you, your temples start to throb, light begins to hurt your eyes, your hands ache, you feel nauseous and you suddenly feel paralyzed with pain….All you want is to be horizontal….as fast as possible….Sound familiar? If it does, please know I can sympathize with you. Ibuprofen is my friend at these times and after 2+ hours with a covering over my eyes and (sometimes) one of my kiddos rubbing my temples until the meds kick in, I manage to doze off. Upon awakening, my body feels all stiff and I am like the tin-man desperately in need of an oil can! Those migraines literally make me feel like I lost part of my day- It’s like I forget a lot of what was going on before it hit.

These occur in my life several times a month. No pattern, no warning.
Today I will be leaving to go with my oldest daughter to help her pick out the bedding for her sweet baby who is due around Thanksgiving. I am looking forward to this!!! However, we have to drive about an hour to shop and being in a car that long is never fun for me.
I am taking it slower than usual this morning, not wanting to rock the “boat” and cause a setback.

The Lord is my strength on these busier days. One day at a time, right? Tomorrow I will feel it-as my journal has shown, but today I need to enjoy the time spent making memories. It is fun to watch my daughter getting so excited about the baby!!! So here is to today, whatever it may bring! Happy June and gentle hugs 🙂