Migraines Migraine sufferers are a unique breed of patients. We are seldom understood by those around us as many believe a migraine to be no more than an intense headache. And since people are usually able to function normally during a headache episode we are looked at as exaggerators of our pain when we say we cannot do the things that we normally do – that we would rather be doing. I have had migraines for as long as I can remember. Early in childhood I remember having frequent headaches and being told that’s all it was. Later, as I entered my teens the headaches were addressed by various professionals and determined to be migraines. What’s the difference you may ask? If you’ve ever had a migraine – even one – you will know the answer to that question, but if you haven’t I understand; it’s hard to relate to something that you’ve never experienced. My migraines usually begin with an aura. More often than not I will know ahead of time that a migraine is on its way. It’s hard to explain how really, my vision seems to change, it may get a little blurry or less focused – speaking of focus – it will become increasingly more difficult to focus on anything. Sometimes I get extremely sleepy. The signs vary somewhat from one migraine to another but if I’m awake I usually get a warning that the pain is on its way. But if the migraine occurs while I’m sleeping I will wake up with extreme pain and my medication is less likely to have an effect on the migraine. You may be wondering why it is that I don’t take my medication prior to the migraine if I get the warning. There are reasons for that – first, it has to do with insurance and money. I use Imitrex for my migraines and this medication is very expensive. My insurance only covers a set number of the tablets per month – not enough since I get migraines approximately three times per week. So when I sense the aura I have to first decide if it is in fact a migraine coming on or perhaps I am just sleepy. I don’t want to use a precious migraine buster for sleepiness. Sometimes by the time that I do take the medication the migraine is severe enough that it takes longer to eradicate the pain. That’s the problem with the migraines that you wake up with – they are already in full force so the medication may take longer to be effective. As I said, I have suffered with migraines most of my life. I know most people tend to ‘outgrow’ migraines at some point and I am still waiting for that time to come for me. In the mean time I have found some products that are helpful to some degree. Let me share what I’ve discovered!  Would you like to receive my "Hair, Make Up, And Beauty Tips" via email - 100% FREE?  The process is easy - just complete the form below and you will immediately receive a confirmation email.  Very soon after that you will receive your first set of tips - which will focus on skin care tips.  Other emails will follow...you will receive information related to topics of interest to women including money saving ideas, time savers, and fun things to think about.  An unsubscribe link is included in every email.