Migraine and Lockdown

[Katya3]

I can't believe I am writing this, but I am starting to think that we migraineurs have an advantage when it comes to coping with lockdown. A lot of the practices which are new to others and seem so restrictive are second nature to us. Hard earned second nature and I am not for one moment arguing that migraine isn't an absolute pain, but we do know how to cope with adversity. Locked down in the house - I already spend 3 months of every year lying in bed behind a closed door feeling awful. I already knew that trips to restaurants, bars and airports would likely make me extremely ill and at least I am no longer having to keep turning down invitations from the uncomprehending healthy. Food shopping is newly difficult - I already have a larder full of bland packaged foods for those nights when I finally want to eat something and have been too ill to go near a shop for days. Difficulties coping with solitude, migraine is one of the most solitary illnesses there is, rendering you literally unable to communicate for days. Doctors don't have a cure - that sounds very familiar. So of course I want lockdown to end and a vaccination to be discovered but in the meantime I wonder if perhaps 30 years of migraine haven't had an unexpected side effect - at least I was mentally prepared for lockdown. How is it for you and what are your tips for coping with lockdown?

[Chleo11]

Hi Katya. I think you are pretty right. The strange thing is, it is only when my migraines became chronic that I realised that my whole life had been already dictated by my 'episodic' migraines: the missed opportunities for work/holidays/friends/love. Never realised that a lot of my social 'problems' were in fact the result of my migraines. Chronic migraines have been described by the WHO as more disabling than blindness. For myself I have to work from home at the moment and it is such a relief. I suffer so much from the noise and the bright lights in my office. I've been told that I am a 'negative' person because I I have a problem with the lights, a whinger. How can I get them to understand that the light feels like getting stabbed in the eyes?

Lockdown in a way make things easier for me. At least I don't see/hear of people having a great time going on a weekend away or going to a party. All things that I haven't had for a long time now. I know, that sounds mean in a way but hey, nobody is feeling sorry for us. Having to follow a regular routine day after day, putting my alarm on for the morning even if I don't work, having to go to bed at the same time, etc... Confinement makes it easier, yes. I'm already so used to plan well in advance.

All the best to everyone and I hope that the lockdown will end soon. Keep safe.

[OilyWiggles]

For me personally, my migraines are just an added worry. I dread to think how bad they'd be if I was unlucky enough to catch COVID-19! I also have to venture out to the pharmacy to get medication - which is an added risk.

Luckily, years of being unable to find work, having very little money, social anxiety and friends who all moved miles away has trained me well for life in lockdown!

[bamboo89]

I agree totally, but lockdown surely is easier for anyone who has experienced temporarily disabling health problems for some years, whatever sort of problem it is. Not only have I suffered migraine, but also a very bad lower back, meaning at times I've been unable to walk about normally other than hobbling on a couple of sticks for a week or two. Since I live up 3 flights of stairs, that has meant a level of organisation in preparation for those times, such as a certain level of stockpiling - for instance, I always buy the biggest family size of loo roll every time, so I had something like a pack of 16 rolls plus a 9 pack when lockdown happened, and I hadn't even bought any for three weeks beforehand. Admittedly, I like expensive loo paper, so tended to buy it whenever it was on offer, but essentially, I've had spares of regularly used household products at home for some years, just in case one problem or another means I can't leave the house. That also meant, when I am perfectly well, I never left anything till tomorrow or next week, got stuff done as soon as it needed it, not knowing whether I'd be fit enough (for whatever reason) to do it in a day or three. Plus lots of time not seeing people much - surely anyone with an ongoing but somewhat intermittent health problem is more able to cope with the lockdown - the only thing I really miss is people being able to visit me, as well as being able to go and get my own shopping when I need it.

Paradoxically, I am now on chemotherapy, so mixing with people a lot (even without Covid19) is inadvisable, therefore, I'm not really noticing that either, because , being in a vulnerable, shielding group because of a chest problem and my age, having chemotherapy makes no difference, except for running a risk every time I go to hospital for a treatment.

We've all been in training for lockdown without ever knowing it, really I suppose. And I am certainly appreciating the more pleasant side effects - no or low pollution, meaning I don't have to stay inside with the windows shut on high pollution days, which tend to happen when we're having a spell of fine, dry weather, I can sit outside on my balcony instead and look far into the distance over a field and lots of greenery, and its clear as clear can be, no pollution haze and the air doesn't smell nasty. That's a real bonus...

There is one thing I hate though - my hair! I can't have the streaks done, which means, even at my age, I am now becoming mousey brown haired (hardly any grey unfortunately) and I loathe it, but then, I can't have it done anyway because of the chemo right now. I also had to cut my own hair, it was getting so long, and as its just about shoulder length and straight, it was no easy task, but it doesn't look too bad other than the colour!

Miriam

[Hidden]

Hi Katya, Thanks for posting, very well said. Today they are opening some services where I live and I dread having to go to the dentist and to physio. The idea of going for medical appointments a few times a week is daunting. I truly did appreciate missing those. It's so exhausting going out and having to be so careful all the time. It's not over yet. Good luck to you.