I have chronic migraines. I rarely talk about them in this blog, nor do I talk about it on my YouTube channel. I just don't like coming across as someone who thinks they are entitled to things, nor do I want to come across as someone who wines and complains to much either. However I do believe I need to say this, so here goes. I want to explain to you what migraines can do to me first of all, so that you can get a complete picture. Keep in mind, everyone experiences migraines differently, so what I am telling you is just my experience. Also, what may trigger me to get a migraine may not trigger others. With that said, It's hard for me to describe what a migraine feels like. Think of a headache on steroids. Then add to that sound sensitivity, (I can not see anything, including light, so I don't have light sensitivity.) Then Picture getting sick to your stomach, and dizzy, all at the same time. for me anyway, I also get Thirsty before during and a little while afterwards as well.
I am triggered by really strong smells. Like perfumes, air fresheners, Etc. I can be in a room and get a migraine from something as simple as someone with really really strong perfume walking by me. I can also go to someone's house and smell some kind of air freshener and a migraine strikes me down. Sometimes I get warnings before it hits, sometimes it just hits me so fast I can't do anything to stop it and I have to take meds and go hide in a room somewhere with soft nature sounds playing. I can not stand a quiet room at all, I have to have something playing in the background. But then, there are times win I have got to stay in the same room as the strong smell, like at a doctor's office. I had a doctor's appointment on March 2, and I had to wait in the waiting room. I smelled this really really really strong perfume smell. I mean it smelled like the whole room was bathed with something vanilla. I was forced to stay there until I was called on, and the more I stayed there, The worse the migraine got. I felt trapped, I couldn't leave and miss my appointment, I new that, But I also knew if I kept breathing this stuff in I'd have a migraine for at least three or more days. In the end, I really didn't have a choice, I had to wait until I was called. They did call me after what felt like forever, and man was I glad to get out of that room! It's hard to get people to see that a migraine is not the worst headache ever, it's way more than that. I told the receptionists at the doctor's office what was going on as we were leaving, and one of them kind of snapped at me saying "It's cleaning products, There is nothing we can do." It wasn't what she said, it was the tone of voice used. This is my opinion but medical facilities should not be aloud to use strong smelling things like cleaning products, air fresheners, Etc. This is speculation but I am wondering if later on, we find out strong smells like that are cancer causing? It could not be good for our lungs Etc to keep breathing strong smells like that. I often wonder what type of chemicals are in things like that. In my opinion they should make laws to control smells like that. There should be laws against medical facilities using any type of strong perfumes/air fresheners. With laws like this in place it will not only benefit people with migraines, but it will benefit those with breathing problems, Etc.
So how can you help someone with a migraine? Mostly just be understanding. If I make plans to see you or voice chat, please understand there may be times I may have to back out. This is why I don't like making plans ahead of time. I never know when one strikes me, especially if it is going to rain Etc. Feel free to ask me how I'm doing, but do not be surprised if I don't use the predictable answer of "I'm fine thank you." If I say I am fine with a migraine that's a lie that I can not say with a clear conscience. Please understand if I ask you to step away from me because a perfume you are wearing is making me get a bad migraine. I don't mean to be rude at all, I understand you may not realize just how strong the perfume can be.
So what am I hoping to accomplish with this essay/post? Well, I am hoping that this could help non migraine sufferers to understand just what it feels like to have one. I also hope this can make people more self aware of what they can do to help people like me. I hope you get something out of this.