My Migraine attacks are a bit difficult to figure out because I have various other health conditions to contend with. Spring and summer tend to be especially troublesome for me. So when I get a few more Migraines during this time, I get a bit irritated. I'm not sure why this time of year makes my Migraines increase - whether it is due to the drastic changes in barometric pressure or my body's way of saying, "Hello, spring/summer," or whatever! I am not a fan because I've been having more Migraines over the last few weeks than I care to admit. Most people living Western New York relish any "positive" weather changes seeing as we only get about 54 days of sunshine a year. But any abrupt weather changes really aren't beneficial to my head.

When the barometric pressure is constantly changing during these months, it becomes difficult to manage my Migraine attacks. For example, today started out very nicely - sunny, high around 70 degrees with a pleasant breeze, but then changed into a cloudy, overcast, warmish day. Then it has returned to being beautifully sunny outside, but a bit warmer. Sure enough, my head is responding with increased throbbing and some extra nice ringing in my ears . So is there anything I can do to help minimize the impact that my Migraines have on my summer? I'm going to try.

Knowing what triggers my Migraine attacks is imperative to my Migraine management plan. There are certain triggers I can control and avoid to hopefully prevent a Migraine attack. I've learned, by keeping a Migraine diary, not to skip meals, not to become dehydrated, or make any drastic changes in my sleeping patterns. About a year ago, new trigger was added to the list: raw, not so fresh onions. But changes in the barometric weather are beyond my control, and unavoidable, so living in Western New York poses a challenge. So what to do? I'm keeping yet another Migraine diary in hopes to track down some additional triggers I may be missing!

I think (along with many Migraine specialists) it is essential that every Migraineur (whose Migraines are not well managed) keep a detailed Migraine diary, even if they've done one before. Our Migraine patterns can and typically do change over time. As we age or give birth, our bodies change, our hormones (for both men and women) are in flux, and in short our body is never static. I know mine certainly isn't. If you haven't kept a Migraine diary since your initial diagnosis, it is definitely time to do so again. "Nancy, they are time consuming and just a general pain to do."  Blah, blah, blah, I know, they are a drag, and no one wants to talk about how much we hate keeping them.

• But here's the thing - it will help us and our doctors - and isn't that what we are always talking about, how can I get my doctor to listen to me?
• Why don't I feel better?

Am I doing everything I possibly can to be a partner in our health care? Since we want to be motivated to be well, motivated to work with our doctors, then let's take the steps to needed to accomplish this. Because we know keeping a Migraine diary is not as difficult as living with Migraine pain, don't we? If we can live each day with Migraine pain, certainly we can write some symptoms and facts down in a Migraine diary, don't you agree?