I know there’s never a “best time” to get a migraine, but for me, I’d rather get one when I’m surrounded by the familiar. Whether it’s at home or even at work, there’s something comforting about knowing where things are when I need them: where the dark corner is, where the best bathroom is, where I can get away from the loud noises.
It inevitably happens, though, that a migraine slips through and strikes when I’m in the unfamiliar. If I’m lucky, I’m not too far from home, and can escape back to a warm quiet bed (and my rescue meds). If I’m unlucky, though, I’m in a situation where I’m stuck in the unfamiliar, maybe far from home (or just unable to get home), maybe overnight.
A couple years ago in my career, I used to have to travel a lot for work. As part of that, I would find myself in hotels on a regular basis. One of the worst things for me was when Mister Migraine would check into the room along with me. I’ve even had it so bad in a hotel (in my pre-med days) that a helpful security guard actually broke into the hotel’s gift shop to get me some aspirin one bad night.
So, having had to suffer the disadvantages of the “away game” quite a bit in my migraine career, I thought I might share some things that have worked for me over the years.
The first two tips are “no brainers” but need to be mentioned:
Tip #1: Avoid the migraine in the first place. If you’re traveling, don’t forget to take your preventatives, and if you know your triggers, keep avoiding them. The best way to reduce the suffering from migraines is to not suffer from them in the first place. Also, when traveling, remember to stay well hydrated and try to eat regularly.
Tip #2: Don’t forget your abortives and rescue medications. In my opinion, you should always have these with you, but if you’re going to be more than thirty minutes from home, it becomes imperative.
Tip #3: Don’t be shy about your migraines. If you feel a migraine coming on, let the people around you know about it, apologize and head to a place where you can take your drugs and battle your migraine. It’s much better than trying to brave it out. If you’re staying with friends or relatives for a few days and haven’t had a chance to discuss migraines with them, before you go is the best time to do so.
Tip #4: Pre-plan your hotel stay. If you get phonophobia (can’t stand loud sounds) with your migraines, you want to make sure your hotel room does not face the street, is away from the elevator, and is at the end of the hall. You’ll have a longer walk, but these three things will combine for a much quieter room when you need it.
Tip #5: Pack a “snuggle.” You turn out the lights, crawl beneath the covers, and pull the pillow over your head. You’ve shut off most of your senses, but you still know you’re not at home—why? There’s still two senses that you haven’t “fooled:” touch and smell. For this, consider packing a “snuggle.” This can be anything, but if you can afford the space, the best thing is your own pillow. You’ll sleep better to begin with, but if you do get struck by a migraine, you’ll have your own pillow, which will feel and smell like home. Otherwise, I’ve used packed (and unworn) t-shirts, which smell like home’s laundry detergent, to help fool the sense of smell. You’d be surprised at how that helps pave the road to recovery.
It inevitably happens, though, that a migraine slips through and strikes when I’m in the unfamiliar. If I’m lucky, I’m not too far from home, and can escape back to a warm quiet bed (and my rescue meds). If I’m unlucky, though, I’m in a situation where I’m stuck in the unfamiliar, maybe far from home (or just unable to get home), maybe overnight.
A couple years ago in my career, I used to have to travel a lot for work. As part of that, I would find myself in hotels on a regular basis. One of the worst things for me was when Mister Migraine would check into the room along with me. I’ve even had it so bad in a hotel (in my pre-med days) that a helpful security guard actually broke into the hotel’s gift shop to get me some aspirin one bad night.
So, having had to suffer the disadvantages of the “away game” quite a bit in my migraine career, I thought I might share some things that have worked for me over the years.
The first two tips are “no brainers” but need to be mentioned:
Tip #1: Avoid the migraine in the first place. If you’re traveling, don’t forget to take your preventatives, and if you know your triggers, keep avoiding them. The best way to reduce the suffering from migraines is to not suffer from them in the first place. Also, when traveling, remember to stay well hydrated and try to eat regularly.
Tip #2: Don’t forget your abortives and rescue medications. In my opinion, you should always have these with you, but if you’re going to be more than thirty minutes from home, it becomes imperative.
Tip #3: Don’t be shy about your migraines. If you feel a migraine coming on, let the people around you know about it, apologize and head to a place where you can take your drugs and battle your migraine. It’s much better than trying to brave it out. If you’re staying with friends or relatives for a few days and haven’t had a chance to discuss migraines with them, before you go is the best time to do so.
Tip #4: Pre-plan your hotel stay. If you get phonophobia (can’t stand loud sounds) with your migraines, you want to make sure your hotel room does not face the street, is away from the elevator, and is at the end of the hall. You’ll have a longer walk, but these three things will combine for a much quieter room when you need it.
Tip #5: Pack a “snuggle.” You turn out the lights, crawl beneath the covers, and pull the pillow over your head. You’ve shut off most of your senses, but you still know you’re not at home—why? There’s still two senses that you haven’t “fooled:” touch and smell. For this, consider packing a “snuggle.” This can be anything, but if you can afford the space, the best thing is your own pillow. You’ll sleep better to begin with, but if you do get struck by a migraine, you’ll have your own pillow, which will feel and smell like home. Otherwise, I’ve used packed (and unworn) t-shirts, which smell like home’s laundry detergent, to help fool the sense of smell. You’d be surprised at how that helps pave the road to recovery.
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