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Archive for the ‘Weblogs’ Category

Holidays don’t have to Hurt your Head

December 1st, 2008

How was your Thanksgiving? We just got back from a very relaxed five day trip to my sister’s house, where the extended family descends for an annual Thanksgiving extravaganza. There are a lot of reasons to love it. My sister and brother-in-law and nephews are warm and welcoming and they pull out all the stops to accommodate everyone. Danny and I bake pies and cook some side dishes and load them in the car with ourselves, our kids and our luggage, maybe some fruit and wine, and off we go. We don’t have to clean the house (not that it couldn’t use it). We get a mini-vacation from the worries of our daily life. Their house is set up so that even with a crowd, the upstairs rooms are pretty sound-proof, so if a Migraineur needs a quiet retreat, there is one.

I am very thankful at Thanksgiving time, for the loving and accepting, funny, intelligent and interesting family I have, the fun times and wonderful food we share. I have many blessings to count. I have never managed to travel to this particular fest, however, without at least a little pang of wishing it were different. I wish I could host an event like this at my house. I wish that I could host any event of more than a handful of people for more than a few hours, without getting a Migraine. I wish that my home was orderly, organized and clean to the point that preparing for overnight guests wasn’t such a huge task.

The internet and the newspapers right now are full of articles on how to have happy holidays on a shoe-string, or how to enjoy the holidays without the stress, and I don’t need to re-invent the wheel. Over at My Migraine Connection you can read Teri Robert’s interview with Marcia Cross on Holiday Parties with Migraines. Coming up on December 8, the December Headache & Migraine Blog Carnival will be posted at Somebody Heal Me on the topic of “Maximizing Your Enjoyment of the Holiday Season,” and there will be lots of good reading on the topic, I’m sure! (If you’d like to submit a post for the carnival, the deadline is the midnight Friday, December 5th, and you can submit your post at this link at Somebody Heal Me.)

What I’m here to say is – the holidays don’t have to hurt your head. Like me, you may find there are things you have to give up. I conceded Thanksgiving to my sister years ago, since she loves doing it so much, but for most of the past 6 years we have hosted a big holiday weekend at our house around New Year’s. We won’t be doing that this year. Having that many people in my house, and that much noise, for an extended period of time, is a whole series of Migraine triggers for me. I end up missing a chunk of the celebration, I’m not much of a hostess, my family feels bad for me, and I’m in pain that often lasts days after everyone leaves.

I was surprised to find myself in tears when I told everyone we would not be hosting this year. It’s not like it was unexpected! The truth is that it is hard to give up on something we want to do. What we can do is to look below the thing itself, and see what is important to us, and how else we can express that.

When you look at your holiday season, think about what is important to you, and how you can express that without hurting your head. One holiday party may be much better than five. You may not have to wear yourself out to cook huge meals – choose one or two things that are important to you or your loved ones. The quantity of toys will mean less to your kids than the time you take to stop and play with them.

I gave up trying to be Martha Stewart years ago, but as my Migraines became more frequent I have had to give up more. So where we used to make six kinds of Christmas cookies, maybe we will make two. Where we used to have 18 people for a holiday weekend with a big dinner, we will ask a smaller group to join us for just dinner on Christmas day. Where we used to climb on the roof and hang lights, we light a few windows. In our family we have always celebrated Hannukah and Christmas, since we have a mixed background, but several years ago we became clear that our kids didn’t need gifts every night of Hannukah and under the tree and in their stockings!  We buy less, and light the candles to remember our heritage and hope in the darkness, rather than as a reason for eight more gifts.

Festivity is great fun, but it can also be addicting. Advertising tells us to do more, buy more. Many people find that however much they spend and do, they still fall short of the “perfect” holiday they imagine in their mind’s eye. As Migraineurs, we need to go easy on ourselves. Whether or not you’re hurting financially this season, you don’t need the added stress of worrying about whether you have bought or done enough. A little can go a long way. What is most important to you about the holidays? Is it time with loved ones? An expression of peace and hope? Find ways to express what is important to you, that don’t hurt your head. Remember to get regular sleep, eat regularly, avoid your Migraine triggers, and enjoy the joys of the season!

Peace!

– Megan

Sliced turkey image coutesy of Roland Tanglao; advent candles image courtesy of Per Ola Wiberg; menorah image courtesy of Andrew Ratto.

Tags: Christmas, Hannukah, holidays, managing life with migraine, Migraine triggers, Migraines, Stress, Thanksgiving
Posted in Managing, Musings, Tips & Techniques, Weblogs | Comments (3)

Radio Piece on Migraines, Neurological Illness, and More

November 20th, 2008

On Tuesday I had the great good fun to be interviewed by Coach Marla Martindale of A Winning Life with RSD, along with her co-host Chris Tatevosian, author of Life Interrupted – It’s Not All About Me. Marla’s weekly radio show Winning Life Through Pain is on every Tuesday and deals with living well with chronic illness, and other health related topics. We talked about managing life with Migraine, Migraine myths and tips for coping, communicating about our illness, and how to calm down our nervous systems, as well as discovering a lot of similarities in dealing with other neurological illnesses like RSD and MS. Oh and there were a few references to baked bees and general silliness. You can discover that for yourself, if you like. Give a listen.

(Oh, a warning, it’s a big file – 27.4 MB, so you if you’d rather not deal with loading it, go to Winning Life Through Pain to listen.)

– Megan

Tags: chronic illness, migraine, neurological illness, radio, Weblogs
Posted in Advocacy, Communicating, Tips & Techniques, Weblogs | Comments (0)

Migraines on the Radio

November 17th, 2008

Coach Marla of A Winning Life with RSD asked me to be on her internet radio show tomorrow (Tuesday, November 14) at Winning Life Through Pain. Please come give a listen; we’ll be on at 2:00 Eastern, 1:00 Central, 12:00 Mountain, 11:00 Pacific, talking about living with Migraine and other chronic illnesses. You can click on the link above to get to Blog Talk Radio and listen to the radio show. Hope your heads are treating you well today.

– Megan Oltman

Microphone image courtesy of Matthew Keefe.

Tags: blog radio, chronic illness, migraine, reflex sympathetic dystrophy
Posted in Communicating, Tips & Techniques, Weblogs | Comments (0)

November Blog Carnival: Art inspired by Migraine

November 11th, 2008

Go over to Pain in the Head for the November Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.  Generally speaking, a blog carnival is a
collection of links to a variety of a blogs on a central topic. The
Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival has been created to
provide both headache patients and people who blog about headaches with
unique opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest
and importance to us.

This month there are a number of posts containing art, and others about the relationship between Migraines and art. Many of us find creating art, whether with words, images or other materials, helps to soothe our pain and release our feelings.  I want to give another plug here for Migraine Chick‘s new book of Migraine Haiku, which I mentioned a few weeks ago. Migraine Chick can make me laugh, and some of this haiku does that, with its biting cleverness. Some of the poems hurt too much to make me laugh, but they still provide the “aha!” of recognition and the satisfaction of meeting with another mind that really gets it. So check out the art in that book, and I hope also you go over to  Pain in the Head and read some of the artful posts you find there.

– Megan Oltman

Tags: blog carnival, Migraine art, Migraine Haiku, Weblogs
Posted in Books, Managing, Weblogs | Comments (0)

Kreativ Blogger Award

November 2nd, 2008

One of the great joys of blogging is the on line conversation and community that is formed between those
blogging on the same or similar topics.  When I can’t reach anyone on the phone, when there is no one in my day to day life to talk to, I can come on line and seek out the thinking of, receive the sympathy of, and offer comfort to my wonderful blogger friends.  It was a joy to me as I sat alone at my computer yesterday to get notice from my dear friend MJ of Rhymes with Migraine that she had awarded me with the Kreativ Blogger Award.

MJ is a bright and courageous young woman with chronic Migraine disease, great good sense, and a big heart, and I am blessed to have her as a friend.  Do go check out her blog for some really good writing.  Thank you MJ for the honor and the recognition!

The terms of the Kreativ Blogger Award are to list six things that make me happy, and give this award to six other bloggers.

Six things that make me happy:

1. Finding the humor in life, and laughing at it!
2. Taking brisk walks outside in the woods and fields.
3. Sharing ideas and having deep and intense conversations with family and friends.
4. The great love and support of my wonderful husband, children and family.
5. The creative, committed and compassionate Migraine and chronic illness advocacy and support community.
6. Making lovely things, with words, cloth, yarn, food, or whatever I can get my hands on.

Six bloggers I want to give the Kreativ Blogger Award to (in alphabetical order):

1. Eileen, of My Life with Migraine
2. Kerrie, of The Daily Headache
3. Marla, of A Winning Life with RSD
4. Migraine Chick, of The Migraine Chick
5. Rain Gem, of Migraine News Network
6. Marijka, of Help My Hurt

Please check out their blogs for some good reading!

– Megan

Tags: chronic illness, migraine, Weblogs
Posted in Weblogs | Comments (2)

Migraine News from Between my Ears

October 17th, 2008

A funny thing happens when you start blogging.  There is this little bit of celebrity that arises.  I can admit that like many people I once secretly wanted to be famous.  My friend Laura told me in High School that she pictured me as a kind of revolutionary leader, with thousands chanting my name.  If that had ever been my ambition, I’d have to say that I failed miserably.  I’ve made it through nearly 50 years of life and I don’t think even dozens have ever chanted my name.  Not at the same time, anyway.

But I digress.  I started this blog for a few reasons.  I wanted a place to share my thoughts on living with Migraine disease, and the other chronic illnesses I live with.  I particularly wanted to share my hope and strength, as someone who has come a long way in managing a life with these conditions.  I wanted to join the warm, intelligent, funny and committed community of Migraine and headache
bloggers and advocates who are making such a difference in the lives of patients and in advancing the understanding of this disease.  The big reason was this moment of truth I had almost a year ago, when I realized that my chronic illnesses are not just an impediment in my life; they
are an opportunity to
share my professional tools and skills, and the
wisdom I have accumulated, to help others manage their lives with
Migraine.  I wrote a bit more about that a few months back in My Migraine Story.

I didn’t really start the blog to keep the world posted on the doings in my own life.  I tell a lot of stories, partly because I come from a family of storytellers,and partly because I’ve always made points (with clients and anyone who will listen) by telling personal stories, about things that happen and lessons I learn.  So it’s been a lot of fun doing that here.  And lo and behold, I learn that people are actually following (to some extent) what’s going on in my life.  Little old me, Megan, Rachel & Adam’s Mom, Danny’s wife, Joan & Jim’s daughter, Jon & Ellen’s sister, the lady in the house on the corner by the field, the little red-head… that one.  It’s a small and gentle sort of celebrity, but I find when I don’t follow up on things I’ve mentioned, sure enough, you’re actually listening, and sometimes you ask.

So the news between my ears…

• I’m looking for an allergist to determine whether I should even pursue this Medication Allergy challenge test idea, because as my friend Medieval Writer of Sparkling with Crystals reminds me, anaphylactic shock can potentially kill you faster than a doctor can save you, even in the hospital with a crash cart standing by.  
• I’m spending a little time, just a few calls here and there, my head and energy levels allowing, volunteering for Barack Obama’s campaign.  Please get out and vote for better health care!  You don’t have to chance feeling well enough on election day; you can vote early in many states – go to Rock the Vote to check your state’s rules.
• My difficulties with the Topamax are settling down.  We’ll see what happens when I go back to Dr. G and increase the dose next week!  Tingling has disappeared and the cognitive effects are fading.  An unexpected benefit seems to that it is functioning as an anti-anxiety med for me! I am a pretty
  anxious person by nature, and I tend to obsess on things, but it seems like the slight loss of focus I have on the Topamax means I can’t focus on something long enough to really obsess and get anxious! Kind of weird – but I’m just not worrying as much!  MaxJerz of Rhymes with Migraine pointed me towards this piece on Health Central’s Anxiety Connection indicating that Topamax is sometimes prescribed in combination with other drugs to treat anxiety.  Who knew?  (Well obviously, someone did, but not me!)
• I don’t think the Topamax is having a major inhibiting effect on my Migraines yet, though I haven’t had a really bad one in the month I’ve been on it.  I am doing a very slow titration to minimize side effects and will probably increase the dosage when I see my HA specialist next week.  Judith Warner wrote a pretty good piece about her difficulties with Topamax (not named, but quite identifiable) in the NYTimes today, but they didn’t publish my comment.  I am trying not to take it personally!
• Our Health Insurance Hassles and Headaches may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, NO
  thanks to Oxford (who I will still refer to as the insurer from hell) because it looks like there are a range of better, more affordable options out there for us.  I got a lot of info that may help others, too, and will try to do a whole post on it soon.  For others who are struggling with insurance, if you have children, be sure to check out your state’s insurance coverage for children.  Some states now extend that to parents of children 18 and under.  I know this is no help for childless people or those whose kids are grown; you deserve health insurance too!
• In the meantime, I seem to be developing a lot of Acephalgic, or Silent, Migraines (phono & photo-phobia, dizziness, without head-pain) in the evenings.  It’s better than having the head pain, but still means I have to retreat to my cave (i.e. bedroom) for the evening and can’t hang out with the family much.  Bummer.  More to talk to Dr. G about next week.
• And, (a drumroll please…) my biggest news… by next week (I hope) I should be launching my new website, containing this blog and other resources for Migraineurs, including relaxation teleclasses – stay tuned for more!  Hard at work on it now – soft greens and yellows – looking pretty – can’t wait…

Hope your heads treat you well and you have an AWAP weekend!
– Megan Oltman

Tags: acephalgic Migraine, Adam Oltman Porcher, Adam Porcher, chronic illness, health insurance, medication allergies, Migraine disease, Topamax, vote
Posted in Communicating, Current Affairs, Musings, Weblogs | Comments (4)

The Complicated Relationship Between Migraines and Depression: Blog Carnival

October 16th, 2008

Diana Lee has brought us another great stack of reading with the October Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.  Generally speaking, a blog carnival is a
collection of links to a variety of a blogs on a central topic. The
Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival has been created to
provide both headache patients and people who blog about headaches with
unique opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest
and importance to us.

Exploring the relationship between Migraines and depression, there are a number of thought provoking posts, some on this topic and some on others.  As if coping with the pain, nausea and disability wasn’t enough, depression and Migraine are co-morbid conditions, often occurring together.  When we have a Migraine attack, one of the effects is that serotonin levels are depleted.  So even for those of us who do not grapple with depression on an ongoing basis, bouts of depression around Migraine attacks are common.  I hope you go over to Somebody Heal Me and read some of these posts – and I hope they help you manage your own brain!

– Megan Oltman

Tags: depression, migraine, serotonin
Posted in Weblogs | Comments (0)

September Pain Blog Carnival – New Beginnings

October 1st, 2008

Greetings my friends – I know you haven’t heard a lot from me in the past week, and I’ll come tell you all about it soon.  In the meantime, I want to point you towards some good reading over at How to Cope with Pain, a site which is a great resource for many kinds of chronic pain, Migraine included.  The September Pain Blog Carnival is posted today on the theme of “New Beginnings” – in keeping with back to school and our general tendency to get back to work in the Fall.  Check it out at September Pain Blog Carnival.

Talk to you soon!

– Megan Oltman

Tags: chronic pain, migraine
Posted in Weblogs | Comments (1)

Blog Carnival – Improving Doctor Patient Communication

September 9th, 2008

Just in time for my Migraine specialist visit next Tuesday, Diana Lee has posted the September Headache Blog Carnival – Tips for Improving Doctor Patient Communication over at Somebody Heal Me.  I’m going to have a lot of reading to do!

Generally speaking, a blog carnival is a collection of links to a
variety of a blogs on a central topic. The Headache & Migraine Disease Blog
Carnival has been created to provide both headache and migraine
disease patients and people who blog about headache disorders with unique
opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest and importance to
us. Visit the link to this month’s carnival for a collection of
informative entries on improving doctor patient communication.

– Megan Oltman

Tags: blog carnival, doctor/patient communication, headache, Migraine disease
Posted in Medicine, Weblogs | Comments (0)

Blogging for Invisible Illness Awareness Week

August 31st, 2008

Coming soon – I will be doing a post on Migraine disease as an invisible illness for Invisible Illness Awareness Week, Sept 8-14, 2008.  Please visit the Invisible Illness Awareness Week Blog for lots of great posts on what it means to have an invisible illness – one that effects your life and abilities, that others cannot see.  I’ll be posting on the topic on September 8, along with lots of other bloggers on that day.  If you’d like to join in, visit the blog link above.

What can we do about our invisible illness?  Nancy Bonk had the great idea of wearing a big bandaid across our foreheads – to make our disease visible.  I’m thinking maybe a baseball cap with a bandaid embroidered right across the front – “Migraine Disease and Headache Disorders – Invisible No More.”   What do you think?  Would you wear one?

– Megan

Tags: chronic illness, headache disorders, invisible illness, Migraine disease
Posted in Advocacy, Weblogs | Comments (5)