Reni’s Migraine Tips are inspired by playtime with my granddaughter, Reni, who has episodic Migraine without Aura. Children’s entertainment is packed with lessons we can apply to life with Migraine. As we discover little nuggets of Migraine wisdom, Reni and I would like to share them with you. It’s our hope that you’ll be inspired, too.
Reni and I are back with more Migraine wisdom from children’s entertainment. This tip comes from one of her favorite books, Dinosaur’s Binkit, by Sandra Boynton. It’s bedtime, and Dinosaur can’t find his binkit (blanket). He is distressed, refusing to go to bed until it’s found.
Migraine must-haves
Do you have a favorite item that’s a must-have during a Migraine attack? Have you ever had to endure a migraine attack without it? If so, you probably know how Dinosaur feels.
Even after I’ve taken my abortive, I still crave my IceKap, noise-cancelling headphones, and favorite blanket. These special items make life more bearable while waiting for the medication to work. They keep me calm and relaxed. Reni also has a favorite ice pack and blanket. When Migraine appears, she reaches for both even before she asks for medication.
Years ago, I created a Migraine kit. It’s a bag that contains everything I might need during an attack. It includes much more than just my prescribed medicine. When the kids moved out, they both received custom Migraine kits for Christmas. Now everyone in the family has a custom kit.
Before making my Migraine kit, I would often find myself stuck away from home, miserable, and craving my favored comfort items. Sometimes, I didn’t even have my abortives. Once I had my kit, I stopped being afraid to leave the house. I could leave for days without concerns because I knew that everything I might need was already with me.
Do you have a Migraine kit?
Here are some items to consider including:
- Prescribed Migraine medications
- OTC medications used to augment prescribed treatments
- Ice packs
- Heating pad
- Eye mask
- TENS unit
- Essential oils (if they’re not a trigger)
- Emesis bag
- Pain patches (Be-Kool strips, BioFreeze, Tiger Balm, SalonPas, etc.)
- Ear plugs or headphones
- Menthol rub (to block noxious smells)
- Bottle or can of Sprite, 7-Up, or ginger ale
- Lightweight blanket
- Travel pillow
Whatever you pack in your Migraine kit is useless if you leave the kit at home. Develop the habit of carrying it with you all the time. Whatever you do, don’t forget or misplace it, or you’ll be just like the dinosaur who lost his binkit.