When the fog lifts…

There’s nothing that feels quite the same as when the fog of a lingering migraine attack lifts, and you get your first crystal clear day in a while.

About 3 weeks ago I ate something I shouldn’t have, had a really severe allergic reaction, that then kicked on the mother of all migraine attacks. You name it, I had it – vomiting, paralysis, head and other pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue, visual field defects, and more. And then once the acute part of the attack passed… a solid fortnight of migraine hangover.

The postdrome part of the attack always worries me. For me, it lasts for longer than the acute part of the attack, and I am an absolute bitch from hell throughout this final phase. I’m short-tempered, exacting and demanding, irritable, judgemental, and generally not a nice person. Everything bothers me. Everything pisses me off. My brain is foggy, which I hate, and I get extraordinarily cranky at every typo my foggy brain manages to make – which is a lot.

I have learned over many years of this nonsense that the best thing I can do is hide from people. Stay off social media as much as I can, don’t go anywhere, don’t talk to anyone – just hide and wait for it to pass. It’s doable if it’s a day or two, when it’s a week or a month or longer… much more tricky. I need to develop better coping strategies than hiding.

When the last bit of the attack has finally worked its way out of the system, the brain fog clears and your head is crystal clear again… it’s a beautiful thing. A crystal clear day really helps you appreciate the good in your life. And in my case the people in my life I had been avoiding for however long.

I wish everyday could be a crystal clear day. For everyone with migraine.