headache

[openscarf]

On days when I have a headache at work and I don't go home, the day morphs into a hazy alternative reality from my usual day.  I cannot multi-task unless applying pressure to my temples and forehead, while typing, each one handed, counts.  I take breaks and just stop and breathe.  I sip a lot of warm water.  I can't focus on anything complex, so am able to do mundane repetitive work well, if slowly.  I can't solve or analyze a complex problem.  I can feel my facial muscles because I'm holding them differently. I'm not hot and I'm not cold but I feel sticky.  I rotate my neck, do some chair yoga.  Suprisingly, time seems to move quickly; I'm not completely present.  I try to remember what it's like to not have a headache.  I consider over and over just putting my head down, but I don't.  I can feel all my energy working to not let the headache get any worse.  I'm sort of on auto-pilot; slow, heavy, moving through water, autopilot.

When it lifts, usually after about 5 or so hours, my vision still feels a bit unfocused and I'm so mellow, peaceful and relaxed, it's almost a reward.  I feel drugged, nicely so, yet I know I've left the thick muted painful place.

My motivation to not go home today was that I was meeting a friend for dinner and did not want to cancel.  It felt great to sip a glass of wine, talk, eat, so comfortable, and we are new friends.  I would have loved to have a second drink, an Irish coffee, but he didn't want one.  Probably smart, but still...we talked for quite a while after the plates were cleared, bill paid, wine glasses empty...and then it was just time to leave.

Comments

[adventuregirly.livejournal.com]

Do you get migraines? Or is it something else?

I've got a migraine starting this morning & the idea f sitting at a desk behind a computer all day is definitely lacking in appeal.

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

Yes, I do. I've just recently realized that they do mysteriously lift after a certain amount of time and I don't know why. I've never had to 'take to my bed' but all I want is to lay down and close my eyes when I have one. It's such a bizzare space to be in. I think mine are all tension related--Can you take a day off or go in late? Good luck either way!

[adventuregirly.livejournal.com]

My boss is on vacation, so it's not a great time to call in sick (myself & one other person are her back-up). We have flex time - we can work any time between 7:00 & 5:30, as long as we are there between 9:30 & 3:00 & get 37.5 hours in for the whole week. So I went in later yesterday & that helped. It was hard to get through the day, but I did. Came home & went right to bed & feel a lot better this morning.

[gardengirl1.livejournal.com]

i get migraines too. i'm always amazed at how much pain can really color (i.e., affect) my outlook on life. it makes me feel so negative and not at all like myself.

that's cool that your migraines lift after a certain amount of time - assuming it's a short amount of time. if i don't treat mine with meds, my migraines can last for days. mine are almost all hormone related though and i can practically predict when they'll come. every time i have one, i am thankful for prescription drugs, which is the only thing that consistently works for me (or at least the majority of the time).

[openscarf.livejournal.com]

That must be brutal for you. Have you ever tried any alternative treatments like acupuncture?