Homesteading prepper life with migraines…

That’s not what some folks would think would go together – some actually think I’ve lost what was left of my mind. (Others question if I ever had one, lol.) But when you really get right down to it and look at what I actually do, it works, and makes things easier in the long run.

You see, on the good days, the non-pain, non-headache days, I make meal plans (menus). These typically run anywhere from 10-14 days, and includes 2 left over nights. and I always have a couple “easy” meals on them just in case we are really busy or I’m having a bad day, (You don’t have to stick strictly to each day, they can be switched up depending on how you’re feeling,) simply because I know the drill by now. If the week goes smooth then hey, I have it easy! I also have enough stuff canned and frozen that if a nasty migraine or fibromyalgia flare pops up in between that a jar of soup or stew can be opened to hold the family over, or some burgers can go on a grill, or some gumbo can go in the cast iron Dutch oven and simmered for a little bit and keep the troops from wasting away until I recover. There’s always bread for sandwiches, jams, fruit butters, cheeses, crackers, fruit and granola bars, and eggs in the house. It may not be the most beautiful meal, but it’s nutritious, balanced, and it will work if the menu plan has run out.

As a large family over the years, and a homeschool family on one income I got us to where I could buy in bulk, and do most of my shopping once a month. That meant I could start doing some cooking ahead days. This has also helped with the migraines and fibro days. I have ground beef already cooked and canned and frozen for spaghetti, tacos, etc. I have hotdogs canned instead of frozen. I have homemade cornedbeef hash. Days that I’ve made lasagna I’ll make two and freeze one, and I’ll do the same with other casseroles, like homemade chicken and beef pot pies. The foil pans are easily available at most grocery stores and come with their own lids.

These are just some easy things you can do to reduce some of your own stress when you have a chronic illness/pain disease or chronic migraines and never know when a flare/attack is going to hit.

Until next time,

The GreenLady

A night with my migraine

I sit here in the quiet,  wondering what is wrong with me. First I can’t handle the cold, now I can’t handle the heat. My body can’t regulate its own temperature now, and I get a weird type of hives. This is something all new to me, it leaves me burning and scratching for dear life.

My head and eyes can’t stand the light, Guess it’s good that I’m friends with the night. I’ve learned to walk with the shadows, and work by candle and firelight. But then comes the aura, and with it my little “friends”. All of the shadow figures I see; most are small animals, the rest are just random shapes, floating or bouncing, sometimes stretched out, others just completely distorted.

And still off in the distance I hear an old radio play. I hear the voices and music but I can’t make out quite what they say. I know I’ve heard it all before, though its been so long ago. I feel like I’m losing my mind, but I guess its par for course as some migraines go. 

 

Woman suffering from headache migraine pain at home on sofa. Health problem, stress and depression. Female holds head with hand. Concept of health.

Living in my fog

What do you do when you have more tasks then hours to complete them? Most people I guess roll them over to the next day and pick up where they left off. Others may hustle and finish them off that day depending on how many are left, or delegate if they have a helper. I’m sure most people don’t have an anxiety attack if a few things don’t get finished.

Not, that is, unless they’re a multiple chronic pain patient with anxiety. Hello, and welcome to my anxiety fog. I say that because I have a few different chronic pain diseases, a couple that cause “fog” issues, Chronic Migraines with Aura, and anxiety as well as Major Depressive Disorder. Fibromyalgia fog or “Fibro Fog” is simply our foggy head; we get distracted easily, forget what we were doing, can’t concentrate, and so on. It can seriously take us all day to complete something. If we are lucky enough to be doing fairly well pain and even fog wise, we still are going to have serious difficulties. That’s where we still really struggle and the anxiety comes in because we want and are determined to catch up on everything, and we can’t, but we aren’t willing to accept that.

After two and a half years I’m slowly learning to delegate some, which is taking it’s toll on my depression and anxiety, and on my “good days” I still tend to over do it, although I am getting better about it. These truly are invisible illnesses, because hardly no one sees how we really feel, or that anything is wrong. Some of us are good at hiding it because we don’t want pity or people feeling sorry for us. We don’t want to be treated like we’re going to break if someone touches us, although that’s how it often feels, even with the medications, especially in a flare. I guess that’s why I’m slowly learning to accept having a few clothes baskets of clean laundry sitting around. On days that its warm outside I’m learning to walk away from the work and take advantage of the sunshine and warm air. It helps with the MDD and Anxiety, and the exercise is good for the Fibromyalgia. I make sure I have a notepad with me wherever I am, but especially on walks. I often remember things and think of things when I’m in nature or just fresh air. Notes and reminders are extremely important when dealing with fibro fog.

If you or someone you know has one of these illnesses don’t suffer through it alone. Talk to each other, seek counseling, and/or educate yourself. Understand it can be as difficult on the caretaker/family members/loved ones as the patient themselves. Help each other. It’s less stressful as a team. Understand there is no cure, you can only treat the symptoms, and only to a point. As of now you can not completely eliminate the pain, cannot stop the fog, or many of the other symptoms, they can only be made to a tolerable level if you choose to still be able to function. Each patient is effected differently, so not every treatment will react the same way. Be patient, share chores, delegate, try different, easier ways of doing things,

Until next time,

The Green Lady