Chronic Migraines. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Depression. Anxiety.
Nightstand Contents
1. A scented candle- For the good days.
2. Glass of water- dehydration triggers migraines.
3. Sunrise alarm clock- Helps with depression, and is dimmable light for days when I can't open the curtains, because the light is too painful.
4. Books- For when I am too ill to listen to the radio, and I am stuck in bed, or when the migraine is wearing off.
Get Your Shit Together, by Ruth Field.
Going After Cacciato, by Tim O'Brien.
The Story of The Other Wise Man, by Henry Van Dyke.
Relationships The School of Life
The French Lieutenants Woman, by John Fowles.
The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot, by Robert Macfarlane.
The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory, by Carol J Adams.
The Geology of The Island of Arran, Andrew Crombie Ramsey.
Chernobyl Prayer, by Svetlana Alexievich.
The Healer, by Greg Hollingshead.
Red Dust, by Gillian Slovo
Drawer Contents
5. Diary.
6. Pen.
7. 6 Prescription Nasal Sprays- For migraines. They are a nasal spray so that I won't vomit up the medication. They are out of the box because I need them immediately when the migraine starts.
8. 8 Prescription medications.
9. Tiger balm-Helps ease the pain when I am at the max pharmaceutical painkiller dose.
10. Eye mask- To block out the light when I have a migraine.
11. Inhaler- Side effect from the migraine medication causes wheezing.
12. Matches for the candle.
13. Chargers for iphone, ipad.
14. Nightguard (redbox)- Helps me to stop clenching my jaw at night, which means that I can wake up with a migraine.
15. Lavender Sleep Spray.
16. Aromatherapy roll on.
17. Moisturizers.
18. Hand Cream.
19. E45-For when my lips are really dry during migraines.
20. Hot and Cold packs- For when I am too ill to get out of bed and get packs from the freezer.
I have 'chronic migraine' (more than 15 migraines per month) during which light, sound and smell cause unbearable pain. I often vomit and can be in intense pain for 48-72 hours at a time, so bad it makes me whimper, and unable to lie still my mind often turns to dark, depressive thoughts. The top of my table is usually clear, like in this photo, so that I'm not sick on anything.
My migraine is being treated quite successfully at the moment by my neurologist with 40 botox injections across my face, scalp and shoulders every 3 months. I'm spending less time with migraine and less time in bed, but I have to have a break from the botox this summer. I'm scared about what will happen then.