Too Many Glaring Lights? How I Stop a Migraine Attack
We needed at least an hour and 20 minutes to drive to Hutchinson’s Historic Fox Theatre in Kansas, to see the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy concert set to start at 7:30 p.m. This translates to driving west into the setting sun, which in turn means extended exposure to one of my major migraine triggers. Glaring lights and I aren’t on friendly terms.
We arrived at the beautiful art deco structure to see the city streets packed with cars. Concertgoers flowed into the grand movie palace through the series of doors nestled under the flashing neon marquee. I put my admiration of the geometric details of the building on hold until I took care of business.
I had felt it coming for miles. Over the decades, I’ve become quite good at recognizing the early symptoms of migraine. My migraine symptoms weren’t in the car with me when I left home, but those early symptoms arrived at the theatre with me, just as I suspected they would. I squinted at the sunshine, turned the radio down a notch, and noticed half my head felt a little off normal as my thoughts turned to rescue mode. The sooner I focus on medicating myself, the more likely I’ll be able to enjoy the concert.
My husband knew what was happening and steered us to the concession stand to get a bottle of water for me before we found our seats. We had arrived early enough that my triptan tablet had some time to start working before the concert began. The pre-concert presentation of upcoming events took a while, which suited me just fine. By the time Big Bad Voodoo Daddy walked onto the stage in their classy suits and hats to liven up the theatre with their jazzy tunes, I was feeling much better.
I wasn’t out of the danger zone though. Concerts tend to have light shows to enhance the musical experience, and this concert was no different. Flashing lights rank right up there with glaring lights when it comes to migraine triggers for me. Various colors and patterns of lights danced around the theatre in perfect coordination with the fabulous harmony of horns, drums, keyboard, and vocals. One sequence, in particular, landed a blinding white light right into my eyeballs every so often.
A migraine episode returned by the time we got back home. Another triptan tablet before going to bed was in order. Sometimes the rewards are worth the price I must pay, and this was one of those times. An evening out with my favorite guy, as we enjoyed the music of an extraordinarily talented band, is just what the doctor ordered to cure a different ailment – the monotony of day-to-day life.
Migraine disease is always with me. Like it or not, we live together. I learned to accept my burden years ago, and I’ve found ways for us to coexist.
I know my triggers, including glaring and flashing lights.
I don’t ignore the early symptoms I’ve come to recognize over the years.
I carry abortive medication to deal with an attack, no matter where I am or what I’m doing.
My migraine management plan is structured around knowing and avoiding triggers whenever possible, but life isn’t always that black and white. Sometimes, living means making an exception to those rules and driving into the setting sun for the promise of something wonderful and worth the price of admission.
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Originally published on WebMD.com on 7/17/23.
Originally Published on https://www.tammyhader.com/
