traveling again

I just got back in the country after nearly three weeks of travel. The last time I was out of the U.S. for a significant length of time, I happily surprised by having only one Migraine headache in six weeks--a miracle! Before and after that six week period, my Migraine pattern was pretty much normal (frequent headaches, intense pain when they did occur).

This time the pattern didn't change. Thanks to my medicinal regimen and lifestyle, my frequency is still down compared to what it used to be about a year or so ago, and my overall pain isn't as bad as it used to be. Still, I was sad to feel three distinct bad headaches rear their ugly heads during my 18 days out of town--keeping the average up. (I wasn't on my period.) Having a Migraine while out of town is rough in many ways. Luckily I was traveling with one of my best friends who's long since understood my patterns--she and I've been close since we were freshmen in college and I was an undiagnosed Migraineur. Then I was just the friend who frequently cancelled plans, having to turn out the dorm room lights and cancel plans with no warning whatsoever.

With the exception of one or two nights, I had a hotel to stay in. I find this such a load off my shoulders--I don't have to worry about my Migraine attacks as intensely when I know I have my own space to go home to. Times I have had to retreat to others' cramped apartment floors or fold-out beds are times I feel more stressed out and more prone to attacks.

In any case, I made it through the trip. French bars are all too smoky and, despite their charm and music and my desire to stay out late, the cigarette smoke got to me and gave me quite the Migraine. 'Twas sad to skip out on the wine while there, too, but I saved some bucks, I'm sure.

Jet lag calls. Bonsoir!

have meds, can travel

I'm about to embark on a relatively lengthy trip. It's certainly going to be a taxing one, but one full of fun and surprises and friends and tourism, tourism, tourism. Can't escape that when one goes to Europe.

But I'm nervous. I'm nervous about getting a Migraine when I'm traveling. In the past, my pattern has been that I get a Migraine the day of travel, especially during long car trips or plane rides. This pattern's been broken up a bit in recent years, perhaps because of Zonegran--perhaps not. I can't be sure. Once I'm in a new country, however, I tend to do pretty well for awhile. A few years ago, I lived in Costa Rica for 6 weeks and had one significant Migraine the entire time I was there. The lifestyle, the lack of "regular life" stress, the diet, the routine--all of these things probably contributed to my overall well-being.

I'm hoping this good fortune comes back for the next three weeks of my life as I venture to some European countries. I'll be armed with Relpax and Naproxen, of course, but we know I can't take those more than a couple days in a row due to the ever-looming MOH (medication overuse headache).

Fingers crossed.

Bon voyage (to me!)