| Q: |
How can I involve my family in my migraine care?
| | A: |
Involving family members in planning and shopping for your
migraine-friendly diet will give everyone an opportunity to spend time
together. It will also ensure that everyone finds foods they enjoy.
Preparing meals together will reduce stress; the rest of your family do
not have to avoid all the foods that you need to, but they can help by
not eating these around you. Everyone can benefit from a routine
exercise program as well. Spending time together during exercise is
healthy, bonding, and can encourage you and help you maintain your
routine.
|
| Q: |
How do I match my migraine treatment to my family’s lifestyle?
| | A: |
This requires planning. By reviewing the family calendar in
advance, you will be able to integrate your treatment schedule with
their activities. Initially, everyone will need to make some sacrifices
to help you accommodate your treatment plan. By sharing information
about migraine, you will help your family understand the changes needed
to make your treatment a success. In time, they will see the difference
their sacrifices have made and will come to enjoy your headache-free
time as much as you do.
|
| Q: |
How do I manage the stress of household responsibilities?
| | A: |
Ask your family to help with the various household
responsibilities; this will give you an opportunity to do your
relaxation techniques and will reduce stress. You may want to have a
family meeting to discuss household chores and to develop a plan. By
assigning chores, you can eliminate the stress of trying to do
everything by yourself. If you live alone you may need to ask friends or
family members to help you.
|
| Q: |
I am able to control my migraine attacks until the weather changes. Is there anything I can do during such times?
| | A: |
When there are uncontrollable migraine triggers such as weather,
season, or hormonal changes, you need to be especially careful to follow
your treatment plan rigorously. You must continue with your exercise
and relaxation program, and it is very important that you avoid fatigue
and all other triggers during these times.
|
| Q: |
How important is it that I have a written treatment plan with stated goals?
| | A: |
When you formulate a treatment plan with identified goals and
objectives, you will be able to assess your progress. You can review it
every week to determine if any changes are needed. If you find areas
that are causing difficulty, then you can seek help. Your plan needs to
remain flexible since life circumstances are always changing.
|
| Q: |
How do I manage my dietary changes with everything else I have to do?
| | A: |
Initially you will need to plan your menus in advance. You can
use them to make a shopping list. By planning menus, you can avoid
migraine triggers and save time by shopping for food in advance. You
will need to invest time in making dietary changes, but the return will
be more migraine-free time.
|
| Q: |
How do I make time for exercise and relaxation?
| | A: |
Make a commitment each day to spend time, even a short period, on
exercise and relaxation. It is important that you establish a daily
habit. Once your routine is set, you can increase the time. The key to
success is consistency. You will need to stay dedicated to your
treatment program.
|
| Q: |
How do I convince others that my treatment program is important?
| | A: |
Unfortunately, you may not be able to convince everyone that
exercise, relaxation, and “special food” is necessary for treating your
migraine. This can be frustrating, but if people simply refuse to
recognize that migraine is a “real” disease, you may be better off
saving your energy.
|
|
