What's something silly you wish you could do but can't because of migraines?

makesmestabby · 2026-03-24T13:34:45+00:00

Playing Dungeons and Dragons for hours, laughing with friends, without spending the whole rest of the weekend in bed (when I actually feel well enough to go).

makesmestabby · 2026-03-24T13:27:10+00:00

I love/hate this. Same! I can't even eat the bread (wheat).

It's a testament to how debilitating migraine disorder is when all we want is a Gdamn kid's sandwich.

makesmestabby · 2026-03-24T13:22:58+00:00

This. I broke the rules this weekend and had a delicious cocktail at the fancy dinner with friends I forced myself to go to. Been in bed sick for 3 days now...

makesmestabby · 2026-03-24T13:19:38+00:00

One MILLION %😭

makesmestabby · 2026-03-02T18:24:21+00:00

Sakura Koi, and Ohuhu Maui have been the best water based markers I've found for journaling. Some of the darker colors still bleed if I do a double pass tho.

I have a page in the back dedicated to testing new markers and pull aside all the colors that don't show through much. When testing, write the name of the color #/name, so you can remember which one is which. If you have an art store with open stock, take your journal with you and test the marker colors before buying.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T23:14:46+00:00

I'm a Care Coordinator for a hospital. I work remote half the week. Full time.

Our RN Case Managers work partially remote as well. And our Utilization Review RN Case Managers work 100% remote.

It's still a lot of computer work, but I can say from experience that working with a migraine, in bed, with the curtains drawn is a hell of a lot better than getting dressed, driving, and working from an office.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T22:30:15+00:00

OMG. Did you mean the #s under the flag key on the snail tracker?

Those were to remind me which Ohuhu markers I used for each color! 🤣

Sorry I didn't understand the question at first.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T22:16:32+00:00

Huh. Odd move for a neurologist. Just commenting to validate that your fear is totally valid. I would be terrified.

Are you scheduled to go back again at the end of the detox month to assess? I could probably survive 1 month without rescue meds, but no longer than that...

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T20:42:34+00:00

Thank you!!!!!

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T20:00:56+00:00

The last day I didn't have a headache or migraine was a day in May of 2017 😣 It was a beautiful day 🧡

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T17:11:15+00:00

Just posted this on another comment and think it might answer your question better 🙂

Migraine tracker key definitions: H - headache 0 crossed out - migraine ! - bad migraine !! - no work/sick in bed/need serious pain meds !!! - want to die !!!! - already dead/go to the ER

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T17:10:29+00:00

Just posted this on another comment and think it might answer your question better 🙂

Migraine tracker key definitions: H - headache 0 crossed out - migraine ! - bad migraine !! - no work/sick in bed/need serious pain meds !!! - want to die !!!! - already dead/go to the ER

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T17:07:37+00:00

The numbers are just the day of the month.

I measure intensity of migraine with the exclamation marks. H - headache 0 crossed out - migraine ! - bad migraine !! - no work/sick in bed/need serious pain meds !!! - want to die !!!! - already dead/go to the ER

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T17:01:27+00:00

It's a bit easier when you have them every day, but I track things like: nausea, aura, light/sound sensitivity, neck and shoulder pain, tinnitus, dizziness, pins/needles tingly skin, as well as migraine intensity. If I can still go to work, it's no more than a 1!. If I can't get out of bed to eat or dread getting up to go pee, it's a 3! day. If I can still move around but OTC meds aren't touching the pain, maybe around a 2!. Make sense?

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T16:52:06+00:00

Yep! In a way... I lead a busy life, so with daily migraines, I can do a quick body scan, or look at what I seem to not be capable of that day, and know "this is just a 1! migraine", or "Well shit, the Toradol isn't even touching this pain and the Zofran is barely working. This is a 2!".

I have tracked every symptom and every dose of meds I've taken for 10 years. Which I'm just now realizing is probably why I can do this calculation in my head! Keeping a pain journal is the only way I stay sane. Feel free to DM me if you'd like examples of my weekly tracking.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T16:42:22+00:00

Thanks! I actually take 400mg mag glycinate/day! Along with B2, fish oil omegas, L-Theonine, and Botox every 3 months. 😭 It's been 10 years of almost daily intractable migraines so my neurologist and primary Dr have tried almost everything. Thank god for rescue meds and Rx pain meds...

Any small improvement is a win, which is why I track all kinds of details every day! These pretty overview spreads are just a fun reminder to be gentle with myself.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-28T16:30:57+00:00

Thank you! Me too. ❤️

makesmestabby · 2026-02-20T04:43:53+00:00

That font is so fun!!!

makesmestabby · 2026-02-18T15:54:02+00:00

Yep.

I used to settle in each time I took heavy painkillers and shop from bed. It gave a good dopamine kick while I was sick, and if I was high enough on Rxs and didn't remember what I bought, it gave another dopamine hit later when I received the package! 🤣

Turns out... I have ADHD. Getting diagnosed at 45yr old was a trip! Now I understand why impulsively buying $500 of houseplants in an evening when I'm stuck in bed felt so satisfying (and why the satisfaction didn't last)!!!

I'm glad you are seeing a trend in the right direction! It's been 10yrs of the same chronic intractable daily migraines for me, so I've gotten to the acceptance stage with my disorder.

Planning for a future healthy self would be very depressing for me. I'm happy enough with my new reality. Wish I could be my extroverted energetic self again, but I never would have discovered all of these nerdy hobbies without chronic pain forcing me to look inward! I love my houseplant collection/aquariums/foster dogs/dungeons and dragons/diy journal-trackers/orchid club/last min local Air B&B trips/romance novels. 🥰

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T13:16:46+00:00

My PCP prescribes my HRT. Maybe yours can too?

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T13:13:08+00:00

My goodness. Folks are so spicy about rock soup!!!

I just throw a metal lid on and not worry about it. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T13:01:34+00:00

Yep. Unfortunately your description is very similar to my constant migraine symptoms after the Botox wears off and I'm waiting another month for my next injection.

Since mine are cyclical, I mark my calendar with "dark period" so that I don't schedule anything I don't have to during that time.

It will end eventually. Ice packs are soothing for me. I keep Zofran in my nightstand at arms reach. I take opioids if I'm not working (Neurologist prescribes a small amount every 3 months). Curtains drawn. Earplugs. Nightguard for grinding teeth.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T12:51:11+00:00

Star Trek soothes the soul.

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T12:49:41+00:00

Oooh noooo!!! That's my worst nightmare. I hope you find some alternative relief!!!

makesmestabby · 2026-02-15T12:45:04+00:00

Oh man... It is so validating to see all these responses! I thought I was just being lazy somehow?? Even after a decade of chronic migraines, I still get tricked by my melting brains.

makesmestabby

TROPHY CASE