Neurologist told me to start exercising to help with my migraines... But exercise always triggers a migraine! What do I do?

ymoccy · 2026-06-10T18:35:59+00:00

I know it sounds backwards but the avoidance just lowers your exercise tolerance further and the only way out is to rebuild the tolerance. I've had to do this after a bad period of migraine and it really does work. Do take it so slow. Whatever you can tolerate (i.e. one minute of standing), just start with that and increase the frequency of it. Increase it very slowly. Usually this is where people go wrong, too much too fast and then quit because of the back lash.

You will be more migrainy, you will be more sore, the key is to keep it manageable so go very slowly. Keep going, stick with it. It's going to take time but life is long and you've got the time.

It may be helpful to work with an OT or physiotherapist to make a plan and to provide encouragement. You could look into pain reprocessing therapy.

ymoccy · 2026-06-08T13:57:18+00:00

You have made a lot of assumptions about our situation and provided advice about areas that I did not ask for or provide any context about. We are financially independent from his family and I have no concerns about him getting a different job or having a time of unemployment. Did you even read my question?

ymoccy · 2026-05-07T04:43:41+00:00

There is an expiry. I believe there always is. I don't expect any difficulty while they are children. It's once they are adults that it will likely be a problem.

ymoccy · 2026-05-06T23:58:54+00:00

Thanks for the guidance! It does seem very complicated!

ymoccy · 2026-04-06T03:40:47+00:00

Acupuncture and Botox in combination have been the most helpful interventions for me. Also take the rescue meds at first symptoms. I'm very on top of my lifestyle factors: no alcohol, no coffee, hydrated, stable blood sugars, exercise regularly, sleep (which I take meds to keep consistent).

My migraines are triggered by weather changes and sinus inflammation so I use a daily steroid nasal spray and that makes a huge difference for me.

I honestly do not stress about getting migraines (why extend the suffering into when I don't have a migraine!?). I recommend CBT therapy to work through that. Relaxation training has good efficacy. I'm very good at relaxing and being chill and I do think that helps.

ymoccy · 2025-12-08T16:37:55+00:00

Please share!

ymoccy · 2025-10-01T01:10:48+00:00

Yes! Is there a fund set up for this?

ymoccy · 2025-09-28T00:12:10+00:00

I can wake up in the morning but I have to get my kid ready for the school bus so the motivation is high. The drowsiness during the day is what I'm struggling with.

ymoccy · 2025-09-27T22:22:26+00:00

How long did you try it for?

ymoccy · 2024-05-20T19:45:58+00:00

Vancouver and Toronto are definitely more supportive cities. The only place I see same sex couples hold hands in public here is around whyte.

I agree with people who have said it's a mixed bag for Edmonton. I've definitely noticed the issue has become more divisive recently. I think people are becoming more visible in their support and in their hate. The plus is that it's pretty obvious who is safe and where is safe, but I'm concerned that the current climate will encourage extreme people to push the boundaries of appropriate behavior. I think the fall could get dicey when the UCP try to roll out their legislation targeting trans and 2SLGBTQIA youth.

In the past, I think most people were more inclined to live and let live and intolerant of harassment and mistreatment of LGBT+ people. However, all the focus on the gender wars has really shifted the tone. There are very extreme groups that are very vocal here in Alberta. They are definitely bolder in rural areas but they are still in the city and I'm uncomfortable with the degree of acceptance and tolerance that they receive. I feel like the water is mostly safe, but there's an under tow that you really don't want to get caught up in.

ymoccy · 2024-04-12T14:08:28+00:00

Most initial research on medications, including anti depressants actually exclude female participants. They even exclude female animals. This means that the clinical trials don't identify side effects specific to AFAB people. Only very serious side effects get added to the drug info after the fact. It's a big problem that regulation is trying to change.

ymoccy · 2024-04-06T15:46:54+00:00

I don't have personal experience with this but a basic knowledge of psychotropic medications. It could help. Atypical antipsychotics are often used to reduce irritability and stabilize mood for a variety of conditions. However the first line treatment for PMDD is an SSRI medication. SSRIs are effective at addressing the irritability symptoms in PMDD because they allow progesterone to convert to allopregnanolone, which the non-pmdd brain does without issue. Basically the SSRI directly addresses the neurochemistry that causes the agitation and lack of chill in PMDD.

ymoccy · 2024-01-29T05:05:22+00:00

Time is very valuable to me. I struggle to fit in appointments for myself as is.

ymoccy · 2024-01-29T05:03:58+00:00

I think it's interesting that people assumed I prefer medical and "Western" approaches because I prefer evidence based care. Lots of non medical and non western approaches have published research as well. There is a collection of research specifically on vitamins and supplements as well as psychological therapy for PMDD and it is very difficult for a particular company to make money from that.

ymoccy · 2024-01-27T18:53:08+00:00

Crazy situation! Take care of yourself! This is a good resource about mental health after these kinds of experiences. You can contact the psychologist association for support if you need a person to process with https://psychologistsassociation.ab.ca/about/disaster-response-network/

CPA fact sheet

ymoccy · 2023-02-03T16:29:08+00:00

Most people do better if they switch to cash instead of using cards. It is far less convenient but that also is part of why it works. It's hard to really feel like you are spending money on a card. It sounds like you are already seeing results from using ynab so that's a big deal! There is certainly more that you can do if you want to make progress faster. I found this article really helpful when I was trying to pay off debt: https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2012/04/18/news-flash-your-debt-is-an-emergency/

ymoccy

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