I Hate… …that I can’t remember a time in my life where migraine headaches weren’t a frequent event. …the background radiation caused by the constant anxious thought that for no reason at all, whole days might disappear into a miserable fog of debilitating pain. The ability to look forward to things with excited anticipation being an early psychic casualty. Even a nearing birthday or holiday could easily trigger a skull-cratering slog into the abyss.
Nov 16, 2022·edited Nov 16, 2022Liked by Spencer Tweedy
Sitting here in bed w a GD migraine again and then I read this.
Years ago, I read your migraine & addiction blog for NYT and it hit me hard. It helped me realize that I wasn’t a POS bc I’m anxious, have migraines, and had become addicted to pain meds. Your words in that blog are a big part of what led me to recovery. Your words and honesty are powerful. Thank you.
This description is something I unfortunately recognize. I’m 50 and mine are not what they used to be, either. In fact, I did go through an extended stretch without migraines. But they came back. One of my pet peeves is when people say, “I have a wicked migraine,” and then continue about their day. No, you don’t. Migraines are beasts. But they somehow leave me feeling renewed and somewhat rejuvenated after they are over. So I get this. Migraines terrify me, like a god, like a large wild animal showing up on a trail. What will it do? And then you survive. And you celebrate that. Love from Maine.
I finally found some relief in Botox. They don’t keep the migraines away, but the edges are dulled. They now last day instead of three, and although I have the same symptoms they are at a more tolerable level.
I keep thinking about your post about feeling optimistic. Then tonight I read on Amanda Palmer’s Instagram page that Trump used David Bowie’s “Heroes” as his walking out music after he announced he’s running for President yet again. There was a lot of hand wringing. I went back and listened to your cover. Surprisingly I feel fine. No one can put a dent in the magic Bowie brought to the world. When you did that song I went on a Bowie kick. I read an article about some kids who thought he single handedly brought down the Berlin Wall with “Heroes.” The power of art. Thanks again for helping us all to keep hoping and loving.
Chronic pain over a lifespan is something more of us need to acknowledge--so many folks suffer in silence that it's still seen as an outlier. Thanks for sharing: good, bad, and everything between.
When I was younger they came more frequently ...that warning aura...and I knew a dark space and quiet was all that I could do...but with age they are not as debilitating or frequent and sometimes I can just push through them. But do you get the migraine hangover? I call it that because for the next day I just do t feel like my words and brain connect properly...feel better Captain
I've had migraines since I was 13 (37 years) and I know it's irritating when people offer advice because by now you have tried everything. That said, due to a recent uptick in the problem for me (for women they get worse before they get better in middle age) I have discovered the magic of IV infusions. At an urgent care or at the neurologist's office they give you an IV full of fluids, pain meds, and nausea medication and you feel better within an hour. It's goddamn magic.
I am sorry you experience this so often. But maybe it’s why you are such an insightful genius & constant creator? Or it’s because you are such. It’s like the cost of being the special you - you are. In like a comic book hero kind of way...
Hard to explain what I mean...right now...but I could come back later to. Maybe?
Poor thing! I've long suffered from migraines as well, although mine are mostly caused by hormone fluctuations and, of all things, Twix bars... Did Dr. Joshi's holistic detox many years ago and the migraines disappeared for a really long time if that's of any help to you.
Hope you are feeling better soon, Jeff. I had stress / anxiety induced migraines that started when I was about 14 years old and continued into my early 20s. I am not recommending this as a cure, but when I was 24 I had a grand mal seizure. I have not had a migraine since and I am 61 now.
Sitting here in bed w a GD migraine again and then I read this.
Years ago, I read your migraine & addiction blog for NYT and it hit me hard. It helped me realize that I wasn’t a POS bc I’m anxious, have migraines, and had become addicted to pain meds. Your words in that blog are a big part of what led me to recovery. Your words and honesty are powerful. Thank you.
I suffer from migraines as well. Only other sufferers understand. Feel better.
Your ice hat has a vaguely old-world European flair, which I think could start a trend.
This description is something I unfortunately recognize. I’m 50 and mine are not what they used to be, either. In fact, I did go through an extended stretch without migraines. But they came back. One of my pet peeves is when people say, “I have a wicked migraine,” and then continue about their day. No, you don’t. Migraines are beasts. But they somehow leave me feeling renewed and somewhat rejuvenated after they are over. So I get this. Migraines terrify me, like a god, like a large wild animal showing up on a trail. What will it do? And then you survive. And you celebrate that. Love from Maine.
I finally found some relief in Botox. They don’t keep the migraines away, but the edges are dulled. They now last day instead of three, and although I have the same symptoms they are at a more tolerable level.
Feel better!
Jeff, feel better!!
I keep thinking about your post about feeling optimistic. Then tonight I read on Amanda Palmer’s Instagram page that Trump used David Bowie’s “Heroes” as his walking out music after he announced he’s running for President yet again. There was a lot of hand wringing. I went back and listened to your cover. Surprisingly I feel fine. No one can put a dent in the magic Bowie brought to the world. When you did that song I went on a Bowie kick. I read an article about some kids who thought he single handedly brought down the Berlin Wall with “Heroes.” The power of art. Thanks again for helping us all to keep hoping and loving.
Again, hope you feel better.
Chronic pain over a lifespan is something more of us need to acknowledge--so many folks suffer in silence that it's still seen as an outlier. Thanks for sharing: good, bad, and everything between.
I can only imagine what that's like. I'm sorry you are in pain. Sending {{{migraine be gone and on the double!}}} vibes.
Feel better soon. Dig the new hat 😉
And here I was going to bitch about how cold it is now that I’m back in IL. Thanks a lot, Jeff!
Just kidding. 🥶 I’ve never had a migraine (✊🏼🪵) but I’m assuming it’s way mo worse than anything I’m experiencing at the moment.
Feel better! 💜
When I was younger they came more frequently ...that warning aura...and I knew a dark space and quiet was all that I could do...but with age they are not as debilitating or frequent and sometimes I can just push through them. But do you get the migraine hangover? I call it that because for the next day I just do t feel like my words and brain connect properly...feel better Captain
I've had migraines since I was 13 (37 years) and I know it's irritating when people offer advice because by now you have tried everything. That said, due to a recent uptick in the problem for me (for women they get worse before they get better in middle age) I have discovered the magic of IV infusions. At an urgent care or at the neurologist's office they give you an IV full of fluids, pain meds, and nausea medication and you feel better within an hour. It's goddamn magic.
I am sorry you experience this so often. But maybe it’s why you are such an insightful genius & constant creator? Or it’s because you are such. It’s like the cost of being the special you - you are. In like a comic book hero kind of way...
Hard to explain what I mean...right now...but I could come back later to. Maybe?
Hope you’re feeling better, now! ♥️
Poor thing! I've long suffered from migraines as well, although mine are mostly caused by hormone fluctuations and, of all things, Twix bars... Did Dr. Joshi's holistic detox many years ago and the migraines disappeared for a really long time if that's of any help to you.
Hope you are feeling better soon, Jeff. I had stress / anxiety induced migraines that started when I was about 14 years old and continued into my early 20s. I am not recommending this as a cure, but when I was 24 I had a grand mal seizure. I have not had a migraine since and I am 61 now.
I like the photo booth type images