Women In My Life

International Women’s Day

I want to thank these beautifully souled women in the spirit of International Women’s Day. These women have contributed to who I am today. They are women who are unafraid to stand up for what they believe in yet conduct everything with humility. They are women who value giving even when they barely have anything to share. They find ways to uplift by serving and caring for others. They are unafraid to live life to the fullest, and togetherness is vital to their being. These women are funny. Joy and laughter are key ingredients to any gathering; it is part of their DNA. However, when someone is downhearted or ill, they are always ready to provide service and comfort.
I love that these women find every reason to celebrate; whether for themselves or others, they commemorate friends, family, and community unapologetically. They will boldly share someone’s success with the world no matter what others may say. They are genuinely happy for everyone, and jealousy is far from their mind.
These women value the importance of family. They value communication and connection. No matter where they are, the family strings are always within reach. They celebrate when someone accomplishes something and mourn when someone experiences a loss – even from a distance. What’s important to them is that they go through these events together. They appreciate sentiments, cherishing every moment and preserving them by taking photos of every occasion, ensuring they can return to them later, reminisce, and be thankful for their experiences. Finally, these women value lineage and hold family customs close to heart. They are always ready to tell stories about their ancestors and humble beginnings, keeping them alive for generations.

These women have taught me so many valuable things as a woman:

  • They taught me to value family.
  •  To have a forgiving heart.
  • To laugh more. As someone has said, “Laughter is the best medicine.” There is so much truth to that. 
  • Have fun!
  • To celebrate everything, anything, and anyone unapologetically.
  • They taught me to uplift and appreciate others.
  • To be generous – ready to give and serve.
  • To be authentic and not be afraid of who I am.
  • To cherish every moment and capture and preserve memories.
  • Finally, they taught me to love not only myself but to love others unconditionally.

To my mother, Rosalie Cabganot Clark, and her sisters, Ruth Fulido, Ruby Mascarinas, Rosemary Areola, and Ressa Cabagnot, the women in my life, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. Happy International Women’s Day!

 Remembering: Victoria “Mama Baby” Cabagnot, a remarkable woman.

Special mention to the Sagrado sisters, especially Auntie Lina Sagrado, who taught me valuable lessons as a teen which molded me into the woman I am today. I still remember, and I thank you!

Happy International Women’s Day!

My Three Valuable Objects

What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

There are three objects that are valuable to me. The first thing that come to mind would be my bible. My bible is very important to me because it gives me a sense of direction, it reminds me of God’s promise and provision. It connects me to my creator and gives me hope. The second would be my computer with internet, of course. I love to write and because my handwriting is atrocious, I choose to type on my computer instead. I also love to do some research about anything and internet gives me the ability to do just that. The last thing would be my phone. Phone makes it easy for me to connect with my family all over the world. Phone also gives me security. During an emergency, I know I could depend on my phone so long as there’s signal, therefore my phone is one object I could not live without.

The Effects of When and How We Use Digital Device on Migraine

Is there a correlation between how and when we use digital devices and migraines?

As a writer, my mind often buzzes with ideas in the dead of night or at the crack of dawn. These moments of inspiration would jolt me awake, prompting me to reach for my phone to capture them. But in the process, I would find myself drawn into a digital world, checking messages and social media. By mid-morning, a familiar headache would begin to throb. For the longest time, I failed to connect my phone usage to my migraine attacks, just as I didn’t realize that watching TV in the morning was setting me up for headaches later in the day.

It’s important to clarify that I’m not a medical professional, nor do I have a string of letters after my name. But as someone who has battled migraines for years, I’ve become adept at identifying my triggers. And one of them, I’ve discovered, is my phone use, particularly during the wee hours of the morning.

One common cause of headaches is eye strain. Imagine your eyes’ nerves “relaxing” as you sleep; suddenly, an idea pops into your subconscious mind. You force yourself to wake up, grab your phone, and jot down notes before your eyes can fully “wake up,” adjust to the light, and maybe even adjust their focus. When we do this, we strain our eyes, and a headache is sure to follow; well, at least it does for many other migraine sufferers I know and me. 

According to healthline.com, “When you look at objects or screens at a close range, the muscles in and around your eyes need to work harder to focus. Over time, these muscles can get sore and tired like any other muscle. Similarly, squinting for an extended period may trigger spasms in your facial muscles and the muscles around your eyes. These spasms can lead to eye strain headaches.”

Our eyes need to adjust to our environment to function correctly. When we force them to do their job without adapting to the environment, lights, or focus, we strain them, and the possible effect is a migraine headache.

Other causes of eye strain and migraines include extended use of phones and computers. Excessive glare, uneven contrasts between the background and texts, an incorrect screen distance, and poor posture can cause eye strain and headaches.

Mayo Clinic says, “Extended use of computers and other digital devices is one of the most common causes of eyestrain. The American Optometric Association calls this computer vision syndrome. It’s also called digital eyestrain. People looking at screens two or more hours in a row daily have the greatest risk of this condition. Computer use strains eyes more than reading print material because people tend to blink less while using computers, and blinking is key to moistening the eyes.”

Although extended usage of our gadgets is more common during working hours, triggering migraine headaches, this can also happen when we use our phones in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. It is also important to note that interrupted sleep can cause migraine headaches.

So, let’s avoid reaching for our phones in the middle of the night or at least give our eyes time to adjust before we get carried away, scrolling through our phones. Easier said than done, I know, especially for busy people like us. What should we do?

Here are a few strategies that have proven effective for me. But it’s crucial to remember that we’re all unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. So, while these tips have helped me, you might find that a different approach is more suitable for you.

  • Jot down everything you need before going to bed. This way, your sleep won’t be interrupted, triggering migraine.
  • Make sure all your reminders for the next day are complete.
  • If you must wake up to check your phone, give your eyes a few minutes to adjust to the environment.
  • If you must jot down something in the middle of the night, use pen and paper instead of a phone. This way, your eyes won’t be exposed to harmful lights from your gadget.
  • In the morning, give yourself time to wake up before reaching for any digital device.

These are some simple ways I found to help avoid migraine later in the day. If you have any other practices, you find helpful, please comment and share your thoughts.

Roller Coaster Ride

The Importance of Seeing and Understanding Our Support System

If you live with a chronic health condition, you know how challenging and frustrating it can be to navigate life. For example, how often have you had to say “no” to your children’s request to play outside during an attack? How about canceling coffee or tea time with friends or denying a client your service because you have no idea how you would feel the day of the presentation? These things can play havoc on one’s attitude and create bitterness. Sometimes we sulk and keep to ourselves, thinking no one understands what we go through. We sometimes get angry at the people around us, like our support system, forgetting that they silently share the frustration and challenges we experience.

Our support systems, such as our spouse, children, and parents, also live with our symptoms, frustrations, and daily challenges. Though they may not feel the excruciating physical pain or the debilitating symptoms we get, they, too, can get exasperated and overwhelmed whenever we feel unwell; this is true, especially when they feel powerless to ease our pain. Sometimes, we naturally focus on our pain and limitations; however, we sometimes forget that we are not alone in our battles. 

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Years ago, I was diagnosed with Paroxysmal Nonkinesigenic Dyskinesia or PNKD – a subtype of Dystonia. The first few times I experienced my neurologist’s dystonic storm, I was constantly overwhelmed and infuriated. Parts of my body would twist, my muscles would spasm, and I would cry in pain. The random occurrence of my symptoms made it very challenging for me physically and mentally. In addition, I was confused about why it was happening to me. My family would try to help me feel better, but my condition had a mind of its own, and at first, there was nothing my family could do to help but be there for me until my symptoms subsided.

On top of the unbearing symptoms of Dystonia, I also live with a rare form of migraine called Complex/Hemiplegic Migraine, which is also debilitating. The unpredictability of these two conditions made it very challenging to navigate life. As a result, my days are full of ups and downs, like living on a roller coaster that can test anyone’s patience. Just like being on a rollercoaster ride, one moment, you’re having fun, trying to reach the clouds above you, and suddenly you drop, feeling sick to your stomach. Living with a chronic health condition is the same; one day, you feel great, full of energy, can plan, spend time with family, and go to work. However, the next day, you’re stuck in bed, unable to move, in pain, missing appointments, and disappointing clients and family.

There were days when I could not help but feel sorry for myself, but my family was always ready to encourage me, yet there were days when my frustrations would get directed at them. Finally, I would snap at them, saying, “You will never understand how I feel. How could you? You don’t feel my pain?!” 

I remember one time, in the early stages of my Dystonia, whenever I would have an attack, I would sense my husband’s; what I then perceived was anger towards me. I would tell him, “It’s not my fault I’m in pain! Stop being angry at me!” My husband’s reaction to my flares made me feel like I was inconveniencing him. I thought to myself, “How dare he?” I’m the one in pain, living an unpredictable rollercoaster life; how could he be the one angry? Later he made me understand that his reaction stemmed from being unable to express how he felt whenever he saw me struggling. Yes, he was furious; he was frustrated, but not at me. He felt helpless watching me suffer. “I couldn’t help you. I couldn’t make you feel better. I wanted to take your pain away,” he explained. Of course, my husband cared. What was I thinking? He wanted to help me, but he didn’t know how, and I didn’t try to understand. My husband chose not to share his frustration with me because he didn’t want to add to my problems. We had a misunderstanding. Many of our support systems are this way; they see that we are struggling; therefore, they choose to keep their feelings hidden. However, our support systems must have their outlets, too.

Sometimes we forget the people who care for us have a life to live. They have things they must do, deadlines to meet, and businesses to run, but still, they find time to tend to our needs. My mother was the same way. When she was still working, my mother had things she had to take care of, yet; she would find time to come by my house to clean and cook some of my favorite comfort food. She knew my internal struggles; my guilt for not fulfilling my duties; therefore, she would take care of some of my responsibilities as a mother and a homemaker. She stepped up because she could feel my pain internally. The burden on our support system can be heavy. On top of taking care of their responsibilities, sometimes they also have to fulfill ours, which can be stressful. 

We often need to communicate better with our support system, assuming we all understand each other. However, this could be far from the truth. Communication between us and our support system is essential; it is vital in our journey. Communication allows us to know where each of us stands. Are we tired? Do we need to pause? Do we need to talk? Our support system could physically see our pain, but sometimes it’s beneficial to speak with them, let them know how we feel inside, and share our feelings. At the same time, it can also allow us to listen to theirs. Are they tired? Do they need to talk? Do they need a break? We must also be mindful of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As chronic illness sufferers, we might not physically assist our support system, but we can certainly offer our understanding and patience. 

Because my husband ensured he cared for my needs first, he kept his struggles in and eventually got sick. I felt awful knowing that my husband was stressed about my illness, which ultimately affected his health. We can avoid these situations by making sure we hear each other out. It took some reflection, understanding, empathy, and compassion to realize that I was not traveling alone in this chronic illness journey. I realized my support system was with me, experiencing the same roller coaster I was riding. I finally saw my husband, children, and parents and understood their need to be heard and understood.

In conclusion, we must see our support system and recognize and acknowledge that they, too, are living with our conditions. It is easy for us who physically feel the pain to get sidetracked and take our support systems for granted. We forget that they have feelings and need to care for their well-being. Whoever is part of our support system, spouse, parents, or children must care for themselves, physically and mentally, just like we take care of ourselves as chronic illness warriors. They, too, need to pause, take a deep breath, and rest. They, too, need to be seen and heard. Let’s remind ourselves that we are not alone in our journey; it is stressful for our loved ones to see us suffer; therefore, it could also be stressful for their health. We must remember that we are all in this together. We must care for each other and hold hands on this roller coaster ride.

SMP+H20

Three 10 Minute Mind and Body Stillness Practice I Find Helpful to Combat Stress and Anxiety

Do you have a daily stillness routine to help you manage stress and anxiety?⁣

⁣Since I started living with #𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲 and #𝗱𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗮, life has become very #𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹. Navigating work, home, and social life became very taxing. The unpredictability of attacks increased my #stress and #anxiety level. I started to get frustrated, angry, and restless. I was irritable and quick to snap at every little thing. I knew then that something needed to change, not only for my benefit but also for my family. They are my support system and have been with me through my ups and downs, so I’ve decided to find ways to calm my mind and body.

⁣I started utilizing my good days to explore exercises my body would tolerate, and I found swimming and yoga favorable. Although I cannot do this as consistently as I would like, I try to do them whenever I have my “good days” and am physically able to do them. Exercise has also been found to be beneficial for people with #migraine. According to American Migraine Foundation, “Exercise helps manage the symptoms and triggers of migraine on multiple fronts. Exercise releases endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins also induce positive feelings and a sense of well-being, an asset for people living with migraine, who face an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Exercise can improve sleep quality and consistency and help relieve stress, which is both common migraine triggers.”

Why yoga? Aside from my distaste for running? Lower-intensity exercise like simple yoga stretching is less likely to trigger my dystonia symptoms. According to Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, “The benefits of Exercise and physical activity for neurological disorders are well-known. However, individuals with dystonia may experience numerous barriers to healthy levels of Exercise, including the fact that physical activity sometimes worsens dystonia symptoms.” However, DMRF found that “A team of exercise scientists and physical therapy experts at the University of Auckland in New Zealand surveyed 260 dystonia patients about physical activity and barriers to Exercise. The survey revealed that lower intensity exercise, such as light walking and general stretching, were among the least aggravating for dystonia symptoms.” Dystonia Medical Research Foundation. 

On top of the exercises I’ve incorporated into my weekly routine, I’ve also created what I now call 𝟯/𝟭𝟬 𝗦𝗠𝗣+H20 practice. 𝟯/𝟭𝟬 𝗦𝗠𝗣+H20 is an acronym for 𝟯 – 𝟭𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗖𝗛– 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘–𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬 + HYDRATION. I use this as a guide to my daily calm and stillness.⁣ According to Mayo Clinic, “Meditation can give you a sense of calm, peace, and balance that can benefit your emotional well-being and overall health. And these benefits don’t end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help carry you more calmly through your day and may help you manage symptoms of certain medical conditions.“

⁣I usually start my day with this 30-minute practice. ⁣

𝟭. I begin with the “accept and release” mentality as I sit on a yoga mat before starting the SMP+H2O practice. I think of any tension that I may have accumulated, whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, and I welcome them all, but I make sure that I accept the things I cannot change or control. I take a deep breath and release all the tension from within, leaving what I like to think of as a blank canvas inside me. ⁣

⁣𝟮. 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗧𝗖𝗛 – After feeling the release of all the stress from my mind and body, I start with a few simple yoga 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 that engage the whole body for 𝟭𝟬 minutes. I focus on the simplicity of the stretches and the slow inhale and exhale breathing technique.⁣ The key is slow and simple, and I only do what my body allows. Listening to your body before and while doing this is essential.

𝟯. 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 – Once I’m done with the stretches, I use the meditation app called #calm. I sit on the mat and listen to the 𝟭𝟬 minute daily calm, following its instruction to bring stillness through my mind and body, ending with a few deep breaths. ⁣ I also allow myself to hydrate at this time.

⁣𝟯. 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬- I then proceed to the next step. I use another app called #youversion to listen to a chapter from the Bible. (𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵.) I find the audio voice from “Conversion” calming. During this time, I incorporate my prayer. I do this for a total of 𝟭𝟬 minutes, taking slow and deep breaths in between – accepting, releasing, and connecting with God. ⁣

⁣Depending on what time of the day I do this, I spend a few minutes 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜, and 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜. I begin by reflecting on my day, taking slow and deep breaths between thoughts, then recognizing what I can’t control or change, and I 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 them all as I exhale. I then acknowledge and remember the good things that have happened throughout the day, welcoming them into my canvas, appreciating them, and feeling grateful for the blessings; this is the moment of replacement. I replace the tension with blessing, repainting my canvas with good thoughts for the day or night.

⁣𝟰. H2O – I end each session with slow and deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling. I do this 3x and finish the session with cold water to refresh and hydrate.

𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆! ⁣

⁣The whole practice takes only 30 minutes out of my day—three 10 min separate sessions of simple Yoga 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿. However, you can extend this to 45 minutes or an hour if you like, the choice is yours, but I find it easier to set aside 30 minutes of my day and use it any time. I usually find it more beneficial to start my day first thing in the morning or right before bedtime to end a hectic day. ⁣I find it a helpful practice for stress and anxiety as well. However, make sure that you listen to your body and talk to your doctor if you have stress and anxiety.

⁣𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘨𝘢 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘹𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘦. ⁣

⁣𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 stillness 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲? Would you please share what works for you? Please tag me on IG @wonderfullymade_jenn  or @writes_jennifersenne, and let’s empower each other!

When Tummy Ache Could Potentially Be Abdominal Migraine

I’ve written a few blogs and articles about migraine, the confusing and debilitating symptoms it posits, and all the other odd phenomenon that comes with the disease. I am writing another migraine type that many people are unfamiliar with, not even those who live with migraine.

My daughter was eight years old when she first had her migraine symptoms. We were at a water park all day with some friends and decided to end the fun day with dinner. She then began to feel nauseous, though she had difficulty explaining her feelings. “Mommy, my stomach feels weird,” she said. I thought she was probably dehydrated from being under the sun all day or perhaps hungry, so I told her to relax and that we would get her something to eat and drink. After a few minutes, we found ourselves in the bathroom with her vomiting and in excruciating pain. Not long after, she said, “Mommy, my head hurts.” The day ended with my baby asleep on my lap. 

According to American Migraine Foundation, “Migraine is hereditary, so if one or both parents has migraine, there is a 50-75 % chance their child will be affected.” As a person who lives with migraine attacks almost daily, I immediately knew she had just experienced her first migraine attack.” I took my daughter to her pediatrician to ensure there was nothing more seriously wrong with her. I was surprised by her diagnosis. “She has a stomach migraine,” my baby’s doctor informed me. A stomach migraine? Baffled, I asked myself; Migraine a headache? 

According to American Migraine Foundation, “Some children experience abdominal pain with an attack.” AMF further explains, “Abdominal migraine is a sub-type of migraine seen mainly in children. It consists of episodes of abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or pallor. Between episodes, there should be no symptoms. Children with abdominal migraine generally develop migraine headaches later in life.” I then realized that there is so much more to a migraine condition. It is not just a headache!

My baby is now eighteen years old, and as AMF had explained, she also experiences headaches with her migraine attacks which were always preceded by stomach discomfort. Unfortunately, we often miss the warning signs blaming her episodes on issues such as food poisoning or a simple stomachache until I’m reminded of her first migraine experience. Of course, not all stomachaches are migraine symptoms, so it is always vital to check with your doctors. It is also beneficial to learn about migraine attacks, especially if you or your child have been diagnosed.

What are the symptoms of abdominal migraine in children? Yale Medicine says, “The main symptoms of abdominal migraine are recurrent episodes of moderate to severe stomach pain lasting between 1 and 72 hours. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and pale appearance. (The symptoms rarely occur between episodes.).” 

If you, as a parent, live with a migraine or suspect your child might be experiencing an abdominal migraine, please see a neurologist or a pediatrician and get the proper diagnosis. Though it is essential to read and be knowledgeable about migraine conditions and their symptoms, it does not replace an accurate diagnosis from a neurologist.

So next time your child or family complains about abdominal pain without a cause, especially if you as a parent live with the debilitating symptoms of migraine yourself, seek medical help from a pediatrician or a neurologist and ask about the possibility of abdominal migraine. Remember that a Migraine is more than just a headache.      

Show You Care!

Image from Shades For Migraine

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month.

Migraine is NOT just a headache. It is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people; adults and children worldwide.

According to American Migraine Foundation, “For more than 90% of those affected, migraine interferes with education, career and social activities.” This is very true in my case. On top of dystonia, I have had to stop working because of the unpredictability of this condition. Lately, I have devoted my time on writing, connecting with advocates and spreading awareness about chronic health condition, including migraine.

While headache is the most common symptoms during a migraine attack, According to Association of Migraine Disorders, Migraine is a full body disorder.

“While this is the typical classification for migraine disease, we at AMD recognize that migraine is a complex neurological disease with symptoms well beyond a headache. Migraine can impact the entire nervous system. This means people may experience symptoms in various parts of their body. One may think these widespread symptoms are not related but in fact, migraine could be the underlying cause.“

Migraine is NOT just a headache. It is imperative that we understand what migraine is, how it affects people, and how we can help and spread awareness, this is the reason why I jumped on board with Shades for Migraine Campaign. On June 21st, show you care, and join hundreds of people worldwide by wearing your shades for migraine in support of friends and family who live with this debilitating condition.

Silent Migraine Isn’t So Silent After All

“Shhh… keep it down; I have a silent migraine.” Yes, you read it right; – a silent migraine. What in the world is a silent migraine? 

Have you ever heard someone say they have a migraine but don’t have a headache? What?! Yes, that was my reaction, too! Aren’t you supposed to have head pain when you have a migraine? According to my research, you don’t necessarily have to be. You can have a migraine without a headache. Migraine without pain is another baffling phenomenon that many people are unfamiliar with or do not understand. If you haven’t had chronic migraines and have not experienced the frustration of having all the mysterious symptoms migraines can bring, you would not have heard of silent migraines. 

During one of my neurologist visits, I was reluctant to bring up what I was feeling lately. I did not want him to think I was going crazy. I had all the migraine aura, yet I didn’t feel pain, and I told him this. I waited for him to look at me and say, “That’s impossible!” but instead, he gave me a sympathetic look and said, “You are suffering from acephalgic migraine, sometimes called “silent” migraine.” A what?! I was shocked to hear this – a migraine without a headache! Isn’t migraine always associated with pain? I guess not. I left the clinic knowing that I wasn’t going crazy after all.

I’ve learned from that visit that silent migraines could bring out some, if not all, migraine aura without head pain. Though hard to comprehend, silent migraines fascinated me, so I tried to educate myself. Don’t let the name fool you. Silent migraines can still be enfeebling. Migraine aura such as

  • light sensitivity
  • vision loss
  • seeing zigzags or
  • squiggly lines
  • numbness
  • tingling
  • weakness
  • confusion
  • difficulty speaking
  • dizziness
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • Abdominal pain (- sometimes called stomach migraine – I think I should write about this, too! My daughter suffered from this.) can still be present without the headache.

As you can see, despite not having any pain, these symptoms are enough to halt anyone’s life. In addition, I was diagnosed with hemiplegic migraines presenting additional symptoms on top of some mentioned above; these symptoms usually mimic stroke-like symptoms, then a massive headache would usually follow. However, there are days when I only experience an aura, but they are enough to bring my whole body down.
Because silent migraine is “silent,” taking the proper medication can be tricky. There were days when I didn’t know what I was feeling; all I knew was that I didn’t feel well and, therefore, didn’t know what medicine to take. Medication for regular migraines usually treats silent migraines, my neurologist told me, but this has been a hit-and-miss for me. It has been challenging for me to catch silent migraines in their early phase. I often wouldn’t realize I was having one until it was too late.
There are many causes for silent migraines, or what most call triggers. Below are common causes for migraines, even silent ones.

  • neck problems (number one for me!)
  • noises (this, too!)
  • bright lights (yep!)
  • fermented foods
  • caffeinated drinks (This is very inconsistent for me)
  • wine (aha!)
  • barometric changes (ugh!)
  • MSG (I think so…)
  • stress (definitely!)
  • hunger (yes!)
  • exercise ( sometimes)
  • pain or other illness
  • odors (yep!)
  • eye strain (phone!)
  • too much sleep (yes!)
  • too little sleep (What?! – shaking my head)
  • hormonal changes (yes! Pregnancy, menstruation, peri-menopause-yikes!)
  • chocolate (Ugh!-my favorite.)

Did I comment on all of them? Oh well! By the way, having a migraine-trigger diary is a great idea.
I try to find ways to avoid all the triggers, but it is not easy. Sometimes, we are not in control of our environment. Sometimes I am very religious at watching my triggers, but at times, I slip, oops! Chocolate!!! Rocky Road ice cream is my one guilty pleasure. I would usually pay the price for my “oops” later (pouting).
If you hear someone say they have a silent migraine, no, they are not crazy! Even though it’s called silent migraine, it doesn’t mean no symptoms are present. Silent migraine manifests in different debilitating and crippling ways. Someone who experiences this mysterious phenomenon needs rest, just like those who have migraines with pain.
If you experience a migraine aura without a headache? There’s a possibility you could be experiencing a silent migraine. Talk to your neurologist and see what treatment is best for you.
Just because one does not feel the pain doesn’t mean they are not struggling. Silent migraine is just as enervating and paralyzing as any migraine, so please be compassionate and understanding.

I guess silent migraine isn’t so silent after all. 

Why I wrote Wonder Mommy

In my opinion, mothers have the most challenging job in the world, and I believe that ALL moms are wonder mommies, but I’ve never considered myself a wonder mommy before; in fact, far from it! Moms wear different hats; one minute, they’re doctors patching their little ones’ boo-boos, then turns into a judge the next trying to settle their children’s misunderstandings; it sounds like a magic trick, right? But, no, they are merely moms! They are cooks, nurses, teachers, drivers, coaches, and more! In other words, all moms are wonder mommies, including me!

Mommies who struggle with chronic illness face different challenges. However, they wear different hats, but they have to be creative in accomplishing the given responsibilities each hat requires. Every day is unpredictable for mommies with chronic illnesses. Though they try to push through the pain, sometimes they miss planned playdates and other fun activities with their children. Some couldn’t even plan activities for the next day, let alone the following week. Even moms of teenagers and young adults go through the same challenges; I can attest to both experiences.

It isn’t easy to simultaneously be a mom and a chronic illness warrior; other mental and emotional factors play a significant role in our lives. I, for once, was stricken by guilt each time I’d missed fun activities because I had to rest and feel better. I felt as if I wasn’t enough and that I was a burden to my family. I thought that I’d failed my children; my husband and I felt as if I’d disappointed them. Insecurities crept in.

Migraines and dystonia have no place in my life, but it is what I dealt with; I have to accept them and move forward. As challenging as it was for me, I’ve decided to make the most of my situation and decided to influence and uplift other mommies out there positively; I know I wasn’t alone in my struggles; this is why I wrote “Wonder Mommy.” I hope that this book would encourage and remind mommies how amazing they are. My goal is for moms to realize that our best is enough, that we are enough, and that we are wonder mommies in our children’s eyes despite our battles and limitations. I want to encourage mothers that though we have some bad days physically and emotionally, it’s okay. We may feel defeated one day, but we will surely get back the next; that makes us wonder, mommies!

I dedicate my book to all moms, especially moms like me, who must be “wonder mommies” to our little wonders while being chronic illness warriors! To all moms out there, I salute you! Stay strong!