My health story
Nothing could calm the agony in Sarah Ivens’ head – but then she did some research of her own…
I changed my diet… & eased my migraines
It happened so quickly. one moment I was enjoying a snuggle with my six-month-old daughter matilda on the sofa, the next the right side of my skull felt like it was being chipped at by axes and lightning bolts. ‘Take the baby!’ I said to my husband Russell as I ran to the bathroom and threw up.
Hovering over me, clutching Matilda to his chest and our son William, then two, clinging to his leg, Russell asked if I was OK. But as the bright lights above me seared through my eyes, the sound of his concern only made my head feel worse.
When I went to see the doctor a day later in March 2014, he thought, from the description of my symptoms, I’d suffered a menstrual migraine, triggered by fluctuating hormones as I’d recently given birth. He also said psychosocial factors, such as stress or lack of sleep, could have played a part. I was so surprised – aged 38, I’d never even had a bad headache before.
The doctor prescribed me a drug called Sumatriptan, which relieves the intensity of migraines, which I was to take as soon as I felt one come on. Only things didn’t get better. From then on, every month, the week before my period, I felt like my brain was being ripped up and yanked through my right ear. I’d vomit, I’d feel dizzy. I wanted to hide. The pain was so bad that if it wasn’t for my children, I’d have chosen to take a pill and never wake up.
I had to keep upping the dose of my medication but during an attack I’d try to hide my agony from the William and Matilda, but that meant Russell took the brunt of it – I’d shove the children on him and snarl at him if he dared flick on a light or turn the television up too loud.
Then, after two years of living like this, in January 2016, the pain became so bad that I realised something really had to change.
After doing some research online, I decided to give up alcohol: having a hangover at the same time as a migraine, which happened after my 40th birthday, was something I never wanted to repeat. Next, I cut down to two cups of coffee a day. And I started taking a melatonin supplement and a magnesium capsule every night at bedtime, both of which studies had shown could help prevent or decrease the onset of migraines.
I also started following Whole30, a meal plan that eliminates certain food groups from your diet, such as dairy, sugar and grains. After 30 days, you reintroduce them slowly to see which ones, if any, are harming you. It was difficult and dull – I lived on eggs, nuts, fish and fruit. But when I followed the regime, I noticed my migraines softened and the exhaustion disappeared. But a life without pizza and cappuccinos was also a half-life, so I couldn’t follow it all the time.
So I started practising self-care too. In the run-up to my difficult week, I would unplug all unnecessary technology, say no to non-crucial extra-curricular activities, and go to bed early.
My husband takes over the battle of bedtime. And I treat myself kindly. I don’t beat myself up if the laundry piles up, or I need an afternoon nap.
These days, I’m managing to win back the week of the month I’d lost. I’m still scared of how my head can make me feel, but finally I’m starting to feel like me again.
‘THE Bright light SEARED my EYES’