How to Handle a Migraine
by Dakota Donovan
Recognize the early warning signs:
sensitivity to smells,
tunnel vision,
seeing zigzags,
nausea,
runny nose,
yawning,
stomach pains.
Take OTC meds,
Excedrin works best.
If full-blown attack ensues:
Drink caffeinated beverages,
put icepack on affected
side of the head,
place cold, wet washcloth
over eyes
and affected side of the head.
Eat saltine crackers or dry toast.
Eat popsicles.
Pray to St. Gemma, the
patron saint of headaches.
If you’re lucky, you will fall asleep
and wake up without a headache.
After the attack,
you may experience
acute visual phenomena such
as outlines around objects.
You may also experience a giddy
euphoria, something to enjoy
while you can.
You’ve lived
Through another attack.
IMAGE: Portrait of Françoise Gilot by Pablo Picasso (1948).
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: After decades of suffering from migraine headaches, I’ve learned a few things about the condition. Migraines can result from a variety of factors or triggers—anything that causes the veins to dilate and press on a nerve (this is what causes the intense pain). Triggers include foods (garlic), beverages (red wine), and weather conditions (low cloud cover). People often confuse a “bad” headache with a migraine. You’ll know it’s a migraine if the pain is on one side of your head. Visual phenomena, such as auras or seeing zigzags, can precede or accompany a migraine. Treatments all aim to contract the blood vessel, so it no longer presses on the nerve in your head. Caffeine and ice packs help in this regard. Over-the-counter medications that include caffeine (e.g., Excedrin) are also helpful. An insightful book on this condition is Migraine by Oliver Sacks.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dakota Donovan is a ghostwriter for the rich and famous who lives in Los Angeles. She’s had many wild and crazy experiences while working with celebrities to tell their life stories, and some of these strange-but-true tales appear in her comic mystery novel L.A. Sleepers, where she is both author and protagonist—and suffers many migraines. In other incarnations, she’s written novels, plays, screenplays, and television scripts. She’s currently working on the second novel in her Hollywood Ghostwriter Mystery series.
Silver Birch Press 
Dakota rocks!
Merci beaucoup, Paul! May all your days be headache-free!
I’ve been to the Land of Migraine and don’t want to go back. This will help!
Glad you enjoyed my migraine-handling tips, Alan! Hope you never go back to the Land of Migraine!
Good poem, actually instructive, enjoyable to read, a very worthwhile contribution to this series. I like what I’ve already read of Ms Dakota’s work (not enough). The Picasso picture is a perfect accompaniment to the poem. I have a cousin called Gemma — must find out if she knows of the divine connection!
Thanks, Stephen. Lucky you, with divine help in the family! Picasso painted many portraits of his muses, and this is a favorite–even if she does look pained!
Wonderful…love the poem and the illustration is right on target. btw I saw a big exhibition of Picasso’s art many years ago at MOMA in midtown Manhattan. Sorry about having these awful headaches. Since I have handicap plates, I know a lot about pain unfortunately.
Thanks for your comment, Joan. So sorry to learn of your pain.We are fellow pain travelers (and you have the license plates to prove it!).
As a migraine sufferer myself, I applaud the reality, as a poet, I applaud the artistry with which it is presented!
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Jil. Fellow migraine sufferers have a deep understanding of each other. Often, it’s talking about how we were caught in a difficult spot (e.g., freeway, subway) when an attack occurred. The thought is always: How do I make it home? Sending good thoughts to St. Gemma for you!
Love the depth the illustration adds to this piece! Surviving is a beautiful experience that builds strength.
I had debilitating migraines for years, probably one a week. Eventually I learned I had a genetic inability to retain magnesium. I have been taking daily magnesium for most of 20 years, and rarely have any kind of headache now.
Thanks for the tip, Laurie! I’ll try taking magnesium. It’s awesome that your migraines have abated. Thanks for commenting.
Yes, Jaya, surviving these attacks makes me appreciate life. Everything looks fresh, new, and joyful when a migraine goes away. Pain is a great equalizer — allowing us to empathize and identify with others who suffer. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Reblogged this on dean ramser.
I really enjoyed this poem, though that seems like a strange choice of words for a poem about pain. I have had one, possibly two migraines. The first time I had no idea what was occurring and was terrified, assumed I was happing a stroke as the glass door took on that jagged appearance. It passed fortunately, and so far, other than a milder version has not returned. I am glad you can anticipate them and know how to ameliorate the effects, but still it’s awful, debilitating. I forwarded this to my daughter who occasionally suffers from them, and hope it helps her. May the attacks be infrequent and mild.
Thanks for commenting, Betsy. I hope some of my tips help your daughter. For me, Excedrin is a miracle drug. It works most of the time. Glad you have not had many migraines in your life! Hope it stays that way!