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This essentials bag or migraine kit as some may call it goes EVERYWHERE with me. It’s honestly equally as important to me as my wallet and keys. As someone who prides themselves on preparedness and deals with health anxiety, having a bag set-up such as this is incredibly soothing, let alone productive.
For many folks though, carrying around a bag solely dedicated to migraine relief isn’t always realistic. This is why I fuse my migraine kit among many other items I like to carry with me such as a little jar of Aquaphor, a compact mirror, a Tide To Go stick, my favorite liquid blush, bobby pins, cough drops, and more. I love having everything I need in the same place. It is super convenient AND comforting.
1. Madewell’s Half-Moon Pouch
I adore this perfectly sized Madewell Half-Moon Pouch I found a few summers ago. I can only imagine it is still sold to this day due to how wildly popular it is. It comes in different colors, but the clear option makes it 10 times easier to find what I need. In terms of quality, this pouch has held up incredibly well for years now that is makes the ideal place to contain your migraine relief kit.
2. Migrastil’s Migraine Stick
I first discovered Migrastil’s Migraine Stick two years ago and it has made a huge impact at slowing down my migraines. Depending on the trigger or severity of my migraine, having a tool to slow down my migraine is so important whether that means giving me more time to travel home, find a bathroom, or get through a number of important tasks when a migraine strikes.
In roller form, it’s a combination of peppermint, spearmint, and lavender essential oils based in coconut oil. At this point, I don’t care if someone looks at me funny for drawing on my face with this thing. It smells amazing and as soon as it touches my temples and nasal area, it instantly helps decrease a quickly approaching or an already pounding migraine.
For these reasons, I’m excited to partner with Migrastil by sharing a 15% discount with all of you! Simply head to Migrastil’s shop HERE and enter code dealingwmigraines15 for 15% off your order!
3. CBD Oil
A previous primary care doctor introduced the idea of using CBD Oil to me a few years ago when we were speaking about alternatives to antidepressants and anxiety medications. She brought up the health benefits of using CBD oil to treat migraines. I’m still in the process of making it a habit to use it when I feel the beginning signs of a migraine, but I do find that it helps lower the amount of pain I’m dealing with when I take it. I went with purchasing Green Roads because it was the brand my doctor recommended. The version I purchased was the 350mg amount, now sold as 300mg here. I’m look forward to learning more about CBD Oil and exploring different products as they relate to dealing with migraines.
4. Ear Plugs
Noises can be extremely triggering and difficult to avoid when dealing with migraines (i.e. cue the MTA announcer), yet we often forget there is something we can actually do about it. I didn’t purchase my first pair of ear plugs until I started going to a recording studio with my husband (who is a hip-hop artist – Spotify plug) on a somewhat regular basis, where the music can get decently loud. With these ear plugs I can still hear, but it takes out the punch of loud sounds, and brings me relief knowing I’m protecting my head from a potential migraine attack. I purchased this product specifically because it’s affordable, very comfortable, and comes with extra plugs and its own case.
5. Nature’s Truth Lavender Oil
I know spearmint and peppermint are the most talked about stars when it comes to treating migraines, but for me lavender is everything at treating while simultaneously calming me through a migraine attack. Keeping a small bottle of Nature’s Truth Lavender Oil has been the superhero on countless occasions – car rides, anxiety attacks, blocking out the world in bed, or for a beautiful, deep breath. I also really love their Good Nite Oil, which is a combination of lavender, tangerine, geranium, cypress, chamomile, and frankincense oil.
6. Pepto Bismol
Recycling a basic travel size tube like this Pepto Bismol one and filling it with my favorite meds has been my best weapon for countless years. Depending on the day, migraines will make my insides a mess causing me to feel nausea and everything else under the sun. Having a stomach reliever on hand is helpful not just for migraines but for life in general. In addition to these surprising migraine battling meds, there is enough room in the tube to include aspirin, other prescriptions, and my two other favorite brands to the rescue. The only caveat is actually remembering to refill my tube when I’m all out.
7. Excedrin Migraine
Excedrin Migraine is one of the OG of migraine medications. It is safe to say many migraine sufferers have their own favorite migraine concoction that includes it. Excedrin Migraine has been a part of my migraine relief kit, since before I even had a kit. I can remember using EM since I was 14 (when I first started getting migraines) and have used it off and on throughout the years.
8. Tylenol PM
Why Tylenol PM? For me, my migraines usually enter in the late afternoon and evening times of day (that is unless it carries into the morning). Thus having a product like Tylenol PM helps to both take the edge off the pain I’m dealing with, as well as provide a sleep aid to make it easier to fall asleep. It is important though to not under estimate the power of the sleep aid portion of the medication. I usually take only one or a half a pill to play it safe, as well as not taking Tylenol PM too often in general.
With that said, it is also necessary to acknowledge the potential harms of medication overuse, which is a risk factor for chronic migraine. According to the American Migraine Foundation, it is key “to try to avoid medication overuse and risk of medication overuse headache.” Migraines are defined as chronic when folks have 15 or more headache days per month. But even if you are suffering from headaches for 10 days a month and are using medication often, please speak and consult with your doctor. Sadly, the most common drugs responsible for medication overuse headaches are the OTC medications, such as Excedrin and acetaminophen aka Tylenol.
I hope this post inspires you to make your own migraine kit or at the very least, reminds you to fill up your favorite migraine supplies. Already have a migraine kit? What are some of your favorite products that you like to include? Let me know in the comments!
@evestern #migraine essentials i always keep on the go ⭐️ #migrainerelief #migrainerelieftok #migrainecheck #migraines ♬ spice girls x doja cat x adam wright – Adam Wright
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