Sunday, November 17, 2013

I know I have posted on this subject before, but a series of events has led me to add to the list, so here goes.

You might have a fainting disorder if:
- You faint in the gas station and one person immediately says- "Where's your dog? and she is fine- don't do anything" You have no idea who this person is, but she said she had seen me in the grocery store.
(Dora is in Jemison for some training.)

You have to laugh or cry and I choose to laugh!
Things you should never say to a Migraineur

Earlier this week, I read an article on 12 things you should never say to a Migraineur . There is a lot of truth in it. Over the past 16 years, many people have offered advice- some good, some bad, and some ugly. So I thought that I should add to the list. Here are top things that I hate to hear about migraines and fainting.

1. "Don't they have treatments for that now!" (said by someone at a dinner party)
2. "It must be rebound" (Too many doctors to count)
3. "There is no way you can still be in pain" (ER doctor after giving medicine that made me sick)
4. Don't cry, you will only make it worse!
5. If you pray hard enough, it will go away.
6. If you did more with your life, you wouldn't have this problem! (said by Nurse Practitioner
7. It is "all in your head!" (ok, yes migraine is a disorder of the brain, but this is usually said when someone means you are making this up.)
8. "How did it feel to be that close to death?" Said by Priest, after the ER overdosed me on medication.

I try very hard not to tell many people how much the migraines effect my life. If you look at me, unless you know me well, you would never be able to tell. I will talk about it, but refuse to make it my life. I think the basic etiquette in my book is to brush it off unless asked about it.

The fainting is a little different. It is visible at times. But the only thing that drives me crazy is being told that I am a liability or those who can't see that the 55 pound dog standing over me is alerting and doing her job. Again, I refuse to let this disease to ruin my life and continue to do my best to live with this.

God with God!