Snow and Migraines, Again

I couldn't help but notice that my post from one-year ago on sun, snow and migraine headaches has jumped into my top ten reads.  It was written on February 12, 2012 and on Friday, February 22, 2013 I was dealing with the same issue.  Again.

I went out early to get the newspaper from the box at the street.  It was snowing pretty hard at the time.  Within about 20 minutes of coming inside, I had a splitting headache.  I had to cancel my yoga class and then I sat here in the dark for the day.  Even the light from the computer screen hurt my head.

It kept snowing outside and I kept the blinds closed.  I heard the mailman go down the street in the afternoon, but decided I would wait until dark to get my mail.

Imagine my surprise when I did venture out to find that my driveway had been cleaned of snow.  And no, I did not hear the snow blower.  Good insulation, I guess.

I called the most likely suspect, my next door neighbor Ahmad, and asked if he was the kind person.  He said he thought I must be out of town because my house was all closed up.  I explained about the migraine and he said he had a sinus headache.  Good old Michigan weather.

For the first time in a long time I have the urge to just jump on a plane and go someplace else.  But Spring break is coming and I don't want to have to deal with college students or families with young children.  Worst vacation ever:  the Bahamas between Christmas and New Years.  Never again. 

And I can never forget returning to Detroit from Arizona once and finding my car absolutely buried in snow in the parking lot at the airport.  And the battery was dead.  Puts a real damper on a post-trip high.

Even though it is cloudy today, it is still pretty bright outside.  Luckily, I have no place I need to be.  I can just curl up with a book or my Sunday NYT crossword.  And if I keep the bright light out, I do not have to worry about another headache. 

Now, where are my sunglasses?

Snow + Sun = Migraine Headache

I am living like a hermit in my home.  We finally got some snow, but not a lot of it.  We also have sunshine.  Bright sunshine.  For me, that equals 'migraine headache'.

Snow reflects 80% of the suns UV rays, more than sand on a beach.  To some, I guess this is beautiful.  OTOH, I have in the past found myself wearing sunglasses indoors.  Even with the blinds closed!

I do not get migraines very often.  But on Thursday, I had a whopper and the snow did not even arrive.  I think it was from the drop in barometric pressure. 

What is know about migraines is that environmental factors can trigger one.  The factors include a change in the weather, a change in barometric pressure, and high winds. Other environmental triggers include a bright or flickering light (like the one in a Home Depot recently), glare (like what we have today), and intense smells or vapors.

All the blinds are down and closed with the exception of two that are up just enough to let light in for the plants on the floor.  The solar light tube provides enough light to keep the family room lit.  But even there I had to 'pass' on the fancy faceted cover.  The installer put the beautiful faceted light cover on the ceiling opening and my head was spinning almost immediately.  I had to settle for the old-fashioned style of plain frosted glass.

Fortunately, I made the decision to go out at eight a.m. yesterday and clean the driveway.  That was well before it was too bright outside.  Otherwise, I'd be waiting for the snow to melt.  And from the forecast I've seen, that may be awhile.