Stampers and Migraine Headaches...

[Joan B]

The last few weeks I seem to read on a lot of blogs that the stamper is suffering from migraines or really bad headaches.

Am I imagining this? Is there a higher incidence of migraines among women who stamp vs. women who don't?

According to the mayo clinic, "up to 17 percent" of women "have experienced migraines." (This tells me nothing, btw... what is up to 17%? -- 1, 10, 16.9%?).

So, do you have migraines/really bad headaches and if so, did you have them before you stamped?? Or is the connection being on the computer? Or, am I making connections where none exist?

[franb63]

recently I started with headaches a LOT, almost a straight month with one at any given time of the day and night, in fact wakes me up sometimes.. and this has been having me go to the doctors frequently.. chriopractor.. eye doctor..I read ALOT.. I work on a computer ALL day then I come home to play with cards or read blogs.. I think it is a lot of eye strain. I did tell my eye doctor of what I have been doing and he prescribed glasses for computer/craft/reading because of the distance .. I pick them up tomorrow so we will see..

[Tavias Charms]

I do get a migranes. It's more of a cycle and age thing than a stamping thing! (at least that's what I hope! I'd hate to think that stamping triggers a migrane. that would be terrible!)

[sarahmv]

Hmmm I too love to stamp and suffer from migraine headaches...but mine like a previous poster has more to do with the cycle of things vs. stamping...but oh the horror!

[rapstine]

Actually there are studies out there correlating migraines and creativity. It seems like I am at my most creative when my head is bothering me. Maybe it is an escapism (sp?) thing.

[Anemone]

I first started getting headaches when I was 9 or 10 (several years before I started stamping) & migraines around the time I started university.
One of my headache triggers is stress - if I am stressed, I tend to spend time doing what I love (scs, stamping, crosstitching or reading) in order to destress. In a way, I guess you could say my stamping reduces my headaches.

[Jeanne S]

Mine have more to do with hormones than anything else (oh the joys of getting older).

[okiechic]

I got my first one in kindergarten - way before I started stamping. I don't get them often, but still occassionally. It seems to be a combination of things that trigger mine - certain foods, stress, exhaustion, etc.

[LateBlossom]

All my headaches are sinus-related, so no stamping connection...I had them long before stamping came into my life.

I have had only one migraine in my life, way back in college, and my utmost sympathy goes out to those who suffer them!

[lesliespringer]

I have always had "bad" headaches. Starting back when I was in my 20's. I was diadiagnosised with migraines back in '90. I started stamping in 2005.

All I know is if I have a migraine I can't cut paper stright, read a book or computer.

[hdp]

The main cause of my migraines when I stamp is my eating. I either don't eat when I'm hungry or I eat junk. I've learned the hard way the food you eat and/or not eating on a regular basis can bring on a migraine.

[okstamper]

I'm sorry that I don't deal with migraines from stamping but I do when Mother Nature decides to come once a month.

Bonnie

[mstallo1]

I am not sure where to post this..so I found a thread that someone had been on resently... I have a question for all of you lovely crafters out there...
Does anyone know what kind of ornaments I could make with kisses, reese cups, and mini candy bars? I have seen the lovely ornaments with the peppermint pattys and I am working on those as we speak. I am also using the Deer Friends stamp set. Can one help?? THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HELP!!

Michele
aka mstallo

blog: http://creativemindsstampalike.wordpress.com

[steubner]

I have "headaches" from the back of my neck, which come from that muscle between my shoulders, which is irritated when I spend a lot of time stamping or coloring. Maybe that's it? No migraines here, tho...

[Crafty Math Chick]

I had a HORRIBLE headache on Tuesday. I hadn't stamped but I had been on the computer quite a bit. I thought my eyes were going to be squished out of my head and roll around on the floor like grapes. I thought it was a sinus headache but it extended to the top of my head (I don't really know what constitutes a migrane). No pain killers I had in the house worked. I ended up lying in bed with a cold washcloth over my eyes and an icepack on my head. This finally made the pain tolerable.

[Sue Strozyk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steubner

I have "headaches" from the back of my neck, which come from that muscle between my shoulders, which is irritated when I spend a lot of time stamping or coloring. Maybe that's it? No migraines here, tho...

Sounds like what i get, but it does turn into a migraine. I usually take some tylenol, and sit in the recliner with my shiatu neck massager for about a 1/2 hour. Just yesterday, i was wondering if it had anything to do with me being on the computer so much ( i have terrible posture at the computer) but of course, the only time i'm on the computer is when i'm on SCS, which you all know could end up being HOURS!!!!! I'm going to seriously have to keep track of this. Oh my DH would just die if he knew i was getting my migraines from SCS!! He hates this site, can you imagine such a thing???

[pattyb]

I have/had migraines {not so bad now that I've had a hysterectomy} But most migraines are stress related, we don't have any stress in our lives do we? It would stress me more if you tried to take away my stamping stuff

[GypsyRoseStamper]

I believe a recent study suggested that more migraines meant less chance of breast cancer...don't quote me, it's just a dim recollection of some news report. I would be inclined to think that the lack of physical activity when stamping might affect the increase in headaches. You are just going to have to put a stair-stepper between you and the paper trimmer!

[brendamontanez]

This is a bit off the subject, as I do not get migranes. But I do get frequent sinus infections. Does anyone know any good treatments for that? Or any way to prevent them? Thank you in advance.

[Sue Strozyk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendamontanez

This is a bit off the subject, as I do not get migranes. But I do get frequent sinus infections. Does anyone know any good treatments for that? Or any way to prevent them? Thank you in advance.

I use a saline spray every morning and evening (called Simply Saline) a neighbor had sinus surgery and had issues with the antibiotics afterward, and the Dr. told her to just use saline, it will work the same.

[tkaiser]

My experience with migraines precedes my stamping obsession by at least twenty years. From about the age of 7 into my twenties I would get them so bad I felt I couldn't function - at least once a week. Now I only get them every few months. Maybe stamping is curing my migraines. Wow.. I think I'm on to something... I'm actually saving a ton of money compared to Imitrex injections.

[sheeba]

I have had migraines since I was a kid and they have no rhyme or reason to them and they get really bad and they are not stamping related!

[jeaniebean55]

migrane free (and thankfully appreciative) -- before and after becoming a stamper.

[dstfrommi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by steubner

I have "headaches" from the back of my neck, which come from that muscle between my shoulders, which is irritated when I spend a lot of time stamping or coloring. Maybe that's it? No migraines here, tho...

I get this too and have it right now from working on my Christmas cards. It's a bummer because I have no choice but to give it a rest for a day or two when this happens or it does work it's way into a horrible headache.

The worst "stamping" headache I've ever had was after I attended a class on how to stamp with bleach. I guess sitting there inhaling those fumes didn't agree with my brain.

[cjbapp]

I have had Migraines since I was 13...they get worse with stress, and actually I have noticed that my migraines have become less in the few years I have had the stamping thing. I think part of it is that I have generally less stress in the last 2 years, but also that I have had something to get my mind off the things that stress me out.

I do know when a migraine is coming on, and for the day before it hits, I can't look at the computer, or work on cards or anything with a light on. I can usually prevent it from becoming full-blown life-ignoring event.

I also get general headaches a LOT...but have tried everything...from going 2 weeks with no computer, no reading, no TV to no *fun* food...I have literally done it all. But in the end, only tylenol and excedrin actually made a real difference.

This is why our family appreciates the 'Life is Good' sentiment so much....LIFE...Living...Being ALIVE....is good. Death is bad. Headaches...well....at least I am alive. I lost a good friend to cancer last year, she was 34 with kids the same age as mine. I will gladly take migraines over that!! So long as I have a choice...LOL

[Lavafrogg]

I 've gotten migraines since I was about 21. They coincide with the onset of my hypothyroid disease. I get the aura's with them, too. (sparkling lights that change colors, usually in the shape of a C or backwards C.)

[Riorabbit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjbapp

I have had Migraines since I was 13...they get worse with stress, and actually I have noticed that my migraines have become less in the few years I have had the stamping thing. I think part of it is that I have generally less stress in the last 2 years, but also that I have had something to get my mind off the things that stress me out.

I do know when a migraine is coming on, and for the day before it hits, I can't look at the computer, or work on cards or anything with a light on. I can usually prevent it from becoming full-blown life-ignoring event.

I also get general headaches a LOT...but have tried everything...from going 2 weeks with no computer, no reading, no TV to no *fun* food...I have literally done it all. But in the end, only tylenol and excedrin actually made a real difference.

This is why our family appreciates the 'Life is Good' sentiment so much....LIFE...Living...Being ALIVE....is good. Death is bad. Headaches...well....at least I am alive. I lost a good friend to cancer last year, she was 34 with kids the same age as mine. I will gladly take migraines over that!! So long as I have a choice...LOL

I relate to so much of what you have said. I get frequent migraines. Have since adolescence, but truly probably had them younger and no one diagnosed me with migraines. I don't see any correlation between my creative hobbies (but I do with stress and unfortunately my last two years have been MORE stressful and therefore MORE migraines).

I also love the life is good phrase and think that every time I see your avatar. I love it for the same reason. I work with a guy that when you ask him how he is, the response is always "Livin' the dream". He generally also lets you know he is leaving by asking you to do a favor and when you say what he responds with "live the dream". lol So I use that phrase a lot to kind of remind myself that my view of life has a lot to do with what I say the dream is. Ultimately migraines are not so fun, but there is no reason to let them suck anymore out of my life than they already do.

[stampin8mom]

Mine are once-a-month migraines, and sometimes inbetween if I OD on junkfood, get no sleep, or it rains! I had these before I started stamping 12 years ago, and still have them. Praying for menopause!

I do find that if I take a calcium supplement regularly, that the frequency and severity of the headaches lessens.

[momis mama]

i have been suffering migraines for a few years now. i have been stamping for 5 or 6 years now. but the 2 aren't related for me.

my migraines are triggered mostly by my hormones. with ovulation and menstruation. i do have other triggers like stress, too much salt...

stamping can sometimes provide a distraction/relaxation when i am in pain so i have been known to start stamping when i have a migraine.

[Cathy H]

My doctor says I got them after going through the change.........
I do more stamping now that I am retired - so maybe there are more older women stamping???????

[SusieMuslie68]

I have been having migraines since I was 12 about 6 or 7 years before I started stamping. Over the last few years they have increased to 2 a week, this isn't because of stamping/crafting but because of a MVA I was in where I had 3 prolapsed discs in my neck & 1 that was prolapsed & ruptured. The prolapsed & ruptured one has now been repaired & I now only have a migraine once every 17 days or so. A big improvement & I can stamp more too.

[Melissa_Jax]

I used to get headaches a lot but since I got my glasses I don't get them often. I can probably blame staring at computer screens all day for that. I do get pain in my neck and shoulders when I spend a lot of time stamping though. From having my head tilted down or 'hunching' over the table I suppose.....

[TrayMoney]

I've ha migraines for years... and I started stamping about two years ago. My migraines are related to: food, hormones, weather, stress... etc.
Anyway, coloring sometimes helps relieve mine because it helps me breathe deeply and calm down.

[SCEmily]

I get them, but I think they are due to a combination of smoking, certain candy (just found out nerds and runts seem to cause them among others) and contacts.

[binx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rapstine

Actually there are studies out there correlating migraines and creativity. It seems like I am at my most creative when my head is bothering me. Maybe it is an escapism (sp?) thing.

How very interesting. So if one is the catalyst and the other the reaction, that begs the question: which comes first, the creativity (causing the headache) or the headache (causing the creativity)?

Expanding this further, if I may, how many famous artists in history suffered from documented extreme problems (of which migraines would be considered) - drug and alcohol addictions, instability in the home, mental illness (leading to actions inappropriate to discuss here), etc.? That's a rhetorical question really; there were lots (dare I say "most?").

Personally I rarely suffer from migraines (thank you, Lord). But when I do, it's easy to connect them to life stress and be certain that they have no association with my hobby.

What an interesting thread. Oh, and my heart goes out to you that get migraines; it only took one of those to make me a lifetime sympathizer.

[JampsterStampster]

I have tell you, I don't stamp for long periods of time. I have to take breaks. I get up and make coffee or get up and fold a load of laundry. Maybe I'm just antsy. If I did sit there for a few hours at a time, I'm certain I WOULD get headaches from it.

[JampsterStampster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brendamontanez

This is a bit off the subject, as I do not get migranes. But I do get frequent sinus infections. Does anyone know any good treatments for that? Or any way to prevent them? Thank you in advance.

I use "flo-nase" daily and it helps.

[smartblonde_2000]

I have had migraines since I was 5 and mine are related to sudden changes in the weather/barometric pressure. The last month here in Virginia has been miserable, I have had 4 migraines in the last 3 weeks.

[Miss Boo]

My migraines started after I had my son. I get migraines for 3 reasons.

1. stress - these are mild and one dose with sometimes a follow-up does of meds will take care of it. * these used to get severe.

2. hormones - these are usually moderate and can last 2-4 days.I usually take meds around the clock until one day after * these used to get severe.

3. mystery - 1-2 times a year I get a severe debilitating migraine that lands me in bed for hours. every movement, sound, light is excruciating. I lose some sensation on one side of my body. Once the meds finally start working, I get foggy... oh what a nice feeling. I continue my meds for another day.


* I learned a couple of years ago that migraines cause your digestive system to slow down and prevents medications from working right away. That's why you're supposed to take them at the first sign of a migraine. But, if you get a digestive enzyme, either from your doctor or from the health food store, your medication works more quickly. Now all I have to take is Excedrin migraine and Zypan from Standard Process. You can find it on Amazon.com

[Miss Boo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartblonde_2000

I have had migraines since I was 5 and mine are related to sudden changes in the weather/barometric pressure. The last month here in Virginia has been miserable, I have had 4 migraines in the last 3 weeks.

Oh... I forgot about that kind. My co-workers call me a walking barometer! LOL! But it only happens when a severe storm is approaching and it doesn't last long.