Migraineurs (fancy name for migraine sufferer) are proven not to habituate to stimulation (auditory, visual, oleofactory, touch). Where a non-migraineurs will tune out or habituate to something after three to five instances of it, a migraineur cannot filter the input.

This explains why 13 years after giving birth to my last child, I still have a “mothering instinct” so strong that I wake up if I hear the cat walking across the linoleum, why I have to be the last one in the house to go to sleep, why I can not only smell Starbucks from miles away (kidding), and why no one but me seems to be able to smell an orange peel under the seat of the car, or a wet sock behind the dryer, plus other useless but disturbing bits of unwanted information that comes my way like the clock ticking in the night.

The input that arises from daily living puts the migraineur’s brain body in a constant state of physiological stress. The body faints to bring blood to the head. In a similar way the migraineur’s body attempts to remove itself from perceived over stimulation by providing significant pain to force the sufferer to withdraw often to a soundless dark room.

My known triggers

• Lack of sleep
• Sensory overload (bright lights, strong smells, loud noises)
• Adrenaline/stress
• Low blood sugar
• Muscular tension

 Acute Meds Treatment:

• Pain Pills = Aleve and Maxalt 10mg
• Anti nausea medication prn

 Daily Meds/Supplements:

• Beta blocker
• Melatonin 5mg
• SSRI- Celexa
• Alpha lipoic acid 100-300mg/day  

Daily maintenance:

• Yoga or other strength training at least 3 times per week to build cell mitochondria
• Walk/jog daily (exposure to sunlight improves melatonin function)
• Avoid hunger and dehydration
• Sleep
• Eat foods high in antioxidants (fruits and vegetables)

Riboflavin
Known as vitamin B₂, is a water-soluble vitamin. It is the precursor of coenzymes required for the activity in the electron transport chain and production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the mitochondria through the metabolism of carbohydrates.  Riboflavin increases energy production in the mitochondria.

 

Mitochondria 

Mitochondrial dysfunction may have a role in migraine. They perform the vital function of generating adenosine triphosphate, the molecule the cell uses for the bulk of its energy needs.  A lack of or mutated mitochondria can result in lack of adequate energy to meet cellular needs.  Nerve cells require a tremendous amount of energy to maintain the electrochemical gradient necessary for nerve transmission. 

 

Nerves

Neuropathy can cause distal weakness, pain, or autonomic features such as temperature instability, inappropriate sweating (or lack of sweating), and gastrointestinal dysmotility.

 

 

We headed out this morning to re-find the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. It was the opposite way of the Metrorail so we just decided to ride the bus all the way downtown thinking we would see Chinatown on the way. But we got tired of waiting and grabbed a bus that took us over a couple blocks into "the poor section of town" (according to Mother).

We used our map and compass and found the White House again. We peaked into the contemporary art Smithsonian then walked around the White House grounds. We have no idea what was going on but there were several helicopters and a fast moving, siren sounding, police escort. Security is all over with high fences, people on the roof, and bomb sniffing dogs. There was what looked like a potential press conference with photography umbrellas and lights with the CNN logo.

We separated for the first time. Racheal and I went back to a gift shop near Ford's Theater, and Mom and Amanda met us at 10th and Constitution to visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. First stop was the elephant. We visited the mammals, the Hope Diamond, and the geology exhibit.

We went back to the Old Post Office for the free elevator tour. From the 12th floor we could see 12 miles in all directions. I was surprised to see the Cathedral, Robert E. Lee's House, and the huge Catholic Church that we passed everyday on the Metrorail. Pictures and maps pointed out the local buildings. We were right next to the IRS and EPA. There were excellent Park Rangers in the tower who talked about the history of the buildings nearby.

We were so successful with our first separation that we did it again. This time Amanda and I walked to a park that is actually a map of Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House to the Capitol based on L'Efant's original draft. The map is done in granite and bronze, maybe a block long. We walked several extra blocks trying to find it before a blind man told us where it was. While we did this, Mom and Racheal waited outside of the Old Post Office. It was sprinkling but warm.

Next we hopped on the Metrorail to Chinatown. We came right up at the big arch next to Starbucks. So, of course, we had to have coffee. Back to Union Station for a little shopping and our second pizza-to-go before heading home via rail and bus.

We head home tomorrow.

We headed to the Washington National Cathedral first thing this morning. We caught the Metrorail and then planned to transfer to a Metrobus. The only problem, we realized after a half hour of waiting, was we were at the wrong bus stop. After correcting that mistake, we made it. WOW! The Cathedral is huge; a ten story building could fit inside. And it is gorgeous, Gothic architecture with gargoyles and stained glass. We were lucky to arrive while a service was being held, so Racheal and I were able to receive communion. We went on a guided tour.

From the Cathedral we back tracked to Starbucks and Whole Foods before heading to Ford's Theater again. We were able to have as much time as we wanted there this time. We walked to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. My favorite things there were the huge scenic picture with some elk and the Presidential Portraits. We made it back to the motel a little earlier than usual, but our bags were bulging with our discarded layers so it was just as well.

The good thing is we are getting coins minted in Philadelphia. The bad thing is I found a live cockroach in the bathroom.

After a shakey start we headed to Arlington National Cemetery via Metrorail. We are learning city etiquette like standing single file on the escalator so people can run up the other side. We must be rid of our deer in the headlights look because today someone asked US for directions!

Once at the cemetery we wanted to take the shuttle but due to Homeland Security we had to get a lecture/have an argument with the ticket seller about whether or not our rolling laptop/camera bag is considered luggage. She finally decided that it wasn't luggage and off we went.

We rode the bus to John Kennedy's grave, the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers and saw the changing of the guard, and Roberet E. Lee's home including the slave quarters. We saw a couple hearses and a police escorted dignitary of some sort, and a long row of motorcycle cops heading to funerals over in the Iraq burial area. Then we walked through the Vietnam burial area to see the Marine Corps War Memorial (Iwo Jima).

We rode the rail back to the Federal Triangle where we were quickly grabbed by a sight seeing tour guide. He gave us a customized trip to the places we wanted to go. Including a coffee stop! With Al-the-guide we saw the White House, Ford's Theater, Jefferson Memorial, and FDR Memorial. Al hurried us along worse than our congressional staffer!

He gave us lots of "facts." It is hard to know fact from fiction in this city. But he said that if you see a horse statue that is rearing, the man on it died in battle. If all the feet are on the ground, the man did not die in combat. If one foot is lifted, the man was wounded in battle. Al dropped us off where he picked us up, baby, got it now? Right by the IRS and the Old Post Office. We had our second hot meal of the trip then headed back to Silver Spring.

We seem to be alternating days between sleeping in and setting the alarm. Today was an alarm day. We rode the Metrorail to the Union Station where we found out how to get to George Washington's Estate in Mt. Vernon. That involved transferring to a different rail and taking a county bus for a half hour ride.

Once we were there we had two hours. That wasn't enough time to stand in line to see the inside of the house but plenty of time to walk the estate. My favorite parts were the lambs that are from George's stock and the tombs. We rushed back to the Capitol for our staff led tour.

Unfortunately, I had forgotten all of my instructions at the motel. Amazingly, we walked right to Rick Larsen's office and stepped in with minutes to spare. A staffer showed us around.   There is a special Capitol police force and they keep a close eye on things. We had a 90 minute tour and practically ran from place to place. We finally asked for a wheel chair for Mom. Our favorite things were:

• The Old Supreme Court
•  The Rotunda including the exact spot where presidents lie in state; the Statue of Liberty could fit in there with 30 feet to spare.  The fresco on the ceiling and historical painting high on the wall.
• The Statuary Room where each state is allowed to marble or bronze statues of someone who was important to their state.
• The whispering spot in the Old Congress room.
• The 110th Congress debating a bill.

At 4:40pm we decided we had enough energy left to walk down the mall to the Washington Monument and World War II memorial.  From there you can see the Lincoln Memorial so we headed all the way down.  We saw the WWI, Korean, and Vietnam Memorials.  On the way back to the Metro station the sun was going down.  It was gorgeous. The day was packed full.  We never had time to sit and eat until we got home and had our cold pizza.