A Standard Journey, 5 horses, 2 people, and 1 tent is about the trials and tribulations of forming a team between humans and animals and how that journey changed us all.
I’ve not seen my boys for 3 years. Charlie, Ned, and Dom come home to us this week. Stevie and Spirit will stay with friends as they don’t want to part with them. They are fine, but I’d love to have the whole team back one day.
Dom, Stevie (ridden by Noel) and Spirit at the back
I’m on Charlie, leading Ned, Noel on Stevie leading Spirit with Dom at the rear
Those boys morphed from fearful, lost creatures into magnificent, confident beast. (l to r) Stevie, Spirit, Dom, Charlie (leader), Ned.
With the great advice and suggestions detailed in the previous blog, I’ve received more in-depth comments too.
“Foods that contain Tyramine, often fermented foods: Mature cheese, red wine, beer, sauerkraut, soy sauce (very high in salt as well, which wouldn’t help), vegemite and chocolate. Nitrites used in cured meat, Aspartame (there’s a reason why it’s not recommended for young children – it screws with your head!)”
I had to look up Aspartame and this is what I found:
From the NHS – UK Website:
Aspartame has been subject to more scare stories than any other sweetener, ranging from allergies and premature births to liver damage and cancer. Read morehere.
It also talks about other triggers, many of which make perfect sense to me. What was most interesting that they say some women have a headache prior to their period. This was spot on for me too (see my previous bloghere on combating my migraines).
This articletalks about a study that “proves” Aspartame does not contribute to migraines.
However, despite mentioning a study that proved this fact, this is issued by the Aspartame Information Center.
More information on Caffeine
Image courtesy of Chaloemphan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
“Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, so supposedly if migraines are partly due to vasodilation, it could be good. But it also increases blood pressure, so it might cancel that out. It increases cortisol levels – the stress hormones – so I’d probably steer clear of it.”
“Chocolate has some caffeine, but more theobromine – a similar chemical. It is, however, a vasodilator. Although it contains serotonin, the feel good hormone, migraines are also partly caused by an excess of serotonin.”
Fabulous – yum – recipe! An alternative to Chocolate
I’ve mostly read that chocolate is a no no. I’ve had very little over the last month. Thank you, Simon Hugh
Thank you, Simon Hugh Wheeler for offering so much valuable advice and this recipe.
Image courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
“An alternative to chocolate is carob. I know it’s not the same, but for example, I’ve made a microwave, 1 min mud cake with carob flour, an egg, some sugar and a touch of cinnamon and ginger which is gorgeous.”
Simon goes on to say, “Carob has no caffeine, no oxalates (if you have kidney or joint problems, that can help), but has fibre, calcium, magnesium and vits A, B, and D, amongst other nutrients. It also has antioxidants and Gallic acid which is a mild analgesic – it helps to reduce cholesterol too.”
Needless to say, I will be looking into carob recipes further.
What now?
Well, I’ll continue on my quest to monitor what I eat to see if I can nut out what affects me.
However, as I am eating everything in moderation, it may take some time. If I don’t have a migraine within a month of this experiment, I will be ecstatic as I usually have one at least once a month.
Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
When I lose control and binge on something yummy (yes, it’ll be chocolate), then I’ll monitor the results.
Image courtesy of cooldesign at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Simple Solutions
I hope to solve my problem with the simplest solution – and I fully intend to solve it – watch this space.
Update: My research has revealed some incredibly interesting triggers and things to avoid… all will be revealed soon. BTW – I am winning the battle!
On talking openly about my battle with migraines, I’ve received an amazing response.
As promised I’m going to share some comments, advice, and suggestions. My experiment continues and I’ll have some interesting results to share with you soon.
Praise
“It’s always wise to discover the cause instead of treating the symptoms” and “Good on ya!”
It’s lovely to receive positive encouragement
Image courtesy of digitalart at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Things to avoid
Cheese
Dairy products
Preservatives
Colouring
MSG
Artificial flavourings
Citrus
Chocolate
Wine
Too much meat
Replacing lost nutrients
Seeds and nuts
Good for migraines
Caffeine
Magnesium
Bad for migraines
Caffeine
Chocolate
Image courtesy of Chaloemphan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What can be good for you
Dark Chocolate
Interesting remarks to ponder
“Sometimes people think chocolate is a trigger for their headaches as they have eaten it just prior to getting one, when really you’ve eaten it in response to the onset of a headache, (e.g. your body needs it).”
I found this interesting and this made good sense to me. It’s something I am keeping in mind as I go and monitoring my results.
In response to “Chocolate can be good for you,” one person commented, “I can’t eat dark chocolate at all, guarantees a migraine with vomiting.”
Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Another friend mentioned their pain and suffering with migraines, “I’ve tried everything even Botox! I sometimes think it is hormonal and the Doctors don’t know what to do apart from tablets..”
I’d never ever do botox (botulism injected – yikes!) of course, desperate times calls for desperate measures and I know when I’ve been in extreme pain I’d pretty much take anything that would hold some hope. This is one reason I am avoiding Doctors for as long as possible – I don’t want drugs, I want to beat it myself.
Alternative Help
“I was advised that pouring cold water over your head can ease it, mine disappeared of their own accord.”
I do find that if I am too hot (working in that humidity mentioned in the last blog), I suffer, so this makes sense too. I have had a cold cloth on my forehead and the back of my neck before, if I remember to do it early enough – if I don’t, with a full blown migraine, nothing can touch my head. (I’ve done some interesting (self) research on this!)
Later, another person commented, “We have used ice packs around necks in ED to help the really nasty ones that meds weren’t budging with some success.”
I’ve taken note and will try to use this method in the early stages IF I get another migraine.
Image courtesy of Antoine Henrich at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
More Technical Advice
Look out for Part 3 of this experiment which will detail some fabulous advice for those who have to take the next step – watch those chemicals! Read those labels!
And – a great alternative/recipe for chocolate…
It’s time for me to step away from the laptop to give my eyes a rest…. to much screen time could be another trigger!
It’s a bit early to say, but I believe I’ve made an improvement. Never has my head felt so clear!
What’s Worked For Me?
For over two weeks I’ve monitored what I eat, but that’s not the key – not yet, anyhow.
I’ve reduced my meat intake (but eaten lots of fish), this is mainly to help my digestive system.
I’ve moderated chocolate. I’ve eaten two squares of dark chocolate and didn’t like it one bit, it just tasted of sugar.
I’ve eaten one ice-cream and one iced coffee – that’s as bad as it got.
Other than that, it’s been fish, pasta, salads, porridge, eggs, fruit, noodles, vegetables and potatoes (on the whole).
Image courtesy of adamr at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Keeping Hydrated
I’ve consumed at least three litres of water a day, monitoring it very carefully.
Findings
That’s the key so far, although it is too early to tell, but I am starting to feel that I didn’t drink enough and that is the main reason for my migraines.
Image courtesy of nixxphotography at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Headache
I did have a headache last Thursday. It certainly wasn’t a migraine and miraculously two panadol’s knocked it on the head almost immediately. Previously, Panadol’s/Paracetamol hasn’t worked for me for years.
What caused the headache?
That’s easy, it wasn’t anything I ate or drank, but I over did it. Moving from one house (house-sit), to our caravan (temporarily between house sits) on an extremely high-humidity day didn’t help. I cleaned the house we were leaving, then we had to empty the caravan (the annex was in bits, in the caravan) and then scrub the 24 ft caravan that hadn’t seen any cleaning products for many years.
Blowing Puffle-Valves
I blew one, actually several. The rain clouds were building. We had nowhere else to stay (well, we did have a lovely offer from a dear friend, but for some reason we were on a mission!). Noel put up the roofing iron, above the caravan roof, to help to keep the van cool. The hatches leaked slightly, so it put a stop to that too.
At 7:30 pm we both fell into bed exhausted (yes, we did shower). Our limbs screamed in protest, and I don’t think I drank enough water to replace what I lost.
Image courtesy of nuchylee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Next steps
I am still monitoring what I consume. I’ve succumbed to a massive T-bone steak – delicious and, well, I think that’s about as bad as it gets! Oh yes, I’ve had a few slices of bread, but still a fraction of what I had before. And, of course, I’ve had a little wine, but when doing so I’ve consumed more water to fend off dehydration – and I’ve only had a few sips here and there.
Taking Care – the Answer
If I had to give you an answer right now about the cause of my migraines, I’d say drinking enough water and not pushing it is the key. So today, on a stupidly hot day, we’ve worked on the caravan this morning (preparing to paint it) and come back to the house (next house-sit) and turned the air conditioning on. Time to do some laptop work and keep cool – taking care.
Other Answers
I’ve had a great response and bundles of advice about what sets off migraines. Some of it contradictory – which is more than interesting; some of it very detailed. I am hoping that I don’t have to get too technical by reading the labels on everything I eat. I’ll share some advice/suggestions soon – it’s all rather an eye-opener.
In the meantime – has anyone else combatted headaches with water?
(Interesting in from boat-to-land escapades? Check out our latest adventures here).
I prefer to look back on the year and remind myself of all my achievements.
Quite by accident, on the first of January I decided to take action against my migraines.
Image courtesy of Sira Anamwong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Morphing Migraines
Over the years my migraines have changed.
They were a short burst (one day) of extensive pain and vomiting
Then the vomiting eased but the pain intensified – sometimes to a frightening level
Then the pain eased – so less pain but now they last 4-5 days
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
I can just about function with these ‘new’ migraines but I don’t really like how they travel from one side of my head to the other – I can feel them creep across my brain!
Drugs
The other problem is that I am taking more and more painkillers. I’m avoiding prescription drugs, but this has to change because:
Right now I take codeine with aspirin and throw down some panadol if I need an extra boost
Codeine will become a prescription drug next year
I’m fed up with popping so many pills
Image courtesy of yodiyim at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Action
As of the first of January (quite by accident) I’m listing everything I eat and drink. I include the time spent on the laptop, quantity of sleep, level of stress, bed time and the time I wake up.
Boring Diet
Consequently, I am making other changes:
I am avoiding chocolate
I’ve cut right down on alcohol (not a drop during the week and a small quantity Friday and maybe Saturday night)
I am avoiding chocolate
I am rarely eating meat (well, I am consuming fish). As an A+ blood type, my body finds it easy to digest carbohydrates but hard to process meat
I am avoiding chocolate (total success so far, by some miracle).
Did I mention the chocolate?
Image courtesy of Master isolated images at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
How
The chocolate is hidden in the fridge. I’ve recently been told that Australian chocolate has additional preservatives to prevent it melting as quickly.
I’m drinking a lot more water – ensuring my intake is at least 3 litres per day
The less chocolate and meat I eat – the less I crave it. So it’s becoming easier.
Results so far
I have loads of energy (driving hubby nuts)
I wake up less grumpy (hubby happy)
My digestive system is working a treat (everyone’s happy!)
My head has been quite clear for a week (again – everyone’s happy)
I’m losing weight (yay me!)
My perpetually dry lips are starting to repair (whoop whoop)
I’m back to my old self – only a better version!
Relapse
I know I will struggle at times (Noel ate a meat pie yesterday and my stomach growled in protest!). When it happens I will just revert back to the better behaviour the next day and carry on.
I’m looking forward to reporting how I do. AND – why is this subject on my author blog? Well, sore eyes and head are rather important to avoid if I want to write!
Over the years of travel I’ve always made time for writing.
At school I wrote, through jobs – I wrote. Then I started writing for myself – there’s much more motivation there!
Here are some of the places where I’ve made camp and tapped away (‘thumped’ Noel says) on the keyboard.
Isla de Cocos – note the wet trousers (from the knee down) we were anchored out and dinghied in avoiding the sharks nipping at our feet and stepped out of the dinghy too early!
Magdelana, Mexico
In a TSR (Travelling Stock Reserve) while trekking with our 5 adopted horses – just Noel, me, our 5 boys and the occasional bit of writing!
One of my favourite pictures – sailing (and writing) in my slippers along the NSW coast. On board our first boat Mariah II
Renovating our 1920 Dutch barge in France. In the background was welding, grinding, hammering etc – it was bedlam and very hard to work/live in the same room as the renovations! (Love the jim-jams!)
On board Mariah II again, traversing The Great Loop – a year long adventure through the USA and Canada that I still miss today!
On board our Dutch barge again – with Lily the cat who adopted us! And we’re still renovating.
In NSW, Australia – we are dismantling an American Barn. Part-way through the process…. I tap away!
I produced some rather snazzy bookmarks, detailing my books/adventures. My mum hands them out to anyone she meets or whoever knocks on her front door. She’s brilliant – my No.1 fan – and quite passionate!
She has just written me a note about accosting someone famous on my behalf! She’s either brilliant or mad – but probably both. She says:
“On the way home Dad went into Sainsbury’s car park to get the papers and a few bits and whilst I sat in the car. You’ll never guess who walked passed, ONLY Paul Young!! I smashed on the window and leapt out of the car and said who I was plus you and ENPC (Enfield Chase Pony Club). I think he thought I was some mad woman accosting him. I blurted out your CV and could have kicked myself as I didn’t have any BOOKMARKS to give him. What an absolute chump am I! Anyway, I mentionedwww.jackieandnoelsjourneys.com and think he got it but he was in a hurry and had to get away.”
Mum’s not totally loopy – Paul’s daughter used to be a team member of Enfield Chace Prince Philip Cup Team and my mum and dad used to manage this team – so she did know him (and, I believe, he has sailing on his bucket list).
I was suitably impressed, as the first album I ever purchased was No Parlez. The first time I saw Paul was on daytime TV, after Rainbow, I was off sick from school – I’ve admired his work ever since.
I think Mum deserves a pay-rise, I’ve offered her double what she receives now – I think that’s fair.
I’ve offered Paul an audio, kindle or paperback book – I wonder if he’ll receive my message – perhaps he’s a little scared….. not from my mum – but selling up and living your dream is a brave step…
On the 11th November I’ll number each share and ask someone to randomly pick a number.
Here’s the blurb:
“We are from Australia, we have cash, and we have jet-lag and a desperate stare in our eye. In short, we are mugs ready to be led down the path of nautical slavery. If you can’t sell us a boat, there is something very wrong.”
The pull of the ocean was too strong to ignore any longer. Four years prior, they’d circumnavigated the globe on their 33-foot boat, Mariah. Now they wanted a new challenge.
So they sold all their belongings and flew to America from New South Wales in search of a boat.
Then Jackie and Noel set sail south, meeting descendants of the Bounty mutineers on Pitcairn, taking in the grand statues of Easter Island (the remotest inhabited island in the world) and making lifelong friends in Suwarrow.
Along the way, they lost a friend and came nail-bitingly close to losing their new boat. But they gained so much more.
This is a story of storms of emotions and oceans, travel, love, and relationships, and two people figuring out life and fulfilling their need to move and be challenged.
You can be whisked off to Easter Island, Suwarrow, and Pitcairn while driving through rush hour traffic, relaxing on the lounge, or working on a mindless task.
Not only does this book have a new narrator, but a snazzy-new cover too. My publisher, New Street Communicationstrawled through my photos and came up with the perfect picture of me doing what needs to be done to boats!
Narrated by the wonderful Caroline Doughty, you can join me onboard our sailboat Pyewacket II as we traverse the bejewelled Pacific Ocean, riding the troughs and peaks.
With six-and-a-half-hours of breath-taking adventures – you can indulge in storms of emotions and oceans.
Jackie Parry - author 