My Migraine Story - From Darkened Room To Writer! #Review
I can totally relate to her battle with depression and suicidal thoughts. As the migraines increased, so did the severity of the depression. Like Tracy, I had been to numerous neurologists, pain management specialists, and had a few psychiatrists and therapists along the way. I've experienced her same issue with being prescribed medications that didn't work and only made me feel wonky, confused, and lethargic.
Tracy never gave up on herself and finally followed her gut and went to see an endocrinologist about a low-sugar tolerance diagnosis she received in her twenties but was never addressed. It was at that moment that she empowered herself to do something about her pain. She learned that the mild glucose intolerance had been escalating over the years, causing many of her symptoms (indigestion, dizzy spells, feeling faint, weak and shaky, weight gain). She was on her way to developing full-blown diabetes if she didn't change her diet.
That doctor's visit is the catalyst that changed Tracy's life. She was put on a strict no-sugar, low carb diet but was allowed to continue her preventive migraine medications. Through this diet, Tracy became in tune with her body. She would try foods on a trial basis and stop it immediately if it triggered a migraine. Her concentration came back and was soon getting back to doing the things she loved. The migraine attacks started to happen less often. She started to believe in herself and her dreams again.
This book is full of inspiration and perseverance. Tracy speaks on being "migraine-wise", knowing how migraine moves through your life and how to manage it. Listening to your body and using the appropriate tools to help deal with the pain, symptoms, and mood disturbances. Tracy is my spirit person as she takes the same approach to migraine and mental health as I do. The whole person, not just the symptoms, needs to be healed and cared for. That includes mindfulness, being aware of what we put into our bodies to nourish ourselves, and putting ourselves first... always. Because we can be of no use to our children, spouses, significant others, friends and family if we do not take care of ourselves first.
Tracy shares the diet that helped to keep her migraines at bay - no sugar, empty carbs, or processed foods and yes to whole (organic, if possible) foods. Being mindful of not only your mental health but of what you eat and how often you eat can and will help to make you healthier. This book is not a cure for migraine and Tracy does not attempt to say that it is. She openly shares what works for her and encourages the reader to take a look at what they are eating and see if there needs to be a change. For most of us, we can say that we can do better. We can pay better attention to how food plays a role in our health.
I really appreciate the sample meal ideas she shares. There are even vegetarian and vegan meal plans which are awesome because I plan on becoming vegetarian next month! Her ideas are super doable and non-intimidating as some others can be. I feel like I can totally get this going and be successful at it. Tracy also shares tips and advice for including exercise and physical activity, relaxation and stretching techniques, meditation, and avoiding chemicals in skincare products that can aggravate migraine.
I highly recommend this book to the chronic migraine and episodic migraine patient. It has given me hope and it reiterates a lot of the ways I am already approaching my healing. Tracy has such a loving and caring and down-to-earth tone that it really feels like I am listening to an old trusted friend. I commend her for taking her health into her own hands because that isn't always the easiest thing to do. She is the definition of advocating for yourself when it comes to migraine, mental health, and overall well-being.
Follow the author on Twitter - @AuthorTStedman and visit her website www.tstedman.com to follow her blog Migraine Wise and to learn about her Dark Romance novels! You can also follow her on Goodreads.
You can purchase the ebook on Amazon for the low price of $0.99 (£0.99 in UK)!
US Amazon Link - amzn.to/2FYbwWI
UK Amazon Link - amzn.to/2Drk6jb
