Why Daith piercings for my migraines? Well one I’ve looked into traditional medicine which consists or shots or pills to help alleviate the pain. I’m really sensitive to medication and typically they just make my WD symptoms worse. I also considered acupuncture or acupressure and still haven’t totally ruled that out, but $$$. It was then that I started to hear about Daith piercings which is in fact very easy on the pocketbook and a one time thing. So I started to research. During my quick and dirty research on Daith piercings I found several helpful YouTube videos (really liked this video) and some interesting things on WebMD. The pressure point involved with a Daith is the vagus nerve, which travels from your brain to multiple organs. It controls some of your body’s hormones. It also helps relaxe your muscles. WebMD has a lot of interesting info on this subject just type in Daith and a whole list will appear! And please do your own research and consult your doctor. This is just the path I decided to take on my adventure with WD.😊
Ok, now that we have the nerdy part out of the way…. while I have a tat, and have been known to get a piercing or two in the past; I’m a total wuss😖 when it comes to needles and blood. In other words, getting a Daith was not my first pick. Last Thanksgiving I made a friend who told me about the benefits of having a Daith piercing. I was blown away by her story of going in to a piercing shop in desperation for some relief for her chronic migraine. On this particular day her pain had reached a fever pitch. She had taken all of her prescribed remedies from the doctor earlier and this was her last resort. As soon as she got one ear pierced the relief was so complete she immediately turned her head and asked to get the other done. Even now she says the pain is significantly less than it was pre-Daith and any time she has issues she just plays with the earing and the pain subsides.
Now when I heard this story I was like ‘oh coolio for you, but this chica is cool without any more holes in her head’ (once upon a time in college I had my cartilage pierced and it did not end well). I think she saw my hesitancy and was like ‘look my daughter struggles with migraines too and I got her some faux nose rings to try out as a faux Daiths to see if it would give her any relief. Why don’t you give it a try?’ Now that I might be able to do!😎
So I went home thinking well maybe I’ll just try pinching my ear where the Daith would be. I tried just pinching a little bit and then a little harder until WOW! I felt the whole side of my body relax. My migraine backed off and whichever side of the body I pinched the pain down that side went down from bout an 8 to a 5! Soooo much more manageable!🎉🙌🥳 I was like ‘Guess I’m taking a trip to Claire’s!!‘ The faux rings had their flaws; like popping off and being kinda difficult to put in, but worth it and proved this might just be the way to go. After almost 3 months of trying out the faux rings when I was in a lot of pain and noticing a marked difference. During this time I also prayed about whether this is the right thing to do or not… cause the last time I got an infection and my ear rejected the ear ring and I really did not want a repeat performance! After everything was said and done I decided it was time to commit!
Ex.: Faux nose/daith rings
Dude I was so freaked! 😳And of course because I was so nervous/excited it made my tremors that much worse…. not gonna lie was a tiddly bit worried that I wasn’t going to be able to hold still for Froggy to do his thing. I decided to get my left side done first since it typically is in the most pain. Now, while the relief wasn’t immediate; cause honestly I was pretty focused on the new hole being made in my ear initially, but after got passed that I felt my whole left side relax. It was amazing! The tremors subsided and the pain went silent.
*Side Note: Definitely, went super pale and felt a little queasy after a while. I figured I’d react like this so brought some fruit-hide with me, but juice or anything sweet really should do the trick. My shop was kind enough to offer chocolate to me, but not all do that.
After that first day I kept waiting for the pain to come back and be horrible again. When it did finally come back it was pretty painful, but wouldn’t say it was as bad as pre-Daith. Instead of grabbing some tylenol I just moved my earring a little (with clean hands) and the pain backed off. Now for the tremors, they still happen, but not near as painful or as bad as pre-Daith. I can actually hold my left hand out steadier than my right hand; which previously it was the other way around. Seriously can’t wait to get my right ear pierced!
Now the Daith hasn’t completely stopped my tremors but they are more manageable on my left side.
Ok so remember Froggy? He’s my piercer, I say is because I’m definitely going back to get my other ear done! Speaking of piercers you really need to shop around and find someone you trust and keeps their tools really clean and have been doing it a while. Take it from someone who has had a bad experience previously; finding a good piercer is key! Also making sure you use surgical steel or something hypoallergenic for your earrings during the healing process.
Me and Froggy
Now to the whole getting them done one at a time thing… you can get both done at the same time like my friend did or do them one at a time. I didn’t because A) I’m a wuss and B) I sleep on my side and trying to sleep on a freshly pierced ear is no bueno! But I did by an infinity pillow to help create a little nest for my ear when trying to sleep.
Finished Product… Side 1 complete!!
Parting thoughts…
Listen to your piercer! Follow the instructions they give you for a healthy healing process and up keep. Infections are no joke.
Alcohol swabs people! clean your phone, headphones, eyeglasses temple (the long part that goes over the ear), etc. anything that could come in contact with the piercing.
Don’t do it alone everything is more fun with friends! I know my little adventure was made fun having my new found friend and her daughter coming with me!
Friends!
Give it a try I think you will be glad you did!!
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