If Migraines and Fibromyalgia Were Animals... HAWMC Day 8

If I were to pick an animal to represent migraine disease, it would have to be:

Photograph:  Brandon Cole

Yes, the octopus.  Why?  Well,  they are extremely smart and very skilled.  For example, octopi use their ink to disorient their victims before killing them with their tentacles.  This translates to how a migraine uses auras, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea and vomiting to disorient someone during an attack before the pain literally knocks you out of commission.  An octopus is also a very resourceful animal.  When kept in captivity, they are known to escape from their aquariums and break into others in search of food.  Migraines are known to break out of their usual homes and migrate to other areas of the head.  Who knew that migraines and octopi had so much in common?

As for fibromyalgia, I chose the Boa Constrictor.  Simply because of how they grab onto their victims with sharp teeth, wrap around them, and suffocate them to death.  The pain often feels like something is trying to squeeze me to death while sharp pains are stabbing me all over.  It is very painful and agonizing and feels like a slow death.  I'm sure the constrictor's prey can relate.

Photograph:  Joel Sartore





Sites used:

http://www.toponlinecolleges.com/blog/2010/20-smartest-animals-in-the-world/

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/boa-constrictor/