30 Things Meme

30 Things About My Life With Migraines

This is a reader-submitted story. Want to share your 30 Things? Here’s how: Migraine & Headache Disorders 30 Things Meme

1. My diagnosis is: chronic migraines
2. My migraine attack frequency is: Pretty much everyday I have some form of migraine symptoms – the severity varies from day to day.
3. I was diagnosed in: 2002
4. My comorbid conditions include: Bipolar type II, panic disorder w/o agoraphobia, anxiety, PTSD, C-PTSD, and thyroid hormone imbalance due to thyroid cancer/lobectomy of right lobe.
5. I take ____ medications/supplements each day for prevention and ____ medications/supplements to treat an acute attack: I have been on a few prophylactic meds including Topamax and am currently testing out the efficacy of Effexor. I currently have prescriptions for 9 different medications used to treat acute attacks.
6. My first migraine attack was: 4/24/99
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: Severe nausea, vertigo, dizziness, disabling pain and muscle weakness.
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: Aphasia, hypomania, Alice In Wonderland syndrome, food cravings, and chronic tinnitus in my left ear.
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: Marijuana smoke, emotional stress/trauma/stress-letdown, tannins, physical stress/trauma, insomnia, altitude changes, changes in barometric pressure, and temperature changes.
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: The Left Eye Twitch of Doom, an increase in sensitivity to smell, taste, sound, light, touch and temperature changes.
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: I’ve had a moderate/severe migraine headache most days in the last 3 years – most of the time when they become intense the meds I have either don’t work or make me feel worse. Also having to go to the ER in an acute attack with intense symptoms and they aren’t able to give me any relief aside from rehydration via IV fluids.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: Throwing up because it makes the pain and other symptoms 10x worse.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: When is the next one coming and how can I get to the ER without anyone to give me a ride.
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Sympathy, apathy or skepticism.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: I’m so sorry that someone else experiences this disabling disease.
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: Yeah, right, that’ll work. Not.
17. My best coping tools are: Cold packs, noise canceling headphones, dark and cool room, and antinausea meds.
18. I find comfort in: My horse and music
19. I get angry when people say: “Sorry you’re having a bit of a headache” or “It’s just a headache” or “You just need to do more cardio/eliminate gluten/corn/wheat, etc.” And my all time favorite: “Again?? That’s four days in a row!”
20. I like it when people say: “Let me turn the lights off for you and bring you some cold packs.”
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Understand that it’s not just head pain – nausea and dizziness are often more disabling for me.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: “You’re doing everything right.”
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: that I can’t depend on myself; I can’t support myself because I can’t work and I almost invariably let people down.
24. Migraine has taught me: not all pain is visible and everyone’s experience is different.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: I have yet to find one. *Edit* “It’s the guilt of what reality has given me. Making sense of all mistakes and my stupidity, and when you’re sick you seem to think you’ve failed eternally.” ~ Blue October “Overweight”
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Fight and advocate for yourself!
27. The people who support me most are: A few close friends and my horse.
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: I have no control over when the symptoms will become disabling – I may have just enough energy to do a couple of things in a day but then just completely crash afterwards.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: It gives louder volume to fighting the stigma of living with migraine and let’s other sufferers know they aren’t alone.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: Search for and take joy in the small things. Creating a small but meaningful life is the best thing for me. I’d also like to say that it is fucking exhausting trying to convince doctors of how much pain I’m in.

Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres.

30 Things Meme

Getting worse with age…

This is a reader-submitted story. Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres.

1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Migraine
2. My migraine attack frequency is: 1-2 a week
3. I was diagnosed in: 1998
4. My comorbid conditions include: Sleep Disorder
5. I take 0 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 1 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: 1998
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: Horrendous right/left temple pain, eye socket throbbing, nausea.
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: Yawning
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: Hormones, chocolate, who the heck knows…
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I start to yawn a lot, and my temples start to throb.
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: Loss of time w/ family and friends.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: When it will end, and how long I will be seperated from husband and daughter.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: Why me.
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Oh god, I’m sorry, that sucks.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: What are you taking, is it better than what I’m taking.
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: Would that work for me?
17. My best coping tools are: Maxalt, sleep, dark cool room.
18. I find comfort in: All of the above in #17.
19. I get angry when people say: Can’t you just take Tylenol? Are you sure it’s not just a headache?
20. I like it when people say: I’m sorry, that must be awful.
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Help me get to all of #17.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: There’s a drug that can help diminish the migraine.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: Unpredictability, having them for ever, and knowing it’s only getting worse and more frequent w/age.
24. Migraine has taught me: To enjoy every second w/out migraine.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: It has to end, just go to sleep and let it pass.
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Learn to cope, there will be medicine that will help you one day.
27. The people who support me most are: My fantastic husband.
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: I cannot help when a migraine comes. I’m not lying to get out of your function, I’m genuinely super sick.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: I’m absolutely terrified that my little girl will suffer as I do.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: When you suffer from migraine, the truth is that it’s hard to live a whole rounded life. Sometimes that in it of it self, is tremendously depressing, and can cause server self loathing, Try to push through, because every day above ground is a good day.

30 Things Meme

30 Things About my Life with Migraines

This is a reader-submitted story. Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres.

1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Resistant Migraines
2. My migraine attack frequency is: Six or seven days a week right now.
3. I was diagnosed in: 2000 something
4. My comorbid conditions include: Insomnia
5. I take many medications/supplements each day for prevention and many medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: as a child
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: the pain, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell, not being able to see
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: flashing lights and worms floating across my eyes
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: weather changes, allergies, food chemicals
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I wake up, I start moving really fast
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: the time I miss with my family and friends
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: Getting behind at work and in school
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: I rarely have time between attacks, if I do I worry about the next one
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: I know someone who gets migraines
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: poor you
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: don’t be fooled. It doesn’t work.
17. My best coping tools are: relaxation
18. I find comfort in: my bed with big soft pillows
19. I get angry when people say: it’s just a headache!
20. I like it when people say: nothing. Few can really relate and I don’t need you to go through the list of alternative treatments you assume I haven’t tried.
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: leave me alone to deal with it.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: haven’t encountered a positive statement yet.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: I can’t control them.
24. Migraine has taught me: to listento my body.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: this too shall pass.
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: be kind to yourself. It’s going to be a rough ride.
27. The people who support me most are: my family.
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: it is not just a headache.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: it’s one month people are a little bit more informed.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: be kind to migraine sufferers.

30 Things Meme

30 Things About Life with Migraine

This is a reader-submitted story.

1. My diagnosis is: chronic migraines
2. My migraine attack frequency is: almost every day
3. I was diagnosed in: 2013
4. My comorbid conditions include: IBS, Hep. C, anxiety, panic attacks.
5. I take one medications/supplements each day for prevention and one medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: so many years ago I can’t even remember.
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: headache, nausea, neck pain and light sensitivity.
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: odd lights and shapes dancing in front of my eyes.
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: weather, certain foods and smells.
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I can’t stop yawning.
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: I have to stop all activity and lie down. My whole day or my whole week just wastes away.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: All the things that need to get done.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: How I can beat the next attack.
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Very positive
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: Poor thing. Let’s see how I can help.
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: There’s no way over the counter medications can help. Been there – done that.
17. My best coping tools are: My vivid imagination. I escape to my dream world.
18. I find comfort in: I believe that one day migraines will be a thing of the past just like all other illnesses.
19. I get angry when people say: It must have been something you ate.
20. I like it when people say: You poor thing. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Not make any noise.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: So far, I haven’t received any good news but let’s keep hoping.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: That it’s chronic and so far I haven’t been able to get rid of it.
24. Migraine has taught me: To take one day at a time.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: “For all the things I have the strength through the one who gives me power” (Philippians 4:13)
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Sit back and hold on because you are in for a bumpy ride.
27. The people who support me most are: My daughter and my husband.
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: That IT IS NOT a regular headache.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: It brings awareness about a very real and debilitating disease that affects millions of people.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: I don’t live with migraine. Migraine lives with me. I live with my family. I love my God. I have friends. There are days when I have to lie down but as soon as I can, I get up. Sick yes, but not vanquished.

Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres. Follow this link to learn how to share YOUR 30 Things about living with a headache disorder.

30 Things Meme, Diet

Mamma with Migraines

This is a reader-submitted story.

1. My diagnosis is: Chronic migraine with aura
2. My migraine attack frequency is: Usually a few a month, but it can vary to up to 20 days straight
3. I was diagnosed in: Childhood
4. My comorbid conditions include: Extreme visual disturbances, body and face numbness, loss of speech and mobility and body weakness and fatigue
5. I take no medications/supplements each day for prevention
, just dietary and weather awareness. 2 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: very young
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: loss of speech and mobility and visual disturbances
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: food cravings and toothaches
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: light, weather and food containing nitrates
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: my skin becomes incredibly sensitive and I feel a band of pressure around my head. Also when I have no desire to eat the day before.
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: having to give up my daily activities
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: My kids seeing me in a state of weakness, where I can’t function for them.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: No, no, no, no.
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Oh, I know someone who gets them too.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: You poor soul. I wish I could take that burden off you.
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: I hope that solution works for someone!
17. My best coping tools are: quiet, darkness and an icepack.
18. I find comfort in: Knowing I’ll be ok once its over.
19. I get angry when people say: “it’s just a headache, take a (insert medication of choice here)”
20. I like it when people say: Is there anything I can do?
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Let me rest, but check up on me.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: …. still waiting.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: That my son has inherited this from me.
24. Migraine has taught me: Slow down, or a migraine will do it for you.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: This too shall pass.
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Hang in there!!!
27. The people who support me most are: My sons, husband, best friend and neighbor (who’s BF also suffers very similar migraines as I do)
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: It’s not a headache. It can be scary when it mimics other conditions such as a stroke.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: Others need to be aware of just how prevalent this condition is. And I take solace in knowing I’m not alone.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: Please be sympathetic to those who suffer with this. It can be scary and difficult to accept something that can knock you out at a moments notice, or hang around just past your consciousness for days.

Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres. Follow this link to learn how to share YOUR 30 Things about living with a headache disorder.