30 Things About My Life with Migraine
This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Migraine without Aura
2. My migraine attack frequency is: Daily
3. I was diagnosed in: 2005
4. My comorbid conditions include: fatigue, anxiety, depression
5. I take 7 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 3 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: 1995, I was 15
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: The pain itself
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: crazy sense of smell
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: eggs, beef, flashing lights
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I’ve waited too long to eat or snack
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: leaving the workplace
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: never getting better
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: Ruined Finances due to leaving the workforce and huge medical bills
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: I’m ignored
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: Yeah, right…I doubt it
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: LIARS!
17. My best coping tools are: my rescue shots, ice and heat
18. I find comfort in: my husband, my cats
19. I get angry when people say: If I only joined Plexus, I would be cured
20. I like it when people say: Is there anything I can help you with
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Go to the grocery store for me, or at least to Sonic for a grilled cheese and a Diet Strawberry Limeade
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: Are you interested in trying ketamine?
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: It’s never going to go away
24. Migraine has taught me: To prioritize myself
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2nd Corinthians 4:8-9
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Don’t settle for just abortive medication. Put yourself in a position to prevent the migraines.
27. The people who support me most are: My husband and my Dad
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: It’s not just bad…it’s REALLY bad!!
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: People don’t know what I go through. I want them to understand that this disease is heavy and constant
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: Ketamine infusions have helped me immensely. I have begun advocacy for ketamine in the treatment of migraine and now run the Facebook page and group for Ketamine and Migraine. This has given me a platform and has helped me feel less useless.
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.
Last Updated on May 10, 2016 by Kerrie Smyres