This is a reader-submitted story.
1. I have had chronic daily headache (CDH) for __25__ years.
2. The first headache I remember is: I never had headaches until a car accident with a concussion.
3. After the headache started, it took ___2 years___ [weeks/months/years] to get a diagnosis.
4. My pain level is steady/fluctuates fluctuates
5. My typical pain level ranges from:5-6 daily
6. In addition to pain, my symptoms include: watery eyes, nausea, digestive issues, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, blurred vision, skin sensitivity, dry mouth, irritability, mood swings and frequent urination.
7. Treatments I have tried include: massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, bio feedback, preventative medication, abortive medication, Botox
8. I take _3___ medications/supplements each day for prevention and _3___ medications/supplements when the pain becomes unbearable
9. When the pain gets bad, I: lay down in dark quiet room with an ice pack.
10. The most frustrating part about having CDH is:they are unpredictable and cause me to constantly change my plans or have to miss work or miss out on a lot of activities. It’s frustrating because most people don’t understand and don’t know the level of pain I function with every day.
11. Because of CDH, I worry about: when the pain will end and let me function.
12. When I tell someone I have CDH, the response is usually: they don’t know what causes them or what to do about them?
13. When I see how little research and information exists on CDH, I feel:hopeless
14. Having CDH has affected my work/school life by: when I am able to have a full time job I miss Amit of work and most days function at a lower level because of pain. I have gone through periods of time where my headaches are so bad I can’t work at all.
15. Having CDH has affected by family life by: I feel bad that I have to cancel a lot of plans with family. I also can’t help with a lot of household duties because of headaches. I feel that they worry too much about me.
16. The one word that best describes my experience with CDH is: tough
17. My best coping tools are: prayer
18. I find comfort in: pain free days
19. I get angry when people say: don’t they know what causes those? Why don’t you do…!
20. I like it when people say: I’m sorry you have to go through this.
21. Something kind someone has done for me in relation to CDH is: bring me soup and swap out my ice packs when I can’t get up.
22. The best thing a doctor has ever said to me about CDH is: we will keep trying different things til we get you some relief
23. The hardest thing to accept about having CDH is: this is a disease without a cure or known set treatment.
24. Having CDH has taught me:patience and endurance
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that helps me cope with CDH is:this too shall pass
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: be strong Kacey a long road is ahead
27. The people who support me most are:husband and parents
28. The thing I most wish people understood about CDH is: this is a disease and I’m in pain most everyday.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: so others won’t feel alone, raise awareness and educate public
30. One more thing I’d like to say about living with CDH is: I go through usually 5 out of 7 days a week with a pain level of 5-6. I consider this “not a headache” because that’s my life. Some days I feel really hopeless and then a headache free day will come and I feel FREE!
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.