This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Intractable Migraine, Chronic Headache, Chiari Malformation
2. My migraine attack frequency is: at least 2-3 times a week
3. I was diagnosed in: 2000, but have been suffering with them for nearly 30 years
4. My comorbid conditions include: spondylosis, cervical & lumbar radiculopathy, brachial neuritis, restless leg syndrome
5. I take 5 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 4-5 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: when I was 5 or 6 years old.
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: photo and auditory sensitivity, dizziness, pain, nausea
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: smelling smoke when there is no smoke around me
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: turning my head to quickly, sneezing
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: i start to see floaters and/or smell smoke
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: how it keeps me from doing things – and knowing that I’m being judged by those who say/think “another headache”
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: how long it will keep me down… I’ve had some last for 3 weeks
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: Wow, I’ve gone two days?
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: “I get headaches too”
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: maybe someone will finally understand
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: been there, done that
17. My best coping tools are: retreating to my dark, cool migraine cave
18. I find comfort in: my husband, because he never judges and is my rock
19. I get angry when people say: another headache?
20. I like it when people say: it’s okay – I understand (and mean it)
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: understand that I have to go in hiding
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: ?
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: that I’ve tried everything and been told there’s not much any doctor can do
24. Migraine has taught me: you can’t look at a person and judge them and think you know what they go through in life, people can put on a mask and be in a world of pain
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: I’ve survived this far, I can’t let it beat me now
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: not to get my hopes up for finding a cure
27. The people who support me most are: my husband and mom
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: it isn’t “just a headache”
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: pain is my life, and if I can do one small thing to help someone else, I will
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: take it one day at a time
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.