30 Things about migraine and me
This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: Migraine w/aura
2. My migraine attack frequency is: 10-12 per month
3. I was diagnosed in: 1988 (age 16)
4. My comorbid conditions include: anxiety, depression
5. I take _2_ medications/supplements each day for prevention and _3_ medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: two weeks long!
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: light sensitivity, nausea, dizziness, aphasia, throbbing headache
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: sense of disassociation with self/reality, perception that left arm is growing longer than normal (AiWS)
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: lack of sleep, weather, bright light, bright colors – particularly hot pink
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I have aphasia, am dizzy, or have a “premonition” that an attack is emminent
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: inability to communicate effectively – affects my job duties
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: how long it will inhibit my abilities
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: I need to research and educate myself as much as possible to be prepared for the next attack
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: concern, and sometimes interest in symptoms, diagnosis, etc.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: I want to share my knowledge and resources to help them as much as I can
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: I don’t typically see commercials about migraine treatment
17. My best coping tools are: rest and scaling back/or eliminating activities & triggers
18. I find comfort in: having my thoughts, feelings and symptoms validated
19. I get angry when people say: You have another headache again?? Did you take something?
20. I like it when people say: I’m sorry for your pain. Is there anything I can do for you?
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is:
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: 1. We still have a lot of options to try for preventatives. 2. There’s two clinical trial openings that you might qualify for.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: it’s a life-long diagnosis
24. Migraine has taught me: to be more aware of my body’s clues that something is wrong
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: Find a good neurologist to manage this condition
27. The people who support me most are: husband, parents, friends who are also migraneurs
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: It’s NOT just a headache!!!
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: It’s a great opportunity to spread the word about what migraine truly is.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: Learn all you can about this disorder, but don’t let it control your life!
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