This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: chronic migraine with aura
2. My migraine attack frequency is: daily
3. I was diagnosed in: around 2000
4. My comorbid conditions include: fibromyalgia, anxiety, depression,
unindifferentiated auto-immune disorder, IBS, foot pain (standing more than 30 is very painful)
5. I take __1__ medications/supplements each day for prevention and __2__ medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: I can’t remember. I think I’ve had problems since high school but didn’t know what they were.
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: pain, nausea, photophobia, sounds, jaw pain
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: don’t like to smell food cooking and the opposite side of my face will turn red (if it’s on one side)
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: being hungry, singing, stress, loud noise, standing on my feet to long, allergies, heat
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I get a dull pain at the base of my head and neck, jaw, or face.
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: I can’t sing, I’ve gained 40 lbs in a month due to medication, waking up not knowing when or if it’s going to start and what will trigger it, not being able to work/even being discriminated against.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: how to treat it
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: When is the next one coming? How can I keep from having one?
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: you need to drink more water and take a walk!
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: I’m so sorry! I wish I could take your kids, make a meal for you, clean and do laundry!
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: THAT’S ME!!!
17. My best coping tools are: MY BED, pain meds in moderation, relaxing mentally and physically-like meditating, getting a treat sometimes, a little caffeine helps
18. I find comfort in: BED!, my husband, participating in community theatre
19. I get angry when people say: drink more water and take a walk, they know what’s causing it, you need to concentrate on being a pastor’s wife
20. I like it when people say: Can I make a meal for you? I’m so sorry! Can I help? Nothing and hug me.
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: bring me a sweet tea without ice from McDonalds, make a meal, make a care package
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: I have them too.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: All the things I can’t do: sing, dance, and work. In MI our summers are short and I miss a lot of it! – It’s a grieving process.
24. Migraine has taught me: how to relax my body and mind, God loves me even though He doesn’t heal me. As a matter of fact, He uses me to understand others.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: The story of Job
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Don’t doubt yourself! If you have to take OTC’s more than twice a week, get on a preventative!!!
27. The people who support me most are: my husband, a few friends
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: I am disabled by them completely even though I look normal! When you see me doing theatre, it’s because it brings me joy. I work through as much pain as I can to do it.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: I feel we are overlooked! This is a way to inform other people AND MYSELF!
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: I feel lost in a vicious cycle! I went back to college with migraines and was discriminated against during my internships. This is a painful life emotionally as well. Keep persevering!
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.