This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: migraine associated vertigo [ silent migraines ]
2. My migraine attack frequency is: every day- so far non-stop
3. I was diagnosed in: 2014 september
4. My comorbid conditions include: fibromyalgia
5. I take 0 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 0 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack. tried and failed several.
6. My first migraine attack was: 2013 september
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: confusion!
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: scintillating scotomas
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: haven’t stopped since they started 2 years ago so unknown
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: ……
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: that this is my life. i can’t work. sometimes i can’t think.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: i can’t worry 24/7, which is when i have symptoms. but i do worry that i will get sicker.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: no time in between
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: not understanding, because i do not have pain, but have vertigo & confusion, unusual symptoms
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: ow, that’s horrid
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: ha. as if. that’s dangerous!
17. My best coping tools are: having the internal optimism of ADD
18. I find comfort in: the internet. facebook groups. online resources
19. I get angry when people say: o, i forget stuff too! [ but not 50 times a day, every day]
20. I like it when people say: o, that’s gotta be rough. need help with something?
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: need a hand?
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: it’s rough, i know.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: that i might not ever get better.
24. Migraine has taught me: that there has to be more about my life than work, because i can’t work any more.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: ‘slow down, walk carefully’ and ‘you will remember what you forgot, it will come back at some point’.
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: do NOT try those drugs.
27. The people who support me most are: girlfriend. best friend. my oldest cat, yoda. [ not kidding, either]
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: that it varies, person to person, that we’re just getting thru our days sometimes, and that if someone says they have migraines, believe them. also, not their fault.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: awareness is the single most important hope.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: i’m really glad i don’t have that pain, but i really miss my brain.
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.