This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Migraine with Aura
2. My migraine attack frequency is: 15-20 headache days per month
3. I was diagnosed in: 1992
4. My comorbid conditions include:
5. I take 3 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 6 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: in graduate school…it lasted 3 days.
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: photophobia and nausea
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: tingling scalp, numbness in my limbs
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: changes in barometric pressure
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: Either I haven’t had one for a day or two, or I have a tingling scalp and see “shooting stars” in my field of vision. Also, lights are VERY bright and bothersome. I can also tell from changes in my cognitive functioning and ability to find words and put together sentences. There are times I wonder if I were to get pulled over by a police officer could I pass a field sobriety test. 11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: not being able to do ANYTHING and wishing that vomiting would make me feel better, but knowing that it won’t.
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: everything that I am not getting done and everyone I am letting down.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: about when the next one will hit and am I prepared for it (i.e. do I have all my medications, do I need refills, etc.)
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: I’ve had one of those before and I think no you haven’t!
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: I have either found a support person or someone who doesn’t have chronic migraine.
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: “Tried it…”
17. My best coping tools are: hydrotherapy, acupuncture, microwavable neck rolls, doTerra PastTense roll on, my dog, and my horse.
18. I find comfort in: my husband’s support and understanding. 19. I get angry when people say: things that are full of pity or sound as if they are pitying me. I also get angry when people say they are sorry. It never sounds sincere to me.
20. I like it when people say: How are you today?
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: speak softly, keep the lights down, give me space and don’t check on me constantly.
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: Let’s make a plan together.
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: It’s a disability and I am limited at times in my functioning. I get so frustrated.
24. Migraine has taught me: To be grateful for the good times.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: This too shall pass. And: Do the best you can, with what you have, where you are.
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Enjoy these days while you can, because these are the good ones!
27. The people who support me most are: My husband, daughter, mother and treatment team.
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: Migraine is NEUROLOGICAL disorder. It’s not just a headache!!!
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: It is a chance to get information out on a large scale about migraine.
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: It is not a life I chose, it chose me. I cannot help the way my brain is wired and I do the best I can with what I have where I am (Thanks, Mr. Roosevelt for the quote!).
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.