This is a reader-submitted story. Want to share your 30 Things? Here’s how: Migraine & Headache Disorders 30 Things Meme.
1. My diagnosis is:
Chronic Daily Headache
Migraine with Aura
2. My migraine attack or headache frequency is:
I have some migraine symptoms about 20 days per month
3. The first migraine attack or headache I remember was:
I was 16 and was talking about a weird, terrible headache I was having to a guest from out of town. She said it sounded like a migraine. I have no idea when they first started
4. My pain levels range from:
My migraine frequency and pain levels have changed a lot in the past couple of years. Right now my pain ranges from 1-5, with very infrequent spikes to 6 or 7.
5. I was diagnosed in:
Approximately 1999
6. My comorbid conditions include:
Anxiety and depression
7. I take __7__ pills each day for prevention and __0__ pills to treat an acute attack
Amerge worked well for me in aborting acute attacks but I had a stress related heart attack last year and my cardiologist and neurologist both told me that I shouldn’t take triptans. I occasionally try Advil and Coke as an abortive if I notice a migraine coming on suddenly. Every once in a while this combo will help.
8. In addition to pain, other symptoms I experience include:
Nausea, light, sound and small sensitivity, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble speaking, fatigue, confusion, drooping eye, and to go along with my neck pain, I know have pain that feels like TMJ
9. Treatments I have tried include:
Tricyclic antidrpressants
Beta blockers
Verapamil
Imitrex
Maxalt
Amerge
fioricet
Accupuncture and traditional chinese medicine
Massage
Food trigger avoidance
I’m currently trying 600 mg of magnesium and 400 mg of riboflavin
I’m sure I’m forgetting some things
10. During a migraine attack or headache, I:
lay down in a quiet dark room and cover my eyes with a cold pack. Try to meditate and rest.
11. My migraine attacks or headaches are triggered or get worse when:
I’m stressed
Around my period
I’m not sleeping or eating regularly
12. The most frustrating part about having migraine or a headache disorder is:
Having no control
Not being able to plan anything
Missing out on things I’d like to do because I know they’ll cause a migraine
Feeling like my husband is cheated out of a full life by being with me
13. Having migraine or a headache disorder causes me to worry about:
Losing my job
Migraines getting worse
My life passing while I’m in bed waiting to feel better
14. When I tell someone I have migraine or a headache disorder, they usually assume or say:
That it’s just a bad headache
That I can find a solution if I just try hard enough
15. When I see ads or articles about migraine or headache disorders, I think:
I already knew that
That’s misleading
I remember when ______ worked for me
I hope that helps someone!
16. My best coping tools are:
Rest
Meditation
17. I find comfort in:
My husband
The knowledge that I’ve gotten through years of difficult times and that I have the tools to get through this as well
18. I get angry when people say:
I get angry when family members ask me to do or eat something that I’ve explained many, many times before I can’t do/eat.
19. I like it when people say:
I’m sorry you have to deal with that
20. Something kind a person can do for me during a migraine attack or headache is:
At work, tell me to take it easy and do what I need to do for myself
At home, help me prepare the bed, cold pack, glass of water and keep me company if I ask
21. The best thing a doctor has ever said to me about having migraine or a headache disorder is:
Migraine is fascinating
Everyone’s triggers are different
I’ve never heard of that, but I believe you
22. Having migraine or a headache disorder has affected my work/school life by:
Reducing my productivity
I don’t pursue promotion or jobs that involve travel because I know I can’t tolerate the stress or upsetting my routine
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine or a headache disorder is:
It’s not going to go away
Almost no one understands how bad it is
That there are debilitating symptoms besides the pain
For years I thought it was going to get better with menopause, but I’m starting to doubt
24. Having migraine or a headache disorder has taught me:
That I have to live with the reality of my life – not my life as I’d like it to be, but my actual life
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through hard days is:
I’m going to be ok
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself:
Learn as much as you can
Find doctors who listen
27. The people who support me most are:
My husband
My sister
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine or headache disorders is:
How it pervades every aspect of your life.
The constant anxiety
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because:
Awareness has gotten so much better. I appreciate all the information that is available now
Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres.