Want to share your 30 Things? Here’s how: Migraine & Headache Disorders 30 Things Meme.
1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Severe Migraine with Episodic Hemiplegic Migraine
2. My migraine attack frequency is: lately about 3 times a week (with episodes usually lasting more than 24 hours)
3. I was diagnosed in: 2004
4. My comorbid conditions include: Depression; no other health challenges or issues
5. I take __3__ medications/supplements each day for prevention and __2__ medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: in 2ng grade; but I didn’t know it was a migraine until decades later, when describing the experience to my Neurologist at our first appointment, and he told me it was a migraine that in the 70’s they almost never diagnosed children with migraine. (My primary dr kept sending my for eye exams, thinking it was eye strain and I needed glasses. Finally, the optometrist said “he has 20/20 vision; stop bringing him here!”
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: Extreme fatigue; cognitive dysfunction and ultra sensitivity to smells
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: constant cravings of certain foods like chocolate; and more chocolate!
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: cigarette smoke; flourescent lighting; strong colognes or perfumes;
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when:
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: it completely details my day, and often whatever was planned for the next day or so
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: how far behind I’ll fall yet again in my writing or other important tasks
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: let me get done as much as I can before the next one comes along
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Awww; I hope you feel better; try to get some rest.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: “you just don’t get it!”
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: been there, done that!
17. My best coping tools are: just solitude and peace and quiet
18. I find comfort in: knowing that I’ve accomplished a lot in spite of the challenges migraine continues to present
19. I get angry when people say: “do you think it’s just stress?”
20. I like it when people say: I wish there was something I could do; let me know if you need anything
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: just be understanding when I need to detach and just “be”
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: regretfully, I can’t share anything good that a doctor has said to me
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: that despite how much I strive to manage it, I have NO real control over migraine disease.
24. Migraine has taught me: to maximize productivity and enjoy each day that I can
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: “What doesn’t kill you only serves to make you stronger.”
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: buckle up and get prepared!
27. The people who support me most are: those few in my family that really get it and understand with empathy
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: it’s not just a bad headache; and its not going anywhere. It’s a reality in my life.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: we need to raise awareness and bring attention to this as a real thing, not something to joke about in commercials, like one I just saw: “act like you have a mgraine”. Ugh!
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: It’s been life changing, in so many ways….but I’ve risen above self-pity and strive to remain focused on being the best I can be, as often and for as long as I can.
This is a reader-submitted story. Reader-submitted stories solely represent the personal point of view, experience, and opinion of the author, not of The Daily Headache or Kerrie Smyres.