This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is: Chronic Migraine w/ Chronic Daily Headache
2. My migraine attack frequency is: almost daily at varying levels
3. I was diagnosed in: Fall 2010
4. My comorbid conditions include: n/a
5. I take 4 medications/supplements each day for prevention and 2-4 medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: December 2005
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: nausea, weakness, fatigue, intense pain
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: confusion, memory loss (rare)
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: lack of sleep, light, sound, noise, being too busy, socializing in large groups, stress
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I feel cold, get tired, feel the start of a worsening “sinus” type headache
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: not being able to do what I want to do
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: missing time w/ my husband & toddler son
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: When will it start? Can I do X,Y,Z and keep it at bay?
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: Either I’ve experienced them & they stink or I know someone who has them & they stink
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: Welcome to my Life
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: If only it worked for me (that’s you I’m talking to BOTOX)
17. My best coping tools are: limiting activities, lots of rest, caffeine in moderation
18. I find comfort in: Knowing it could always be worse
19. I get angry when people say: “You know what you should try…” (I KNOW they mean well, but unless you’ve walked in my shoes phrase it as a question because chances are I’ve tried it)
20. I like it when people say: I understand….even if they don’t, it’s nice to hear it.
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Be understanding (my husband is great about taking on whatever I started or am doing so I can go lay down, be it just watching our son or finishing dinner or the laundry)
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: In reference to the current CGRP trials, “I hope it puts us out of business.”
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: I may never get better & so this modified life I am living may be my new life forever (although I never lose hope)
24. Migraine has taught me: to accept life for what it is & be thankful & joyful in the little things.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: I just remind myself that I always get through it & good days/hours are ahead
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: Stop looking for a cure and begin to modify your life
27. The people who support me most are: I have a very supportive network, but my husband is always supportive and my BFF is always a text away to just listen to me vent/complain
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is: There is no cure and what works for one person may not work for another person
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: This is my life
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: It’s still possible to live…if you have it, never give up hope and take joy in the simple things. My life looks a lot different than it did just 5 short years ago, but I’m still enjoying every minute possible.
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.