This is a reader-submitted story.
1. My diagnosis is:chronic migraine
2. My migraine attack frequency is: 2-3 times monthly
3. I was diagnosed in: 1974
4. My comorbid conditions include: spinal stenosis, autoimmune disorders
5. I take_zonimide_ medications/supplements each day for prevention and frova, phenergan medications/supplements to treat an acute attack
6. My first migraine attack was: 1970
7. My most disabling migraine symptoms are: blindness, vomiting, excruciating pain
8. My strangest migraine symptoms are: face numbness
9. My biggest migraine triggers are: alcohol, chocolate, strong smells
10. I know a migraine attack is coming on when: I have an aura or ocular migraine
11. The most frustrating part about having a migraine attack is: the severe pain and nausea
12. During a migraine attack, I worry most about: Dying! Each and every time I worry about having a stroke. My Mother had migraines and died from a stroke.
13. When I think about migraine between attacks, I think: How bad is the next one going to be? Do I have enough meds for next time?
14. When I tell someone I have migraine, the response is usually: “oh, I do too” or my brother etc does. Sadly,I don’t always believe them because of their non-chalant attitude about it. I’m not saying you should wallow in self pity or seek sympathy, but if you truly have migraines it’s a serious medical issue.
15. When someone tells me they have migraine, I think: God Bless You
16. When I see commercials about migraine treatments, I think: I always listen in case there is a new treatment available. But if it’s for an over the counter product advertising as a migraine treatment I get annoyed.
17. My best coping tools are: air conditioning, my bed and sunglasses
18. I find comfort in: knowing that my family is understanding and supportive of me when I have a migraine
19. I get angry when people say: you need a take a couple of Excedrin and it will go away
20. I like it when people say: I understand and what can I do to help you get through this migraine
21. Something kind someone can do for me during a migraine attack is: Leave me alone unless I ask for help and not make any demands on me until I can function again
22. The best thing(s) a doctor has ever said to me about migraine is: You aren’t a hypochondriac or crazy, your pain is real and I want to help you find something that works!
23. The hardest thing to accept about having migraine is: Sometimes I can’t do what I want to do when I want to do it
24. Migraine has taught me: To tolerate pain and not sweat the small stuff, enjoy my pain free days to the fullest and not give in to the migraine unless I absolutely can not function.
25. The quotation, motto, mantra, or scripture that gets me through an attack is: and this too shall pass!
26. If I could go back to the early days of my diagnosis, I would tell myself: go to the neurologist I now see!
27. The people who support me most are: my husband and co workers
28. The thing I most wish people understood about migraine is:it is a debilitating, horrible pain. It effects every part of my body. When I have a bad one my hair, inside my ears and teeth hurt. Talking is an effort and it hurts. Your perfume can trigger a migraine that might last 3 days, so be considerate. Don’t say things like “you STILL have a headache?” Trust me, if I could get rid of it I would. Most of all offer your support, but not your home remedies…I’ve tried them all, thanks anyway.
29. Migraine and Headache Awareness Month is important to me because: it educates more people about migraine
30. One more thing I’d like to say about life with migraine is: keep fighting and looking for answers. Everyone is different, what works for me might not work for someone else. Never give in to the idea that the headaches are never going to get better. After many, many years of almost daily migraines, I finally have mine under control enough that I’m able to make plans without fear of having one.
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.