I narrowly avoided bursting into tears at a Thai restaurant last night. Hart and I are in San Diego with a dear friend for the American Headache Society conference. I wanted to spend time with them and (inexplicably) thought watching them eat one of my favorite cuisines wouldn’t be a problem. The wonderful smells hit me half a block from the door. I lasted long enough to snag a table while Hart and our friend ordered, then jumped up and nearly ran to get away from the reminder of how much I’m missing with these endless migraine diets.
Similar incidents have become more frequent in the last year, though this was the worst one. I usually stay home to avoid them altogether. After three-and-a-half years on restricted diets, being around food became agonizing. That was a year ago. Now I’ve been on restricted diets for four-and-a-half years and everything I eat or drink other than water has been a trigger for 15 months. Nearly every day I wonder how much more I can bear.
One of my favorite things—which is also required for survival—is a minefield. I worked for years to determine my migraine triggers. I did exactly what doctors and patient advocates and every migraine book say to do. The task felt impossible, but I finally found my very worst trigger. And learned that while my health care providers are compassionate and apologetic, they don’t know how to help. I become overwhelmed by the injustice of this if I allow myself to think about it.
I’m not trying to hold back the grief, but am trying to experience it without increasing my anger and sadness by dwelling on the unfairness. But both grief and a sense of unfairness are always lurking. Thinking about food fills me with dread. I don’t join my friends and family for meals. I rarely bake and don’t enjoy it when I do. I no longer express my love by feeding people. I am sacrificing an essential part of myself (my self) to satisfy the migraine gods. In my most frustrated moments, I am convinced the migraine gods scoff at my offering.
I have felt like I’m on the verge of breaking for months. I want desperately to stop the diet, but feel like I can’t. The ketogenic diet continues to keep me somewhat functional. I want nothing more in the world, so I keep eating this way. For now. I know that every other food-based intervention has eventually quit working. This one will almost certainly expire, too. I haven’t broken (whatever that would look like) because I can imagine the future. I would be furious with myself for throwing away low-migraine days when they were possible.
People often assume the only reason I can stay on these diets is because I don’t care about food as much as they do. I so wish they were right. Food is one of my core values. Figuring that out with my therapist last summer was illuminating. All my grief and frustration aren’t about not being able to eat what I want without having a migraine attack. They are about having an essential part of my being eclipsed. These diets are technically a choice, but the other option is being eclipsed by more frequent and severe migraine attacks. I’d be trading a bad situation for an even worse one.
Tenuous and fragile are the adjectives that have dominated my year. The current incarnation of my diet is allowing me to function somewhat, but for how long? This is the last diet on the list for me to try, so what happens if/when it stops working? (That’s a rhetorical question. Please don’t give me suggestions, they will only inflame me right now.) What treatment is next? Where do I go for guidance when medical knowledge has reached its limit? (That’s another rhetorical question. No suggestions, please.)
Even my parenthetical statements show how fragile I am right now. I know I’ll figure something out. I’ll find more information and more treatments to try. I am not defeated, just exhausted. And so frustrated.
I’m in San Diego for the AHS conference, but am unlikely to be up to attending any of the sessions. I’ll still try, but self-care is my backup plan. I’ll read and enjoy the cooler air. I’ll take a look at the ocean. Maybe I’ll book a massage. I’ll spend whatever time I can with loved ones. As long as it’s not while they’re eating.
Thank you soooooooo much for putting into words an important issue in chronic migraines. I have been repeatedly ridiculed by well intented friends around meals and my itrigger ngredients avpidance. That has only added the pain of invaludation to the heap of various migraine caused physical and mental pains. FRAGILE is indeed a word to describe me. I have recently come to terms (after 7 years) of daily migraines and headaches that i will not become the wonderwoman icon i have as a screen saver on my computer. But i have learnt recently to look after myself with fierce compassion. I have also learnt big lessons on forgiving loved ones for their ignorance.
Saying that, its never too late to educate loved ones.
I have sent your article to a dear friend.
Her comment ‘do you realise what you say sounds bizzare ? ‘ in response to me talking about my triggers still buzzes in my ears painfully…
I couldn’t suggest anything even if you wanted me to so do you mind if I just say thanks? I’ve learnt so much from you. Particularly in relation to your writings about reduced cognition and fatigue being more disruptive than the pain. When I read that it was like, “Ding”. A little light bulb went off in my mind. I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out on my own but you helped me piece one little bit of my migraine puzzle together which in turn has helped me manage how I am that little bit better. I’m sorry that I can’t do the same for you but I thought you might like to know.
I’m so sorry Kerrie.
You are very courageous to write about your struggles. Many don’t realize the food restrictions we have to face – that going into a restaurant involves searching for anything we can eat at all, not just getting to choose something we like because it tastes good. Wishing you all the best in your recovery.
Kerrie, I hate that you have to struggle like this. You have a crowd of us who care about you.
Melanie
You’re not alone. I have so much esteem and respect that even through all this you still write this blog and try to help the rest of us. Good for you for asking for no suggestions. Even from those well meaning it is indeed inflammatory as you say. Just keep hanging in like you do, like all of us do with severe chronic migraines, a day at a time. I’m heads off to my neurologist to try to figure out after 17 years of chronic daily migraine I’m now getting cluster migraines almost daily as well as intermittent limb weakness. Hugs, cool ocean breezes, and I hope you get that lovely massage! Enjoy SD as much as you can. (Are you able to visit the botanical gardens? They are quiet & peaceful. One of my favorite things to do when I was able to visit there and no food around!)
Gentle hugs,
Sarah
Your words resonate with me so much right now, Kerry. I have been dealing with chronic daily migraines for 10 years but for the past 8 months have not been able to have any air touch my face without triggering an attack at a level 8. My neurologists have openly given up and I too am more fragile than ever before, and feel so unlike myself that I burst into tears almost daily. So…..thank you for sharing. Thank you for letting me know that there is someone else out there who understands. It matters.
I totally agree that the migraine gods never seem satisfied with the sacrifices we make. It had to be said – thank you for putting that feeling into words for me. I hope they grant you a chance to enjoy the sun and sand in SD!
Sending love and prayers.
Love
Tina x
I hate it so much for you. You have such endearing perseverance. Don’t give up! You are a lovely glow in the dim room of all us migraineurs. I’ll refrain from giving any worthless suggestions now.
I had a loud crying breakdown in Whole Foods a few months ago when I couldn’t find a single kind of cookie I could eat. Restricted diets are so so sad and frustrating sometimes. Your persistence, thoughtfulness, and patience in searching for diets that help you is incredible, and I’m sorry it’s been so hard.