Home General Info & Awareness My Migraine Story

My Migraine Story

by InvisiblyMe
A digital image of a scan, showing the upper part of the body with the neck and head visible as they hold a hand to their forehead. We see a blue outline and x-ray bones, with a red brain. The post title is overlaid - "My migraine story". Followed by "Migraine : more than just a bad headache".

In the US, June 2019 is National Migraine & Headache Awareness month. In honour of that, I thought I’d share my story with migraines. Chronic migraines are hugely debilitating and, while I don’t have them as bad or as frequently as some, I wanted to show that they are far more than ‘just’ a bad headache.

Relentless and all-consuming, migraines can be anywhere from an occasional issue to a constant nightmare. With a range of symptoms extending beyond a severe headache, they can affect your vision, create nausea, make you exhausted, dizzy, and generally leave you feeling like hell.

Once Upon A Time…

The story begins in my high school years, with very rare migraines. I don’t even remember them, that’s how rare they were, it was an odd one here and there. During my early 20s it was sporadic, with a migraine once or twice a year. So not that bad at all really. Skip ahead to the past couple of years – ever since my first surgery in 2015 – and migraines have been a regular feature of my life, gracing my brain with their presence five times a week on average. Sometimes more, not often less. 

The Migraine Experience

A day with migraine is a day lost. They render me useless. It starts with excruciating pain in my eye, then moves to nausea, light sensitivity, problems with vision, and so on until I can’t think straight, can’t see, and I’m throwing up. Thankfully in more recent years prescription Sumatriptan has been successful in evicting them, but it takes 1 & 1/2hrs to work and I’m left feeling like an empty shell for the rest of the day. Such medications are also restricted, so many with chronic migraines, such as myself in the UK, may find doctors will not prescribe nearly half as much as you need. This means some attacks you simply have to ride out, even if they bring you to your knees. 

A Useless Neurologist

A cartoon of a brunette woman holding her head as though in pain, with a tear escaping one eye.

I’ve been through diary tracking and numerous lifestyle changes in an attempt to identify triggers or spot correlations, but nothing has been found. There’s nothing to predict or prevent them. No treatment touches my migraines apart from Sumatriptan. A rather unhelpful neurologist made my appointment into a competition, telling me he had the worst migraines, worse than mine, and that he grew out of them when he turned 35. In response to my look of frustration and query as to whether anything medically could be causing them, he simply said I’d probably “grow out of them” when I’m 35 like he did. Only a couple of years to go then. I wonder if I’ll turn into a pumpkin, too. Needless to say, the support around migraines has been, in my experience, very poor. 

A Mix Of Headachy Hell

Living with migraines can be incredibly unpredictable and resultantly impractical. You never know how you’ll feel or when they’ll strike. I’ve lost so many days, probably adding up several months of life, to migraines. Like many others with migraines, I also have other health issues, from Pernicious Anaemia and connective tissue disease, to fibromyalgia and a stoma. When I don’t have a migraine, chances are I have a headache. Most days they’re what I class as ‘low level’ headaches, which I’ve lived with for years and can manage, probably because I’ve grown used to them. Other times I get bad headaches. Migraines are in a class of their own. Having a few of these a week is a not a party.

A cartoon style image of a woman as though in a broken mirror reflection, with shards of the mirror cracking at the top.

I often get postdrome effects (aka migraine hangover), which can leave people feeling worse for wear, very sleepy, and generally yuck for hours after the migriane has gone. For some reason lately I’ve been really poorly after the migraine has gone; I don’t know if it’s severe postdrome (aka migraine hangover) or a coincidence, but it’s happened a few times now. A couple of weeks ago, for instance, I had a migraine in the morning. Sumatriptan got rid of it but I was left feeling like I had nothing in me, I wasn’t ‘with it’ at all and couldn’t do anything, I don’t even remember much of the day, just that I didn’t have energy to walk, I had a fever & delirium, and literally crawled to the bathroom and back into bed at one point because I couldn’t stand up. For 24 hours I felt like I was dying, and seriously wondered if I was. I’ve no idea if that’s a weird migraine experience or something else entirely. I’d be interested if anyone has any thoughts or similar experiences.

It’s not always so bad, however. Sometimes I’ll have Sumatriptan, do the usual routine, and the rest of the day will be fairly ‘normal’. It’s unpredictable, but there are better days, too.

Last year I also had my first experience of cluster headaches, several delightful weeks of hell.

What To Do When You Feel Like Poo?

Sorry, I really wanted to fit a rhyme in and that was the only one that worked!

I’ve posted recently about a few migraine & headache helpers. There are a few things you can try, like ice packs, rollerballs, muscle pain rub and even TENS units, just to make dealing with them a little more bearable. Everyone is different in terms of what works for them, but the general response to bad headaches and migraines is to retreat to somewhere dark and quiet.

The only thing that even touches a migraine for me in terms of medication is Sumatriptan. I tend to take this, then lie in my room with blackout curtains, no sound and a cold gel eye mask on my eyes for the eye pain. Once this needs to go back in the freezer, I’ll swap it out for a sleep eye mask just to ensure total darkness. And I’ll ride it out. What’s difficult to deal with, aside from the pain and the myriad of other symptoms of a migraine, is the inconvenience and unpredictability. It’s about learning to go with the flow and accepting how it is, rather than getting too frustrated and annoyed like hell at it.

You’re Not Alone With Your Migraine Experience

If you suffer with migraines, please do seek medical investigation and advocate for yourself – keep pushing until you get some kind of testing, support and treatment. It may be that, like me, there’s no known reason nor any identifiable triggers, but it’s important to rule out underlying conditions. It can be a lonely experience so don’t suffer in silence. And please know that you are not alone

Related Reading :

Do you struggle with migraines? Have they changed in how you experience them or in their frequency over the years?

Caz  ♥

Related Posts

71 comments

Kim Johnson June 20, 2019 - 5:17 pm

Caz… Jeeze. My sister has migraines too, I get what happens. I am so sorry you have these too. I don’t have migraines but I do have post-concussion headaches, whenever they decide to appear. Throwing up, dizzy, pounding out of your ears… the front part of your skull is trying to break off… but migraines? No thank you. I don’t think I could handle one! It’s good to share the facts. A ‘headache’ is definitely NOT a migraine. Excellent post.
(FYI, I linked to your magnesium post, another post that blew me away!)

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:21 pm

Your post-concussion headaches sound bad enough, Kim! Yikes. I’m sorry your sister knows the hell of migraines all too well, too. It’s odd that for so many migraines are a problem, but without an identifiable cause. Thanks for linking to my magnesium post lovely, and for your comment! I hope your having a chilled out weekend 🙂
xx

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Pamela Jessen June 20, 2019 - 5:32 pm

I’m so sorry you have to go through this Caz. It certainly sounds like a nightmare to me. I’m glad you have a medication that helps you though, even if it does leave you “useless” for the rest of the day. I only ever get the occular migraines, where I have the aura, but no pain.

Sending healing thoughts…and a hug!

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:46 pm

It’s awful to think how many people have migraines of some form, often without any idea as to what causes them. Do you know what causes your occular migraines? Thank you very much for the lovely comment & the hug – right back at you, Pamela  ♥ ♥

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Sandee June 20, 2019 - 4:55 pm

I rarely have a headache so I’m going to consider myself very, very lucky. My mother had migraines and they were awful. She would stay in her bed in the dark for several days at times. That was all there was to do back in the day.

Have a migraine free week, Caz. ♥

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 1:46 pm

I’m glad you don’t get migraines and that headaches aren’t too frequent an occurrence. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. I’m sorry your mother just had to suffer through them; you’re right in how things have changed, so now there are more medications to help and other bits and bobs that can make dealing with them a little more tolerable. Thank you for the comment, Sandee – I hope you & the hubby are having a lovely weekend 🙂
xx

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Melinda June 20, 2019 - 5:07 pm

I had several a week for two years until an Ear, Nose & throat doctor found my nose was out of place and causing them. I took med every day and used the shots several times a week. Have a great day.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:04 pm

That’s really interesting. When you mean out of place, do you mean structurally, and have you had less migraines since? I’m glad you went to that ENT doctor as underlying conditions like that can be overlooked for so long. xx

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Terri, Reclaiming HOPE June 20, 2019 - 6:09 pm

Caz, you’re so right – migraines are definitely NOT just a bad headache! I’ve had them ever since I was a little girl, but like Elizabeth’s, mine backed off some after menopause; at least, they aren’t as frequent as they once were. I do still have a regular headache pretty much every day. They vary in intensity from ‘low level’ (as you said) to almost – migraine – level.

I’ve been lucky as far as doctors go, as they at least tried to figure out triggers, etc. and tried different prophylactic treatments in an effort to prevent them. Unfortunately, nothing helped and the migraine medicine made me feel so awful I eventually stopped taking it. Now I take Tylenol and Sudafed together and lie in bed with an ice pack until it calms down enough for me to feel somewhat human again.

I really hope you and your doctor can get yours under control so that at least you’re not having them so often. You don’t think your medication is the reason for your extreme after-effects, do you? I only ask because I know I had terrible reactions to some of the medications I tried….

I hope this calms down for you, sweet friend. Sending love and hugs your way!

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:16 pm

It sounds like we’re quite similar with the daily headaches that range from low level to ‘almost migraine’ level. I’m so sorry you’ve been through the wringer with migraines, too, and for so long. I wonder, like with Elizabeth, whether the post-menopause improvement suggests a contributing role of hormones in both of your migraines; sadly for so many people the underlying cause goes unknown. I don’t think I’d survive without Sumatriptan, so I can only imagine how difficult it’s been for you with not finding medications that can take the majority of the migraine away at least some of the time. I go times with and without medication, and thankfully don’t get side-effects from what I take now, so I don’t think the bad days I’ve had were attributed to that. But I did wonder myself because I like to try to find the cause-effect of things and it’s frustrating when something random happens that you can’t explain. I think those really bad times were one-offs, if they count as one-offs considering they’ve happened more than once. Thankfully it’s not happened since, so perhaps it’s unrelated to the migraine or anything I’m taking. Thank you so much for the wonderful comment, Terri, it’s very much appreciated. I hope you’re managing to have a restful, migraine-free weekend  ♥ xx

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violaetcetera June 20, 2019 - 5:11 pm

Sadly, you are not the only one who has to deal with this kind of stupid doctors. My friend had her share as well.
I hope you find a way to deal with your migraine.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:06 pm

I know, it’s awful to think just how many have had to endure ridiculous responses or being fobbed off. I’m sorry your friend knows all too well what it’s like. Thank you for the comment, Viola – I hope you’re having a restful weekend  ♥

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Ashley June 20, 2019 - 5:17 pm

I’ve never had postdrome as bad as yours, but still, it just sucks!

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:22 pm

I think those really bad ones were one-offs, if it’s still a one-off when it’s happened more than once ???? Yeah, the postdrome aspect isn’t fun yet it rarely gets a mention where migraines are concerned. Thanks, Ashley xx

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Margaret June 20, 2019 - 5:25 pm

Migraines are the worst. The medicines they gave me for mine all gave me horrible side effects. Not the doctors fault, I am just sensitive to pretty much everything medicine related. The best thing I can do it try to go into a dark place and sleep it off. Wasn’t familiar with the “migraine hangover” as an actual term but after mine I feel like poo for at least 2 days after. Sometimes longer depending on how long it takes for mine to go away.

I’m sorry you have to go this as well. I read your tips about migraines when you published it and they are all great tips. I didn’t know about the topical rubs but told hubby we needed to find some as he has within the past year started getting them himself. He can take the migraine medicines but they make him feel worse than the migraine he says.

Thanks Caz once again for always sharing such helpful health tips. They are very much appreciated 🙂

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 3:26 pm

Oh Margaret, I’m so sorry you struggle with these. I can’t imagine not being able to use Sumatriptan with some positive effect, I don’t think I’d have survived without it so I can only imagine how awful it is for you if you can’t use prescription meds or get horrible side-effects on top. The migraine hangover, or postdrome, often doesn’t get a look in when migraines are talked about, yet quite a few of us get them. Have you ever found anything to make you feel a little better when that happens? It really is rough. I think things like gel masks for your head/aches, those topical rubs and balms, anything is worth trying to see if it can help take the edge off to make riding them out a little more tolerable, for you & your husband. Thank you so much for sharing your comment, Margaret – I hope this weekend is a restful, migraine-free one for you  ♥

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Despite Pain June 20, 2019 - 5:32 pm

Oh, Caz, I sympathise so much. Mine started when I was about 12, and parts of my life are a blurry memory thanks to them as they continued for days at a time. Thankfully, I never got sick, but I had the horrible visual aura with them. I was on a daily migraine preventative for a while which helped a fair bit. I don’t get migraines quite so often now. After I went through the menopause they eased off, so I presume hormones were involved in my case.

What a horrible neurologist. Sometimes I wonder where their brains are. I saw one about my trigeminal neuralgia, and he said he didn’t think that’s what I had, because my hospital records weren’t very thick!! There were two reasons for a thin hospital record – doctors had been dismissing my face pain for years and hadn’t referred me to the hospital, and secondly, I had only just moved into the area. New hospital, new record.

I hope yours can get under control. They really are so debilitating. Like you say, it’s not just the migraine, it’s the hungover effect afterwards.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:09 pm

Getting them from age 12 must have been awful, and dealing with them for so many years… I’m so sorry you know all too well how debilitating and horrible they are. I’m glad they’re less frequent post-menopause; it does make you wonder whether hormones were a contributing factor to the migraines, but like so many people with them the cause often goes unknown. I saw your post about the stupidity of some doctors and I must admit, being told your hospital records weren’t thick enough is a new one to me! Yikes. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, I really appreciate it. I hope you’re having a restful weekend  ♥

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Jacqui Murray June 20, 2019 - 8:22 pm

I’m with you, Caz. I’ve had migraines every week since my mid-20’s (i’m late 60’s now). Menopause did nothing. Sumatriptan worked well but only for about a year. Then it stopped working. Nasty pain, post-affects. I tried Botox in my late 50’s and that gave me my life back. Even better is Aimovig. Now, I rarely get them. This is the joy in life everyone talked about!

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:20 pm

It’s frustrating when we finally find something that works, only for our bodies to perhaps get too used to it and it stops being effective. Aimovig isn’t currently available in the UK (another thing I’ve signed petitions for in the hopes the NHS give it the green light) but I’ll be among the many here that want to try it. I’m so glad it’s helped you, because you’ve certainly had a lot to contend with over the years. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your migraine story, Jacqui ????xx

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Elber Oum June 20, 2019 - 10:44 pm

I remember my aunt going around the house with a scarf tightly knot around her head like a bandana sometimes with slices of lemon underneath and other times when it becomes unbearable as she says she puts gloves of garlic in her ears … but today i learnt the differences between headaches and migraines because i used to use them interchangeably ???? Thank you so much for sharing this and may these migraines get lift off your way forever ????????

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:36 pm

You’re not alone there with the terminology, a lot of people still say ‘migraine’ when referring to a bad headache when really they’re in a class of their own. I’m sorry your aunt used to struggle so much, it’s interesting how she would use lemon and garlic cloves. Do you think those helped her a little? I hope so. Thank you so much for sharing, Elber  ♥ I hope you’re having a restful weekend & that you have a great week ahead xx

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Jeanne Foguth June 20, 2019 - 10:08 pm

CBD oil is a natural pain blocker and migraine/ headache pain reliever….. I use it for back pain, and – until you mentioned your migraines -hadn’t noticed that I haven’t had even a headache in years…. Not of fan of pot, but CBD works great for arthritis in the spine. It is an anti-inflammatory as well as a pain reliever.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:23 pm

Thank you for sharing this! I’m glad you haven’t had a headache in quite a while, that’s brilliant! Do you think that’s thanks to regular use of CBD oil? It’s becoming more popular in the UK now but only TCH-free and quite low strengths typically, while still being very pricey. Can I ask what strength you use? There are certainly a lot of potential benefits and many that find it so helpful! xx

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Niamh Kane June 20, 2019 - 10:14 pm

Omg Caz I am absolutely livid you had to endure that neurologist say you’d grow out of them. That’s disgraceful treatment! I can confirm for myself I do have the “am I actually dying and they just haven’t found whatever it is!” And also is there brain damage longterm because it kinda feels that way especially in the prodrome days that follow! Great piece Caz I am so sorry that it’s so relatable I wouldn’t wish these on anyone. Take care x

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:29 pm

I wasn’t really sure what to say to him when he said that. I thought he was joking. He wasn’t. ???? I’m sorry you know what all of this is like. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone either, it’s a nightmare and unhelpful doctors and specialists are the last thing we all need. Thank you for the great comment, Niamh! I hope you’re having a restful, migraine-free weekend xx

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Christy B June 21, 2019 - 12:06 am

By sharing your story, you are helping so many who don’t understand the seriousness of migraines. Well written!

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:37 pm

Aw thank you, I do hope it can contribute towards the understanding that migraines are actually pretty awful and very debilitating. I hope you’re doing okay, Christy, and that you have a good week ahead  ♥ xx

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Darnell June 21, 2019 - 5:52 am

Wow! I can’t imagine what that is like several times a week. Let’s hope that nutty doctor is right…at 35 you will outgrow them.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 4:39 pm

It’s not fun, so I can only imagine what it’s like for those who get them more often than I do. I’m lucky because I can have a week without a migraine sometimes, and Sumatriptan does help me these days. If my migraines do magically disappear the day I turn 35, I’ll have to track that neurologist down and let him know that while he was very unhelpful, he was right ???? I hope you’re having a chilled out weekend, Darnell x

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mark shane kent June 21, 2019 - 9:49 am

Migraines i get very badly Nausea then i am Vomiting ..i have noticed ONCE i have Vomited the Pain
INSTANTLY GOES ..does this happen too any body I AM WONDERING .people never see the every day
effects .. lot health issues i have m.e .migraines ..ibs .list goes on ..i, take part in a lot lot research

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InvisiblyMe June 21, 2019 - 11:25 am

I’m sorry you struggle with migraines, too. I used to have migraines where vomiting seemed to call an end to them, but these days it doesn’t seem to work like that quite so much. I think there are a lot of conditions, like those you have, that can link up and cause a vicious cycle with their symptoms. Thank you for your comment 🙂

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Aixa June 21, 2019 - 10:44 am

You deal with so much and write about it with such grace. It must be very helpful to other people suffering to read about your experience.

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InvisiblyMe June 21, 2019 - 11:23 am

That’s such a lovely thing to say, thank you Aixa. I do hope it can help others know they’re not alone in what they’re going through. xx

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Eliza June 21, 2019 - 12:23 pm

A friend lives with migraines. I can hear it in her voice when I speak. I’m sorry you have to live with it 🙁 I know fizzy drinks make it worse for her.
Sending bear hugs your way
It’s good to see you posting (I know, I still need to catch up on posts)
Love, light and glitter Caz.
Happy weekend! Hope it’s sunny by you

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 5:15 pm

I’m sorry your friend struggles with migraines. Does anything help ease them for her? I’m forever falling behind with blogging & other blogs, I can never seem to catch up! Thanks for the comment lovely – I hope you’re having a restful weekend xx

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Kirsty June 21, 2019 - 3:51 pm

I’ve never had them, but it gives us a bit of insight into what it’s like for people who do, so thanks for sharing that. I think that people use the word too easily, when what they really mean is they have a bad headache. I’m glad you’ve found some things that work for you, but sorry it’s so hard to get listened to by professionals who should clearly know better.
Wishing you a migraine-free weekend, XX

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 1:44 pm

I’m glad you don’t get them, Kirsty. It’s strange to me to think there are people who don’t experience migraines, I guess it’s something that you get used to in some respects. You’re right with the word being used for bad headaches, when they’re really in a class of their own. Thank you so much for the lovely comment – I hope you’re having a relaxing weekend! 🙂
xx

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Annie June 21, 2019 - 5:11 pm

Hi. I stopped by to thank you for liking my latest post, and here I am among fellow migraineurs. I suffered terribly for decades until sumatriptan became available; I am fortunate that it works in minutes, and I am left with manageable fatigue or no difficulty. But I’m getting too many, so my neurologist—prominent in his field and a researcher—wants me to take one of the new meds prophylactically. I plan, with his ok, to try CBD first.

Best of luck to you. Many women stop getting migraine postmenopause. I wasn’t one of them, but I hope you are.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 5:18 pm

I find Sumatriptan to be the one & only thing that helps me, too. It’s amazing it works in minutes for you, it always seems to take about 1.5hrs for me, as though there’s a timer in my brain! I’m sorry you struggle with so many migraines, but it sounds positive that your neurologist knows what he’s talking about and wants to explore other options. I’ll keep my fingers for you that you get to try CBD oil & that it works! Thank you for taking the time to read & share a little of your story, Annie xx

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da-AL June 21, 2019 - 7:23 pm

You are always so kind to convert your challenges into wisdom passed along to us. I’ve had migraines, so can relate to how awful they are. During my 20s, they were frequent tho fortunately not as horrendous as some folks experience. For me, however, they always make me very depressed. Am lucky that I’ve found a connection with coffee (dunno why not tea & chocolate) so am usually careful to stay away from it.

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 5:22 pm

Aw, I just hope something I write can either make someone feel less alone in what they’re going through or raise a little awareness in some way. I’m sorry you’ve had your own share of experiences with migraines. Do you find that limiting coffee has reduced them quite substantially? For many, the cause of migraines seems to go unknown, but finding any triggers is helpful. Thank you for sharing this da-AL, your comments are always very much appreciated!  ♥
xx

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Mrs. Ram’s Jams June 22, 2019 - 2:06 am

I’ve never once had a migraine, but I’d never wish one on anybody. My husband gets them, and they shut him down for at least two days. On top of everything else you go through, I can’t imagine a migraine on top of it too. Hugs to you girl.

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InvisiblyMe June 22, 2019 - 4:52 pm

Not one migraine, at all, ever? Wow! I sincerely hope it stays that way, and I’m sorry about your husband knowing all too well how debilitating they can be. Being out of action for at least two days at a time is no joke at all; does he have any prescription medications to help?
I hope the weekend is kind to both of you xx

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Mrs. Ram’s Jams June 29, 2019 - 10:13 am

He does have a prescription to help, but it’s expensive and makes him feel even worse sometimes. ????

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InvisiblyMe June 29, 2019 - 2:49 pm

It can be such trial & error with prescription medications, but obviously that’s a costly way to go. I hope there are other options he can explore in future if he feels he wants to. I’m quite tempted by CBD oil, might that be an option for your husband? I hope you’re both having a good weekend so far and that it’s, hopefully, migraine-free!xx

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Lindsay June 22, 2019 - 3:08 am

I used to get migraines regularly and am so fortunate that they are much more infrequent these days. I’m so sorry you have to deal with it. Migraines are the worst!

Hugs!
xoxo

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InvisiblyMe June 22, 2019 - 4:27 pm

I’m glad yours aren’t as frequent anymore, I hope they stay that way or leave you alone forever! Thanks for reading & commenting Linds – have a restful weekend xx

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smilecalm June 23, 2019 - 4:50 pm

i’m sorry for hearing of these painful headaches!
wishing you continued success
with remedies which bring back comfort 🙂

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 5:53 pm

Aw thank you very much ???? I hope you’re having a restful weekend & that you have a great week ahead! x

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Karen June 23, 2019 - 6:44 pm

I can’t imagine the hell of that many migraines. I don’t get many now but even at my peak it was probably only once a month and that was bad enough.
As with many things migraines are not understood by those who haven’t any direct experience of them. Mid-migraine I honestly would prefer that my head was chopped off than have the pain. I’ve never found a good fix.
The migraine hangover, yup that’s a whole bunch of fun too, feeling dazed, uncoordinated, fuzzy headed, delicate and sensitive to stimuli – noise, light, smell.
Let’s hope you do grow out of them xx

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InvisiblyMe June 23, 2019 - 7:36 pm

I can only imagine what it’s like for those that get them every day. I’m lucky in the sense that I can have a week without a migraine. Once a week like you have is definitely bad enough. One is one too many! I’m sorry you’ve not found anything to particularly help; have you tried prescription medications at all? And yeah, the postdrome is not much fun at all, yet it doesn’t often get mentioned when talking about migraines. Thanks for the comment, Karen – I hope you get some rest after your busy week! xx

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The Oceanside Animals June 23, 2019 - 8:06 pm

Charlee: “Wow … I don’t think the doctor is supposed to turn your condition into a competition. Can you imagine if our vets did that?”
Chaplin: “I would give them such a scratch!”
Lulu: “How would that even work? Would they say, ‘You think your hip dysplasia is bad? Let me tell you about my tendonitis.'”
Charlee: “Or maybe they would claim they have worse heartworm than you do.”
Chaplin: “They would say, ‘I’ve got a tapeworm fifteen feet long!'”
Lulu: “Ewwwwwww!”
Charlee: “Anyway, we’re sending you purrs for the migraines to get better!”
Lulu: “And I’m sending you tail wags!”

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InvisiblyMe June 24, 2019 - 3:23 pm

Hahahah you three have a brilliant point, I bet vets wouldn’t turn it into a competition. Thank you for the giggles, purrs & tail wags – Sending ear scratches & tummy rubs your way ????

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Kymber Hawke June 24, 2019 - 5:32 am

I can’t believe that neurologist! How awful! I’m so glad you wrote this and I’m sorry you suffer with them so much. i get migraines quite often, and it’s difficult to deal with.

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InvisiblyMe June 24, 2019 - 3:19 pm

I’m sorry you know how awful they can be, too. Do you find anything that works well for you, like prescription medications? It’s frustrating that for so many of us the cause seems to go unknown, and we’re left to battle with ignorant specialists when we most need the help. Thank you for the comment – I hope you have a migraine-free week! xx

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Jina Bazzar June 24, 2019 - 12:53 pm

Oh, that sounds like regular trips to hell. I’m sorry about that. I noticed though you didn’t mention anything about Botox shots?

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InvisiblyMe June 24, 2019 - 3:09 pm

It’s not ideal, but I’m lucky in that I do get breaks from them, so I can only imagine what it’s like for those constantly in a migraine haze. I’ve never had Botox shots; it’s something I would potentially consider, but it’s not one I’m overly comfortable with, but never say never. Have you ever had them? Thanks for the comment 🙂
xx

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Jenny June 25, 2019 - 2:10 pm

Great post and advice again Caz! I have only ever had two migraines and MAN! did I know they were migraines 🙁 I was sick and just had to have complete darkness.

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InvisiblyMe June 25, 2019 - 4:19 pm

I’m glad you’ve only had the two but even that is two too many! I’m really glad you liked the post, thanks Jen! xx

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Rachel, The Invisible Hypothyroidism June 27, 2019 - 3:30 pm

‘A day with a migraine is a day lost’ is so sooo true! I don’t get them too often now (once a month as opposed to 2-3 times a week which I used to experience when on the contraceptive pill), but when I do, they are really not nice at all. I have Sumatriptan which is on prescription, but I use them sparingly and only when I ‘really need to’ as I have heard that you can build a tolerance to them in a sense i.e. they can become less effective – have you heard this?

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InvisiblyMe June 27, 2019 - 3:47 pm

The contraceptive pill can cause a heck of a lot of problems for some people, so I’m glad at least that coming off that one reduced the frequency of your migraines. I’ve heard that about tolerance, too. I think it can be true for a lot of medications, so it’s worth keeping in mind, but it’s so different for everyone. I’ve used Sumatriptan for a while and still find them effective, but like you I keep the ‘sparingly’ use in mind when possible. Thank you for the thoughtful comment, Rachel – I hope you have a migraine-free rest of your week!  ♥
xx

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Marilyn Long July 6, 2019 - 4:51 pm

Hello, This is the first post of yours I’ve read and you write so well.
I had a wonderful teacher back in the 60s who had migraines and I remember her saying that she’d spent the weekend ‘in hell’ and was just coming through the fog. I didn’t really understand then but come my 30s, when I was a teacher, I started getting severe headaches. One day one side of my body became ‘paralysed’ and it was all I could do to find a corner of my classroom to collapse in. That’s when I knew I was developing migraines. Fortunately for me it eventually became clear that they were caused by an allergic reaction to bananas! Life went on. Thirty years later my whole body started to intermittently ‘shut down’ with pain. Spent day in hospital having battery of tests then a neurologist diagnosed ‘geriatric migraine’. Back off bananas – and pain free now for five years. Two days ago I had a letter for a ‘follow-up’ clinic appointment with the neurologist I saw all those years ago!!
So while I can appreciate a little of the pain that is a huge part of your life, I really do count myself fortunate that mine is allergy-based. For that reason I think it’s so important that you post information and insights for those who may be scared of what they’re experiencing, or who are getting nowhere with the medical profession. Thank you for sharing.
BTW I knew two people up here in North Wales who had Botox injections in their forehead; they both said it really turned their lives around. It probably wouldn’t work for everyone but I thought I’d put it out there.

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InvisiblyMe July 7, 2019 - 2:16 pm

Hello Marilyn, thank you so much for taking the time to read & comment so thoughtfully. I’m sorry you now know all too well what migraines & that ‘fog’ is like. It’s incredible they were caused by bananas – did you stumble upon that link by accident? You’ve made a really good point about how they can in some cases be caused by allergies, and to be getting checked by a professional with follow-ups as necessary. It’s interesting too that you know of people who’ve benefited from Botox; a few people have said this to me and while it’s not an option I’m hugely keen on it’s certainly one I’d keep in mind now and it’s a worthwhile options for others to consider who are regularly going through the hell of migraines, too.
Thank you again for the fantastic comment. I hope you continue to be migraine-free away from the bananas! Have a lovely week ahead ????
xx

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Katy July 8, 2019 - 11:48 am

I am soooo sorry You get those. One of my sisters used to get them frequently. I’ve had one in my life and can’t even imagine having to deal with them on a regular basis. This is a wonderful post and surely will help others….even to just know they are not alone. Thank You! ????

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InvisiblyMe July 8, 2019 - 4:30 pm

I’m sorry one of your sisters would get these horrible things so often. They really are debilitating. I’m glad you’ve never had one, may it stay that way! I’m really glad you liked the post – thank you so much for the comment 🙂
xx

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Katya Trouton August 8, 2019 - 9:54 am

You have my sympathy for the pain and discomfort your body goes through. I’ve experienced migraines that once they start I can guarantee that it’ll last 48 hours. It leaves me stuck in bed for two days being sick and just feeling like hell. Then there’s the days afterwards in which my body needs days to get back to my normality. Keep your spirit up and everyday is a new experience.

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InvisiblyMe August 8, 2019 - 10:17 am

I’m sorry you know all too well what a hellish experience migraines can be. Thank you for the comment and sharing some of your own migraine story, it’s very much appreciated. I hope you’re able to find something to help with your migraines, prescription or otherwise, as they can be very disabling. Take care xx

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Jay December 23, 2019 - 6:31 pm

So sorry about your experience! My first one lasted for five days before I decided that yeah, I really needed to see a doctor.
Sat down with the doctor and she didn’t look at me.
“Yeah, you’re gonna have to go to work,” where the first words out of her mouth. She then briefly looked at me and wrote a prescription for tests I could do right there. Except only in a week if my insurance okayed it.
Left and went to another clinic, where the doctor finally took me seriously and gave me a prescription. Taking that magical pill (I can’t remember what it was, my medication was changed later on) felt like a huge relief.
It’s sad that people’s pain (sadly, especially women’s) is still not taking seriously because they don’t think you look sick enough.

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InvisiblyMe December 27, 2019 - 11:27 am

Oh Jay, that’s rough. I’m sorry you know all too well what it’s like. You’re right though, I think there’s definitely a discrepancy with the way women are treated as patients. A lot of the time it’s put onto psychological issues (maybe she’s just anxious or depressed, or simply hysterical – as though we’ve gone back in time a hundred years!) Other times, as you say, if you don’t look sick enough… I’m glad you were finally given some medication for the relief, these migraines are no laughing matter. Thank you for sharing this  ♥ xx

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Jay December 27, 2019 - 5:36 pm

It was rough. I wish people took others seriously when they say they’re in pain. I know people do lie about it, but if we assume everyone is lying, why even have a health care system? Just tell everyone they’re not actually sick and send them home. I hope it improves some day. Hope you’re having a good holiday season!

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