So, what is your migraine story? If you are reading this and suffer from migraines personally, I was hoping that you would share your migraine story with us. All you have to do is email me your migraine story at lwadsworth@verizon.net, and in the Subject Line, write “My Migraine Story.” Many times, I have inserted bits and pieces about my migraine life, but it’s time to share yours!
Perhaps you don’t suffer from migraines, but you know someone who does, or you have a member of your family who does. All of our stories are different, and all of us have managed our migraines in different ways. We can learn from one another’s experiences, and I would love to hear yours.
As you probably know, for a headache to be defined as a migraine, we have to have experienced five attacks that fulfill the following criteria and are not attributable to some other kind of disease or disorder:
- Headache duration ranges from 4 to 72 hours
- Two of the following characteristics have to be present:
- Unilateral location;
- Pulsating quality;
- Moderate to severe pain intensity; and/or
- Aggravated by routine activities
- The headache is accompanied by one of the following:
- Nausea and/or vomiting;
- Intolerance to light; and/or
- Intolerance to noise
The migraine usually occurs when awake, but it can also awaken you from sleep. The characteristics would include throbbing — although a few migraineurs do not experience that throbbing. Initially, the migraine is unilateral and usually localized over the forehead, temples or behind the eyes (although discomfort can be felt anywhere over the head and neck). The intensity usually builds over a one to two hour period and progresses to the back of the head and becomes more generalized. As you have no doubt experienced, the intensity can be increased by movement or physical activity. Migraines can last anywhere from four hours to three days with the pain subsiding gradually.
My migraines were triggered after the birth of my first child. It is very common for hormonal changes to trigger the beginning of migraines; for example, puberty, child birth, menstruation, pregnancy, etc.
Then came the part of having to learn to be aware of what my migraine triggers are. For so many years, I was totally unaware of migraine triggers, but as part of my healing process, I have been diligent in learning about my own migraine triggers.
If you don’t know yet what your triggers are, download my FREE eBook, “12 Migraine Triggers and Solutions.”
Although my headaches were infrequent in the beginning, the more I had to use pain medication for my migraines, the more frequent they became. It is what I now know to be the “rebound effect.” This doesn’t just happen with prescription medication, but can also occur with over-the-counter medication as well. It is very wise to heed the advice of your physician and follow the directions on the labels for OTC medication, because to take more than you should, or to consistently take medication, will lead to rebound headaches. This happened in my own life, and after many years, while obviously addicted to the pain medication by this time, I was finding my migraines occurring almost daily. My life revolved around my headaches – I missed work, I missed social event, I missed family get-togethers, etc.
I finally became so desperate that I sought help from a migraine treatment center in one of our well known local hospitals, which is overseen by a specialized neurologist. There I embarked on a holistic journey that would lead to fewer migraines — the good days far outweighing the bad — and many tips and tricks to help me to keep most of my migraines at bay. Now several years later I do not take the high powered drugs; I integrate migraine prevention in my daily life; and the quality of my life has increased exponentially.
Of course, each of of us reacts differently to different things – there is no one-size-fits-all with migraine treatment. However, with that said, if you or a family member have frequent migraines, then I would love to be able to help. Simply contact me to book an appointment for assessment so that we can map out an individualized treatment and prevention plan.
Be the first caller and receive a free paperback copy of my book, “The Ultimate Migraine Handbook: An Holistic Approach to Pain Relief.” Be sure to mention this article when you call.
P.S. Don’t forget to send in your story.