My Personal Experience with Migraines

I have been suffering from migraines since I was 12 years old, and I still experience them about once every two weeks now. Through years of dealing with this condition, I've learned to understand the symptoms and avoid behaviors that trigger migraines.

Early Symptoms and Recognition

Initial Symptoms

The prodromal phase is difficult to detect. I rarely felt anything before going to bed, but I could sense it right before the migraine started, usually right after waking up or in tense environments like meetings.

Physical Symptoms

I often experienced nausea and vomiting, along with muscle tension in the neck area. When this happened, medication was ineffective, and I had to wait a long time for the medicine to take effect.

Treatment Journey

Medication Evolution

I started with just painkillers, then began taking digestive aids and muscle relaxants together. This combination seemed to work better and faster, addressing multiple causes of headaches at once. However, I still suffer from the condition.

Family History

My mother also suffered from migraines in her youth but completely recovered after being prescribed blood pressure medication. This shows the complex causes of migraines once again.

Current Management

Understanding Triggers

Through my experience, I suspect my migraines are related to tension-induced muscle and nervous system issues rather than other causes.

Lifestyle Adjustments

I've learned to identify and avoid behaviors that trigger migraines, which has helped reduce their frequency from weekly to bi-weekly.

Personal Insights

Social Misunderstanding

It's unfortunate that migraines can appear like an excuse to those who have never experienced them. When you look fine but suddenly say "I have a severe headache and can't work," people often respond with "Isn't it just a little pain?" and don't understand.

The Reality of Migraines

Migraine sufferers truly experience pain that makes daily life impossible. This social prejudice and misunderstanding becomes another source of suffering for migraine patients.

Conclusion

Living with migraines has been a long journey of learning, adaptation, and management. While the condition persists, understanding it better and making lifestyle adjustments has helped improve my quality of life. The key is to be patient with yourself and work with healthcare providers to find the right combination of treatments.

For those who have never experienced migraines, I hope this personal account helps provide some understanding of what it's like to live with this condition.