Migraine Headaches Support Group
Migraine is a neurological disease, of which the most common symptom is an intense and disabling episodic headache. Migraine headaches are usually characterized by severe pain on one or both sides of the head and are often accompanied by photophobia (hypersensitivity to light), phonophobia (hypersensitivity to sound) and nausea.
Hi everyone!
I'm Payton, and I'm 17 years old and have been experiencing chronic migraines for the past 5 years. I feel like my ongoing battle with them has been very isolating, and I've had a hard time because I don't know a lot of people who understand what its like to have one except me. And lately, its felt increasingly difficult, and quite lonely, so I wanted to join a support group that could help me feel less sad all the time.
My main struggles with my migraines are how unpredicatable they are and how nobody understands them. I'm doing college classes and wrestling for my school, so a lot of times they come at times when I have an assignment due or a very important meet that I have to wrestle at. I have a hard time explaining to people why have them. People think I can just compartmentalize the pain and move on, or just not think about it. They make me feel lazy because I seem to always have one and after awhile I feel really broken down because sometimes I wonder if their all in my head, even when I know I am actually feeling them, they are real.
I have to take Sumatriptan injections for them, and a lot of times I have a hard time taking them because they seem to always make me feel 10x worse before the migraine goes away. I've been on several preventatives, including gabapentin and topirimate, but none of them seem to work. Narcotics seem to help every once in a while, but never consistently, and only to stop a migraine in action. As soon as I turn 18 I want to try Botox, and hopefully the insurance will cover it...
Do you guys have any advice for how to juggle migraines with responsibilities when you can't exactly say it and get to go to bed? I carryaround sunglasses just in case, and I have injectables on me at all times since its the only thing that seems to stop the migraines. Also, kind of worried about the future, because the job I'm pursuing will not accept migraines as an excuse. Do they ever get better? I've tried meds, special diets, losing weight, eliminating dairys and such, is there anything else I can do?
As for your botox when you're 18, I don't know if you'll get it. You have only named 2 preventatives that you've been on, and usually botox is used as one of the last resorts after you've tried many other options.
I don't know what type of doctor you are seeing right now for your headaches, if it's just your Primary care physician or a neurologist, but your best bet would be to find a headache specialist. Do a google search on your computer for headache specialist or headache center/clinic near you. You will find more treatment options, and the doctors are more knowledgeble.
There are other triptans besides the injections. You can take them in pill form. Also, sometimes opioids are not the best option for pain control for migraine pain. There are so many other options out there that could help you.
I wish I had some magic words to tell you how to deal with responsibilities when you have a migraine. All I can say is rest when you can and when you absolutely have to, but when you are able to and when something has to get done...push through if you can. If you are in school, migraine is considered a disability so you can talk to teachers to see if they will make accommodations for you.
Just please, please find a good doctor. That will make all the difference for you.