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Sunday, May 19, 2013

Treatments


Through the years I have tried countless ways to “get rid of migraines.” In an attempt to show what I’ve tried, I have decided to write a blog about what I can remember doing over the years. If there are any new ideas someone suggests, I could be open to trying those. I am now to the point where I will almost try anything just to say I’ve done it. Cross it off the list so to speak.

Thinking back in the beginning, I’m pretty sure I just used over the counter drugs like Ibuprofen or Aspirin. Oh how I wish that would be the solution now. I try not to let people know I am suffering because 9 times out of 10 someone (with good intentions) will offer me an Excedrin. In that moment, I look at the person and burst out a Jekyll and Hyde laugh in their face, gently thank them and walk away. I don’t have sympathy for someone who has a “terrible headache” and pops Excedrin and still complains that they have to do this or that before they can relax. Cry me a river. I can take two full strength Percocet’s at times combined with a muscle relaxer and am still expected to fulfill my adult responsibilities day in and day out. I don’t mean to sound like a bitch, but those of you who have never experienced the full migraine with aura, and can take over the counter medication don’t have any place complaining. I understand people hurt and that is there right to feel in pain because they are hurting, but in my books (and migraine sufferers will understand) that’s like getting a scratch on your knee. I would give anything to have a headache or migraine that would go away with Excedrin migraine. I’ll step off my soapbox now.

Back to pain medication… personally, my migraines are the type where I either take a relief medication right away or I have to go straight for the hard stuff. What I take, depends on what I have to tackle that day. If I have to drive or see clients, I will take a relief medication and hope I can get through the day. Most days I am counting down the hours until I can get home and take a pain pill. No I am not an addict. Do I depend on pain pills sometimes? Yes. Am I addicted? No. I have always been very careful about what and how much of anything I take. A lot of people say “if you’re in pain, take another pill”. That’s not MY answer. I’m not afraid of becoming addicted, I just don’t choose to take more than I’m allowed. I can see how people become addicted to pain pills, but I’ve never understood why you would want to go down that road in the first place. Therefore, I guess I deal with the pain more than I should and can sometimes be a very miserable person to be around but the alternative of drug addiction doesn’t sound any better.

I have tried to think of all the medications I have taken over the years. Frankly I could google them all but I really don’t feel like doing that so I will list the ones I know off the top of my head. Basically when my doctor and I started on the path of finding relief medications, we would try one and if it didn’t help over a few months, we would move on. I have tried relief medications as well as preventatives. Here are a few: Imitrex, Maxalt, Frova, Relpax, Verapamil, Idomethacin, Topamax, Propanalol and Gabapentin. I have tried every pain pill out there except for Oxycontin. I’ve had shots of Lidocane in my neck, Statal with phenogren, toradol, Nubain, and morphine. I’ve tried numerous muscle relaxers such as Soma, Flexeril and Backlofen.
Knowing full well that western medicine isn’t always the answer I began seeking a more holistic approach. I have spent probably thousands of dollars on things such as acupuncture, massage, and seeing holistic doctors. I was told maybe I have a parasite so I spent money on herbs and teas and pills to kill parasites, I was told that I have too much Candida so I went on a Candida diet blah blah blah.

Speaking of food, I have a couple of journals tucked away that have anything from what I’ve eaten, when I have a bowel movement, what the air quality is that day, how my mood is, when I exercised etc…. I was trying to find a pattern. I couldn’t find one. When I did a liver cleanse and the candida diet, I felt like I was crawling out of my skin. I was so irritable. I know that it’s my bodies way of de-toxifying but it’s hell. I did feel like I had more energy, but it didn’t help my migraines any, so after a few weeks of that, I was over it. At any given time I have given up dairy, sugar, alcohol, and gluten. I have days where I drink a ton of water and days I hardly drink any water. I have weeks where I won’t drink any alcohol and weeks where I drink every night, no change. I have days where I eat healthy and days when I eat junk. I’m human. I don’t just try things for 24 hours and call it good. When you go on a liver cleanse or a candida diet, you have to give it at least 3 weeks. I may not have been 100% on the diets, but I was pretty close.

I have tried various massage therapies and while I love a massage like the next person, it gets expensive and wasn’t a “cure”. I still treat myself to massages once in a while because it’s an escape and will at least give me some temporary relief.

I have tried DoTerra oils and again, it’s a temporary haven of sanity but not a cure. I will rub some of the oils onto my neck, temples and head just to breath in the smells and it does help alleviate some muscle tension.

At one point a couple of years ago, my boyfriend at the time came up with an idea. He got 2 flip flops and a vice screw. I put the flip flops on either temple and the vice screw across my head and we tightened that up and it relieved the pressure. Sometimes I would just like to get a drill and drill into the back of my neck to relieve pressure.  It’s sad what we think of just to feel some relief. Obviously most of the things we really want to try would kill us, but it sounds like a good idea at the time.

I did the PFO heart test which came back normal, I have had a brain and cervical spine MRI which is all normal. I do have fusion in my vertebrae, which I am going to see a neck specialist for this summer. I have participated in a sleep study to see if I was getting enough oxygen to my brain at night. That came back normal. I got botox, that didn’t help but I looked better for a few months…

I don’t even think I can begin to list the various types of birth control I’ve been on so I won’t even try. Needless to say I’ve tried most options minus the mirena. The depo shot was the worst! Gave me daily headaches/migraines for 7 months back in 2008. I tried the birth control that is continuous so that I wouldn’t have a period and those did nothing. Finally I decided to go off birth control in September of 2012 and that seems to be when I noticed my migraines getting worse.

The only thing that seems to be helping now (May 2013) is the weather is warming up. I haven’t had a migraine in almost a week and that hasn’t happened since last summer!

I have tried vitamins and minerals up the wazoo! Increased Vitamin D, magnesium etc. I have been known to take up to 40 vitamins a day for a prolonged period of time. I had a concoction of vitamins to boost my immune system as well so that is part of why I took so many. One B vitamin known as Niacin works well (temporarily) when it comes to relaxing my neck muscles. The key with niacin is to take the flushing kind. It makes you feel like you have a mega sunburn for about 10 minutes and you turn bright red but it’s almost like a ‘natural’ muscle relaxer. Beware of the flush! If you start feeling really weird, it’s normal but it goes away.

Most people would cry if they had the pain I have but we don’t have the luxury to cry. If we do, it makes our migraines worse. On the outside, we look “normal”. On the inside we are going through our own hell.

On a positive note, I’m grateful for the life I live. I have mentioned that in other posts. I am alive, I have all my limbs, etc. But with all that said, It doesn’t take away the silent battle that is called chronic migraines. I will keep fighting until I find answers.

Last but not least, yes...... I’ve tried Marijuana....... Didn’t work and I don’t like it. Mom if you’re reading this, I love you haha.

<3

Friday, November 16, 2012

Attitude of Gratitude

Normally, I'm not one to post the typical "cheesy" stories around the holidays, but I have felt for a couple of weeks now, to pay gratitude to those who have helped me so much through this journey. Today, I have felt pretty good and it turned into feeling even better as the night went on, so I felt it was a good time to reflect, it also happens to be Thanksgiving next week so here it goes:

First and foremost, I must thank the two most important people in my life. My mother and my husband. Some would say "where is God?" Even though I am spiritual in my own way, and was brought up in the Mormon religion, I have not practiced for over a decade. I am happy with where my life is, and I don't feel I'm missing a thing, so, that's why my mom and husband take the top spots! Let me get a few other people in the spotlight first:

To my family, immediate, extended and in-laws: Thank you for all the text messages, research, prayers, words of encouragement, hugs, and LOVE you've given me throughout this journey. I know you are all busy doing your own things, raising your own families, worrying about your own lives, but somehow you manage to take time to help me in my quest to find answers. At times, I never feel as though I do enough for you or your kids. I understand now when my friend wrote a blog and titled it the way she did because migraines have taken a toll on her life, and all she wants to do is to be able to 'run with my kids'. I get that now, and I don't even have kids! I feel as though, I would not be the mom I want to be if I had kids and the amount of migraines I have. I admire this woman so much! Anyways, so to all of you THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!

My darling grandpa passed away a few months ago and since the day he died, I have seen the sequence of the number 1 almost everyday. I can only think of one day that I haven't seen any 1's. It can come in the way of looking up on TV and seeing the last digits of a phone number being 1111, it can be checking my email one day and seeing that I have 111 email. It can be me scoring a 111 in a game on my phone or seeing 11:11 on the clock (that is the most frequent). I know Papa is telling me HI every time I see that and he truly is my ANGEL. My sweet, sweet grandma has been helpful in every way offering me words of encouragement and always making me feel justified in the pain I feel daily.

I can hear the anguish in my dad's voice when he calls to ask how I have been, and I can't give him good news. I can't begin to imagine the pain it must be for a parent to watch their child struggle. Again, probably another reason I haven't had kids. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy (not that I have any that I know of haha).

To my friends: WAY too many to list but you know who you are. The friends closest to me whom I talk to on a daily, weekly basis, have heard the complain of the infamous MOLY THE MIGRAINE! Yes, I named her and have called her many names! I had to try to make a joke out of it somehow and make comments like 'Moly is sleeping over', or 'Moly packed her bag and came on vacation with me' etc. My friends are my life and I don't know what I would do without them. They also send love and do everything in their power to let me know they are thinking of me and I appreciate each one of you! Also to my Doctor and his staff. I have never had a woman work so hard to help me than my Doctor's receptionist. She goes above and beyond to help me either get a prescription I need, get in to see my doctor, or call me after hours to tell me something that the doctor said. I know someday she will move on and do amazing things, but she is the kind of person I don't want to ever leave this position. So to my friends, I love all of you! Those I have known my whole life, those who I've known 15 years and those whom I just met! You all help make life worth living!

In my line of work, my clients become my family and I have shared my struggles with most of them. I feel that they open their hearts to me, so I can do the same. I feel as though I am there to help them, and in return, if they can give me some suggestions, they have helped me. Thank you to all of you and you know who you are as well <3

Thank you to everyone who follows my blog and who reads it. Thank you to the countless people I know on face book who have inboxed me or shared their stories of 'survival' with migraines. You know the saying "It takes a village to raise a child?" Well it's taken a whole community of family, friends and strangers to help this child! Thank you to each of you!

To my husband: Here is when the tears start! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! We have been through hell and back and you have been nothing short of amazing! I remember the years you spent in pain with your back and how I didn't think twice about taking care of you, or doing the best I could to support you in your quest to live with pain. I remember thinking "how does he do it?" Now, you're taking over and I'm sure you think the same thing, but I feel so bad you have to see me go through this. When we said our vow of "in sickness and in health", I now know what that is entailing. I'm sure we will go through so much more but you have shown the definition of unconditional love. You work hard, you come home tired, yet still cook and clean up. You give me massages a lot and hug me a lot. You never make me feel bad when I have days that I can't work as hard as I might've the week before. You never "worry". You always have a positive attitude! You have stepped up in a way I will never be able to thank you enough for. And that, is why I married you! 143 xoxo

To my mommy! My BFF! Again, tears! I truly, truly don't know what I would do without you in my life. I still believe that I picked you to be my mom! Talk about unconditional love as well, you are the definition! You love me, you support me, you let me vent, you buy me little treats and surprises to make me smile. You let me complain every day morning and night. You never judge, you always sacrifice whatever you're doing to take care of me. I'm so lucky to be your daughter. I have never felt closer to you than I do as an adult and even though I'm only getting older, I always feel like I can climb in your lap and snuggle and be 'your little girl'. I never want to see you get old, because I couldn't take it, so if you could, please stay your youthful self :) Only you know the things you do for me on a daily basis. I'm sure it gets old waking up to a long text from me complaining of the pain but you always ask what you can do, and tell me you love me and that's all I need. You can't fix my migraines, but you certainly help it. As a migraine sufferer, I know you know the pain. I know I don't say it often enough but I appreciate everything you do for me!

I wanted to make my blogs short and to the point but this blog could go on and on and on, so I will sign off, but I don't want to leave anyone out so if you feel you've helped me in some way, I'm sure you have and I'm sure I've thanked you along the way. I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving and as much as I complain about these migraines, I truly am grateful for life! <3




Thursday, November 1, 2012

The year of the MIGRAINE 2012

I decided to chart not only eating habits but how much sleep I got, how my mood was, or any other factors in a day that I felt I could chart that may help me find a pattern. Needless to say, I can't find a pattern and rather than bore you with those minuscule details, I thought it would be interesting for some people to visually see what my daily life has been like since January. I also tracked how intense the migraines were but for the sake of not making this post too long, I'll just list the days I had a migraine and the days I was "normal".  I also listed if I was in town (which will just be blank and not state a city) or out of town because it shows it's not privy to being in Utah which some people think I get them because of air quality. If I had a migraine that day it will have a M next to the day, if I felt normal there will be a smiley face: IF ANYONE SEES A PATTERN, LEAVE A COMMENT, THANKS!!


1-Jan :) San Francisco 1-Feb M San Francisco 1-Mar:) Detroit
2-Jan M 2-Feb :) San Francisco 2-Mar :)
3-Jan :) 3-Feb M San Francisco 3-Mar :)
4-Jan :) 4-Feb :) 4-Mar :)
5-Jan :) 5-Feb :) 5-Mar :)
6-Jan :) 6-Feb :) 6-Mar M
7-Jan :) Wyoming 7-Feb M 7-Mar :)
8-Jan M 8-Feb M 8-Mar :)
9-Jan M 9-Feb M 9-Mar :)
10-Jan :) 10-Feb M 10-Mar :)
11-Jan M 11-Feb M 11-Mar :) Philadelphia
12-Jan M 12-Feb M 12-Mar :) Philadelphia
13-Jan M 13-Feb M Kansas City 13-Mar :) Philadelphia
14-Jan M 14-Feb  M Kansas City 14-Mar :) Philadelphia
15-Jan M 15-Feb M Kansas City 15-Mar :) Philadelphia
16-Jan M Los Angeles 16-Feb  M Kansas City 16-Mar :)
17-Jan :) Los Angeles 17-Feb M Kansas City 17-Mar :)
18-Jan :) Los Angeles 18-Feb :) 18-Mar :)
19-Jan :) Los Angeles 19-Feb :) 19-Mar :)
20-Jan M Los Angeles 20-Feb :) 20-Mar M
21-Jan M Los Angeles 21-Feb :) 21-Mar :)
22-Jan :) Los Angeles 22-Feb :) 22-Mar :)
23-Jan :) 23-Feb :) 23-Mar :)
24-Jan :) 24-Feb :) 24-Mar M
25-Jan :) 25-Feb :) 25-Mar :) Boston
26-Jan M 26-Feb :) 26-Mar :) Boston
27-Jan M 27-Feb :) Detroit 27-Mar :) Boston
28-Jan :) 28-Feb :) Detroit 28-Mar :) Boston
29-Jan :) 29-Feb :) Detroit 29-Mar M Boston
30-Jan M San Francisco 30-Mar :) Boston
31-Jan M San Francisco 31-Mar :) Boston
1-Apr :) 1-May :) 1-Jun :) Jackson Hole
2-Apr :) 2-May M 2-Jun :) Jackson Hole
3-Apr :) 3-May :) 3-Jun :)
4-Apr :) 4-May M 4-Jun :)
5-Apr :) 5-May M 5-Jun :) Island Park
6-Apr :) 6-May M 6-Jun :) Island Park
7-Apr :) 7-May M 7-Jun :) Island Park
8-Apr M 8-May M 8-Jun :)
9-Apr M 9-May M 9-Jun :)
10-Apr :) 10-May M 10-Jun :)
11-Apr :) 11-May M 11-Jun :)
12-Apr :) 12-May M 12-Jun :)
13-Apr :) 13-May :) Boston 13-Jun :)
14-Apr :) 14-May M Boston 14-Jun :)
15-Apr :) 15-May :) Boston 15-Jun :)
16-Apr :) 16-May :) Boston 16-Jun :)
17-Apr :) 17-May M Boston 17-Jun :)
18-Apr :) 18-May :) Boston 18-Jun :)
19-Apr :) 19-May :) 19-Jun :)
20-Apr M 20-May :) 20-Jun :)
21-Apr M 21-May M 21-Jun :)
22-Apr :) 22-May :) 22-Jun :)
23-Apr M Las Vegas 23-May :) 23-Jun :)
24-Apr :) Las Vegas 24-May :) 24-Jun :)
25-Apr M Las Vegas 25-May :) 25-Jun :)
26-Apr M Las Vegas 26-May :) 26-Jun M
27-Apr :) St. George 27-May :) 27-Jun :)
28-Apr M St. George 28-May :) 28-Jun :)
29-Apr M St. George 29-May :) 29-Jun :)
30-Apr M 30-May :) 30-Jun M
31-May :) Jackson Hole
1-Jul M 1-Aug :) 1-Sep M
2-Jul :) 2-Aug M 2-Sep M
3-Jul :) 3-Aug :) 3-Sep :)
4-Jul :) Island Park 4-Aug :) 4-Sep M
5-Jul :) Island Park 5-Aug :) 5-Sep M
6-Jul :) Island Park 6-Aug M 6-Sep M
7-Jul :) Island Park 7-Aug M 7-Sep :)
8-Jul :) 8-Aug M 8-Sep M
9-Jul M 9-Aug M 9-Sep :)
10-Jul M 10-Aug :) 10-Sep :)
11-Jul :) 11-Aug :) 11-Sep :)
12-Jul M 12-Aug :) 12-Sep :)
13-Jul :) 13-Aug M 13-Sep :)
14-Jul :) 14-Aug :) 14-Sep M
15-Jul :) 15-Aug :) 15-Sep M
16-Jul M 16-Aug :) 16-Sep :)
17-Jul M 17-Aug M 17-Sep :) New York
18-Jul M 18-Aug M 18-Sep :) New York
19-Jul :) 19-Aug M 19-Sep :) New York
20-Jul :) 20-Aug M 20-Sep :) New York
21-Jul :) 21-Aug M 21-Sep M New York
22-Jul :) 22-Aug M 22-Sep :)
23-Jul :) Chicago 23-Aug M 23-Sep :)
24-Jul :) Chicago 24-Aug M 24-Sep M
25-Jul :) Chicago 25-Aug M 25-Sep M
26-Jul :) Chicago 26-Aug M 26-Sep M
27-Jul :) Chicago 27-Aug M 27-Sep M
28-Jul :) Chicago 28-Aug M 28-Sep :)
29-Jul :) Chicago 29-Aug M 29-Sep :)
30-Jul :) 30-Aug M 30-Sep :)
31-Jul :) 31-Aug M
1-Oct :)     1-Nov M                                                          


2-Oct :)     2-Nov M             
3-Oct :)     3-Nov :)
4-Oct M    4-Nov :)
5-Oct :)     5-Nov M
6-Oct :)     6-Nov M
7-Oct :)     7-Nov M
8-Oct M    8-Nov :)
9-Oct :)     9-Nov M
10-Oct :)    10-Nov :) 
11-Oct M  11-Nov M
12-Oct M  12-Nov M
13-Oct M  13-Nov M
14-Oct M  14-Nov
15-Oct M  15-Nov M
16-Oct M  16-Nov M
17-Oct M  17-Nov :)
18-Oct M  18-Nov :)
19-Oct M  19-Nov :)
20-Oct M  20-Nov :)
21-Oct M  21-Nov :)
22-Oct M  22-Nov :)  
23-Oct :)   23-Nov :)
24-Oct M  24-Nov M
25-Oct M  25-Nov M
26-Oct M  26-Nov M
27-Oct :) Arizona  
28-Oct M Arizona
29-Oct M
30-Oct M
31-Oct M

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

My 30's

As I write this post, I am 33 years old, soon to be 34....... the last 2 years, I have begun a more proactive approach in finding answers to what is causing these terrible migraines.

Let me first start out by saying I have a lot to be grateful for. That however, is another post. I don't want anyone to think for a minute that I am being 'Debbie Downer'. I am merely using this blog to share my story in hopes that other people can help me, or the millions like me, to find answers.

The theory that my migraines were related to my period was starting to fall away as my migraines were becoming more frequent, and more intense. My doctor tried several different types of birth control and nothing was working. The depo provera shot was the worse decision I made. I had daily, intense, painful migraines for the ENTIRE 7 months that that shot was in my system. I will never do that again! I decided I now needed to accept the migraines as they came, so I just continued to take a oral birth control.

Life seemed to be more in balance. I was dating a great guy, I had my own business, I owned my own place, drove a nice car, had great friends, etc..... financially things could've been better but the economy was about to dive and I knew that would be an issue no matter what.

Here is where things get interesting: I decided that I would do whatever it took to get tests done or try anything anyone recommended just to say "been there, done that". I went to see a neurologist who recommended I get tested to see if I had PFO (a hold in the heart which many migraine sufferers have). I did that test and they said I had a minor, minor hole but that it wasn't sufficient enough to warrant concern. Next test was an MRI, they said they didn't see anything of concern there either. Next test was a sleeping test. They wanted to see if I was getting enough oxygen to my brain while I slept. Results were normal.

In the mean time I was getting acupuncture treatments which didn't seem to be working either. I spent I don't know how much money on these tests and treatments and nothing was making a difference and according to the doctors I was "healthy". I spend hundreds of dollars on vitamins and other natural remedy's to no avail. I would feel better after a 90 minute deep tissue massage but don't we all? And that is expensive to keep up.

Over the years I have tried every preventative medication on the market as well as relief medication such as Frova, Imitrex and maxalt. Maxalt helps sometimes, but sometimes I don't feel the effect until 6 hours after I've taken it and by that time it's 8:00 at night. I've tried oils as well.

Bottom line: I've tried almost everything in the book and now I am getting migraines about 6 days a week. I have charted my migraines over the past 10 months and will put that in a post too.

HELP!!!!

The 20's

No I'm not talking 1920's, I'm talking my 20 something years.....This I can remember a little more clearly (you would hope right?)........ I noticed when I was in my early to mid 20's that I was getting migraines during my menstrual cycle and once my cycle was over, the migraines would end. I felt like I had to accept that for a week out of every month, I would not only have to deal with the other flattering things that came with a period, but also migraines. I took it upon myself to mark my calendar and prepare for that god-forsaken week of hell every month. That would mean I may not be able to be 100% at work, or that may mean I would warn my then-husband that I may be a bitch for a week, or it may mean my friends would have to deal with me being a flake and possibly cancel any plans we had last minute.

So it would go, 3 weeks feeling pretty good, one week feeling miserable. That went on for several years until my doctor said "why don't we try putting you on a new form of birth control that makes it so you don't have a period?" "Sounds great" I said............. Well my body rejected that and no matter what I did, my period still came as well as the dreaded migraines.

In 2006 I got a divorce and of course through the tears came a pounding in my head and even though I didn't let the tears stop, I learned my lesson quickly that if I cried my eyes out, I created migraines. Being a naturally emotional person, I tried to be strong when possible but let the tears flow when needed. If they caused a migraine, so be it, I needed to cry.

I began to wonder if the stress of the divorce and starting a new life on my own was causing more migraines so I took initiative to get sleeping pills and any anxiety medication I may need to decrease the stress in my life and get the sleep I needed to. Turns out (as you will read in my 30's post), no amount of decreasing stress in my life was helping the pattern.

In a nutshell, my 20's were a time of learning, growing, playing, dating, grieving a failed marriage, meeting new friends, starting a new business, traveling all over the world, laughing a lot, crying a lot, buying my new home, getting the car of my dreams, building wonderful relationships with family, being independent, etc..... the real journey of finding answers to my migraines started in my 30's..........


The Early Years

I would like to say I am one of those people who keeps diaries, but unfortunately back in the day, I guess I was too lazy to write, and my memory has failed me considerably (I'm only 33 so that isn't a good sign of things to come). I am trying to take a trip down memory lane to when I first became aware of migraines.

I remember getting headaches, and maybe they would be classified as migraines, but compared to what they are now, I'm not sure I suffered from as many migraines as I did headaches when I was a teenager. I spoke to my high school boyfriend a few months ago and he said "I'm sorry you're still having migraines, I remember how bad they were and wish there was something I could have done for you, but you always wanted to be alone in a dark room". I was surprised by this as I don't remember 18 years ago with how I dealt with migraines. If any young people are reading this, I encourage you to document your life. When you're older, you will thank me! I wish I could go back and remember more.  Now let's move to my 20's.....

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

As they say "My life in a nutshell", I like to say "My life in a migraine"

Tuesday October 30, 2012

After nearly 18 years of migraines, I have finally decided to start a blog sharing my story for a few reasons:

* I know that unless you've really experienced a true migraine, it's hard to empathize with those of us who do.
* I know that if you live with somebody who has never had a migraine before, you feel somewhat alone.
* I know how hard it is to get up and go to work everyday when you're in pain.
* I know that the days I feel "normal" I feel like I can do anything.
* I know that on the days I struggle in pain, I feel like crawling in a dark hole and never coming out.
* I know how frustrating it can be to see doctor after doctor, neurologist after neurologist, doing test after test only to have them say "we don't see anything" yet wanting to scream because you know how you feel every day.
* I know how it feels to break down in front of loved ones and even doctors over the anguish you feel.
* I know how it feels to have people expect things from you when YOU know it was a feat to even put on mascara that day.
* I know how it feels to try every medication on the market only to be let down day in and day out when it doesn't work.
* I know how it feels to change your diet (maybe they are due to food allergies) do cleanses (maybe I have a build up of toxins and that is creating migraines), change mattresses and pillows (maybe the way I sleep is causing them), wear mouth guards (maybe I'm clenching my jaw), change birth control countless times (maybe they are hormonal), skip periods (at first they came on only during my cycle so I would skip my placebo week hoping that would do the trick), meditate (maybe it's because I'm stressed), acupuncture, homeopathy, botox, massages, yoga, exercise, on and on and on only to have exhausted those attempts.
* I know how you start to feel like you're a burden to those around you when you complain everyday but if you don't vent, you feel alone.
* I know how hard it is to try to be social when all you want to do is be alone with ice packs surrounding your head
* I know how hard it is to drive when you're having aura symptoms but you have to work right?
* I know how it feels to say you just want someone to get a drill and drill your skull so you can have less pressure.
* I know how it feels to ask someone to get a bat and hit you upside the head......just once
* I know how it feels to be afraid to have children because you are afraid you won't be a good mother
* I know how it feels to have your spouse do simple daily routines like heat up something in the microwave, or chop vegetables and you want to run into another room and cover your ears because it feels like somebody is taking a drum and beating it next to your head
* I know how it feels to enjoy the smells of your favorite foods on "normal" days but feel like throwing up on migraine days
* I know how it feels to want to turn off any light and want to yell at someone when they accidentally turn on a light in the room you're in

I KNOW.............