By Wanda - Yes, migraines suck. I’ve had them as long as I can remember, and I turned half a century old this year. The pain is unbearable, the otherness daunting, the anxiety of waiting for the next attack often all but undoes us. Growing up, head pain was my normal as it was for … Continue reading Joy in the Journey
By Jorie - Dear Disbeliever, As I sit here writing this letter, and as you sit here reading it, you may believe that because I’m physically and mentally able to write in this moment, because I am conscious and communicating well, that it means I’m not in pain, that I have zero symptoms affecting me. … Continue reading A Letter to My Disbelievers
By Mizgin - It was the absolute worst when I was trying to teach a poetry lesson in class and suddenly felt the pressure come along. Vivid, bright, zig-zag lines started forming in my left eye and I knew it was there to last at least half an hour. I had to ask my students … Continue reading My Head Hurts
Migraine triggers are abundant and unique among migraine patients, but often are difficult to track and determine. From diet to weather to stress, triggers are far and wide and most of us would much prefer to live without them. While that’s not easily done, or even possible in some cases, there can be ways to … Continue reading The Triggers & Troubles of Migraine
By Dana - Migraines and sleep problems go together. According to the American Migraine Foundation, migraineurs are between two and eight times more likely to have difficulty sleeping. Chronic sleep problems could indicate a disorder like sleep apnea, where breathing is repeatedly interrupted during sleep. Many people associate sleep apnea with overweight, middle-aged men who … Continue reading Migraines & Sleep Apnea: A Connection Worth Considering
By Wanda - "Pain and loss define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it’s a world or relationship every thing has its time and everything ends." When we were little children just learning to walk we fell often. We accepted falling with a little fuss and then got back up and tried again. … Continue reading Lessons From Pain and Loss
By Peggy - As I sit here on my couch in Georgia caught firmly within the clutches of a monster migraine, my family is getting home from an Alaskan adventure. They flew cross-country to Seattle, explored the city on land and sea, boarded a cruise ship in Vancouver and sailed to Alaska. There, they rode … Continue reading The Grief & Gratitude of Chronic Migraine
By Wanda - As I write, there is a tub load of laundry in the dryer. For many of us there is always a tub load of laundry either in the washer or dryer. The thing is, both the wash cycle and drying cycle were labeled “normal.” Either one of your machines, and perhaps your … Continue reading There is No “Normal”
By Peggy - The pain will never end. I have failed. I can’t do this again. This is my fault. I’m overwhelmed. I’m hopeless. I’m helpless. I can’t figure this out. I can’t fix this. These are the thoughts that play in my head on repeat during a migraine attack when pain escalates. What do … Continue reading 5 Ways to Change the Negative Way We Talk to Ourselves
By Sarina - Chronic migraine is notorious for disrupting plans, preventing individuals from working, and overall reducing one’s quality of life. When my migraine disease became severe in my senior year of high school, my college plans went straight out the window. I had been dealing with migraines on and off since about age 12, … Continue reading How I’m Surviving College with Chronic Migraine
