What Is It Like To Live With Migraine

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Written by

valo

Scientist and artist exploring the beauty and magic of nature

2 years ago

In community: Just Write(e5e5)

Topics: Self-help, Art, Health, Real Life, Wellbeing

It is more than just a pain in the… head

“Headache” — an AI-generated artwork I prepared in starryai.

We all have a bad headache occasionally.

Migraine = a bit of headache, after all… right?

Actually, migraine headache is just one part of the following three-course meal.

Starter

(Days or hours prior to the onset of headache)

Mood swings, agitation, anxiety, lack of patience

Thirst, food cravings, yawning countless times

Served with tiredness, muscle pain and fatigue, brain fog

A speciality: visual aura with flashing and/or colourful patterns

Main

Bulging veins on the forehead, throbbing, pulsing or dull pain in some areas of the skull

Pins-and-needles feeling, slurred speech, unclear thoughts

As a side dish:

Light and sound sensitivity, nausea, weakness, physical instability

On special occasions — a FREE meal the next day

Congratulations to the lucky winners!

Bon appetite!

How often do migraine attacks happen?

The frequency of migraine days varies. For some, there are just several migraines per year, while for others, skipping a day is a surprise.

Migraine is a disability that prevents some people from working altogether. Those who “get away with that” still end up missing days at work.

Migraine can force its victims into a full or partial disability. (Picture source: AI-generated in starryai with the prompt “migraine”)

What can you do about migraine headaches?

Migraine treatment includes lifestyle changes, daily preventative medications, painkillers, and abortive medication that eases the symptoms.

Sadly, not everybody responds well to medications. It takes a trial and error under a neurologist’s supervision.

Untreated migraine easily turns chronic, which becomes a disability due to the prolonged effects of all the phases of the attack.

Painkillers alone are often not enough. They also pose the risk of rebound headache.

Migraine leaves you miserable and lonely, blaming yourself why you are faulty and missing out on life. This picture is generated in starryai.

Can I help my loved one suffering from migraine?

First and foremost, show understanding. Do not blame them. The struggle is real. Nobody chooses to suffer from the debilitating effects of migraine.

Accept the fact that sometimes health prevents us from doing enjoyable activities. Although, you are not expected to be their servant, do take it into account that they simply need rest in a dark quiet place to recover.

Is there a cure for migraine?

The sad answer is no. The physiological mechanism behind migraine is still not fully understood. The condition is hereditary, and the migraine sufferer has to rely on lifestyle changes and medication to keep the symptoms at bay.

There is hope for some women that pregnancy or menopause may reduce the number of migraine attacks, though, it is highly individual.

Support and understanding are important for migraine sufferers. This picture is generated in starryai.

Is life with migraine worth living?

Even though migraine degrades quality of life significantly, life is always worth living. There are simple joys to appreciate. There are small things you can do on those days when the headache is not too bad, such as handcrafting and other forms of art.

Best of luck!