New to this all, and could use some help.

Hi ,

Welcome!! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with us.

As you mentioned, we can't diagnose you, however having said that some of the things you've described could be migraine related. And yes, migraine is thought to be a genetic, neurobiological disease. Migraine with aura (often referred to as ocular migraine) is experience by 25-30% of people living with migraine disease. It's important to get an accurate diagnosis which will allow us to receive the correct treatment and learn all we can about our particular type of headache disease. I would encourage you to reach out to your doctor as soon as possible.

The thing is episodic migraine (14 or fewer attacks a month) can transform into chronic migraine (15 or more attacks a month) fairly quickly if not treated appropriately, and no one wants to be chronic!!

Tips and tricks for migraine management include; staying hydrated, keeping a regular sleep schedule, not skipping meals (eating on a regular schedule) and avoiding the triggers we can. Getting regular exercise and reducing stress are also beneficial.

One of the best ways to do this is to keep a detailed migraine diary for a few months. Let me share our information on this here; https://migraine.com/blog/keeping-migraine-diary-basics/.

I'm sure others will be along to share their experiences with you. Will you keep me posted on how you are doing? Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Advocate/Moderator

if you can find a neurologist that specializes in headaches… can be especially helpful.


My main tip is I wear sunglasses pretty much all waking hours esp in flare periods. I have various shade levels with sunglasses bc they sometimes create issues seeing clearly however, my migraine neurologist strongly suggested prescription sunglasses. I tried to save money by getting transition lenses but they don’t get dark enough and I often need sunglasses INSIDE my own apartment. I have chronic daily migraines (manifests ocular) and complicated by jaw dystonia and cervicaulgia (from herniated discs/spinal stenosis). Getting a MRI was key for me which neuro ordered as part or assessment of my occasional turned chronic daily migraines. They are mostly controlled with the CGRP injection and abortive. Anyways, sunglasses and I will put topical analgesic very lightly/thinly ON EYELID or as close as possible!!! It helps the stabbing behind the eyeball!!! I apply light pressure on closed eyelid too bx while it’s a little painful, it somehow helps counter some of the severity of the eyeball stabbing! I don’t get auras but I intervene as soon as I realize something is up. Rest, dark room.. have blinds shut but also have a tapestry over window. I eat lighter like BRAT diet or other mild stuff bx all senses so amplified for me! Massage on neck very helpful if you can get it!! Domt take excedrin migraine especially if frequent bx I didn’t know and turns out ultimately led to my getting rebound and transitioning to chronic migraines!! Not cool!!!! Hope some of these tips help but getting evaluated is necessary ASAP. It’s not uncommon to have multiple migraine types etc. Take care

I was thinking more about tips and had more to add so here I am again! Ha!!


I also wanted to comment on probable genetic connection you seem to have. My neurologist abd her daughter both get migraines but my neuro says hers improved a lot after menopause. My mom had occasional but severe migraines for a number of years but also stopped in her menopause. She gets them still but extremely rare like 1x year if that! Mine started in late teens but I already had pre existing autoimmune arthritis diseases thus structural issues (i.e., congenital spinal stenosis, TMJ/dystonia and my juvenile RA impact on jaw, etc) so sorta just accepted as inevitable. In university they came more frequently… geeee wonder why lol. About 5 years ago, they went to chronic daily (had average of 25/30 migraine days). With the various meds I’m on for my autoimmune diseases and the migraines, I now get 0-4 monthly.


ANYWAYS, thought of a few other things that help me most with migraine attacks. Love ice packs but I’m over so much prep.. I do have a small HEPA filter in my room that pretty much runs 24/7. It helps me with allergies but seems to help calm migraine. Maybe placebo lol. I live in San Diego so the following might not be useful but I have a multi option tower fan and on feeling potential trigger and also in summer, I use my fan anytime I’m in my bedroom. Mt mom has TBI and noticed cool temperature has a positive effect on brain. I don’t like being cold so I cover well but fan is soothing and seems to help much like Ice does. I use a/c if it’s humid hot out. I applied for medical baseline discount through utilities and included increased electricity for A/C, fan, HEPPA, because there are necessary tools that we use to help debilitating migraines!!


I’m a little out to jury still on the following.. weighted blankets. I unintentionally discovered pressure on my body is soothing. Had a huge u-shape body pillow abs happened to have it on me during a migraine as I was trying to position myself and found I felt so relaxed. I tried a real weighted blanket and I was unsure. Don’t like feeling held down!! Also, maybe bc joints bad etc but moving positions in bed with weighted blanket on you is EXERCISING!!! Hahaha. I found having blanket on top half of my body helpful to pain and anxiety!!


Hope some tips help here …

Thank you. I Should clarify. My neuro said her migraines were less intense after menopause. But I know many don’t as well. I’m 42 and mine progressed! Sadistic statists!!!