Feeling Better

By ljsf

1 min read

Hi, fellow migraine sufferers!

I have been a sufferer for well over 40 years. In the early years, back in the dark ages, I would take 2 aspirin and a cup or more of coffee. Then it was ergots, awful stuff, then Fioricet.

Countless treatments and doctors

When they started to invent new meds I tried them all. Some would for a while, then stop. The triptans also worked for a while, but I never had enough, so I suffered daily, becoming chronic.

I saw countless migraine specialists in many states. Tried every device without results. Needless to say, I was more than frustrated, spending way too much time in my dark room.

My family burden

At the same time, I was advocating and planning for my special needs son, migraine or not. My older, adopted son blamed everything on having a special needs brother. Meanwhile, he was getting plenty of attention himself. I also advocated for him as he had his own issues.

I never thought the dark cloud would move.

Could it be...

Then recently, I was sorting through my younger son's meds, as we had tried many for his dystonia pain. I had a blaring migraine and noticed gabapentin. Being a nurse, I was familiar with the meds, I tried one, and I noticed some improvement.

Fast forward to today, after discussing the med with my neurologist, I started on it. It is not an easy one to be on with many side effects. But over time, the side effects are fading and I rarely have a migraine. I feel like a miracle has happened.

I never thought I would write feeling better under, how are you feeling, but I did today, for the first time!

I pray you all find your miracles.

- Linda

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Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
Hi <inline-mention username="ljsf" user-id="3804548"/>, YAY!!! Thank you so much for sharing your success with us, that's terrific. As you know it can take a long time of trial, error and LOTS of patience before we find a treatment plan that makes a difference. You made my day and I hope you keep us posted! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator Mi
mjcr8on Member
Wow, that's what we all hope for! I hope gabapentin is the one that continues to work for you. It's not the one for me, but your story does make me continue to hope there is something out there for me, too. Thanks!
1. ljsf Member
 <inline-mention username="mjcr8on" user-id="3823152"/> keep that hope alive, sweetie, it has taken me nearly all of my 65 years, I can’t believe or feel that age! But it does make me realize how fleeting life is. As my 89 yo mom says, we sure only here for a visit. We must try hard to make the most of each day we are given. I have found that slowing myself down and lots of deep breaths and laughs helps. Warmly, Linda 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ljsf" user-id="3804548"/> Love this perspective! Thank you for sharing your mother's wisdom and yours as well. Beautiful. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
ljsf Member
Thank you Holly, This is a wonderful forum for support! We know what the others are going through. Even on this med, I still get some migraines. I saw a new neurologist today, I learned what I knew but wouldn’t admit to myself. Pills don’t fix us. We are the captains of our own ship and must help direct it. For me, I need to learn to put all my problems aside and concentrate on me. I have done some meditation here and there but it’s time to set aside the time to practice the relaxation response on a regular basis. I will also be doing a little tweaking to my rescue med issue which has been non existent for a long time. Thank you all for listening, you are all on the journey with me. Warmly, Linda 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ljsf" user-id="3804548"/> Hi sweet Linda- First, glad you had the first meeting with your new doctor and it sounds like it went well. I just love what you shared here. What wonderful wisdom you are sharing that you have earned along the way. So true and it resonates with me as well. The effort required to find solutions to chronic pain is immense and reveals strengths and capabilities within us that we didn't realize we had. Indeed, pills can't fix us. It's deeper than that. While understandably, many people living with migraine are hoping for that one magic pill that will fix/cure the disease - it doesn't exist. We learn as we go that addressing migraine takes a far more comprehensive approach including mind, body and spirit -and sometimes a number of pills! It's almost like making a most complicated cake. We must pull together so many ingredients- combining strategies with various treatments (preventative with rescue) topped with a swirl of some natural remedies and approaches that we've picked up along the way that have proven to work for us specifically. This process, while quick to summarize, takes years to live and labor through. And is not without much trial, error, and exhaustion. In the face of that, and the reality of isolation related to migraine, it becomes utterly important and comforting to have a community of others who are sorting it through together - who are living it and who are therefore filled with compassion and understanding. We are definitely with you on this journey - learning from and alongside you and so grateful for the way you share as you go. Please do keep in touch. We are here for you. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team. 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ljsf" user-id="3804548"/> Oh- also, Linda - I wanted to pass along the resources we have on meditation, in case you might be interested in skimming through them. You are inspiring me: <a href='https://migraine.com/search?s=meditation' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/search?s=meditation</a>. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.