My Little Corner

By TamikaB

1 min read

I started having migraine headaches when I was 12 yrs old but unfortunately, the doctor didn't believe that my pain was as severe as it was so I was given Tylenol. I can't blame my Mama because she did what the doctor said and according to him I would feel better after a nap and Tylenol.

Dismissive doctors

Thankfully she decided to get a second opinion. Unfortunately, the doctors she'd take me to felt the same way, and now I had an even bigger problem my Mama thought I was faking. So from then on I'd take my prescription Tylenol and get my pillow and blanket and find a corner of the house where no one else was or would be. Thus "My Little Corner" was created.

My family doesn't understand

I'm 43 yrs old now, separated with two sons, 20 & 18, and with all the commercials on TV, social media, and the medications that I have; at one time or another each and every one of them. My husband and both sons actually admitted that they honestly thought I was faking to keep from working & helping around the house!!

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Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="TamikaB" user-id="4186371"/> - Thank you so much for sharing some of your story with us. You are not alone in this journey of migraine- (or in feeling accused of being a faker... or in being separated - and having two sons....- I can relate to you on all those things!). Are you having success with any of the treatments you have tried now that you are in control of your own destiny in terms of your medical care (so hard to think of you being misdiagnosed for so many years). There are so many new treatments out there (and so many commercials advertising them)- and some are having some dramatic impacts for people with migraine- or even just a solid positive change for us migraineurs who have the condition chronically, it can feel world changing to get a break once in a while. I'm speaking specifically of the CGRP treatments (Ajovy, Aimovig and Emgality). If you haven't tried them yet, might be worth talking to your doctor about those. Regarding not being believed by your family- it really is such a common reality in the migraine world. We are accused of being fakers frequently- faking to get attention, to get out of responsibilities, etc. But if you are a migraineur, you know at your core, that you ARE a faker. Not in the way people think, though. All migraineurs fake WELLNESS. We fake feeling okay to push through this or that event, or to avoid being judged. That is the way we are fakers. The pain is debilitating and sidelining, and if our family members can't comprehend it, they are lucky enough not to have lived it. It's a tough life that is isolating and challenging. Your boys likely have developed a deep sense of compassion from growing up with you as their mom. We are here to provide support and information anytime. We are in this with you. Please reach out and stay in touch. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
Melissa Arnold Community Admin
We believe you, Tamika! I know that doesn't take the pain away, but this will always be a place you can come to find understanding and support. I wonder, do you think it would be useful to have your doctor have a phone call or visit with your family, to help drive home that you are truly dealing with a debilitating neurological disease. Keep doing what you can to take good care of yourself! Hugs to you. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team