November 2009

By potatoqueenbvb

2 min read

My story starts back in November of 2009. I vaguely remember that day. All I remember is wanting to sleep in every class cause my head hurt so bad not know that this headache was going to last with me until this very moment as I type up this story. My headaches range from the severity scale from 5 being the lowest pain to a 9 to 10 to be to worst in my episodes.

I remember the days when I was normal and didn't have headaches. I sometimes cry when I think about it cause I want to be normal again. Its everyone's wish with chronic migraine to get that back. I have been through 9 neurologist's that all come up with the conclusion "We don't know what is wrong with you?" One neurologist helped me so far as properly diagnosing me with a rare diagnoses. I did have at some point and may come at some point in my life again Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. I had another neurologist diagnose me with Fibromyalgia of the brain. All of which I heavily researched online and read in books about.

I have taken several upon several tests for everything and everything comes back normal except a few things. One doctor said upon reading my MRI results my veins in my frontal lobes were very tiny than they should be. I was born with very tiny blood vessels and its very extremely difficult to retrieve blood samples from me. Plus he said my pituitary glad was out of the smaller size than it should be. I also was separately diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, GERD, IBS, and other smaller disorders and diseases.

I have been fighting for answers with my mom. My mom has been through this battle with me. I have no words to put on how grateful and thankful I am to have her in my life. I don't live a normal 22 year old life. Its very restricted. I don't party. I don't drink. I don't smoke. I don't do drugs. lol. My version of partying is staying up all night on the internet eating and drinking whatever.

I have to take breaks when doing my daily activities of living. I have a hard time going to sleep and hard time waking up. When I wake up I feel like death. It hurts to do even the simplest things like the dishes or sweeping. The pain is too much at times I have to go take a nap to relieve the pain. I can't take over the counter pain medications for it or I can over time kill myself with other bigger medical issues. But I have looked to being positive and staying strong. I know their is a cure out their someday for this wretched and horrid disease. I know someday we will conquer it.

As a band I fell in love with a year ago preaches "Never Give In, Never Back Down, Never Give In, Never Back Down, When Your Life Feels Lost?(Fight Against All Odds!) Never Give In, Never Back Down."-Black Veil Brides @OfficialBVB

Someday we will see and FEEL a world with no pain and suffering and that day will be beautiful.
Thank you for reading my little story. It means a lot. Nest of wishes. Always remember to "Never Give In, Never Back Down."

-Mariah Hanna @PotatoBVBQueen

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margaret75 Member
Hi Mariah, I'm so sorry to hear that at such a young age you are going through so much pain. My migraines started in my early 20's as well and now at 39 I look back and see all that I missed. I am going from post to post and trying to give people the message of hope and that there is a cure out there. People think that if it doesn't come from a doctor with a PHD then it isn't a cure and it won't work. I'm here to tell people that I am a walking and breathing example of being "cured" of migraines. Please read this article and it will tell you about another girls journey to living migraine free. <a href='http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/migraine-therapy/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>http://www.chatelaine.com/health/wellness/migraine-therapy/</a> Brendan Cleary has changed my life! I was at the peak of my pain when I found him and a year later I'm living migraine free and I have my life back!! I am just so happy with my progress that I want the whole world to know of this amazing treatment. I wish you all the best on your journey and pray that you find some relief, wherever you get it from. All the best!
1. potatoqueenbvb Member
 Thank you so much for your reply. It means a lot to me. I will look into everything you sent me. I send you my regards. Thank you again. Best of wishes. Take Care, Mariah
Katie M. Golden Moderator
Mariah, Im sorry you are going through this. You're lucky to have a great mom to help you. You mentioned that you suffer from a few other conditions as well. I do too and it can make managing the headaches very difficult, especially when working with your doctor on what medications to try. <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> has a lot of good information on migraines and other conditions that can be associated with migraines, called co-morbidities. Take care! -Katie <a href='http://migraine.com/pro/migraine-comorbidity-overview/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/pro/migraine-comorbidity-overview/</a>
body Member
Hi Mariah, I started having migraines at the age of five. Missed a lot of my life and in my late forties had to give up a dream of a doctoral degree and a career as a tenured faculty member at the nursing school where I was teaching. In my fifties I was referred by my internist to an acupuncturist as I had chronic migraine and medication overuse headache (Imitrex). I am in my mid-sixties now and along with trigger management, including a healthy diet (no artificial ingredients, preservatives, MSG, artificial sweeteners, etc.), a regular moderate exercise program, acupuncture, biofeedback training, and healing touch (an energy healing technique), I have my life back. The link Margaret gives has some great comments. In particular, "one reason complementary therapies can work so well is that they inspire a sense of personal control." You have a great attitude-"Never Give In, Never Back Down". Prayers for healing, Sharron
emurphy520 Member
Hey, I too am not a normal 22 year old. Oddly enough, I also had my migraines become everyday in 2009. That was the year that changed my life. I know how frustrating it is laying in bed by yourself in the dark while all of your friends are out enjoying the normal life of being in your early 20s. I've been through the countless doctors saying "I'm sorry, I have no clue what's wrong with you" or "it must be all in your head." I have faith we will find out what's wrong and a way to have a normal life eventually. I wish you the best of luck. -Erin
annequin-harkin Member
I hear ya - I've had migraines since I've been 12. Mine have gone to chronic in the past couple of years, but they've always been around. Medication helps - Relpax, Zomig, Imitrex - and I'm having big help from Botox. Also, what someone else mentioned - eliminating food triggers (artificial sweeteners, alcohol, preservatives, gluten, corn, soy, eggs, dairy, citrus). Staying hydrated helps me and exercise when I'm able (can't do anything too strenuous as that will trigger one). Wearing sunglasses, to keep from triggering one. I'm sorry that you're going through this - I've found medications that really help lessen the pain - don't deprive yourself of relief.

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