Random Onset?

By chaz0566

1 min read

With no family history or previous history of migraines, I had my first migraine around six months ago.

Since then I have had an average of two a week, each lasting 1-3 days. They are extremely debilitating so I have missed a very large amount of school and sports, impacting my social life and therefore mental health.

I also have important exams soon which I’m sure will be affected too. I have had MRIs and blood tests to rule out underlying causes and tried various different diets and medications (sumatriptan, cyclizine hydrochloride, and pizotifen).

Nothing is changing and my attacks are lasting longer each time. I feel completely out of options, especially considering many treatments aren’t available to me.

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Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
HI <inline-mention username="chaz0566" user-id="4539862"/>, Welcome to Migraine.com! Thank you for reaching out and sharing your story with us. I'm so sorry you are going through this, you're not alone! When you get a moment, get comfortable and check out all the wonderful information we have here. I hope I don't write a book here!! It can be very startling when we have our first attack and I understand how impactful frequent migraine attacks can be; they interrupt our live is so many different ways I'm sorry to say. In this light it's understandable our mental health suffers. Migraine can have a genetic component to it, but not always. Sometimes family members don't realize they have migraine instead calling attacks "sick headaches" or "sinus headaches". Please don't lose hope! The good news is there are over 100 medications, supplements, devices, complementary therapies and lifestyle modifications that can be used to treat migraine. The thing is when we have four or more attacks a month it's time to discuss migraine prevention (medications that prevent attacks) with the doctor in addition to acute medications (that stop attacks) we take. Acute medications try and stop attacks, preventive medications work to prevent them. If you haven't had this discuss yet, it may be time to because episodic migraine can transform into chronic migraine fairly quickly. Getting an accurate diagnosis is very important. This will help us get the proper treatment and learn all we can about our particular headache type of which there are over 200! I'm not sure where you live although I can tell you seeing a doctor who is an expert in treating migraine and headache disease can make a huge difference in our care. Let me share our information on how these doctors are different and how to find one; <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/</a> <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/seeing-a-board-certified-headache-specialist' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/seeing-a-board-certified-headache-specialist/</a> <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/change-thoughts-new-care/</a> <a href='https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://headaches.org/resources/healthcare-provider-finder/</a>. Because people with migraine seem to have overly sensitive brains, it's important to keep a regular sleeping, and eating schedule. Too much or too little sleep can trigger attacks as can skipping meals. Other triggers can include certain foods (but not everyone with migraine had food triggers) odors, lights, changes in the barometric pressure and more. Here is more information on triggers; <a href='https://migraine.com/migraine-triggers' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/migraine-triggers</a>. One way to try and identify our triggers is to keep a migraine diary. If we can learn what are triggers are and avoid the ones we can, we may be able to reduce attack frequency. The other piece to this we can be the perfect patient and still have attacks. It seems to be the nature of this disease. There are a number of apps out there or pen and paper work just as well. Let me share our migraine diary information: <a href='https://migraine.com/blog/keeping-migraine-diary-basics' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/blog/keeping-migraine-diary-basics/</a>. We do have information on migraine and school you can find here; <a href='https://migraine.com/search?s=school' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/search?s=school/</a> OK! I've written enough to overwhelm you- my apologies. Please reach out with any questions, any time! I'd love to hear your thoughts, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Advocate/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
April.Sluder Moderator
Hi <inline-mention username="chaz0566" user-id="4539862"/> Nancy has given you some great information already, but I wanted to also welcome you to the community and let you know that we are here for you. Hopefully you'll get some answers soon. April - Migriane. com Team
eknc Member
I have been helping one of my kids navigate school with severe migraine. I know it can bring up a lot of emotions, but I strongly recommend you reach out to your school counselor or instructors before your exams. I don't know where you are, so the details will differ. But communicating your situation isn't making excuses, it is being responsible for a situation that is not your fault. Most schools and instructors will be very accommodating, but only if you ask. My second piece of unsolicited advice is find someone you can talk to who has some understanding of migraine. Maybe a school counselor, maybe a therapist, maybe people here. But most of us have a lot of emotional reactions to having migraines and coping with the medical system. Migraines suck, they aren't fair, and they screw around with your brain. Trying treatments can be a rollercoaster of hope and frustration. Do your best to take care of your mental health, because this is hard.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Nancy Harris Bonk" user-id="3845796"/> You are full of all kinds of resources, Nancy. This one is a new one for me -- such a good site for families! We're lucky to live in a technological time where we can connect with people from all over the world. In the past, so many parents would have no choice but to figure things out on their own. Thanks for sharing, as always! -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Melissa Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> You are too kind!! I love what I do! Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team