Life with Chronic Migraines

My name is Ann. I had years of fibromyalgia symptoms before being diagnosed. This in turn led to migraines, which is common. I do not get severe head pain but I get tired and cold/light sensitive. It often looks like I got punched in my glossy, puffy right eye. The symptoms can be so similar to fibro, especially the fog, that I don't know if it's a migraine until day 2. I was told to take Imitrex immediately, not to try to guess.

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Navigating my invisible diseases

My migraines have become worse in the past year. I have them almost every day. Both diseases are invisible to others because I hide out when I am sick. I put my smile on and show up when I am not. The unpredictability of it is the hard part. I don't know how I am going to feel hour-to-hour, let alone day-to-day.

The hard part is dealing with the shame. People are always bashing disability. "I'm tired too. I get headaches too. I suck it it up and suffer through them". Mine are hard to treat, intractable. I'm not just tired on day 2. I feel like I have the flu. I feel like I am trying to function at 3am out of a sound sleep. My legs and feet feel like I have weights tied to them and I feel like I am submerged in an ice bath from the waist down.

Treating migraine and fibromyalgia pain

I did start on Topamax to go with my Gabapentin. I'm having good luck so far. I hope it's the answer to my prayers. It's only been a week.

I am an artist and would like to get back to doing what I do best. Hugs to all who go through this miserable curse. Hopefully one day they will find a cure.

I do have joys in my life to focus on

Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.
This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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