What's wrong with me?

By tphreh

1 min read

I have been a migraine sufferer since I was diagnosed at 15, however about 2 years ago my life changed when my migraines became chronic. My whole world as I knew it was turned upside down!! My family, friends, and work... they were all affected. Any commitments I had previously made was all a big question mark... I could no longer make commitments. This is my life now... "I'll have to see how I feel" is a standard answer. I have more bad days then good, I have tried so many medications, relief and preventive, with no great results. I know its just finding the right combination but what about my life in the mean time? The world hasn't stopped spinning because my migraines became chronic. Family and friends get disappointed and I'm tired of telling them I have another migraine. What's wrong with me?

I have a neurological disease, plain and simple. However people tend not to think you have a disease if they can't see it. There are many phases to my chronic migraines. My migraines go something like this. Phase one) Sensitivity to light, red hot face with tingling sensation around eyes and forehead. This can be accompanied with fatigue and visual auras. Phase two) Intense throbbing pounding pain with fatigue and lets not forget the sensitivity to light. Phase three) The pain may subside however the fatigue and sensitivity to light lingers. All of this takes place in a day... hours upon hours of wishing there was no sun or florescent lights and dealing with such pain most people couldn't stand for a few minutes. All while still managing my job, family and friends. Oh and by the way, this will more then likely be the same tomorrow. So what's wrong with me?

The answer is nothing. Nothing is wrong with me! I just have more to deal with then you can see!

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n9hdht Member
Migraine as usual, I'm sorry that you are having to go through this. I hate to say I know how you feel, but I think that I can relate quite well. I started having headaches in second grade, but had my first memorable migraine when I was 16. I'm now 34 with 3 children and my migraines have been chronic for a few years, but the last 4 years have been the worst. I have tried preventative medication, which I am still on, including botox, and of course there are the abortive meds. I've wasted countless hours and dollars on treatments that I didn't believe in out of desperation. Finally, I started modifying my diet and it seems to be the key for me. I eat a low tyramine diet, no grains, only fresh protein, no cheeses, and very limited dairy (cream in my coffee). Honestly, I've only found relief in the last week, but prior to this latest change, I was on a 15 day migraine/headache streak. It was awful. I have been working on modifying my diet over the last 3 and a half years, so maybe I have finally found the right system. I hope this, or something helps. Good luck.
1. tphreh Member
 Thank you, I wish the same for you.
Katie M. Golden Moderator
Sounds like you've done a lot to make your new life better. It is a hard adjustment period. When it first happened to me, I had to educate those I love and they became more compassionate. You're right, you have a neurological disease and you are not the only one. Here are some articles that you might want to share: <a href='http://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/migraine-and-work/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/migraine-and-work/</a> <a href='http://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/migraine-and-work/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/migraine-and-work/</a> <a href='http://migraine.com/graphics/in-america-studies/migraine-america-2014/' target='_blank'>http://migraine.com/graphics/in-america-studies/migraine-america-2014/</a> I wish you the best, -Katie <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Moderator
angierhodes Member
I go through the same thing as you do. Some people just do not understand that a migraine is not just a regular headache. It is true that while you can't see a migraine, it is truly a disablity. Good luck to you.
Lms2020 Member
I recently had a very bad experience at the hospital and I was devastated. They labeled me as a drug seeker and I have never been treated so bad by a doctor. I felt like dying and I let that one person make me feel like I was doing something wrong and that I was the worse than my migraine. People look at you and tell you "oh, I have had headaches too." It takes longer to explain that these are not just "headaches" and it is neurological condition. I have been part of the "migraine" community for over 7 years and I find it very reassuring to know that there are other people like me.

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