10 Ways Migraine Makes You Feel

By Holly Harding

1 min read

Although there are over 36 million people living with migraine in the US alone, there is no one emotional response to navigating this incredibly challenging neurological disease. We are introducing “Migraine 10 Ways” – and inviting you to share ten emotions that arise as you manage chronic migraine. Here’s the kickoff video:

Share how migraine makes you feel

In the comment section below, and/or on the social media platform of your choice, using #migraine10ways, please join in (submit a video or simply with a list of words) by sharing ten ways that migraine makes you feel.

Hopefully, in so doing, we might increase compassion and awareness about the complex nature of the disease so that others can learn that migraine is not just a headache. Indeed, there’s nothing simple or straightforward about it. Lastly, because migraine is so isolating by its very nature, we hope this initiative will serve to connect us with each other as we learn how others who live with migraine are feeling.

Here’s a link to some feeling words to get you started.

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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evie808 Member
When I have migraines, I often feel guilty, anxious, and isolated. I feel guilty because the illness is taking away from precious time with my family, friends, and work. Anxious because I don’t ever know when the pain will stop. The illness causes me to be isolated from everyday routines, but I know that in order for me to get back to a normal schedule I have to take care of me first.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 I think many will be able to relate to your words. Guilt and anxiety are quite common emotions when it comes to migraine. I love that you have gained clarity about the importance of taking care of you first. That understanding can help assuage the guilt that can arise when we have to take time to prioritize ourselves until the pain clears so that we can see straight. Thank you so much for sharing.
sismo Member
Worried Alone Frustrated Frightened Off-kilter Isolated Insulated Useless Battered Determined
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Wonderful, comprehensive list. Thanks for sharing.
migrainesuz Member
I feel out of touch with reality, somedays. I feel lonely and so so tired of trying everything and nothing working. I feel like absolutely no one truly understands the pain. I am pissed that my children have had to learn empathy at such a young age and have had to learn to fend for themselves all too often.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 I am so glad you shared how you feel. It is such an isolating disease and yes, exhausting when we try treatment after treatment with no success. I, like you, did not want my children to have to see their mother in pain. It's not a reality we would ever have chosen. Please know you are not alone. We are here, navigating the same situations alongside you. It can help to share. I've found it lightens the load. Thinking of you.
katetyndall Member
Fury. Yep, I'm mad as hell that migraines are such a huge part of my life. I've had these suckers for wayyy too long now, and they have completely changed the way I live my life. Though I have to say that the mad as hell emotion has been the primary one only(!) for the past 10.5 years, when they became chronic. The prior 36 years I had them episodically. Tough. I can withstand a lot of pain. Grateful. For most of my migraine journey, I have been grateful, and in my less than teed off moments, I still feel that. As dreadful as migraines are I can put them in perspective. I'm still standing. They aren't going to kill me, though I certainly acknowledge the real possibility of suicide among people who suffer the type of chronic, unrelenting pain that migraineurs experience. I have drugs and devices that I can use. I have a good neurologist that I often do butt heads with, but we put up with each other in order to see what can be done. Getting older with migraine is tough, because other issues come into play on top of migraine, which ratchets up the misery level. And there are the sometimes bloody miserable side effects the drugs we take for our migraines can have. But I can live with migraine. I have known and lost people I cared about who have struggled, bravely, with cancer, ALS, and AIDS. Yes, I can deal. Determination. I'm determined to wrest as much joy from my life as it currently is as possible. Some days that is much harder than others. Still, determination and sheer mulish stubbornness rules. Compassion. Migraine has made me a much more compassionate and empathetic person. We all have challenges, and most of those challenges aren't visible. If I can make someone else's journey a tiny bit lighter, it lifts me as well. It's not 10, but these are the main feelings I have about migraine.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 I am so grateful that you took the time to share this post, <inline-mention user-id="3784210" username="katetyndall"/> . Your words and perspective resonate with me deeply, as I'm sure they will with others. Determination, compassion, gratitude, strength, and fury- yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. It's interesting how some people react to migraine with anger and others with sadness. <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/are-you-sad-mad' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/are-you-sad-mad/</a>. Honestly, I think for many of us, we run through the five stages of grief when our episodic migraine disease shifts into a chronic status. There is so much to grieve over- because of exactly what you stated- all that we have to change in our life in order to make room for migraine. I'm glad you're in touch with the grit that has come about due to the disease as well. I believe understanding and appreciating that part of oneself can help to offset some of the more heartbreaking aspects of migraine. So very glad you're a part of this community. Your words have given me strength today. A good reminder that I'm not alone. You have made my journey lighter. Thank you.
hh45612 Member
Great video, Holly. How very much you said without speaking! Isn't that how migraine works sometimes? We don't have a voice because we are not believed. "They" have never heard of someone being so consumed with migraine every single day, so it must not really exist, or we are actually out of the apartment for a very few minutes today, therefore, it's really not so bad. But you put it out there in black and white; it's your story, whether it’s believed or not. (And no matter how often something is incorrectly thought of and judged and disbelieved, it doesn't somehow turn into being correct for the repeating - it is still incorrect.) So, I'll start with Misunderstood, Judged... AURA(!)... Exhausted, Pain-filled, Isolated, Overwhelmed, Cloudy-headed. As someone older, that older person’s Fear Of Being A Burden as things continue to worsen. But I am going to add as my 10th item – Brave, because I am still determined to be me, wonky or not.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3755993" username="hh45612"/> - I love hearing from you- thank you for chiming in and I'm glad this piece resonated with you. Indeed- we must continue on in the face of disbelief. It is through these types of myth-busting and truth-telling initiatives that we hopefully will enlighten others as to the reality of migraine. But even if "they" don't believe - we can still connect with one another to find shelter from the societal judgmental storm. Doing so truly helps to decrease that sense of isolation that many of us feel. I'm glad you mentioned that 'fear of being a burden' dynamic. It is a common issue- and your raising it helps the rest of us who are facing it, who are feeling it, feel less isolated, less alone. I'm fully with you on staying in touch with being brave - despite the sometimes scary pain- and all that migraine can take from us- to stay true to who we are. Bravo. So glad you're a part of our community! Please continue to stay in touch.
deedeevee1 Member
#10ways Exhausted Frustrated Overwhelmed Stigmatized Isolated Depressed Useless Pained Destitute Fragmented
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention user-id="3718603" username="deedeevee1"/> - Always love hearing from you and your perspective. Thank you for taking the time to give your #10ways. These are words to which we all can relate. Fragmented is one I haven't heard yet but is so spot on. Your list is so relatable it will undoubtedly help to decrease the sense of isolation in others who read it. You are such a valued member of our community. Please stay in touch. Thinking of you.
bluesguy Member
Hi Holly, thank you for putting this article together. I am almost embarassed to put some of my feelings down. It is sad but true. It feels like being even more exposed and vulnerable. But here are some ways I feel because of having(chronic) migraines. I feel lost, isolated, broken, forgotten, sad, guilty, ashamed, and in perpetual pain, (both migraine pain, and emotional pain).
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 I'm so glad to hear from you <inline-mention user-id="3787176" username="bluesguy"/> - I understand the feelings of vulnerability as we are made to feel small and as if we are fakers so often by those who don't have the disease. Here, though, I hope you can feel safe to share. That's what this community is for. The people here understand and know what living with migraine is all about. We know of what you speak. The emotional and physical toll that chronic migraine takes can indeed result in our feeling broken. The lack of societal understanding imposes those feelings of shame and guilt. We lose our way (or at least the route we pictured for ourselves) and often must find a new way. We cannot spent time in the world in the way others can and thus can feel forgotten. Yes! All of it, yes. So hard and so real. I'm sure others can relate to your words and perspective- I know I can. I'm grateful you shared to decrease the sense of isolation in the lives of others. Please stay in touch. Thinking of you.
ni3ci Member
Exhausted, frustrated, depressed, isolated, powerless, teary, sensitive, withdrawn, guilty & useless
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention user-id="3847032" username="ni3ci"/> - so glad you shared your feelings so honestly. I am absolutely certain others will relate to your words and perspective. I do. You are not alone in this. This is incredibly tough stuff. The isolation can be overwhelming. To that end, it's astoundingly important to try, with what little energy we have, to connect with others who live this reality-- just as you've done today. We are with you in this. If you have the time, I hope you'll visit our facebook page as well where we have a lively community of members who share and provide support to each other: <a href='https://www.facebook.com/MigraineDotCom/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.facebook.com/MigraineDotCom/</a> Living with migraine can be extraordinarily challenging:https://migraine.com/living-with-migraine/. We've all hit low lows due to the demands of the disease. Sometimes to the point that it can be hard to maintain perspective. This is so normal and it can help to remember ways to regain our footing: <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/turn-corner-when-feeling-down' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/turn-corner-when-feeling-down/</a> So glad you are a part of our community. Please stay in touch. Thinking of you.
luger178 Member
Exactly how I felt this week!!!
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi @lugar178 - Hope things are easing up this week for you. Thanks so much for chiming in. Thinking of you.
tashajd Member
Useless, anxious, helpless, confused, exhausted, shut down, depressed, seperated, teary, defenseless
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention user-id="3843577" username="tashajd"/> - thanks so much for joining the conversation and sharing your #10ways. Sounds like you fit right in with the rest of us. Your use of the word "seperated" is particularly compelling for its double meaning. Grateful you chimed in and I hope you'll stay in touch. This migraine journey is a tough one made more manageable when we connect with one another and remember that we're not alone. Thinking of you.
prytro Member
Exhausted, Despondent, Raw, Leaden, Isolated, Guilty, Submerged (stuck somewhere between sleeping and awake), Blind, Driven to not let this pull me down, Encouraged by the rest of you going through it with me.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Dear <inline-mention user-id="3860811" username="prytro"/> - I'm so grateful for what you shared- and the honesty with which you shared. You words are particularly compelling and relatable for me. The contrast between leaden and driven is striking and so true- also between despondent and encouraged. You illustrate the push and pull of this demanding disease and how one day, or even one hour can pull our focus in one direction and then we may feel a 180 degree shift moments later. To me those contrasts and that dynamic speaks of the resilience of the human spirit (and also the incredible challenges of the disease). It warms me to hear that you feel helped by the community that IS <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> - I feel the same and it is due to shares like yours that my own spirit can experience moments of uplift and drive. Grateful you took the time to share and I hope you will stay in touch.
denvergrant Member
exhausted frustrated crabby despondent bitter pained stressed lackluster quarrelsome weak
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 Hi DenverGrant- So grateful that you answered this call for how migraine makes you feel. Your words resonate with me and I'm certain they will with others as well. You are not alone in this. With you, Holly (migraine.com team).
enoughalready Member
Alone. Anxious. Depressed. Shamed. Useless. Scorned. Misunderstood. Hopeless. Pressured. Unreliable.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 EnoughAlready- I'm here and just reading your words as you posted them and I felt moved to respond. I know you feel it, but you are not alone. All the words you articulated are so right. So valid. So hard. This journey asks so much of us- and asks us to dig so very deep. I was listening to the Hamilton soundtrack this morning (not sure if you've gotten into that at all)- but there's a character in it called Hercules Mulligan. There's a line in which he says, he "needs no introduction, because when he gets knocked down, he just gets back up again". This hit me deeply because I think we, as migraineurs do just that- migraine has caused us to be stronger than most- dig deeper than others. It can be hard and sometimes impossible to see this disease as a positive- but you have something in you- a core that's been tested more than others- that's earned you a wisdom and grit that can't be discounted. I'm so glad you are a part of our community. You have a lot to contribute in the way of what you've learned through migraine. And I hope you'll keep sharing how you feel- you're helping others feel less alone when you do so. Stay in touch- Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
boo-boo Member
The first article with the nose picture,, almost all of the symptoms are of CRPS, which I ve had now for 17 years, migraines are very new.. FYI,,,,
rlb59 Member
Hi. I'm just learning all the emotions. Lonely Guilty for myself and my hubby Feeling unloved Isolation and finding sometimes I prefer it. That's scary for me as I was really social before. I feel like I'm letting everyone down Frustrated - I'm always in some kind of gear to wipe out sun and noise No independence anymore. I don't work and now I can't drive anymore due to seizures and migraines. I'm falling a lot. When hubby leaves I'm supposed to stay in bed with my bed rail up. It used to make me feel like a little kid. Now I prefer it cause I'm scared. Lost this new normal is constantly changing day by day. Blessed and fortunate for God, my very loving husband that now takes care of everything. At the same time I want to do stuff like clean and cook, but now very little. Angry. Like I need yet another disease and more meds. Fed up. Not a day goes by that I'm not throwing up. Zofran sometimes if I get it down fast enough. Otherwise I have to smoke pot just so I can eat. Which I've lost almost 30lbs in 4 months not good. I've always have said the my body was a medical misfit but not me. I still try to do something but it is hard when you can't get out of bed. 3 tylenol, ice pack on my head and sometimes heat on my neck. I have 2 pillows 1 for under my head and another to give weight and blackout any light. And I've lost partial eye sight in 1 eye permanently. So depression is an understatement at best for me. And the won't give me any pain meds and the clinic they are sending me at that I don't get to go until May. A lot of help from Dr's right.....not mine 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="rlb59" user-id="3870520"/> All the themes you raised here are so very universal. The feelings of guilt, anger, loss, sadness, and frustration. The impact on relationships is real. So glad you have such a present partner. You are not alone in this- we are so glad you are a part of this community. Are you seeing a migraine specialist? Please keep in touch. We are here for you. Warmly, Holly (migraine.com team).
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="rlb59" user-id="3870520"/> My heart goes out to you -- I think the majority of folks here have felt every one of the feelings you listed at one time or another. It's so tough. I wanted to touch on your struggle for independence at home. Are you open to possibly using a walker, canes or other assistive device? I am so grieved by the thought of you having no option but to stay in bed with the rails up while your hubby is gone. I have a disability that requires me to use a walker 24/7, but it gives me stability and safety so that I can do what I need to do. Many of these devices, including wheelchairs, can be covered by insurance. Additionally, I wonder if it could help you to use a wearable alert device (like Life Alert) so that if you are alone and fall, you have the means to get help. There are so many ways to find the support you need. Struggling with mobility and stability doesn't have to confine you. I'm happy to talk more if you have questions about this -- and we will always support whatever choices you make. Hugs to you. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
azreynolds Member
Isolated Frustrated Compassionate Supportive Encouraged Hopeful Joyful Impatient Lonely DETERMINED!!! I don't know when this will improve, but I know I have to keep on pushing myself through it, being as organized as possible, with determination and hope, and joyfully finding myself in the process. I've learned more about myself now than I ever had when I had the freedom to come and go as I pleased.
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 Love this, AZ. There are many silly cliches that speak to the idea that the most growth can often happen in the hardest times. If life is never challenging, if we never have to reach deep inside ourselves for courage, then we'd stay soft forever. Boy, do I wish that were possible sometimes. But I like the resilient, wiser version of myself too. I hear you. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
kphil11 Member
I feel despair, anxiety, fear, and panic that this time the pain won't stop. I feel isolated, lonely, tearful, but I've learned not to cry because crying makes the headache worse. After I have gathered my drugs, my fan, cold water and an icepack, I begin to do breathing exercises to calm myself and feel peace, calm, and hopefully, sleep, which is the bridge to feeling better. I still feel the headache later, but it's dull, just a reminder tht it can rekindle if I'm not watchful.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="kphil11" user-id="4242940"/> Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It sounds like you have a good plan in place when a migraine happens. I hear how difficult it is to stay calm during a migraine, I feel the same way and at times find it hard not to catastrophize. I like your plan and will implement it!! Wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team