When Two Conditions Are Too Much

By Holly Harding

1 min read

Living with chronic migraine presents endless challenges. Many of us are navigating this reality on daily basis. Unfortunately, there are others of us who have additional conditions that we are juggling on top of migraine. There are comorbid conditions that often accompany migraine (depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, etc.) and then many others that arise during the course of an average lifetime (injuries, cold/flu, cancer, COVID, etc.). When we get hit with something in addition to migraine, it can feel like just too much to handle.

In this video, Holly shares her recent experience with an injury and how it opened her eyes to those who live with more than one chronic condition.

Are you living with more than one condition? Do you have any experiences or lessons you’ve learned along the way to share with our community? We’d love to learn from you.

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azreynolds Member
Holly, Use humor! Laugh at yourself as much as possible. When I was juggling doctor appointments for my post Pelvic Organ Prolapse surgery with my pre cataract surgeries appointments for measuring my cornea while wearing my huge sling contraption from my recent rotator cuff surgery, and trying to figure out how to also get in two PT visits per week AND hoping to schedule in my lumbar epidurals and Radio frequency ablation shots back in again, but still trying to manage to work in urethra caruncle removal surgery....well, we just laughed and laughed because it's absolutely ridiculous and crazy!!! But that's what you gotta do. Laugh. You also have to force yourself to stay positive. Right now I'm having to deal with severe dry eyes too. I've had dry eyes since I was 16, but with cataract surgery next month, the doctor has me using artificial tears four x a day, steroid eye drops twice a day, Refresh PM at night, a moist compress three x a day, and wearing these wet goggles all night. It's such a hassle!! (And I have to squeeze that in around my PT exercises here at home four x a day too.) When my hubby was getting me ready for bed the two months that I wore the sling contraption, he laughed that he needed to start at 7pm just to get me in bed by ten. When we were trying to figure out how to bath, dry me off and dress me, I'd be yelling to do one thing, he'd be doing another, and it was a total joke. We literally had to laugh at ourselves. Years ago we made a pact that whenever we worked on a project, we couldn't hold each other responsible for anything we said during the stress of the project. After all was over, all had to be forgiven and forgotten. Well, we made the same deal after my POP surgery, and it will probably be in place for all of my upcoming surgeries too. So after the cussing and yelling, we just laugh at ourselves. You know my story, besides daily headache and migraines, I live with daily pain from fibromyalgia, spinal arthritis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, unstable SI joints, pelvic adhesive disease, and still one more torn rotator cuff surgery to go. I've had whiplash more times than I can remember, so yes, I've known daily pain for 50+ years. But I didn't really learn to live with it until I first read your writing. You gave me the inspiration to find joy within my pain so actually....you know exactly what to do already! We must be grateful for all we've been given, even if that means being grateful for the hassle and pain of living. Find the Joy! 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> hello dear! Thank you for sharing your wonderful wisdom and well-earned positive attitude with the rest of us! You certainly do know your way around juggling multiple conditions in addition to migraine. I tend to believe that finding peace and acceptance with our conditions is a linear and never-ending process. Sometimes we have a better handle on this approach than others. Do you find that to be the case or for you or was it more of a light switch moment? Once you figured out how to make friends with your conditions there was no looking back? So grateful for your willingness to share openly with the rest of us so that we may learn from you. All love to you, Annzie.- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team 
2. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> Definitely it's a learning process, but I think a determination to NOT let our ailments win makes a huge influence on maintaining the positive attitude. Once again, hubby and I laugh at how one thing is horrible one day, and something else takes over as soon as one improves. It's hilarious! For example, here I sit tickled pink that PT went so well on my arm. But while I was standing there doing the pulleys, my old knee injury from living
azreynolds Member
Not sure why it cut off my comment here. But to continue, my old knee injury from December 2021, started sending me electric shocks. I started laughing and said, "No no, not you again! G 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> I think someone here wrote an article about this but I can't think of what it was called. It spoke to this dynamic of how our bodies seem to handle one major thing at a time, and as soon as that clears - another issue arises. I know when I get a major cold, my migraine attacks often take a backseat. As soon as it clears- hello severe attacks! I wonder why this happens? Thanks for speaking to this and sorry our system keeps cutting you off! Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
2. azreynolds Member
 <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I wonder if there's a name for it? I'm sure being cut off is related to my phone. Or perhaps the system thinks I talk too long. Lol
azreynolds Member
Not sure why it cut off my comment again. But to continue,... Yes, I agree that people living with chronic pain are better at dealing with this, but perhaps it's because we are more or less just "rolling with the punches" because we have no choice. I have lived with daily chronic migraines (24-28 per month) for so long that I have experienced migraines while enduring broken back and broken ribs, abscessed intestines, pelvic disorders and surgery, to name a few, plus the list of ailments that I live with every day listed above. Throughout all of these migraine pain has always been my most intense pain. Nothing, absolutely nothing hurts as much as my migraines! (Except for when I burned both legs with hot grease.) So those of us who are enduring chronic migraine, we are all brave souls. And if you're functioning while enduring chronic migraine, you are amazing! Y'all don't forget that!
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> I think you're right about this, Annie. It's probably a lot like emotional trauma -- eventually, it's just too much and you can begin to become desensitized to things that would normally hurt. Most people without health issues would probably say "I couldn't go through what he or she deals with," but the odds are that they were once looking at others the same way. We don't know how we'll manage until we have no other choice but to manage. Hope your week is going okay! Thanks for the great discussion. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
ccf23 Member
Holly, your video brings me right back to my frozen shoulder journey. To keep it short I knew I had hurt something but thought it would get better on it's own. 6 mos later my pcp tells me it's frozen shoulder, on my migraine side. Ugh. Specialist confirms and sends me to PT. Very diligent therapist sees diagnosis of chronic migraine and asks if he can try something with my neck. Next few days I was in agony. After a few canceled sessions went back and asked to just stick with shoulder. Agony next 4 days. Decided to do home exercises only. Just didn't get anywhere and migraines brutal. Specialist offered a cortisone injection which I accepted and did exercises on my own for a few weeks with no pain. It never came back! I asked ortho why the PT caused so much migraine intensity and he said the same muscles are involved in each condition. I'm the type not to take short cuts and thought I needed to do the work of PT but this was an important lesson for me. I need to always be aware of any pain condition or inflammation potentially worsening migraine. And it's okay to take the easier road. Wishing you the best!
1. ccf23 Member
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Workman" user-id="3715820"/> Thank you, Amanda. I really Iike the reminder about spoon theory you write below. I know it is true and I live it with my piles of housework around me but somehow forget to use it when making decisions about what I can do or participate in. So sorry to read about your cyst experience. Thank you for pointing out that we need to know what pain level is normal for our conditions, if we can, and raise the alarm when something changes. I'm so glad we have this forum to learn from each other. Best wishes!
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="ccf23" user-id="3691909"/> Thanks so much for your kindness and compassion. We are so grateful (and blessed) to have you as a part of our community! Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
Amanda Workman Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/> I wanted to start by saying that you have a beautiful home! I live with multiple chronic health issues and can say it is not an easy task. When my migraines became chronic in 2009, it became my second chronic condition (with endometriosis being the first one). Not long after developing chronic migraine, I started having widespread pain. This ended up being fibromyalgia. I have several tips for living with multiple conditions. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in trying to fake it til we make it that we overdo it. The spoon theory is such an important thing to live by. This continues into being okay with saying no. I think saying No was harder for me than learning to follow the spoon theory. I have also learned that you ned to be aware of what is a normal pain level for you and your health conditions. I say this because I was in a lot of pain and just assumed it was part of life with endometriosis. Unfortunately, I actually had a softball-sized cyst in my ovary which caused a blood infection. That was super dangerous. You definitely have to pay attention to what your body is telling you! - Amanda W (team member)
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Workman" user-id="3715820"/> Hi Amanda- thanks for the kind words about my home. I moved last year after a lot of upheaval in my life and making my home just how I wanted it was really important - I appreciate what you said! Second- wow- you've been through so much. Wonderful of you to share your wisdom with us. "No" is a powerful word and so much easier said than done. Of course there is a lot of emotional weight that happens as a result of those no's. It's very healthy to accept our limitations - however at the same time, it's also heartbreaking to watch life continue without us. Both can be true. Chronic pain brings with it a lot of grief, cycling into acceptance and back again. Giving ourselves space to feel the extremes and everything in between is healthy. There's no right or one way to feel when it comes to chronic pain. In my experience, it is a spectrum of feelings and our experience of them is nonlinear. You have clearly "been there" - so I know I'm preaching to the choir on this - just doing my own reflecting on this very well-worn topic in my life this morning. Grateful you're a part of the team here at <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a>. Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Workman" user-id="3715820"/> I meant to also say I'm in awe of how many conditions you are juggling and with such grace. The cyst sounded terrifying. I'm assuming that's resolved? Warmly- Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team.
kateymac Member
Hi Holly - I wanted to reply to this article back when u wrote it, but I’m just getting to it. One part of this, for me, is that the longer I’m disabled with this illness, the more it saps my energy. This is making it impossible for me to tend to the health problems that happen outside of the migraine cyclone. I have to cancel more appointments than i can keep. Often, there are practitioners who can’t absorb the cost, anymore, and so will not schedule with me again. So, the longer I’m disabled, the more health problems come up; because sitting still with migraine year after year neglects the rest of my body, leading to breakdowns all over the place. Muscles, bones, and organs aren’t meant to be so neglected. It’s a helluva a desctructive disease. - Kate 🌷
1. Cody Leach Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> Hi Kate 😀. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts on the article. It's understandable that the longer you experience disability due to migraine, the more it drains your energy. Living with a chronic condition can be incredibly challenging, and it often affects various aspects of our lives. I also think it's so important to acknowledge and keep in mind the immense strength and resilience it takes to navigate through these barriers that migraine can create. Living with this disease is certainly not easy! But as long as we take it one day at a time, we can all do this! Wishing you a wonderful day, -Cody (Team Member) PS. I will also tag <inline-mention username="Holly Harding" user-id="3755969"/>, so she can see your comment. 
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="kateymac" user-id="3784217"/> Kate! I'm sorry to have been slow in responding! I care so much about you! Suffice it to say I'm SO with you in this migraine mess that makes it difficult to stay on top of things! I really relate to the realities of how migraine and the challenges that accompany it, create a cycle where it seems harder and harder to stay afloat. I can only compare it to the idea of reserves - when we are on empty and then forced to ask more of ourselves- we end up depleted. With chronic migraine, as you know, we get hit repeatedly - so restoring those reserves becomes an uphill battle. This actually makes us vulnerable to other health challenges - and trying to manage multiple health challenges becomes near impossible when we have zero reserves! A terrible cycle. All this not even to mention the wear and tear on our bodies from migraine- between the brittle muscles and bones due to tightness and stillness - like you said- none of this is good for our bodies. I'm thinking lately about the importance of pacing- proactive pacing throughout everyday (I'll write a piece about this soon) - but basically structuring my day around major rest/stillness no matter how I'm feeling - as a means of resetting and letting my meds work - but starting the day with a good walk (also no matter how I'm feeling) to ensure that my body gets good movement each day. Does any of that resonate with you? I know there are some days that movement is an impossibility. But these are worthy goals, right? Let me know what you're thinking about. So good to be in touch. Sending love and warmth your way. - Holly <a href='https://-migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>-migraine.com</a> team
philstar22 Member
Multiple conditions can be hard. Especially because they can trigger each other. Quite a few of my other health conditions can trigger migraines.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="philstar22" user-id="8799358"/> We'll be very interested to hear how this works for you. Please keep us updated. I'm here to answer any questions you may have about botox. I've been taking it for over 20 years. Here for you! <a href='https://migraine.com/video/20-years-of-botox' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/video/20-years-of-botox</a>. Warmly - Holly - <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team 
2. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="philstar22" user-id="8799358"/> Good to hear! Try not to get discouraged with Botox. You're right - it can take three, four maybe more rounds before we notice significant improvement in migraine attack frequency and severity. I've been getting Botox since 2016 with good results. However, every once in a while I have a hard time after the injections for a few days. This passes and things seem to level out. It's probably more of a life thing than a Botox thing! Sending you pain free wishes, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team Member