What’s Your Secret: Migraine Horror Story

By Holly Harding

1 min read

At its worst, migraine, a complex neurological condition, can escalate to a knee-buckling full-body experience that makes us wonder if we might break under its weight.

What have been my worst migraine experiences?

While migraine attacks hit us all differently, lots of us share the commonality of experiencing the off-the-charts pain that can come with this condition. Many have memories of migraine attacks that were so severe we wondered if we were dying.

In this What’s Your Secret Video, Holly shares a couple of her most terrifying migraine memories that shook her to her core.

What have your scariest experiences been?

It can help to air these memories out and hear the stories of others to remember we are not alone in navigating this challenging condition.

In the comment section below, we invite you to share some of your scariest migraine memories so we can connect, feel less alone, and learn from one another.

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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Sunriser Member
Thank you for sharing your experiences and you have put into words what I could never mange to do, that feeling that you are turning into an animal, becoming sub human. It's horrendous and I have been calling it "the horrors" to try and explain to others what it is like to experience. I have spoken to my partner and he said how frightening it is to even witness me in my delirious state. We all know that it will pass, it's still a challenge to experience and exhausts me for days. 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Sunriser" user-id="6620443"/> thank you for joining the conversation. You make such a great point - it can feel so good when someone gives words to what otherwise feels like an indescribable feeling. I'm glad that you experienced that with this article because it certainly is challenging when you're living with things like the "horrors." Migraine life is not the easiest, it's why I'm so grateful that we have a community of people here to talk with that simply get it. Wishing you a good day today. Best Alene, team member
2. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Sunriser" user-id="6620443"/> It is so deeply exhausting, isn't it? I think part of my process, as I mentioned in the video, was coming to learn that it would pass. The terror that came with it in my earlier years had to do with fearing I would die from the pain- or be somehow swallowed up by it. And now, decades later- while I know I will emerge after the attack, I can still feel scared by the severity of the pain. It can get so high that it feels terrifying as I move through that subhuman experience. I imagine it would be scary to witness a loved one in that kind of pain, as well. Thank you for sharing your insights on that. I'm glad some of what I shared worked for you. It can be hard to put these intense experiences into words. Again, so glad you're with us. Warmly - Holly (team member)
djean Member
My worst horror story my parents traveled 1800 miles to visit on Thanksgiving and ended up in ER but worst part laying across chairs vomiting in cup for hours waiting to be seen.
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="djean" user-id="3724348"/> Whoa. Okay. Yes- that does indeed qualify as quite the horror story. Truly, most migraine stories that include an ER visit are frequently horror shows because they are not set up to properly manage and treat migraine. The bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, and long waits are ingredients that combine to worsen a migraine attack. Add to that your parents visit. I'm not sure if you've ever heard of something called a "letdown" migraine attack: <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/navigating-let-down-migraine' target='_blank'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/navigating-let-down-migraine</a>. Basically it can happen when you have a stressful or event that occurs and then passes- after which a major attack occurs. Sometimes it can happen when we're looking forward to an event/visit of our friends and family- we do all the preparations - and when they finally come, part of us relaxes and is relieved they're there- and the migraine attack hits. Of course many triggers may have been at play for you- I just wondered with all that was going on for you on Thanksgiving, perhaps stress was at play. It was likely hard on you to feel responsible for them being in town while you were coming apart at the seams. I'm so sorry that happened to you. We're so glad you're with us and we appreciate you sharing your story with us. Please stay in touch. Warmly - Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
 Terrifying experience with migraine? Hmmm, which to choose?? ER experiences rank very, very high, but one ER visit is tied directly with my other 2 horrible ones... being frozen, unable to move or speak due to such severe pain. Now I'm not talking about "not wanting to move" because of pain. I mean that I was frozen for 8 hours the first time and 9+ hours the 2nd time. It was like being in a coma, but I was totally aware of every agonizing moment. The first time was in 1978, before there were any migraine meds. I had been fighting a migraine for 3 days at that point, vomiting regularly, no sleep and percocet wasn't touching the pain. Hubby went off to work and I stayed in bed, waiting for meds to kick in...again. Then that was it. I was frozen. All I remember was swirling pain, nonstop... forever. Then hubby was home at 5:45 or 6pm. He couldn't get any response from me at first and was calling for an ambulance, when I whispered, "Pain." He scooped me up and carried me to the car. I couldn't stay on the seat. I had no ability to control any part of my body. At the ER, they ignored us. In Houston, only bleeding, dying, or pregnant people get treated. Seriously! At Ben Taub Hospital, a friend who was shot in the head during a robbery, was put on a gurney in the hallway for hours!! He wasn't considered an emergency. So migraines, looooooowwwww priority. Well, I kept sliding out of the chair so much that hubby just left me in the floor, placing my head under the chairs to block light further. Finally a nurse got so mad aboutleavingme on the floor that she put us in a room to hide me. Four hours later, a doctor came in, hook me up to glucose for dehydration, and gave me a shot of something that knocked me out. We got home the next day at about 6 am. The migraine continued for 2 more days, but not as bad. I never dreamed I would experience that again, but I had a repeat in 2015. By that time, I knew ER was useless. After hubby shook me conscious, I managed to refuse his suggestion of the ER. I thought the Sumatriptan might have been responsible for freezing me, totally forgetting about what had happened in 1978. So instead of taking another Sumatriptan, I took an oxycodone. I remember getting hysterical later that night because the pain wouldn't stop. Crying uncontrollably. Thankfully I've learned, through meditation, to not get upset like that anymore, but to remain calm and DON'T CRY! It only makes you hurt worse.👍 
1. Holly Harding Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> WOW. That is quite a stirring description. A bit traumatizing even to read about! I'm so sorry to hear you went through such a thing. But I'm glad you shared it. I think you got to something that hasn't been shared- the way migraine meds have been developed in the very recent past. For those of us who were born in the 1900's, we likely experienced a different reality than those who are going to the ER now. I even remember a difference between my teenage ER trip and the trip to the college hospital - as in that 6 year period they had began using Toradol injections for migraine. It was such a bizarre experience (and the first I'd ever had) in which I was given a treatment that allowed me to walk out in fairly fine shape after going in two hours early on the verge of passing out from the pain. And yes- pro tip re: resisting the urge to cry. Love you, Annzie. Hope you've not had another ER trip since 2015 (?). Warmly - Holly (team member)
azreynolds Member
Sorry, I wasn't clear. I haven't returned to the ER since 1994. I did not go to the ER in 2015. My experience with ERs and migraines have been so awful, I vowed to never return with a migraine ever again. They ignore you forever and the lights, noise and scents hurt me too much. I just chill out at home with ice packs/heat, a combination of medications and meditation. I haven't had a 9 in a long time (9s being inability to speak, 10s being unconscious). During the last level 10, when I fainted I hit my head on a marble dresser. I haven't fainted from a migraine since then. I go through level 8s, maybe even 8.5, but so far no matter how bad they are, I maintain the ability to speak and move. Perhaps it's the Aimovig or Botox? They seem to definitely lessen the severity of my migraines. Unfortunately, Amgen Safety Net Foundation has lowered their financial qualifications by $16,000 for 2025 and I will no longer qualify. 
1. Tracy Hannigan, MOstMed, ACE-HC Moderator
 <inline-mention username="azreynolds" user-id="3677307"/> it sounds like you're in good company wanting to avoid the ER! Fainting is pretty scary though - did you get seriously hurt fainting and hitting your head? That may end up giving you a different reason to go to the ER! Does your neurologist have a plan to help if the Safety Net Foundation disqualification means you can't get treatment that works for you? Warmly, Tracy (Team Member)
azreynolds Member
<inline-mention username="Tracy Hannigan, MOstMed, ACE-HC" user-id="3908580"/> I will discuss the Amgen Safety Net Foundation's change at my next follow-up visit for my botox injections later this month. I am torn between fighting it, or just "giving in" to see how often my migraines will occur being off Aimovig. Nurtec seems to be working better as my rescue med so it might suffice. But I'm still relying on Nutec samples from my neurologist because I don't financially qualify for any support from Nurtec either, and it's cost to me after insurance is $900+ per month. The sad part is with hubby finally retiring completely in December, our combined Social Security income is below what they require for Aimovig. But since SS income is not enough to live on and pay all our bills (and we live very frugally), we will have to pull money from savings every month. We have saved our entire marriage for this situation and can support our SS income, but using our savings to meet the monthly bills will throw us out of the new lowered requirement level. It's a catch 22. I don't know if the 2018 fall hit on the marble caused additional damage to my TBI or not. Hubby said a big knot on the outside was good because "out" means "not in" which could cause real damage. All I can remember about that fall was a truly horrible headache for about 10 days, but not my worse one so I didn't worry too much. However, when I did my faceplant in 2023, I noticed several problems afterwards with memory, with finding words, and using my left arm. Getting my brain to connect to my left arm, was a real problem. That fall shifted my neck vertebrae C4 out beyond C5, pinching a nerve rendering the left arm useless for 3 weeks. But even months after the arm healed, I couldn't play my mandolin because my brain would shut off. Also, I realized I had lost parts of my muscle memory (which musicians rely on). Plus, my migraines increased back up to 20 per month, and my vision was affected again. My Neurological Optometrist, who helps me fight my problems with the binasal occlusion glasses, told me that he thought the faceplant hadn't helped my poor old brain. Once you've had a TBI, every severe hit afterwards can possibly contribute. Since there was a disconnect, we're pretty sure something happened this last time. But like all migraineurs, I just plow on along. I'm still retraining my brain connection to my left arm with PT exercises and practicing my mandolin.