Write About Your Migraine Experience: Prompt 2

By Lisa Robin Benson

1 min read

Migraine disease can be very isolating, and sometimes it's hard to describe your experience. Well, creative writing can help! In this series, I'll share some inspiration, and give a new writing prompt in each video.

Come join us!

The writing is from brainlessblogger.net.

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.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

April.Sluder Moderator
I've never really considered myself a writer, but I have found journaling to be very difficult, especially in difficult times. April - <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>Migraine.com</a> Team
dinamay Member
Saw spots and stars one day, one leg stopped walking, could not speak, so it was off to the ER, thinking about having a stroke. Cafergot sent me there, so let’s try DHE. Oof! That was worse, start with Stadol. Ooh, got a little high. Imitrex appeared and learned to stick a needle in my thigh. Depakote came along soon after with the dizzies and sleepies. And Trazodone to bring calmies. Plus Ultram now a no-no ‘cause a baby opioid, though back then we “couldn’t get addicted,” no way, no how. Fifty pounds came with these, along with dark glasses and a hat, no more coffee, no wine, no cheese, no chocolate, no bread. Need to abstain - from sun, from rain, from wind, from flowers, from seasons, from staying up late, from getting up early, from going to movies, from laughing, from crying, from life and enjoyment. Oh you must be joking! And keep a detailed record of every pain and its rating! Oh for crying out loud! Verapamil and amitriptyline, no, switch to nortriptyline, it’s so much Ah better. And lay off the Imitrex (sumatriptan) - give all her sisters a try: Rizatriptan, Naratriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan, and…oh, enough already! Time to move on to Topamax and word salad. Then all those lovely, little pinpricks of Botox. Finally, Emgality - cue the orchestra here because it works, it really works!! No, no, no, it’s time for Medicare, so shut down the orchestra, shut off the Emgality. It’s time to start over again with suma, and topa and Botox, even though they quit working years ago. That’s the penalty for getting for getting old. Ah well, it was nice while it lasted. All 2 months.
1. Cheryl Picerno Moderator
 <inline-mention username="dinamay" user-id="3907903"/> That is quite a journey you've been on while trying to manage your migraine disease. I understand it and have walked in those very footsteps with my husband in many respects. I am still working so he was able to hold off going on to Medicare as I have him on my employer insurance. Champ has a page of various types of financial assistance pathways that may be helpful to you. Here is a link to the page. https://headachemigraine.org/financial-assistance-programs/ Stay strong and never stop fighting! Warmly, Cheryl <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
Rebecca C Moderator
<inline-mention username="dinamay" user-id="3907903"/> - you've portrayed the rollercoaster ride of migraine disease and chronic illness treatment of many who suffer perfectly. I've been in the front car going up and down for years trying and failing so many drugs for my chronic diseases. Along the coaster track, I've gotten dizzy, fallen down, vomited, lacked energy, and gone day after day in pain without being adequately treated. I understand - it's damn frustrating. Then as you age out, you finally find something that may work somewhat, but you're put on retired govt medical care and BAM! - nope you can't use the one medication that has helped you in the recent past bc ... well ... it's too expensive and not on our prescription formulary. But you can use this one that didn't work for you in the past. I will never understand and fear for my health as I get older. I hope that you can find some financial assistance to help you buy the one medication that did help you. Here's a site that may help. (Emgality is manufactured by Lilly Pharm) <a href='https://www.lillycares.com/how-to-apply' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.lillycares.com/how-to-apply</a> Warmly ~ Rebecca (Migraine.com comm advc)
hitesh-goenka Member
Yes, expressing what you feel through writing is important as we can't really talk to many people about what we go through. More than 90% of the people around me dislike what I have to say when asked the reason why I am doing something or not doing something. This made me write more and more such that I took it up as my full-time career. My book on migraine, Anything But This, has gone into printing after a year-long publishing process. And I have already started working on part 2 of this book. Poetry on migraine is quite easy for me as I have three decades of experience. It flows...just like my darling migraine.
sadhusband Member
I'm the husband of a Migraine sufferer and I feel for all of you that have them, last night I mesaged her neck and back with pain cream and she fell asleep and seemed to wake up refreshed, first time in a long time when had the migraines. I'm now getting involved with her headaches and will now be pro-active in her health care, about time right?
1. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="sadhusband" user-id="4583334"/> Hi! I'm glad you're here on the site trying to learn more. Let us know if you have specific questions! For now, the best thing you can do for your wife is ask how you can help. She may enjoy a lot of active care, or she may just want to be left to rest. Don't be too hard on yourself! -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team
sismo Member
I’ve Tried … I’ve tried sucking it up Crying it out Faking it until I didn’t make it I’ve tried drinking more water Getting more sleep and Not napping so much I’ve had nerve blocks and massages, Infusions and steroids, Meds that made me hungry And fat And stupid. Meds that curbed my appetite but Dried my mouth and made me sleepy And dizzy. I’ve tried new doctors and Gone back to old ones. I’ve tried to listen And to be heard. I’ve tried to not get angry about stupid suggestions To try. And try, try again. I’ve tried to share what it’s really like. To draw word pictures. I’ve tried to hide what it’s really like. To draw less attention than I probably needed. I’ve tried to keep calm and ___________ on. I’ve tried freaking out completely at the frustration of it all. I’ve tried ignoring it, Acknowledging it, Handling it, Seeking help with it. I’m still trying… To get the right meds At an affordable price To get rid of the shame Of not being able Not being happy Not feeling worth it. I’ve tried. 
1. Rebecca C Moderator
 <inline-mention username="sismo" user-id="3824492"/> - This captures the reality of migraines - the struggle, the frustration, the torment, the toll it takes on an individual. Thank you for sharing your struggle with us. Hoping you are able to hold your own today, that you find some relief throughout this struggle,and that you can catch a break from it all. You are thought of ... deeply ~ Rebecca (comm advc)
2. Melissa Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="sismo" user-id="3824492"/> Gorgeous. Thank you!!! I love the line about faking it until you *didn't* make it. Hugs. -Melissa, <a href='https://migraine.com' target='_blank'>migraine.com</a> team