Hello, my name is Jamie. In April of 2008, a terrible migraine hit me. I had had migraines before, so I just rested and figured it would go away. After weeks of the pain not ceasing I started seeing specialists. I can’t even count how many tests and treatments I have gone through or even the number of specialists I have seen. When none of it worked or provided answers, I was simply diagnosed with a chronic migraine. To this day I have not had a day where this pain didn’t ail me.
In a month, I will have been battling this migraine for six years. I am only 18. I always thought that by this time I would be a full-time student, earning my way to a Veterinary Technology A.S. degree, and from there, a Bachelor’s in the same field, I had even considered becoming a veterinarian. Instead, I am in tremendous pain just taking one class. This migraine has made any form of concentrating or reading very painful. All the time people assume I’m better if I’m in a good mood, but that is a facade so that people don’t worry about me. If I show how I really feel I am swarmed and asked a million questions like I caused this migraine.
Before I earned a GED, I was attending a semi-private high school. I was verbally attacked with students saying I was making this up to make my life easier and avoid schoolwork, since I often felt too bad to go to school. Every day is a battle, not easy whatsoever. All the time people I know confront me about only taking one class (that it’s online instead of on campus), as if I’m not trying to further my education enough. They compare me to my older sister who will have her Bachelor’s degree in mathematics in August.
No matter how much I try I’m not good enough to those I know. Despite the pain they expect me to be able to be a full-time student. Not even my own parents have faith in me getting degrees in my field. I try to enjoy life, but if I’m even just outside for a few hours in the sun or noise I am miserable for days. I haven’t met one person that understands the fight I’m going through. I sometimes get depressed or lonely because of that. I want people to understand my fight is real.
Jamie
Florida
Submitted 03/19/2014
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Jamie,
I’m so sorry to hear of your chronic pain. My husband has suffered off and on with migraines. Then one hit the fall of 2010, and it’s been with him every single day since. Like you, he’s undergone many tests, and several Doctors, only to be diagnosed with “chronic migraine”. It’s so frustrating to him and for all of us who wish we could help him. I know that there are days that you must feel you can’t endure any longer. Please hang in there. It’s difficult for those around you to fathom having such horrific pain that never eases up. They just want you well. Take heart and grab every minute of the “lesser pain” days as you can.
Jamie, I am so sorry to hear that you’re going through, and especially for your lack of support. It is so hard having a disability that is not visible to other people. I also suffer from migraines. Luckily I do not have chronic , but when one hits it is unbearable ! I know that there are new treatments like Botox available. You need to find the best neurologist in your area and then solicit his/ her support. Maybe you can take a family member to the doctor and have the doctor explain what you’re going through. There may be a support group in your area where you can not only talk to people but learn of new resources. If you ever want to talk my email is chrisdoole@aol.com. Best wishes to you !!
Jamie,
I am so sorry you have to endure such a painful experience that has had a profound impact on your life…and with little understanding and support around you. I thought I was suffering from migraines the past couple of years and the headaches were unbearable so I can empathize with what you are going through. My headaches turned out to be a brain tumor which was removed last August, thankfully it was benign but I had serious side effects from treatment medications which caused deep muscle pain and weakness. I often got the same response and reaction because they couldn’t see the pain I was, and still do to some degree, experience. It can be rough. Like you it interrupted the life path I was on and like you I have to make adjustments. Just know that you ARE good enough! You ARE a worthy and valuable person and if you are determined to reach your goals despite your condition you will. It might take you longer but just think how happy you will be when you get there. Through my own experience I was forced to learn patience with myself and take things one day at a time, sometimes moment by moment. I am lucky to have a great support group of brain tumor patients who told me the first day, “No one knows what you are experiencing except someone else who has gone through it,” and in my case that is true. I cannot expect everyone to understand or fully know what I go through or went through because they haven’t been through it; can they be more understanding and empathetic, sure, but without a personal reference point sometimes they just can’t understand that your “normal” and how you do things is not comparable to others. And just like the previous post said, we also don’t know what it is like for our loved ones to watch us go through such frightening and painful ordeals. I sincerely hope you can find relief from your migraines and remember to keep doing your best. If it takes you years to get to your goals, so be it. Just do what you can when you can.
If you ever need someone to talk to or someone on your side feel free to email me at JAGRacer1875@aol.com.
Hi Jamie,
I do understand where you are coming from, I have had migraines for 28 yrs now. Sometimes I would have 15 a month bc I could never really tell when 1 stopped an another one began. I went thru Neurologists like crazy. I finally found a great Neurologists who was awesome in working with me. He had migraines himself so he understood what I was going thru. Mine were so bad he prescribed Toradol & Benedryl that my husband could give me injections when my headaches were bad enough. I was his 1st patient to try Botox long before it was advertised and it helped my headaches went down to 2 a month. Now I have a new condition from a car accident called CRPS and I am back to some type of headache varying in severity everyday, non stop. I am telling you all of this to say your not alone. I am just one of several who suffer with you and am always willing to talk. You can email me @ cowgirlmoffitt@hotmail.com and if you are on Facebook you can send me a friend request. I hope something I’ve told you might help & if not just remember you are not alone.
Lonnette Moffitt