By Arielle Hicks, as instructed to Alexandra Benisek

I’ve had migraines for so long as I can keep in mind. As a toddler, I used to be all the time bubbly, concerned in extracurricular actions and a straight-A pupil. Someday I had what I believed was a typical headache, but it surely wouldn't go away. After that, I solely had a headache for a day or two for weeks. Then weeks changed into months.

I fell asleep in school. My grades dropped. I finished doing my homework and didn't do nicely on checks. I finished going out with associates and exercising. I didn't even wish to do easy issues like go to the flicks as a result of every little thing appeared to hassle me.

Ultimately I used to be in a position to see a neurologist who instructed me I had migraines. It was reassuring to get that analysis, to know I wasn't loopy. As a result of at 13 folks typically say, “It's all in your head.”

My ever-changing therapy plan

We had been in a position to begin a therapy plan instantly. It was a variety of trial and error.

However over time we seen that medicines alone weren’t serving to sufficient. It received to the purpose the place I used to be hospitalized for anyplace from just a few days to as much as per week. This couldn't hold occurring. I most likely missed half a 12 months of college at that time.

We tried one thing known as nerve blocks. My migraines normally begin at the back of my head. So I used to be given numbing drugs and typically a steroid in that space. It was virtually like magic. It was instantaneous reduction. I wouldn't have a migraine for weeks to a month, or longer. It had modified my life.

Later, my migraines began radiating to the entrance of my head. Then we might additionally do the therapy in my eyebrows. I keep in mind crying the primary time I did it as a result of it helped me see higher. It's not nice to get needles in your head. But it surely's value it to eliminate the fixed each day headache.

As I received older, I turned a candidate for Botox. I carry a variety of pressure, so I get Botox throughout my head and in my shoulders to cut back the strain. Physiotherapy can also be one thing I do to assist launch the stress in my neck. I've executed that on and off over time.

To this present day, my therapy plan continues to vary. I’m at present taking an anticonvulsant, which I’ve been taking for the previous 3 years.

Way of life modifications and remedy may also help

I've been making way of life modifications like ensuring I keep hydrated, eat and sleep nicely. These three had been the massive issues, as a result of an absence of them could cause migraines.

I began a headache diary to trace what I used to be doing and discover my triggers. For me, I found that chocolate and the meals additive MSG result in migraines. One other massive set off is stress. That's why my medical workforce linked me to a behavioral psychologist. Many individuals with migraines are sometimes harassed, so it's good to have somebody you possibly can discuss to.

I’m an outdoorsman. However in the course of the winter, the shortage of sunshine and seasonal anxiousness imply I’ve extra migraines. Throughout this season I began taking an anti-anxiety medicine. This may also help with the ache. It additionally makes me really feel extra comfy so I don't get harassed about sure issues. And that additionally helps scale back my migraines.

My expertise with occipital detachment surgical procedure

The most important factor I did, in any case the opposite remedies, was surgical procedure. As a result of most complications begin at the back of my head, my surgeon carried out occipital surgical procedure. (On this process, your physician releases the nerves at the back of your head from close by muscle tissue and tissues that could be placing strain on them.)

That's truthfully been the perfect factor for me. I used to have migraines that lasted for weeks at a time with solely possibly 2 to five headache free days per thirty days. However now I solely get two to 3 migraine assaults a month.

Even after the surgical procedure, my docs instructed me that I’d nonetheless get migraines every so often. However physiotherapy, the medicine and a dialog with somebody: it's all very good. The therapy has given me my life again.

My neurologist can empathize, which is essential to me. He had skilled comparable issues. I take a look at him and assume, 'Wow, this was his life too. And now he’s a physician and helps folks.” It's inspiring to see another person undergo this and are available out of it.

Know that you’re not alone and that with the fitting therapy you’ll really feel higher.