I was diagnosed with migraines about 7-8 years ago along with fibromyalgia. Either one would have sufficed to annoy but the combo is pretty obnoxious.
The type of migraine that I get is lengthy-lasting about 4-6 days. That's where the disruptive part comes in. Yes, the symptoms are common to many migraineurs: auras (visual disturbances), pain mostly on one side of the head, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound. The 'typical' migraines usually come and go within 24-48 hours. If the duration is more in the 3-5 day (or more) range, it could be status migrainosus (but still must be diagnosed by your neurologist). Doesn't 'status migrainosus' sound spectacular? Reminds me of a Roman centurian's name....I, Flavias Status Migrainosus....!
You can get some background info on status migraines from WebMD-the 'go-to' place for all things medical....
WebMD's Info on Status Migraines
Some migraineurs can identify 'triggers' that seem to set a migraine in motion. For some the triggers can be as innocuous as consuming chocolate or sitting at a computer screen too long. For others stress plays a part. I have yet to identify a trigger though I suspect stress takes a toll.
One of the frustrating aspects of any illness is not finding a definitive cause, not being able to 'fix it'. That's been so hard to live with. I'm the type who questions everything, wants to understand the 'how and why' of everything. It's the same with illness. I become stressed when the doctors cannot give me a definitive answer. I have an angioma and a capillary blush in my right temporal lobe-one neurologist thought that might have something to do with the migraines. She retired to care for her newborn twins and the neurologist who took over her patient load doesn't seem to think the angioma/blush have much if anything to do with the migraines. Not happy with an even more ambiguous diagnosis I researched and found a splendid 'headache specialist'-a migraineur himself-and have been happy with his expertise and care. But the migraines persist.
Apparently, there are migraineurs who have success with the abortive medicines that are meant to stop a migraine in its tracks when taken at the earliest signs. Naturally, I'm not one of them. It may be that I just cannot gauge the onset well enough. Others find that preventive medicines work well-again, not me. I think perhaps they do reduce the severity or frequency of events. But it seems that the body adapts (to use a STNG Borg term!) to the medication and its efficacy wears off-at least that has been the case for me. Thus, migraineurs like me find they have to switch up medications every year or so.
It is difficult to live with the life-changing effects of chronic illness. But-we're here, we are persevering, we are enduring. I have learned to find such beauty, such meaning in those words. Living with chronic illness is tough on ourselves and our loved ones, but in some ways it is a gift. Know that I do not say that glibbly-it is a way of finding peace with the difficulties of the changed life. I have discovered that living with chronic illness has gifted me with 'perspective'. I am more appreciative of life itself-more filled with gratitude for what I am still able to do, with the support that I do have from family and friends (though I have lost a few along the way that couldn't adjust to the impact of the illness), with just being here to still be able to create memories with my children. And while I am not as active as I would like to be (backpacking into the wilderness is now a memory) I think I actually savor the experiences on the smaller scale more than I enjoyed the great treks into the wildnerness. I loved what I did before but I am humbled by what I do today.
helpful migraine related links:
Migraine Aura Foundation
This website pretty much has it all: medical info, visual arts and music therapy, migraine literature.....perhaps one of the most wholisitcally inclusive sites I have found.
Migraine.com Blog
Offers personal accounts of life with migraines-as well as useful information on diagnosis, treatment. I so recommend this site!
Scilog Blog
This blog is devoted to blogging about the science of migraines as well as tying in cool historic references to notable people with migraines.
and I want to include a wonderful book that I purchased that has really helped me emotionally cope with migraine pain:
Migraine Art: The Migraine Experience from Within
link takes you to Amazon.com (good source for used)
Migraine Art includes more than 300 powerful illustrations and paintings created by migraine sufferers from around the world. It provides a thoroughly unique window into the subjective world of the migraine sufferer. *
from: North Atlantic Books.com
book can be purchased new from them at: North Atlantic Books.com
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