Many people think that migraines are just normal headaches. They are so much more than that. The effect they have on the person suffering from them is so painful. They become sensitive to sound, light, and smell. The simplest of things can bring tears to their eyes. The simple act of walking can cause them to fall or become nauseous. They wish they had a headache compared to the pain of a migraine.
Having migraines is very difficult to explain to those who have never had one. Think about a normal headache. Intensify the pain by 5 or more, then add noise, light and smell sensitivity to the mix. Dizziness and nausea comes with migraines. When you have a headache, you can usually just take Ibuprofen and then take a nap and it goes away. That is not the case with migraines. The excruciating pain makes being a college student taking 6 classes while working very difficult.
I know this pain because I have been suffering from Chronic Migraines for a year. I have done every test the doctors could think of. I’ve done EEG’s, CT’s, MRI’s, Blood Test, and much more. All the results have come back clear and there is no exact place to pinpoint my migraines. I go see a chiropractor at least once a month and I used to go two to three times a week. I’ve changed my diet and also tried herbal remedies and Essential Oils. They help for only a short period of time just like the medications I’ve been prescribed. Nothing seems to be able to keep the migraines at bay.
Those close to people suffering from migraines can see the frustration. There's not much others can do to soothe someone who is suffering. I know because my boyfriend tries everything he can to try and help me. I take my medicine, go under the covers to keep the light away and even try to take naps because lack of sleep can cause a migraine episodes. The episodes can last a few hours or even a few days. The longest episode I have ever had was a little over two weeks and occurred when I first found out I suffered from Chronic Migraines.
There is not cure for Chronic Migraines. The only thing you can do is to try to suppress the pain and continue what you are doing. There is no end to the pain. I not only feel for others like me but for those who are close to those suffering who feel helpless. I hope this helps others realize that their pain is real and that it’s not just a normal headache. There is much more to it than that.