By Arielle Hicks, as instructed to Alexandra Benisek
I’ve had migraines for so long as I can bear in mind. As a toddler, I used to be at all times bubbly, concerned in extracurriculars, and a straight-A scholar. In the future, I had what I assumed was a typical headache, nevertheless it wouldn’t go away. Then for weeks, I might solely get a day or two and not using a headache. Then weeks became months.
I used to be falling asleep in school. My grades had been dropping. I wasn’t doing my homework, or doing nicely on checks anymore. I finished hanging out with buddies and taking part in sports activities. I did not need to do even easy issues like go to the films as a result of every part appeared to trouble me.
Ultimately, I used to be capable of see a neurologist who instructed me that I had migraines. It was reassuring to get that prognosis, to know that I wasn’t loopy. As a result of at 13 years outdated, numerous occasions, individuals say, “It is all in your head.”
My Ever-Altering Therapy Plan
We had been capable of begin a therapy plan proper off the bat. It was numerous trial and error.
However over time, we seen that drugs alone weren’t doing sufficient. It obtained to the purpose the place I’d be admitted to the hospital for a number of days to as much as per week. This could not hold taking place. I used to be lacking in all probability half a yr of faculty at this level.
We tried one thing known as nerve blocks. My migraines usually begin behind my head. So I’d get numbing treatment and typically a steroid in that space. It was nearly like magic. It was on the spot aid. I would not have migraines for weeks to a month at a time, or extra. It had modified my life.
Later, my migraines would begin to radiate towards the entrance of my head. We would then do the therapy in my eyebrows as nicely. I keep in mind that the primary time I had it carried out, I cried as a result of it helped me see higher. It is not a pleasing factor to get needles in your head. But it surely’s value it to eliminate fixed each day complications.
As I obtained older, I grew to become eligible for Botox. I carry numerous pressure, so I get Botox throughout my head and in my shoulders to launch stress. Bodily remedy can be one thing I do, to assist launch pressure in my neck. I’ve carried out that on and off for the previous few years.
To at the present time, my therapy plan remains to be altering. I am presently on an anticonvulsant treatment, which I have been utilizing for the previous 3 years.
Life-style Adjustments and Remedy Can Assist
I’ve made way of life modifications, like ensuring I keep hydrated, eat, and get correct sleep. These three had been the massive issues, as a result of an absence of them may cause migraines.
I began a headache journal to trace what I used to be doing and discover my triggers. For me, I discovered that chocolate and the meals additive MSG result in migraines. One other huge set off is stress. So my medical staff set me up with a behavioral psychologist. Lots of people with migraines are typically confused, so it is good to have the ability to have somebody you may discuss to.
I’m an outside particular person. However through the winter, the dearth of sunshine and seasonal nervousness trigger me to have extra migraines. Throughout this season, I’ve began taking an anti-anxiety med. This may also help with the ache. It additionally places me extra comfy, so I am not getting confused over sure issues. And that additionally helps cut back my migraines.
My Expertise With Occipital Launch Surgical procedure
The largest factor that I’ve carried out, in spite of everything these different therapies, was surgical procedure. Since most of my complications begin behind my head, my surgeon did an occipital launch surgical procedure. (On this process, your physician releases nerves behind your head from close by muscular tissues and tissues which may be placing stress on them.)
That is actually been the perfect factor for me. Earlier than, I’d have migraines that may final weeks at a time with solely possibly 2 to five headache-free days a month. However now, I am solely getting two to 3 migraines a month.
Even after the surgical procedure, my docs instructed me I’m nonetheless going to have migraines now and again. However bodily remedy, the treatment, and talking with somebody — it is all actually nice. Therapy has given me my life again.
My neurologist can empathize, which is necessary to me. He had been by way of comparable issues. I have a look at him and assume, “Wow, this was his life, too. And now he is a physician, and he is serving to individuals.” Seeing another person undergo this and make it out — it is inspiring.
Know you are not alone and that with the suitable therapy, you’ll really feel higher.
