Like the title said, I (30F) have had a migraine since December 12th, or as my doctor has told me, a series of migraines that is being triggered one after another. I have taken so much over the counter (alieve & magnesium supplements) and prescription medication (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, and ubrelvy), been to the emergency room for multiple migraines cocktails, gone into the clinic to get multiple toradol injections, and I’ve gotten some “relief” but it’s never left me.

ETA: I did my first round of Botox on January 2nd

Im desperate for the migraine to let up, throw anything and everything that helps you at me. Im sick of living like this

Update: I messaged my neurologist about taking a steroid, probably won’t get a response til tomorrow

I have stumbled across the book "The secret language of the body" - and basically the authors' logic goes as follows:

Chronic illness, like migraines, stems from a dysregulated nervous system.

Your body is stuck in either fight, flight or freeze mode - you are no longer able to access a parasympathetic state where your body can heal, aka rest and digest.

Therefore, you have to adress the root causes of this dysregulation, which is normally some type of trauma (mostly acquired in childhood), that your body is communicating to you through various types of symptoms - headaches, nausea, pain, anxiety, depression, you name it. Your job is to listen to your body and work through the symptoms, "listening" to its language and taking them seriously.

Meanwhile, you can also strengthen your parasympathetic state, via vagus nerve stimulation - achieved by practicing different techniques such as humming, rythmtic tapping, self massage, deep breathing etc.

While I'm quite new to this concept, I think I am going to give it a try. Maybe this could help someone else here, so I'd thought I'd make a post about it :)

I wanted to share my success story for those who didn’t know this as I didn’t. I was waking up with the majority of my migraines. I would have to call out and stay home from work often because of this. I had a few doctors in the past tell me that this was abnormal, but didn’t really explain further. Well finally, a second neurologist I saw about 2 years ago immediately referred me to a sleep study. It came back that I had mild sleep apnea and low oxygen levels when I sleep. I started CPAP therapy a little over a month ago, and I have not woken up with a single migraine since then.

With that said, I just want to make sure if the majority of the migraines anyone has are upon waking, you might want to check with a doctor and see if you can get a sleep study to make sure that isn’t the cause :)

This is something that is becoming a VERY sensitive trigger for me. As someone who grew up with heavy smokers in my household, it genuinely never bothered me but within the last year cigarette smoke or even just the smell of someone who smokes cigarettes will send me into the most crippling migraines within seconds. It’s by far become my most sensitive trigger and I don’t even know if there’s anything I can do about it/ to help it when out in public.

As per the title. I can’t discern which is the chicken or the egg and trying to solve my migraines. If it’s helpful, paracetamol and ibuprofen do nothing to get rid of the pain. I would love any insight or experiences or tips! Edit: they last 72 hours usually.

While I have had many migraines in my life, I just experienced what I believe is my first aura. I was reading something on my phone and felt like I couldn't see the words right. And then what looked like a flashing zig-zag line in my peripheral. It scared the crap out of me!! I jumped up and told my husband something is wrong with my vision. Even if I closed my eyes I could see it flashing. Lasted for about 5 mintues. Is it possible to have migraines for years and suddenly develop aura?? Another question, is it possible to get them at the END of a migraine? Or is it always before one? The reason I ask is because I had a migraine YESTERDAY and was feeling much better by this morning. Now I'm worried I'm about to get hit with another migraine (I don't typically have them back to back, and they don't usually last more than 24 hours for me) Have any of you had an aura AFTER a migraine? And does what I described sound like aura?? I'm kinda freaking from it!

honestly i used to be very hard on myself when i would not clean my room for months. there were others spheres of self care that i abandoned due to my illness.

so every time i wash dishes, or cook a meal, clean my room or go outside to get some groceries (really hard for me cause lots of people, light, sounds, etc.) i feel like i need a prize for that because i’m doing all of this while being chronically fatigued and in pain all the time?

i’m not hard on myself anymore for not being able to keep up with my environment and with simple chores other people do with no problem. i am sick. i do not live like most people. i deserve to be celebrated for doing something that is easy for many. and if no one appreciates me going through my day and completing something small, i will.

I realize this should be “can.” I apologize. 😩 Already one of those days.

I wonder if everybody else has received similar advice.

I usually look in my box of medications that could help, and I work my way up to using all of it if I needed.

My physician says I need to always take all of it at the maximum dose.

So, over the counter, prescription, and anything else I have extra.

My argument is… but wouldn’t that use up alternatives I could use during the week if I need it, but have exceeded something; say a triptan, an NSAID, etc…

So, I wondered if you were also told to always throw the whole kitchen sink at all head pains.

I’m lactose intolerant, but if I run out of lactose free milk I will use regular milk and coincidentally I seem to get migraines if I consume regular milk. Has anyone else experienced this being a cause of migraines for you?

I’ve tried Liquid IV, but honestly it’s expensive and I learned there’s stevia in it. I started using the pedialyte packets recently, but noticed there’s also artificial sugar. I’m honestly not sure if it’s a trigger, but I’d like to avoid it either way. Any suggestions that don’t have artificial sweeteners, and are accessible? Preferably not Gatorade. TIA!

So I’m looking for a new job, I’m sensitive to light so I thought maybe a movie theater would be good. Has anyone worked in one, if so can you tell me your experience there with migraines

I’ve unfortunately had migraines my whole life (31) since early childhood. One for sure trigger for me is low blood sugar. Now that I know this I try to eat more frequently or have snacks with me. However, if I workout too long or go to hard I get shaky, lightheaded, and other low blood sugar symptoms and know I’m going to get a migraine.

What I don’t understand is when I have low blood sugar and it’s obvious, lightheaded, shaky, etc. I don’t actually get a migraine until a few hours (anywhere from 2-4) later. Is this normal? Is the migraine actually from something else like bringing my blood sugar back up because I have eaten and feel back to normal other than the migraine symptoms. I usually have the achy and sore neck/traps until the full blown migraine starts. Also, if I take sumatriptan before the full blown migraine my symptoms are worse and I end up needing a second one a few hours later.

Hi guys, recently I've found that the Lloyds Tens Machine (pictured) that affixes to the forehead to be quite successful at reducing migraine & headache pain but also at prevention (alongside Amitriptyline).

While I can pick them up relatively cheaply online as a complete unit i can't locate replacment pads anywhere! Does anybody have suggestions as to where they can be found?!

Thanks

Like the titel says, I’m incredibly thankful for you all and the existence of this sub. I found this sub just this morning and I’ve been reading posts on and off today with tears in my eyes.

Like so many of you all I’ve been struggling with migraines for years and years and tried anything and everything to get rid of this burden. Over the years I have (unconsciously) begun to blame myself; I’m the common denominator here, surely if none of the treatments and recommendations have worked it can only be my own fault that the migraines keep on coming.

Reading your stories, the resources you share, the information, even the memes, it really gives me a new perspective on my experience. I want to get the most out of my life, I have my passion and ambition and things I want to achieve. I’m not CHOOSING to be in pain half of my life. I’m not CHOOSING to have to deal with all of these symptoms. I have a neurological disorder. Eventhough I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, it’s so incredibly validating reading about all of you and your experiences.

Right now I’m in the tail-end of a migraine which normally means I feel depressed and hopeless, but you all made me feel seen and understood. So, thank you.

Chronic Pain Is a Hidden Epidemic. It’s Time for a Revolution. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/magazine/chronic-pain.html

Found it hopeful, and terribly sad, all at once. How do we get more funding for research programs like HEAL?

I took my third dose of Aimovig this morning, and I didn’t get the full dose. I’m thinking it might be because I put an ice pack on my leg where I was doing the injection. I crave the cold and thought that not being able to feel the injection as much would help (I’m recovering from a very severe phobia of needles), but now I’m reading that having tense muscles can mean that the autoinjector can’t do the full dose. (Obviously cold ice pack = tense/restricted muscles.)

The window was completely yellow like it said that it was supposed to be, but when I lifted the autoinjector, the rest of the Aimovig shot out of the bottom of the autoinjector for about two seconds, getting on my leg. If I had to guess, I’d say that maybe a quarter to a third (at the absolute most) didn’t get into my leg. (I do it on my lower thigh and don’t want to do it on my stomach because I read that you’re not supposed to do it near stretch marks, and pretty much my entire stomach has stretch marks. It would give me too much anxiety to try to avoid them, so I’m going to continue to do it on my thighs.) I’m pretty sure that I held it there for at least 15 seconds, but maybe I was rushing because for me, needle = no thoughts. The window was fully yellow though, so my guess is that my muscles were too tense for the rest to go in.

Has anyone else had this happen, and what sort of reactions did you have? I nearly passed out afterwards, but I think it was from the anxiety and coming down from being very, very tense. Currently laying down with a fan on me in the middle of winter (I truly crave the cold). I did the ice pack last month, and I didn’t have any problems. I don’t know if I’ll be brave enough to do it next month without the ice pack; should I just try next month to do it without or should I maybe try to do the ice pack for less time?

I think that the Aimovig already started helping my first month, and I only had two prodromes last month that I was able to prevent from becoming a full-blown migraines through abortives. With this in mind, I should probably be mostly okay with the migraines this month, right? I have a CPA exam on Wednesday, so I’m super nervous about potentially getting migraines in the next four days.

Any advice from other autoinjector users who have a phobia of needles would be greatly appreciated.

Obligatory: I obviously messaged my neurologist and asked her the same questions but in not as many words.

Just a rant - I can't believe i've survived this long honestly. My migraine came on about 5.5 years ago. Daily, chronic and nearly debilitating, I somehow survived and managed to hold my life together and keep working. I was in debt and my back was at the fucking wall. I credit my years of marathon training that taught me how to endure pain. Last few years the pain has reduced and it's become more manageable, but every Saturday still it kicks me in the pants and takes me down a few notches.

I'm just trying to celebrate myself. Last night I broke down and cried, mostly from guilt. Feeling guilty others have to deal with me, even though I put on a good act. And that I'm not my best as I used to be. I also feel guilt that I didn't capitalize my time pre-migraine as much as I could to be in a better place right now. I'm getting to where I want to be, but it's been like dragging a fucking cross around everywhere I go to get it to happen. But I'm still not giving up.

I'm a tough fucker. So are you guys. There's that Rocky Balboa quote "It ain't about how hard you're hit, it's about how you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward." That one helps me a lot.

Good luck folks. I used to be in the 7th circle of hell. It's more like the 2nd circle these days. If you're in a tough place, things can get better.

I've had well meaning friends, family, and even doctors tell me stuff wrt to my migraines, like,

• "I just don't know how you do it"
• "I could never be as resilient as you are"
• "Its incredible how hopeful/optimistic you are"
• "If I were you I would just give up, I'm too weak"
• "I could never keep up with all this medical stuff like you do"

It makes me feel really strange. I guess I feel a little happy because it's a complement, and it's far better than people not believing me or blaming me for my illness. I do feel somewhat proud too because I've gotten as better as I am by working really hard to advocate for myself and keep on top of my medical care.

But at the same time.....I cope because I have to, not because I am a particularly good or pure person. I think most people don't give themselves enough credit, because if (when) they get really sick with a chronic illness they will learn to live with it too. And this line of reasoning implies that they pity me. I'm not sure where the line is between pity and sympathy, but pity feels really bad for some reason.

It feels particularly off-putting when doctors say this stuff. Do they not see people with these sorts of conditions all the time??

I guess when you're looking in from the outside it seems like a complement. If they really need to give me a compliment, I would much rather someone just complement me on something normal, especially without adding any conditionals like "despite your migraines" or by comparing themself to me. Why can't the doctor just tell me my earrings are cute ;-;

Does anyone else run into this?

Hello I’m going crazy. I’ve been diagnosed with migraines 12 years ago or so. But recently it switched characters. I get pain every day, but it comes and goes. It’s worst at night time, laying down and sleeping. Sometimes I wake up from the pain. It’s mainly on the outer side above my eye. But can also pound in my temples, but my main struggle is the eye pain. I am quite sore when I massage the places I marked. My eyeball is also very sore and tender when I have my attacks, which can consist of many attacks each day. Sometimes perhaps 30 attacks. When it’s really bad, I have pain on both sides above both eyes, and they get so sore I can hardly look around. It relives a little when I press hard on the eyeball/eyelid where it hurts. I also get pounding headaches in my entire head during these really bad flare ups when I have my head down, straining, getting up from sitting to standing etc. These days I have pain around 8-9, and I consider if I can live like this. In these days I have almost constant pain, whereas in my normal days I can go hours without pain and then bam it starts out of nowhere and goes away, comes back etc. And then I have the “normal” days where I get these attacks with pain, it’s still a 3-6 but I can still function. I have tried out triptans, Indometachin, Morphine, Parcetamol, Ibuprofen and also previously some preventatives like beta blockers, muscle relaxers one time, Oxygen one time. The pain that comes and goes doesn’t seem like my migraines. When it’s at its worst my left eye seems to hang/swell. But it’s not clusters and I tried out Indometachin without relief. I hope it makes sense. I have thought about Occipical or Trigeminal Neuralgia. But any suggestions or advice is appreciated. I’m in so much pain almost chronic at this point, so I’m desperate.

THANK YOU so much to everyone who gave me tips about emergency Rx and what OTCs work in a pinch. Those are super helpful tips I'll keep in my back pocket for next time. Or I'll make myself a little "away from home migraine kit" to pack (I already have one at my office.)

I ended up driving back home, and I'm safely tucked into bed with a heated blanket, Nurtec (triptans make me feel terrible), big bottle of water, two cats, and a very cold migraine cap. Back in my lovely gray city with insane pressure variation.

For me, one of the most telltale signs I'm getting a migraine is a strong feeling of queasiness in my teeth, temples, eyeballs, and around my head. (It feels like I'm feeling the air outside my head, which I know isn't true, it's weird). Although as an adult I began to have visual auras, and now have them with all migraines, this bizarre sensation was my only warning as a teen. It occurred with every migraine and only with migraines.

I wanted to try and understand what causes this or if it's common, because it's so hard to describe (people think I'm crazy if I say it feels like the air outside my temples needs to throw up, or my teeth feel seasick). I assume it falls under 'numbness and tingling' on the list of common migraine aura symptoms and is related to nausea in my stomach and throat, but I was wondering if anyone knows the mechanics of how such a peculiar feeling occurs? I definitely wouldn't say it tingles, though it does sometimes come with feelings of numbness and pressure. Or if you get it too, that'd be validating to hear at least, haha.

I’ve been on nurtec for 4 1/2 years, failed triptans/Quillipta/at least 2 other injectables. Combined with Botox + topamax, It’s the abortive/preventive that works the best for me and it is truly life-saving, got a letter late last year that I posted about here that said there are lower cost alternatives (including one injection that I’ve failed previously which is documented). When refilling my monthly prescrip as normal, pharmacy told me last night it was rejected as non formulary and not covered. Logging into my member portal this AM, I don’t see a prior auth, even though I know we just did one not too long ago for approval of tablets per month to be used as preventive + abortive and not abortive only.

Nothing has changed about my insurance plan coverage from last year to this year (in terms of my coverage. I don’t know if they’ve specifically stopped covering the drug.) From anyone with similar experience — Does this now mean I can no longer get my nurtec? Or does it just mean it requires a new prior auth? I’m terrified, given this is the drug that’s most helpful to me, and it’ll be over $2k a month if it’s not covered, which I will absolutely not be able to pay. Insurance line and doctors office are both closed til tomorrow.