By Arielle Hicks, as informed to Alexandra Benisek
I’ve had migraines for so long as I can bear in mind. As a baby, 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, but it surely wouldn’t go away. Then for weeks, I would solely get a day or two with no 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 exams anymore. I ended hanging out with mates and taking part in sports activities. I did not wish to do even easy issues like go to the films as a result of all the things appeared to hassle me.
Finally, I used to be capable of see a neurologist who informed 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 As a result of at 13 years outdated, plenty of instances, individuals say, “It is all in your head.”
My Ever-Altering Therapy Plan
We had been capable of begin a remedy plan proper off the bat. It was plenty of trial and error.
However over time, we seen that drugs alone weren’t doing sufficient. It acquired to the purpose the place I’d be admitted to the hospital for a couple of days to as much as per week. This could not maintain occurring. I used to be lacking in all probability half a 12 months of faculty at this level.
We tried one thing referred to as nerve blocks. My migraines usually begin at the back of my head. So I’d get numbing treatment and typically a steroid in that space. It was virtually like magic. It was immediate 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 remedy in my eyebrows as nicely. I do not forget that the primary time I had it performed, I cried as a result of it helped me see higher. It isn’t a pleasing factor to get needles in your head. Nevertheless it’s value it to eliminate fixed each day complications.
As I acquired older, I turned eligible for Botox. I carry plenty of stress, so I get Botox throughout my head and in my shoulders to launch strain. Bodily remedy can also be one thing I do, to assist launch stress in my neck. I’ve performed that on and off for the previous couple of years.
To today, my remedy 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 life-style modifications, like ensuring I keep hydrated, eat, and get correct sleep. These three had been the large issues, as a result of a scarcity of them could 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 massive set off is stress. So my medical workforce set me up with a behavioral psychologist. Lots of people with migraines are usually confused, so it is good to have the ability to have somebody you possibly can discuss to.
I’m an open air particular person. However throughout the winter, the dearth of sunshine and seasonal anxiousness 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 comfortable, so I am not getting confused over sure issues. And that additionally helps scale back my migraines.
My Expertise With Occipital Launch Surgical procedure
The largest factor that I’ve performed, in spite of everything these different remedies, was surgical procedure. Since most of my complications begin at the back of my head, my surgeon did an occipital launch surgical procedure. (On this process, your physician releases nerves at the back of your head from close by muscle groups and tissues which may be placing strain on them.)
That is actually been one of the best factor for me. Earlier than, I’d have migraines that might final weeks at a time with solely possibly 2 to five headache-free days a month. However now, I am solely getting two to a few migraines a month.
Even after the surgical procedure, my medical doctors informed 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 via related issues. I have a look at him and assume, “Wow, this was his life, too. And now he is a health care provider, 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 remedy, you’ll really feel higher.