Lifestyle
What It’s Like to Endure a Migraine Attack
By Alex Taylor
Everyone has likely heard of migraine headaches. Many people casually use the term “migraine” to refer to any severe headache, but a migraine is far more complex. The pain associated with migraines can be incredibly crippling. Heightened sensitivity to light and sound makes it impossible to simply “push through” an attack. Many individuals who suffer from migraines also contend with nausea and vomiting; these headaches can persist for days, leaving a person feeling drained and exhausted.
Migraine headaches can have various triggers, or sometimes no identifiable trigger at all. They can develop gradually or strike suddenly. Alongside the intense pain, migraines bring a host of other symptoms that make it nearly impossible to function normally.
I experienced my first migraine attack at the age of twenty-one while on a business trip with my father. My neck felt a bit stiff throughout the day, which I attributed to the long car ride. Upon arrival, we headed straight to a business dinner, where everything changed. My vision, which had always been crystal clear, suddenly became blurry, and the restaurant lights seemed overwhelmingly bright. I tried to ignore it, but by the time our meals arrived, I was hit with a throbbing pain behind my right eye. I pushed my food around but couldn’t bring myself to eat. The pain escalated from merely distracting to agonizing. I managed to endure the meal, but once we returned to the hotel, the pain became unbearable. It felt like a drum was pounding inside my head. I experienced nausea and vomiting, and even the faintest light was intolerable. All I could do was lie in bed with a scarf over my eyes, hoping for relief.
My father called my doctor, and we followed her advice. Nothing over-the-counter helped; I was in an unfamiliar city and felt lost. I simply had to ride it out. That initial migraine lasted over 48 hours. When the pain finally subsided, the following day was spent in exhaustion. I still felt a dull headache, my limbs felt heavy, and my mind was clouded for about another 24 hours.
Unbeknownst to me, that first attack was just the beginning. Over the next few years, I experienced one or two debilitating headaches each month, with milder headaches almost daily. Typically, my migraine attacks were preceded by warning signs, such as a stiff neck a day or two prior. Just minutes before the pain began, I would experience an “aura,” which for me manifested as blurred vision and shimmering spots in my peripheral vision. I eventually learned that treating the headache at the first sign of an aura could lessen the intensity and duration of the pain. Eventually, the most severe pain would only last about six to eight hours instead of two days.
Like many chronic migraine sufferers, I was fortunate to have only a couple of attacks monthly. Even luckier, after having my first child, my migraine attacks seemed to vanish altogether. Since his birth eight years ago, I can recall only four or five migraine episodes.
My experience with migraines was mild compared to others who endure chronic headache conditions. Five fellow migraine sufferers shared their experiences with me:
“First, my vision goes blurry, then it returns to normal. I know that in about 30 minutes, I will get a migraine behind one of my eyes. I’m rendered useless and have to sleep with a pillow over my head. My head is sore for 2-3 days after.” – Mia L.
“I experience chronic migraines (15 or more a month). They vary widely, often accompanied by vertigo and nausea. My migraines usually begin behind my right eye and can feel like sinus pressure. If I can’t manage them within an hour or two with medication, they can last for days. I often spend a lot of time in bed during these episodes. Recently, I started Botox treatment, with about 30-40 injections every three months aimed at specific nerves.” – Chris J.
“An arrow seems to shoot through my eye, amplifying my sensitivity to light, sound, smell, and touch. I feel like my brain is about to explode unless I isolate myself in complete stillness for hours.” – Sam T.
“I started getting migraines at sixteen, and we never pinpointed a cause. They’d hit suddenly, with no warning or aura, bringing blinding pain that escalated from a 1 to a 10 in minutes. Home remedies never helped, and I often needed a hospital visit for relief.” – Jamie R.
“My migraines begin as mild headaches but escalate to full-blown attacks. They used to come on quickly, but now they take a day to develop. I take the maximum dosage of my medication with no relief, and I have to endure the pain in complete darkness for about 24 hours.” – Nicole B.
Migraine headaches are a common condition, impacting millions of people in the U.S. each year, which is why many are familiar with the term. There are also less commonly discussed types of migraine, such as ocular migraines that cause visual disturbances without headache pain, or abdominal migraines that often affect children. Complex migraines can even result in stroke-like symptoms, as seen in the infamous incident involving reporter Serene Branson during the 2011 Grammy Awards.
If you suspect you might be suffering from migraines, reach out to your doctor immediately. While it can be a long journey, they can assist you in managing your headaches and help you live with less pain. For further insights on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on Genetics and IVF Institute.
Summary:
Migraine attacks are more than just severe headaches; they can be debilitating and come with various symptoms such as nausea and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Personal experiences shared by individuals suffering from migraines reveal the diverse challenges they face, from sudden onset pain to chronic episodes requiring medical intervention. Understanding these experiences can help raise awareness about the impact of migraines on daily life.
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