migraines: a synopsis

I still recall the first time I ever had a migraine. To describe it as bizarre would be an understatement. Most people hear the word “migraine” and immediately think “headache.” But, in fact, my first migraine- and many others to follow- wouldn’t cause any pain at all. I do often experience classic migraines, which feature that infamous sharp pain in the head, but a majority of my migraine symptoms are, in fact, visual. Others don’t experience headaches or visual symptoms. This is the nature of chronic migraines: complex, inconsistent, different for everybody, and sometimes, just flat out odd.

Migraine symptoms can be broken down and categorized in a variety of ways. One common feature is the aura. An aura is is defined as any sort of sensory disruption involving a migraine, but is typically considered the “warning” beforehand. There are visual symptoms, like the ones I mentioned, which generally include flashing lights, patterns, and temporary blindness. However, auras can also affect other senses, which bring about symptoms like numbness or smelling strange scents that aren’t really there. For example, I used to get an aura that smelled exactly like toast burning before getting struck by a migraine. (Told you it gets weird.)

I was recently diagnosed with a rare form of migraine known as persistent migraine aura, or PMA. This means that the visual changes that affect many at the beginning of or throughout their migraine affect me 24/7. In my field of vision, I constantly see countless little lights. They never stop moving and flashing, and certain situations make them worsen. At their most severe, these pesky lights can block a majority of my vision.

Some migraines don't involve any aura, either! For example, take the most well known type of migraine, known as the “common migraine.” These normally exclusively involve an intense headache, sweating, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting. They often onset in children and adolescents, but many pediatric patients outgrow it as they get older. However, plenty of adults- mostly women- do still experience common migraines throughout their lives.

There are many other manifestations of migraine that develop in people with chronic illnesses. Many of the illnesses I have/write about, such as POTS, are co-morbid with migraines. Personally, my medical team and I feel as though my migraines happen as a result of my other illnesses, as they only ever seem to improve when said illnesses are treated. In terms of medications, the best thing to do is educate yourself on your options and then discuss them with your doctor. That isn’t to say that there aren’t things you can try on your own, though!

One thing I like to do is to try and pay attention to what I’ve eaten and done in the timespan before a migraine begins or worsens. This can help identify specific triggers, and in the grand scheme of things, hopefully cut down the frequency of the migraines. Common triggers include hormonal changes, stress, alcohol, and certain foods. After some trial and error, we realized that my migraine symptoms got worse whenever I consumed histamine. I have mast cell disease, which already causes me to have too much histamine in my body. Anything that adds to the overload of this chemical, like many foods do, can bring about many unpleasant symptoms: migraines included. So, I made some big dietary changes. My constant aura still hasn’t gone away, but I definitely live in less pain, which is a major help. Anyone living with chronic migraines knows that anything that causes improvement is worth it.

People underestimate the severity of migraines and the impact they leave on those affected by them. Since my aura onset, I have yet to see the world the same way: both literally and figuratively. Chronic migraines are incredibly intricate; everyone affected is affected uniquely. As many migraineurs say, migraines are not “just a headache.” Just like with any other chronic health problem, living with migraines is not easy. Making progress in treatment begins with identifying and familiarizing yourself with the problem. Below is an informational slideshow created by the professionals at Diamond Headache Clinic discussing different kinds of migraines, the diagnostic process, and treatment options. If you or someone you know suffers from migraines, remember that awareness is key. The more open you are to learning, the smoother your journey will be.

#migraines #headache #diamondheadacheclinic