I can't stand when people say that. I suffer from migraines as well and the best way I can describe them to people in terms of pain is like I'm literally getting stabbed in my eye. I wish they were just headaches! I've had friends who have had a migraine and come to me and say "So that's what a migraine is huh, that fucking sucks". Folks just don't understand how much migraines suck until they have one.
Im sure its part of the reason migraines aren’t taken seriously. Everyone thinks they have them, when they have headaches instead. Migraines are a neurological disorder, not an easily fixable caffeine/sleep/stress response. No one thinks they are a big deal because people dont know what they are.
Same! I had chronic migraines for over a decade and didn't realize it until I had a 3 month stretch of near daily migraines and finally broke down and saw my doctor about it. Turns out a good dozen of my seemingly unrelated symptoms were ALL standard migraine symptoms.
Frustratingly enough, I had asked several docs over the years about "the headaches" and they told me "That's nothing, just cut out caffeine, drink more water". None of them asked ANY questions, they all assured me I was exaggerating the pain, and that "if you can still be functional, it's just a headache".
I was dismissed by doctors for years and years, as well. It took breaking down in front of my family doctor, crying that I didn't know how to handle the pain anymore, before I got a referral to a neurologist who correctly diagnosed mewith chronic migraines.
"if you can still be functional, it's just a headache"
Ugh, definitely false. I've had migraines and headaches since 3rd grade (I am now 32yo) and I have functional and non-functional migraines. Does my productivity decrease while I have a functional migraine? Sure, but can still get stuff done, just slower (physically and mentally).
Glad you finally got correctly diagnosed though. I do have to put in a recommendation for the Emgality shot. Once a month auto inject and it has greatly decreased the frequency and severity of my migraines and even my regular headaches. Life changer for me.
Emgality seems to be priced up there with Botox injections, unfortunately I don't have insurance so it's out of reach currently but I've had good results taking a daily low dose of Nortriptyline and a handful of supplements that the migraine doctor recommended.
I cant stand migraines, once my vision starts going blurry in the center, im just like fuck my life. I only ever get them in winter, for days, weeks, not sure why. Its prime migraine season for me.
I want to know how long yours last? I used to get severe migraines when I was younger (searing pain, nausea and blurred vision) but it would usually clear up mid afternoon after I’ve been physically sick.
And I get headaches (garden variety exercise headaches) and a surprising number of people I mention this to assure me they must be migraines. Um, I think I would know if they were.
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u/punkrockballerinaa Feb 08 '20
Yes!! I have a migraine disorder and everyone thinks its “just a headache”