Fiona's story
My name is Fiona, I am 60 years old, and I suffer from chronic migraines.
I have never suffered headaches nor migraines until my mum passed away in 2011. Within a couple of months, I started getting migraines. I thought I would be like mum (who had classic migraine). She had to go to bed 2/3 times a year for a couple of days – how wrong I was!
It turned my life upside down, as my GP told me I had migraine. I had no other support or help given.
I then saw a neuro specialist, who was very nice. With them, I tried a few different medicines, and some helped me for a while. I had no offer of help so had to find my own.
Migraines have changed my life forever. Going out is a bit of a nightmare sometimes, the emotional side of migraines affects me : I may not get the pain until later but I do feel tired, I get clumsy, forget things, what I’m saying, I become bad tempered, I get upset easily, and I have panic attacks. If I do get the pain when I’m out, I probably would take more painkillers than at home, although all I want is to go home and lie down, especially if I feel sick as well. My migraines have also worsened since I had COVID, even though it was mild.
A lot of my migraines are weather-related so there really isn’t a lot I can do about them. I try not to book anything important around full moon for example, as when I always get one around this time. Sometimes it feels like it manages me more than I manage it.
I wish my family or friends knew the whole range of symptoms I get with migraines. It’s not just a pain in the head, it’s a neurological condition!
I contacted the Migraine Trust and they were amazing! I then got books on migraine, joined support groups on Facebook who have been amazing and made me realise that I wasn’t crazy with all the strange symptoms that I got from my condition.
The Brain & Spine Foundation made me aware that there is more help and support out there, but also that there are always people who are going through the exact same thing as you. Just knowing there are people out there who have similar or worse conditions than me does help!
I want to share my story as I’m sure others are at the beginning of their journey. I want to help them and provide information for them. Anyone who begins to be affected by chronic migraines needs to push very hard to see someone & get the help & support they want & need.
Ask, ask, ask! Ask any questions you want to anyone you want and do not be fobbed out with something you are not happy about. Join a support group, tell your family and friends about your condition.