I created this post as part of a campaign by Teva Pharmaceuticals. I received an American Express gift card for participating.
I can’t remember exactly when my migraines started, but it was sometime between when I graduated college and started grad school. The reason I know this with such certainty is that I was a bit of a procrastinator in college. As an English and Philosophy double major, most of my assignments were papers and I tended to leave them until the night before they were due. Often, I would start them around 11pm and work into the wee hours of the morning. My system worked for me because I always got good grades on them and not once did one get handed in late. By the time I was in graduate school, I was making sure my papers were done at least two days before they were due, just in case a migraine popped up.
Sadly, since those grad school days when my migraines started, I have had more than I can count. While migraines can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours, mine typically last for about a day, sometimes two. I can usually feel when one is coming on, but have been unable to stop them. After it is over, I usually experience what I refer to as “the migraine bruise”. It’s hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t had one, but I feel like I can feel a dull sensitivity wherever my migraine was centered. It doesn’t hurt as much as is just tender. My worst migraines usually lead to me getting physically sick to my stomach. If I’m able to get away from loud sounds, bright light, and lie down for a bit sometimes I can keep it from getting to that point but it still hurts. A lot.
The thing I hate the most about getting migraines is my inability to just “power through” it. I’ve missed some events I really wanted to attend and suffered through some others that I didn’t enjoy at all because I was in pain and praying I wouldn’t throw up in front of everyone. I’m always afraid one will hit at an inconvenient time and I will be powerless to do anything about it.
Apparently I have a lot of company. Migraine ranks in the top 3 of the world’s most prevalent medical conditions. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from migraines, including its various characteristics and about 18% of American women and 6% of men suffer from migraine.
To learn more, check out MoretoMigraine.com.