Migraine

Wow, this is the first time that I have been able to post in the success folder, that is a nice thought. Although, its been a different kind of success for me. My pain isn't better and I am still having really bad days, but my understanding is better.

I have always been a pretty driven person. I was an honors student all through school until I hit my junior year. I found out quickly how it was to not function and do well. I pushed myself to make it to graduation. After that, I guess i just realized that even if it was hard and took everything that I had, I could push myself and make everything happen that needed to happen. And that worked for me for quite a while.

As my pain just kept going on and on not getting better, I would find myself struggling. I would be so hard on myself for not being in control of my life, not doing what all I had to do. I would find myself getting depressed because I just didn't know how to handle it anymore. I couldn't accomplish everything. You guys have helped me through some of my "melt downs", so I think you knw what I mean.

The past week has been tough for me and in this time, my understanding has grown. I realized that I have to stop fighting the things I can not control with this disease and I have to start fighting to control the disease itself, so I can move on and live my life. Yes, I did refere to it as a disease. That was a hard pill to swollow! But I am understanding so much more now. I do have a disease and that has led to me seeing my limitations. It is ok for me to say no and do what I need to help myself. I am the same person whether I make it "all the way" or not, and I am no less of a person if I can't make everything happen.

Had I not taken the time to swallow that pill and accept this, I would still be fighting agianst my migraines and how they impact my life. I would still be kicking and screaming at every rough patch, and sinking into those lows in the hard times. I am still going to have hard times and still have to deal with the pain. But if I allow myself to admit this is a disease and admit that I have to stop and listen to what my body needs to get better, it will be easier to get through those hard times. It will also lead an easier path to me living the life i want, as soon as I have control over this. I am not as angry and upset about having migraines, and a little more at peace now that I have accepted the disease. I can now work better to control it and then build MY life.

Alaura. Brava! I'm so happy for you... and so happy that you've taken the steps that you've taken towards accepting what's going on- that you DO have a disease, and that you have to fight IT, not yourself.

That's a Huge step to take, and IMHO, once you've taken it, it's easier to just "get through" the bad days. YES! it is okay to say "no, I can't do this- I've reached my limitations." It's not fun obviously when you have to "stop, drop, and roll," but it sounds like you've realized that it's nothing YOU did wrong- in fact- you're doing the RIGHT thing by taking care of yourself. That's a big step. I'm so glad you've taken it

I'm glad you were able to get through the tough parts of last week, and got the help that you needed. That's also a success story.

I think what I'm trying to say here is that we're all so happy for, and proud of you!

I'm so happy for you! You're exactly right about having to come to terms with the limits of your body. When you do stop and listen to what your body needs the pain does lessen some. For me, it took a lot of counseling and soul searching to finally realize my limits. My counselor always said that having migraines was no different than having some other type of chronic disease that has to be regularly managed.

Good luck on the road to success!

I'm so happy that you got to post in the success folder!!! Woot!!!

I remember when things were really bad for me and I found this site. I had two choices: 1. Give up and just give in and stop fighting or 2. fight like heck for my quality of life, for doctors who know what they are doing, for the times I am not in pain.

Yeah, it stinks being in pain so often - it really does. I get that - I think we ALL get that - but to just give up? No - we are strong women who are determined to have a life - not just live - but make a difference, have a family, educate others, and so many other things.

I know what a hard week(s) you have had lately - but it has gotten you to where you are. No, I'm not saying we should be in pain all the time, what I'm saying is - even with this disease, I don't know if I would want my life any other way - because it's brought me here. It gave me the ability to meet so many wonderful people, that, let's face it, we would not have met if we didn't have this in common.

I still hope for a cure and I still hope one day we will all be very well managed with our Migraines, but for better or worse, they made us who we are. For me, they have made me a lot more sympathetic to others with chronic illnesses.

Even in the short time you've been on this forum, Alaura, I can see a difference in you. I can see that you are educating yourself and not taking no for an answer. That, my friend, is the success story!

Hi Alaura,
I just want to say that you seem very mature for someone your age. You've had to deal with so much more than most people your age and I'm sure thats why. Just from the time you started posting on this site, I can tell you've learned so much. Doctors just don't have time to teach us everything when we are at our appointments. I've enjoyed "chatting" with you and I look forward to hearing about more successes.

Peggy

Thank you guys. This has been a tough road, but I am glad to make it to this point. I know that it is going to help me stay stronger while I go through this "journey".

Peggy- thanks. I haven't been here all that long and I can tell that I am changing. Its good to see, gives me more hope that I will get through all of this. I have loved chatting with you also and trust me, you guys will be the first to know of my successes. lol

Eileen- I never though of it that way. THis disease does kind of help shape the person that we are. We are strong to deal with this, all of us are, but I think that just comes with having migraine. I am glad to hear that the ste has helped you, too. I love beinging here and talking to my forum family! I am glad that you all can be there with me as i do head to success, and I love being here for you all, too.

Rosemary- thanks. Yea, I agree, we do have to work hard to manage this, but with better understanding, it is much easier to manage all of it.

Jamie- thanks! I am glad to be making this progress, personal limitations and accepting this has not been easy, but I have had help getting here . And like I said, i love that I can do this with you guys at my side. I can see that this is going to make things a little easier for me, and Iam greatful for that.

Thanks for all of your support guys, you will get to hear as I continue down this path to success. Thanks for "celebrating" with me!
Love and hugs,
Alaura

Alaura,
Peggy's right you are mature for your age. You are one of the younger ones in our forum family but the fact that you can see things the way you do shows how mature you are. I'm just starting to grasp some of the concepts you've mentioned in myself. And I'm having a very hard time letting go. It's hard because I feel like I'm giving in. Part of myself knows that's not true, and somehow I will convince the rest of myself. I will get there eventually, and I know it'll be a challenge to do it. But we do need to put ourselves first. If we can manage our health despite our disease everything else will fall into place.

We are strong women. If we weren't we wouldn't be able to live through this.

for each of our little successes, even if it's simply getting out bed, or making it through the store, or coming to a revelation like this one, or finding the right combination of meds so we can live 'normal' lives.

Meli

Alaura,

I'm so proud of you! You've been working so hard to manage your migraines--and you're always eager to learn from others and share the things you've learned, too!

It's so important to learn to love yourself--migraines and all! If we learn to read the signals our bodies provide, we'll all be a little stronger and healthier.

Sending big your way!

jenny

Meli- Thanks. I am finding that I am one of the younger ones around here but I did kind of have to "grow up" fast. I am finding that migraine disease knows no age limits, but even though I have been dealing with this from a young age, I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to grow and learn from this. I am glad that you are finding some of the things i said are true for your own life. I am sending good wishes of better understanding and progress your way

Jenny- That is a great way to put it! We do have to love ourselves, migrianes and all. It is hard to do that, but once we can it really helps. I am thankful for gettin to learn all that I have here, and I love trying my best to help others in anyway, too. Thank you for the hugs and support!

Alaura

Wow - what an inspiration you are Alaura!!!

I just read through what everyone writes and soak in the wisdom, the hope, the caring!!!

Thanks to all of you for sharing yourselves with the rest of us!! You have blessed me deeply!!!!

Cyn