Migraine

"There is hope for better Migraine management." I did not believe that applied to me for a really long time. I was doing everything that I could possibly do to make "better Migraine management" happen, but a lot of it just wasn't under my control. My brain would behave how it wanted to. I would catch the hope and then loose it with each new preventative I tried, each new dose that failed to make progress.

As many of you know, even though I've been struggling for a while with Migraines and NDPH, my Migraines spiraled completely out of control late August 2008 through this March. Looking at my diary and seeing "M" for Migraine every day for days/months on end was defeating. Well, actually living it was defeating. Looking at it now is just sad.

And it makes it that much sweeter that my progress has been so tremendous over the last few months. There really is hope for better Migraine management.

Outside of my menstrually related Migraines which I get every 5-6 weeks with my period, I have NOT had a Migraine otherwise since April 29th! Sure, I still have my NDPH (daily headache) but the levels have become so much more manageable! I have flares from time to time that knock me out, but like I said, I can deal with that.

What is crazy is that even though I'm still incredibly sensitive to light/sound/touch, it is much better than before. I can finally tolerate "not" wearing sunglasses in some stores/restaurants, where it used to be absolutely necessary everywhere.

It has been incredible to have finally found a preventative that is managing my brain so well! It is a tiny tiny dose, but it works (in conjunction with everything else I'm doing)! My menstrually related Migraines are still stinkers, but if I look closely, I can see some decrease in their severity and definitely a decrease in the number of days I have them surrounding my period.

I've been exercising daily and that has helped in the management of my NDPH.

I cannot tell you how over the moon I am to be able to participate in life again! There were so many times over this last fall/winter that I just could not imagine going on one more day. I honestly did not want to live anymore because I couldn't see that better management was a possibility for me. But it was and it is.

My latest (huge) victory is that I was able to drive to downtown Chicago and back by myself and did not get a Migraine! (Driving/riding in a car is a huge trigger for me.) Sure, my NDPH whacked me, but I can deal with that. I know I still have limits, but they are so much bigger than my bed and my house now.

I really wanted to share this with you all in hopes it will be an encouragement. My life isn't peachy keen. I still have to deal with pain on a daily basis, but it IS more manageable and less oppressive. And I'll take that!

Thanks for listening and being with me through it all.


Kelly

That is wonderful, Kelly!! I am so happy for you!


I pray things continue to improve with time.

~Rachel

Kelly!!! I am so happy for you!!!! This is really great news!

Knowing that you've knocked your frequency down so much is so encouraging and means that one day, you will go for longer spans pain free!!!

Keep up the great work!!!!! You so deserve your life back!!! I am really happy for you!!!!

Kelly!!!!

I am SO happy for you. Let's hear it for finding the preventative that works, getting out of the house, and getting part of your life back. Shall we be the Gabitril twins?


Much more and

It's pretty dang sweet, isn't it, when good fortune comes from hard work? I knew you'd get there, dearie!

Awwww, Kelly! I'm so happy for you! Congratulations! You deserve it, girl!

jenny

Kelly I am so happy for you. You've been through so much lately and I could not be happier for you. Enjoy your anniversary and your vacation.

Cindy

Hey Kelly,

I know that we have been able to talk somewhat about this improvemnet for you. Still, reading it now, I am so happy for you! You deserve to be out and enjoying life! You are even goin on a vacation! There are times that its easy to think that we will never have a life again. But look at you now. I just pray that you continue to improve, Its time that you do.

Its great that you could go out on a limb and try driving like that. Knowing that it was a trigger, I worried that you would have to pay for it with a migraine. Its great to hear your head is letting you accomplish more!

It is so great to hear of your improvement, Please keep us updated as you continue to improve! Your story really gives me so much encouragement. Just think of where your life can go as you continue to improve. I am praying that this story jsut gets better and better in time
Love and hugs,
Alaura

Awesome!