Three individuals share their experiences with chronic migraines and what they have learned about finding effective treatments. Anikah Salim, a woman in her 30s, had been experiencing headaches since she was a child. Over-the-counter medication usually worked, but in September 2014, she had a severe headache that wouldn’t go away. After three days of excruciating pain, she went to the emergency room. It would take almost a year before her headache disappeared. Salim experienced sensitivity to sound and light, facial swelling, blurred vision, and loss of feeling in her left arm. She was diagnosed with chronic migraines with aura in the spring of 2015. Salim and her doctors have been working together to find an effective treatment. They discovered that adjusting her estrogen levels before her period helped alleviate the migraines that would typically knock her out for a week. Collaboration and teamwork are essential in finding effective migraine management.
Joseph Coe, on the other hand, had been managing his migraines with the help of doctors since he was 14. He noticed a pattern of migraines occurring more frequently on Mondays and when he traveled. Through careful observation, he discovered that cutting back on coffee, which he had been advised to do by his doctors, actually triggered his migraines. He emphasized the importance of trying different remedies and keeping an open mind, as everyone responds differently to treatments. Coe has tried various approaches, such as light-filtering glasses, massage, heat, ice, rest, and avoiding noise and light. He urges people to pay attention to their symptoms as they may change over time.
Elizabeth Arant, a nurse in Phoenix, started experiencing migraines at the age of 6. She was fortunate to receive an early diagnosis and managed her migraines with medications. However, during her early teen years, her migraine frequency increased to 15 or more days a month. Her usual medication was no longer effective. Her doctors decided to try injecting higher doses of sumatriptan twice a day for a week. This unconventional approach helped break her constant cycle of migraines. Arant advises individuals to ask their doctors lots of questions and follow their directions. Trusting their expertise is crucial.
In her search for a more effective treatment, Arant asked her doctor about ketamine, an anesthetic drug delivered through an IV nasal spray. While the drug is still being researched for its efficacy in controlling migraines, Arant, who hasn’t found a wholly effective treatment yet, decided to try it with her doctor’s guidance. They closely monitor her symptoms and manage any side effects. So far, ketamine has been a success for her.
These personal experiences highlight the importance of collaboration with medical professionals, open-mindedness in trying different treatments, and trusting the expertise of doctors. Each person’s experience with migraines is unique, and finding the right treatment requires personalized approaches and continuous monitoring.