Throbbing pain, loss of vision, nausea, sensory sensitivity . . . I’ve been experiencing these symptoms accompanying my migraines ever since I can remember. Migraines are the third most prevalent illness in the world. Here are nine things anyone who has frequent migraines is sick of hearing.
1. “Just take some painkillers.”
I have. Three times the recommended amount. I guarantee you, I have taken enough over the counter painkillers to cause an induced coma. Migraines just can’t be beaten by a simple Tylenol.
2. “You’re missing [insert activity] again? Isn’t that the third time this week?”
Yes, I am aware of all that I am missing out due to migraines. Unfortunately, I don’t control when these come on.
3. “Can’t you just suck it up?”
Not only is the pain capable of bringing a grown man to his knees, but many migraines are accompanied by symptoms that can’t be simply ignored. Blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to sound, and more, migraines have symptoms that are completely overwhelming and can’t always be ignored.
4. “Try getting some fresh air, that’ll help.”
If I could walk, let alone withstand the brightness from the sun, I would love to breathe in some fresh air. Unfortunately, migraines aren’t that easily defeated.
5. “It’s probably just your time of the month.”
I get migraines at all times of the month. They’re not due to my period. Even if they were, that does not take away from the pain a migraine sufferer feels.
6. “You don’t look ill.”
Migraines are a type of ‘silent illness.’ Just from looking a person enduring a migraine, you might not be able to tell what they are going through. Chances are if a person is suffering from a migraine they will have a shift in mood. You may not be able to see their symptoms, but if you could I guarantee you wouldn’t be assuming a person isn’t ill just because they’re not bleeding.
7. “I get headaches too!”
Not. The. Same. Not in the least. Migraines are a million times more painful accompanied by symptoms that headaches just don’t have.
8. “Just stay preoccupied.”
There is nothing worse than curling up in a ball for hours (sometimes days). Not only is it boring, but it’s also extremely unproductive. If I could simply read or catch up on work to keep my mind off the pain, I would. Unfortunately the throbbing pain doesn’t just go away.
9. “I wish I could just miss school/work.”
No, you don’t. You really don’t. It so incredibly difficult to keep up with missed work. One of the worst feelings in the world is being unable to catch up on work because you’re in bed with a migraine.
