ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

Migraine: Not Just a Headache

Updated on September 18, 2016

A Personal Viewpoint

More Than a Headache

Migraine is an often misunderstood disease. It is not a headache, but a whole-body disease which may not even include a headache.

A neurological disease, migraine can make it difficult to follow through on daily activities and can even increase your chances of having a stroke. If you've never experienced a migraine attack, you may be tempted to compare it to your worst headache. There's so much more to it than that.

Having dealt with migraine for many years, I've gathered quite a bit of information. I've tried just about everything from preventative drugs to special diets and biofeedback. Cured? No. I'm still living with Migraine, but I know I am not alone. Read on for a summary of resources and stories about migraine. I hope this will help you in your own search.

Photo Essay: Migraine Makes You Want to Hide

When I have a migraine, I don't want to talk to you. It takes too much energy.
When I have a migraine, I don't want to talk to you. It takes too much energy. | Source
I just want to hide. But, sometimes I go to work anyway because no matter where I am I'd still feel it. If I focus really hard and take my meds, I can still be very productive.
I just want to hide. But, sometimes I go to work anyway because no matter where I am I'd still feel it. If I focus really hard and take my meds, I can still be very productive. | Source
Some days are just too much. It's really frustrating when it happens on a day off. What a waste! I feel like I lose so much of my potentially productive time to Migraine.
Some days are just too much. It's really frustrating when it happens on a day off. What a waste! I feel like I lose so much of my potentially productive time to Migraine. | Source
Yes, sometimes my head really hurts, but it's a whole body disease.
Yes, sometimes my head really hurts, but it's a whole body disease. | Source
I feel it everywhere. Nausea can come with migraines and I've had my share of that, but sometimes I just plain hurt all over so much that it's hard to move around. So, if you ask me if my head feels better yet, that's not really the right question.
I feel it everywhere. Nausea can come with migraines and I've had my share of that, but sometimes I just plain hurt all over so much that it's hard to move around. So, if you ask me if my head feels better yet, that's not really the right question. | Source
It's a neurological disease. Some people will have an "aura" that affects them prior to the main attack. For me, I can have a hard time communicating. I forget words and put things in the wrong place. Sometimes I don't know where I am. Weird, huh?
It's a neurological disease. Some people will have an "aura" that affects them prior to the main attack. For me, I can have a hard time communicating. I forget words and put things in the wrong place. Sometimes I don't know where I am. Weird, huh? | Source
Migraine has some very strange symptoms. There is probably nothing you can do to help me feel better. Please don't tell me to see a doctor. I have and I do.
Migraine has some very strange symptoms. There is probably nothing you can do to help me feel better. Please don't tell me to see a doctor. I have and I do. | Source
I'm sorry I'm so out of it sometimes. I know it's hard for you to understand. But, please don't tell me to take vitamins or herbs or use ice or heat. I've done it all.
I'm sorry I'm so out of it sometimes. I know it's hard for you to understand. But, please don't tell me to take vitamins or herbs or use ice or heat. I've done it all. | Source
Please don't conclude that I'm a bad person or that I'm weak, anxious and can't cope with my life. Believe me, I'm stronger than you think. This is hereditary. My mom had it, my sisters, my cousins and my grandfather, too.
Please don't conclude that I'm a bad person or that I'm weak, anxious and can't cope with my life. Believe me, I'm stronger than you think. This is hereditary. My mom had it, my sisters, my cousins and my grandfather, too. | Source
I've been dealing with this for a long time. I've tried just about everything and I see a specialist. I take one of the newest medications. It helps a lot and I continue to explore options.
I've been dealing with this for a long time. I've tried just about everything and I see a specialist. I take one of the newest medications. It helps a lot and I continue to explore options. | Source
I'll be OK. Thanks for your concern.
I'll be OK. Thanks for your concern. | Source

What Does Migraine Feel Like? How 'Bout This?

What Does Migraine Feel Like? How 'Bout This?
What Does Migraine Feel Like? How 'Bout This?

Migraine Medication

Migraine runs in my family, as it often does. Compared to the options available to my Grandfather and mother, I am very lucky. Research has allowed for the development of a new class of drugs (triptans) for the treatment of migraine. I'm so grateful.
Migraine runs in my family, as it often does. Compared to the options available to my Grandfather and mother, I am very lucky. Research has allowed for the development of a new class of drugs (triptans) for the treatment of migraine. I'm so grateful.

Express Yourself! A Migraine Poetry Contest

Check out the migraine poetry contest And consider writing something yourself. It's a great way to get out your frustration and also help others better understand what it's like to have Migraine Disease.

Will you share your own migraine story with us?

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

 Necessary
 Features
 Marketing
 Statistics

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)