I clearly remember sitting in the waiting room at the headache clinic; I was 22 years old speaking with a woman in her mid-forties as she recounted her story of chronic migraine to me. She told me that despite years of aggressive treatment, including daily preventative medication, nerve blocks, and more, her attacks remained persistent and debilitating.

I had just been diagnosed with chronic migraine (CM) and was awaiting my first round of a new treatment.

It was inconceivable to me that an intervention as intense as 31 injections around my head, neck, and shoulders might not work. I sat in my seat listening politely while fear coursed wildly through my system.

I hoped this woman was wrong, exaggerating, or had issues related to other conditions.

I never could have appreciated, in that moment, the depth of pain in her migraine journey or anticipated the unique twists and turns that would soon unfold in mine.

No two migraine stories are the same.

I have now lived with chronic migraine for seven years and understand the devastating effects it can have in every area of a person’s life, something I could not fathom when first diagnosed. Read more at Healthgrades.com…

Natalie Sayre