Reflecting on my weekly battle with multiple sclerosis-related migraines
A severe 3-day episode was the final straw for this columnist
Searing pain and tears characterized my life for years because of multiple sclerosis-associated migraines. I remember those feelings as clearly as day because they diminished my quality of life.
One radiant morning, my mom, friend, and I went to a coffee festival in our hometown. It was a fun day full of laughs, good coffee, and even better company. But it soon went downhill.
After the festival, my friend and I went to grab a bite to eat, but nausea hit me like a ton of bricks. I tried my best to snap out of it because I hadn’t seen my friend in a couple of months, and I wanted to make the most of our time together. But snapping out of it wasn’t in the cards.
I thought eating would help eliminate my nausea, but sadly, it made matters worse. All I wanted was a dark room and my bed. I didn’t know it at the time, but my worst migraine ever was brewing.
A 3-day battle
By the time I got home, I was aware only of flashing lights and pain. My temples and eyes were pounding as they never had before. I locked myself in my room, turned the lights off, put my phone on airplane mode, and stared at the ceiling. But moments later, I ran to the bathroom to vomit, which made me dizzy and lightheaded.
I then took a dose of my prescribed migraine medication, but it did nothing to help, so I continued lying in the dark. Any sound or light worsened my symptoms. My mom checked on me periodically, but there wasn’t much anyone could do for me.
The excruciating pain remained for so long that it felt like I was going to be hurting for the rest of my life. Eventually, I began to sob because I couldn’t bear the pain anymore, but crying only made it worse. There was nothing I could do besides sleep. I was in and out of sleep for three days because my migraine would not subside.
It finally ended after the third day, but I was incredibly drained from the battle. It took me a couple days to fully recover from the pain.
After this occurrence, I told my doctor that I couldn’t live like this anymore. Even though this migraine was my worst, I’d been having episodes almost weekly. I was always terrified of the next migraine, because they grew more severe each time.
My doctor put me on a medication that lessens the frequency and severity of my migraines, which has helped tremendously. Now, my migraines visit about once a month and last a day.
But sometimes I recall the migraines I used to have and wonder, “How did I live like that?”
Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.
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Comments
Robert Hiton
I was glad to see this article. I have been diagnosed with PPMS for 13 years now. The disease progressed quit rapidly at first with a multitude of symptoms. Vertigo was one of these symptoms. As I became much more in tune with my body I discovered that these bouts were tied into a form of cluster headache. I never thought that it was migraines because there wasn't the excruciating pain we all associate with migraines. Mine play havoc with my eyes focussing, nausea, bright light, vertigo and neck and shoulder pain. I didn't want to go with adding another medication to my already encyclopedia list of drugs I take. My neurologist and I decided to try these injections that are done at the back of the head and around the temple area on both sides. These are administered once a month and I have been doing it for two months today. I have been completely free of any bouts since doing this and with the extremely active weather we have been experiencing, I would have experienced many attacks.
Sincerely
JOHN KEOHANE
Hi,
I'm just wondering what medication you are on for the treatment of migraine?
Brenda Heitzman
I can certainly commiserate. My first Migraine was at age 16 or so. Suffered for years until they put imitrex on the market. I guess I was in my 30's by then. The horror of living through my teens and 20's was real. Being accused of drug seeking, not feeling well about a lot of things, My family suffered. I too lived in that fear of when is the hammer going to fall. I was dx'd with MS (on April 1st) 1990. There was no meds available for MS either at the time. Looking back and I try to find out this from other people...I was showing signs of MS in my teens. Almost drowned (how it felt to me) in a heated pool, went limp and couldn't propel myself to the side of the pool. Asked for help.
I also suffered from MONO at about age 14. And strep throat all the time. "Growing pains in my legs too often. So I get it. I could have just said so and left the melodramitics alone but.
I am 71 years old. I worked as a nurse until early 60's, like 62, The symptoms that I have always had got worse one day. And here I sit. Zero Balance. Need more help than I am comfortable asking for. SO keep on going, do all you can. Be mindful of all you do. KINDNESS To yourself and others. Funny I reread your bio. Austin, have friends down there. Just a side note. I worked as a REAL nurse for a good while then found PSYCH. Now thats the ticket!!! Really felt useful then. People always looked askance at me when they ask me "so what do you do?" Also all my life, avid reader. Have you ever delved into a full scale set of encyclopedia? I had people like your grandmother. I am grateful for the strength they gave me even when it seemed I wasn't paying attention. I could go on I suppose but I am worn out and have to concentrate way too hard to type without stress and fixing. Glad I stopped my your essay today. Best. Brenda
Sherri Farr
I had a large vertigo event 15 years ago which developed into vertigo migraine. I’ve been pretty dysfunctional since, no matter what medicines, therapies or doctors I’ve tried. I was diagnosed with MS 6 years ago and along with other symptoms, my vertigo and migraine have remained the most disabling and painful part of my experience. It’s as if allergic to any kind of movement, and I daily fight the resulting migraine. I have various meds I juggle to fight it but it is discouraging and never ends. I recently moved and my new neurologist has tried me on Effexor. It’s only been a few months, and I’m still experiencing some headaches, but seems like I’m occasionally having weeks without. Im hoping to continue seeing improvement. It’s a hard thing to live with.
Ben
I get migraines but they luckily aren't as bad!
They are 'silent migraines' because they aren't as painful, sometimes not painful at all.
The worst thing about them is that they cause vision issues, blurred spots or noisey geometrical patterns in spots over my vision.
I think they are related to vasoconstriction since coffee seems to trigger them and it is a vaso-constrictor.
Blue light/bright light also triggers them, they are related to visual processing so the lesions in the occipital/parietal region could be related - I think lesions in this area are common in people with MS due to their close proximity to the lateral ventricles.
I try to avoid my migraines by taking vasodilators like Omega 3, Creatine, Water and Rocket as well as eye protection.
Benjamin Hofmeister
I just had to jump in on this one. I get migraines too and like you mine are all silent. I get all the visual auras and sensitivity to light and noise, but none of the pain. I keep a prescription of sumatriptan on hand to use as needed. It's an anti-inflammatory drug that is specific for blood vessels in the head.
Have you ever had scintillating scotomas? Most of the time I just see a bright light as if someone is shining a flashlight in my face, but several times I've seen a jagged rainbow in the shape of a backwards C in my right field of vision. The first time this happened, it scared me, but now I just enjoy the light show.