STRENGTH IN STORIES™
Navigating Life with Migraine
Kelly’s Story, July 2024
As told by: Katy Oakley
Diagnosis received: vestibular migraine, intractable chronic daily migraine
Symptoms: head pain, ear pain, tingling (chest, scalp, tongue, mouth, lips, nose and eyelids), increased tinnitus, increased urination, constipation, nausea, pain behind eyes, visual aura, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, skin sensitivity
Kelly’s story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of finding the right support system when living with a chronic headache disorder.
From a young age, Kelly has grappled with the debilitating effects of migraine, facing challenges in her personal and professional life. Yet, through it all, she has maintained a positive outlook, advocating for herself and others, and finding ways to manage her condition effectively.
“I remember being like five years old, laying in my parents’ bed with the curtains drawn, hiding under the blanket, not wanting to move,” Kelly recalls, reflecting on her early experiences with migraine. For years, her symptoms were dismissed as a “stomach bug,” until she finally found a doctor who recognized her condition as migraine.
Despite the challenges, Kelly has not let migraine define her. “I’m a positive person, and I think that has gotten me through a lot of the dark times,” she says.
Kelly has built a strong support system, working closely with a team of specialists, including a headache specialist, nutritionist, and neuropsychiatrist. “I have a very supportive team, which I think makes a world of difference.”
One of the most significant setbacks Kelly faced was the loss of her job and being forced to leave her PhD program due to the impact of her migraine. “It was devastating. And I had to go through like the grieving process, which took me a little bit of time.”
However, with the help of her neuropsychologist, Kelly was able to shift her focus to what she could do, rather than what she couldn’t. “He offered some insight on not rebuilding my life but helping get more of a focus on what I can do. I have learned not to compare myself to the ‘old Kelly.’“
Another challenge Kelly has navigated is the lack of understanding and support from those around her. “When I had breast cancer, people came out of the woodwork… It’s just a such a difference between one and the other.”
Despite these setbacks, Kelly has remained steadfast in her determination to manage her condition and advocate for herself and others. The introduction of CGRP medications with her daily preventative medications has provided her with some much sought after relief.
“My baseline is lower. I don’t have as many peaks and valleys. I am not pain free, but I’m happy with where I am.”