How I Finally Found Migraine Relief After 17 Years of Suffering

My 17 Year Struggle With Migraines

For nearly two decades I suffered from debilitating migraines. The pounding, throbbing pain would come on suddenly and knock me flat. I missed out on so many important life events and special occasions due to my migraines. Work, relationships, family time - my migraines negatively impacted them all. But after 17 years of suffering, I finally found real migraine relief.

The Pain Was Unbearable

When a migraine hit, the pain was unbearable. It felt like someone was hammering a chisel into my skull. Any movement or sound made it worse. The pounding pain would start on one side of my head and radiate throughout. I'd get so nauseous and dizzy I could barely function. Sometimes the migraines would last for days. I lost count of how many times I had to call out sick from work or cancel plans with friends.

The Search For Answers

For years I went from doctor to doctor looking for help. I tried every prescription medication, holistic remedy, and homeopathic treatment they suggested. Pain relievers like ibuprofen offered little relief. Imitrex would knock me out but the migraine would return as soon as I woke up. Nothing seemed to work for long. The doctors ran all kinds of tests but could never pinpoint an underlying cause.

I felt so frustrated and defeated. It seemed like I would have to live with this awful pain forever. Every day was spent just trying to function and get through my migraine. I stopped doing things I loved because I never knew when a headache would strike. My migraines were robbing me of so much joy and fulfillment.

Discovering The Migraine Diet

After seeing my seventh neurologist, I finally got some answers. He suggested my migraines could be triggered by certain foods. He recommended trying an elimination diet to identify and remove any problem ingredients. The diet involved cutting out common triggers like caffeine, alcohol, processed foods, and artificial additives.

It was difficult at first, but over time I started to pinpoint my triggers - aged cheeses, processed meats, and wheat were big culprits. Eliminating those from my diet dramatically reduced my migraine frequency. Just making those dietary changes alone offered me more migraine relief than all the drugs I'd tried over the years.

New Treatments Bring Hope

In addition to diet changes, there have been some exciting new migraine treatments approved in recent years. CGRP monoclonal antibodies like Aimovig, Ajovy, and Emgality have been game-changers for many sufferers. These monthly injections prevent migraines by blocking calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is involved in migraine attacks.

For acute migraine relief, the FDA has approved several new medications as well. Ubrelvy, Nurtec ODT, Reyvow, and Qulipta can all stop migraine pain and symptoms once they start. Having abortive medications I can take at the first sign of a migraine has given me my life back.

Sharing My Migraine Relief Journey

After spending nearly two decades plagued by migraines, I am so grateful to finally be living pain-free. I know how hopeless chronic migraine sufferers can feel. I want to give them hope by sharing my story on #migrainerelief #headacherelief #migrainerelieftiktok. My migraine relief journey isn't unique - diet changes, new treatments, and trigger avoidance offer real solutions. For 17 years migraines dictated my life, but today I'm in control. There is hope for migraine relief!

FAQs

What prescription medications did you try for migraine relief?

I tried several different prescription medications over the years including pain relievers like ibuprofen and migraine-specific drugs like Imitrex. None provided lasting migraine relief unfortunately.

How did you discover food triggers for your migraines?

I worked with a neurologist who suggested following an elimination diet to pinpoint dietary migraine triggers. By removing foods like aged cheese, processed meats, and wheat, I noticed a dramatic decrease in migraine frequency.

What new migraine treatments finally brought you relief?

CGRP monoclonal antibody injections like Aimovig were game-changers for preventing my migraines. And new acute treatments like Ubrelvy gave me an abortive medication I could take at the first sign of a migraine.

How long did it take to find your optimal migraine relief plan?

It was a long journey of trial and error over 17 years. But identifying my food triggers and starting the CGRP injections were the breakthroughs that finally gave me real migraine relief.

What advice do you have for others suffering from chronic migraines?

Don't give up hope. Keep exploring new treatment options, trigger avoidance, and diet changes. My story shows that migraine relief is possible even after many years of suffering.