Saturday, February 11, 2012

Migraines and Headaches - Coping and Staying Whole

Migraine disease and headaches can be devastating. They can make us feel isolated, ineffective, and guilty. After a while, we can begin to wonder if part of it IS "all in our heads," even though we know better intellectually. Our emotional selves are sometimes at odds with our more rational intellect...
4/12/08 3:40pm
I just want to thank you for your encouragement you give to all of us that take the time and effort to read you column. We are each individuals, yet we share this common bond. We are not alone in this fight to cope on a daily basis. Some of us have migraines a lot, some of us a few times a month, as you said, " I have Migraines, but Migraines do not have me. I have headaches, but headaches do not have me." We must all remember this. I just want to thank you again.   Keep up the work you are doing, You are a great encouragement to all of us.
4/12/08 5:33pm

Teri,

 

I love the "I have Migraine, but Migraine doesn't have me!" OK, woman. Get to work! I want a tee-shirt or a mug or something with that on it!!

 

Thanks a million!
Abi

4/14/08 11:55am

Teri,

 

well said.  On the aspect of feeling guilty or when someone in our lives makes us "feel" the guilt; I'm with you, Teri.  Re-evaluate the relationship.  Is it a realistic friendship/relationship?  Who does it serve?  (them, you, both?)  If it's only serving them, get rid of them - it's unhealthy and not worth your energy.   I've been there.  It really is very draining to have someone suck so much energy out of you; when you barely have enough for yourself to go around.

4/14/08 7:05pm

Teri - What a wonderful set of reminders of all we can do to be in charge of our lives, migraine or not.  What you have here is a great prescription for mental and emotional health!  Thanks.

- Megan 

Anonymous
Diana
4/15/08 3:00pm

Hi Teri,

 

I think it is so important to address the guilt factor as you do.  Migraines certainly have a way of inviting us to reevaluate our priorities and where we want to put our time and energy.  Guilt is way too much of an expense for those who struggle with migraines.  I guess that's really one of the gifts that come from migraine disease...you just don't have time and energy for crap anymore.  I know for myself that my migraines used to do a great job of weeding out the people in my life who weren't worth my time.  Migraines can be great boundary drawers when we refuse to set those boundaries ourselves...oh the hidden gifts!

 

Here's to counting our blessings!

Diana

www.livebeyondstressandillness.blogspot.com

 

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (4221) >