I am a 42 year old mom of three and have had migraines since at least puberty (I used to think they were the flu).  My brother and father and oldest son (14 years old:() all get them.  My mother has never had a headache.  I get headaches when I'm stressed, before my period, from certain foods and it seems, when the wind blows (trying to be funny-sorry).  But, there seems to be no reason sometimes.

During the time I was pregnant and when I was nursing, I got them horribly.  My toungue and mouth kepts getting numb, then my hands and it rotated.  That scared me.

I get scared EVERY time I get a headache.  It usually starts out with an aura.  I do archery and found out that with the aura, I can see the outside of the target, but not the middle . . . just an observation during archery league night when I was getting a headache.  One or both of my hands may go numb, I get confused, all the muscles in my neck tighten up and there are all kinds of other symptoms that can happen before I have to get into bed and am soon writhing in pain and crying my eyes out.  Usually, after I get sick, there is some relief.  But it can start all over again (cluster headache).  These symptoms can change from headache to headache, but they all wind up the same - I get sick.  I am totally in touch with my doctor and we monitor any changes with different tests.  Sometimes I think I'll die.  From reading, now I wonder if I may one of these times.  It certainly hurts bad enough.

Sometimes, my medicine (fiorinol with codeine) is right in front of me and I just don't grab it and take it for relief.  There's something keeping me from doing it.  I've heard that when someone is freezing to death that a blanket can be right in front of them and they just don't have it in them to grab the blanket for warmth - that feels like me.

Unfortunately, worse than me getting headaches, my son, who is 14, gets them.  He's at the age that he is pretty knowledgable on ALL subjects and not afraid to be very "strong willed" about it, but when he gets a headache, he wants his mom.  I know he's suffering.  He did take maxalt, which seemed to help.  He doesn't take it anymore because he says it makes it worse.

Years ago, I tried Excederin to no avail.  Over about the last year, I have tried Excederine Migraine (I know, it's the same thing as extra strength, right?) and it has worked.  My son has learned to take pills when he gets migraines and the Excederin has also helped him.  I'll take that over having to take a barbituate/stimulant combination. 

My doctor said a long time ago that I would have them for the rest of my life.  It does get depressing because they are debilitating and whatever my plans are on the day I get a headache are shot.  If I am somewhere other than home, I have to hurry and get home or I will be in deep trouble - stuck wherever I am at, in a ball.