Let Me Introduce Myself and My Migraine
Occasionally, my favorite television shows do look-back episodes. I always wonder if the lead actors are out filming a movie or if contract negotiations aren’t going well. Whatever the reason, it happens. So, I thought I’d give it a shot and write a look-back article for my migraine blog.
Introducing Me and My Migraine
Migraine has traveled with me for six decades. I have never thought of migraine as a welcome companion, but it is as much a part of me as the color of my hair and the freckles on my skin. Though it still bears a strong resemblance to the early episodes of my youth, my migraine disorder has matured with me over the years. The frequency and timing of occurrences have changed since I was a child. Major triggers have remained the same, while minor triggers have varied.
My migraine life changed drastically at the age of 23 when Doralie, a paraprofessional at the CPA firm where I worked, unofficially diagnosed me as having migraines. Armed with the name, I approached my doctor, and he officially diagnosed me with a disease, not a weakness.
Diagnosis gave me direction, courage, and power. It gave me the courage to begin a quest for knowledge. With the help of my doctor, I have learned how to understand my illness, take control of my physical disorder, and live life on my terms.
I researched migraine triggers on reliable websites to home in on my triggers and developed a migraine plan for controlling exposure to those triggers. Here are some helpful links:
Food Triggers for Migraines – WebMD
Migraine Attack Triggers – The Migraine Trust
Guide to Triggers & How to Manage Them – American Migraine Foundation
Tips to Find and Avoid Your Migraine Triggers – WebMD
Migraine and the Workplace, Holidays, and Vacations
I began talking with my bosses and my co-workers about migraines. No longer apologizing for my perceived weakness, I shared my knowledge with them. I hoped they would gain an understanding of me, and others like me. My 30-year accounting career ended as an accounting manager for an employer who acknowledged my skills and my disease.
Managing migraines during the holidays often requires help from thoughtful relatives. Sights of the season provide migraine challenges for me. Flashing Christmas tree lights are a no-no. The flashing lights on my in-laws’ tree had a non-flashing option, and for many years, they were nice enough to exercise that option for our Christmas celebrations.
When it comes to managing migraines on vacations, I look for completely nonsmoking properties and remind myself that changes in eating patterns are my earliest known trigger. Eating too much, eating too little, or altering mealtimes can mean big trouble for me.
Self-Care and Asking for Help
Understanding my migraine illness made me better equipped to take care of myself and educate others.
For me, self-care is less about solitary activities and more about realizing the significance of interacting with people and participating in life. Whether it’s running mundane errands, hearing a caring voice on the phone, or sharing a blog story with strangers, my personal self-care strategy centers on connection with others.
I find strength in owning my responsibilities, and for many years, I believed migraine illness was my cross to bear. Alone. I’m not sure when or why my perception tilted. Decades of life’s experiences can bring clarity to the cost of isolation and the value of connection. It takes courage to ask for help and compassion to extend a helping hand without judgment. We could all use a little help from time to time.
Originally published at WebMD.com on 8/18/25.
