My migraines began as head ache accompanied by aura, which regarded like flecks of sunshine had been floating round in entrance of my eyes. They received actually unhealthy throughout my junior 12 months of highschool; my head would damage so a lot after college. Over-the-counter ache meds didn’t assist. I’d want to simply take a nap and go away my homework for later. I went to a really aggressive highschool, and the migraines intensified throughout high-stress instances, similar to once I was doing standardized testing and making use of to schools.

I ended up going to a neurologist, who put me on treatment that undoubtedly helped loads. I take it at night time as a result of it makes me drowsy, however I haven’t had some other actual unwanted side effects. 

After I began school, pre-COVID, my migraines weren’t a problem in any respect—in all probability as a result of I used to be lively and never looking at screens, that are a significant set off for me, all day.  In school I didn’t take notes on my laptop typically, and there weren’t many good boards, simply old school chalkboards. Additionally, there was simply a lot time spent strolling to class or sitting within the library speaking with folks—lengthy, unprompted breaks from screens.

However when lessons went digital as a result of pandemic within the spring of 2020, my migraines abruptly grew to become a problem once more. I used to be on screens all day lengthy. My neurologist stated that I undoubtedly shouldn’t be on screens for lengthy stretches every single day, however there was nothing I might do about it.

After I graduated from school, fairly than go proper right into a job that will contain working remotely on Zoom all day, I spent a 12 months homeschooling a toddler in Maine. Just lately I began a job as a gross sales assistant at a big publishing firm. I used to be so excited once I received this job, particularly as a result of it occurred at a time when it appeared we had been going to be working in particular person for at the very least three days per week. However our places of work had been shut down after a number of folks caught COVID, and as soon as once more I used to be caught at dwelling looking at screens, and I began getting migraines extra typically once more. 

I do know I might be higher about taking display screen breaks. I all the time imply to go for a stroll in the course of the day. I do get a lunch break, however I’m nonetheless scared that somebody at work would want one thing from me throughout that point. My neurologist talked about that there are display screen protectors that dim my screens. Usually I maintain my laptop computer display screen fairly dim anyway, however I assume I might strive that. Within the workplace there are massive displays I can hook my laptop as much as, that are actually useful. That may be one other benefit of being within the workplace.

I’m unsure but whether or not constant work stress will play a task in my migraines. For now, typically my job is demanding, however there are days folks don’t want as a lot from me. Up to now it hasn’t been something too loopy. Nonetheless, even with out sustained, common work stress, I’m again to getting some migraine signs just about every single day, however they’re not debilitating. I’ve simply gotten so used to them that I don’t actually do something to handle my situation past taking my treatment. The preliminary neurologist appointment was straightforward and quick, simply answering some questions. Now I solely go in a few times a 12 months to get the prescription renewed. I do know so many individuals who complain about migraines however don’t take the step to go see a neurologist; I believe they need to as a result of remedy actually did make an enormous distinction for me.

Clare Collins is a gross sales assistant in New York Metropolis. Petra Guglielmetti is a contract author in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Observe her on Instagram @girlgonemaine.

In my teen years, I started experiencing migraines. My older sister, my mother, and I also suffer from migraines. Our triggers and symptoms are similar. When I was 16 years old, I experienced my first, severe, and multi-day migraine. I ended up in the hospital quite a few times. They did a spinal tap and pretty much every test there was, because I couldn’t eat and I couldn’t see. It was unbearable. It lasted almost a whole week. I started working with my neurologist in order to identify triggers and treatment options. Over time, they became less intense. It has been easier to work with them and around them throughout my adult life. Hormonal changes have probably made it easier. There was a lot to learn.

One thing I learned is that I just can’t do hormonal birth control—that was basically out before it was even in for me. Photosensitivity is another trigger for me, as is barometric tension. If there’s a storm coming, I can feel it. It sounds so woowoowoo that I don’t like even thinking about it. It just feels so foreign to people that haven’t had the same experience. I can imagine people being like, “Oh, sure. Sure it does.” But I swear, it actually happens. If there’s a storm system coming, I have to be prepared and have my medication ready. My migraine can be triggered by a big drop in the barometric pressure. It doesn’t happen every time it rains or snows, but when there’s a major or prolonged shift, like a few days of storms, I’ll start to feel the aura coming on, and if I’m low on sleep or high on stress, it’s enough to trigger a migraine. One thing on its own doesn’t always trigger symptoms, but if it’s that perfect storm of triggers that happen simultaneously, then I’m out.

Both times that I was pregnant I couldn’t take any prescription migraine medication, so that was tricky. It was mostly a “grin and bear it” situation, but I worked through it with help from a lot of acupuncture and massage work. A lot of dealing with my migraines is just accepting that when my symptoms start, I’m going to be down for the count. I need to go to a darkened room. There is no light. I take my migraine medication immediately. Depending on how bad I feel, I might also take anti-nausea medications. I feel very nauseated when I have migraines. These can last for up to three days but sometimes they last just one or two hours. If I take my medication early enough, my symptoms usually disappear in a matter of hours. I’m lucky to be in a good spot right now, where I get migraines only once a month. These were more common in my youth. Of course, now I’ve got concerns about the next phase, when I’m premenopausal. Is the hormonal shift going to put me back in that bad spot? I’m nervous, because being in a good spot has been so wonderful.

It’s a shame, but my children are very aware that I suffer from migraines, and especially photosensitivity. They don’t turn a light on in the house without checking. If we come into the house and it’s dark, they’ll tell me before turning a light on. It’s so crazy, everyone walking on eggshells about something as silly as turning on the lights! But if I’m looking toward that light and not expecting it to suddenly turn on, it’ll send me into a migraine. Everyone in the house is aware that it’s okay to give a heads-up.