- Migraine
- Interviews
CC's interview
How did all start?
Was dizzy for a whole year, then headaches everyday for another year, then I couldn't move my foot.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Always knew I had them, didn't know it affected my feet or legs from moving.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Neurologist gave me the vitamin list that helps most migraineurs. Wanted to get me on anti-anxiety to lower the threshold of the other symptoms causing issues. Non took without horrible side effects.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Vitamin d, b2, folic acid, magnesium, coenzyme q10, st John's wort, xweather earplugs, reducing motrin to 3x a week at most, to get rid of bounceback headaches.
40z water, 20oz electrolyte water, increase protein with a protein shake with turmeric and cinnamon, soda water cut with juice, 50/50.
5min aerobic exercise 3x/wk, stretch only 3x a week, no more, yoga/strength based exercise 5min, 5x/wk. Very slowly increasing steps and tracking them to avoid overexertion.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Feeling trapped. Can no longer wash dishes or handle taking out garbages. Showers are now 1x a week, baths all others. Cannot stand still longer than 20min at a time, overexertion leads to a ton of pain, all over my skin and localized on my thighs, and stuttering and feet not lifting off the floor without intense effort.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I feel misunderstood but it is a sickness that is hard to understand. I don't know where my limits are and most want me to push thru, without being there for the day after side effects of pushing.
What things have you stopped doing?
Had to move out of the city, a walking town. Had to acquire work accomadations, quit waitressing. Reading level decreased, slowly increasing now. Classics still impossible to understand. Used to be an avid reader that went for Dracula in 4th grade.
What do you think about the future?
I want to open my own shop, but I no longer have the ability to be on my feet 8hrs a day, and run 12hr days for the sake of a business.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
Best? College was amazing, connecting to my expressiveness in art, being my true self in front of everyone and having courage.
But then again, after college, dating my now husband, walking around the city for hours, just exploring and eating at new places every weekend and after work too.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Travel and explore all the major cities. Make a foodie youtube channel. Work 60hr workweeks, 40 for the pay and 20 for my art.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
It's just me, cats and books now. That will have to do.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
I don't know what the path is, but there are little things here and there along the way that might help. There's gonna be a ton of advice. Take the stuff that works and throw out the rest, experiment, and be open to listening to your body.
