My journey with chronic headaches

So, headaches have bothered me for as long as I can remember. There were moments when I thought I had one practically every day. I saw many doctors, but to be honest, many of them didn\’t really believe me when I told them how frequently I got them. One even gave me the impression that I was exaggerating, which left me feeling rather isolated and irritated.

I eventually came to the conclusion that I needed to begin solving problems on my own. I began journaling when I experienced headaches and to document my surroundings. At that point, I became aware of a pattern: I\’m extremely sensitive to loud noizes, bright lights, and even strong fragrances. I can sense a headache coming on if I spend too much time in a busy or noisy environment. My brain seems to be overwhelmed by the amount of stimulation.

Also, I learned that alcohol was a big nono for me. I would definitely have a headache after drinking even a modest glass of wine. I now simply avoid it completely, and to be honest, I don\’t miss it.

A few items that were helpful to me:

Be mindful of your triggers. It all comes down to my senses. Even if it may seem a little strange, I try to take a break or find a quieter place whenever I start to feel overwhelmed.

Maintain a schedule. It\’s more worse if I miss meals or don\’t get enough sleep. I therefore make an effort to eat consistently and go to bed at the same time each night.

Avoid being too hard on yourself. I felt bad or blamed myself for postponing plans for a long time. I try to treat myself with more kindness now. You shouldn\’t be hard on yourself for having a headache.

You\’re not alone if you\’re going through this too. Additionally, it\’s acceptable to prioritise yourself and do the necessary actions to feel better. I\’m here to listen if you want to vent or if you have any advice!

Take care