Migraine headache days take over my entire life: relationships, work, friends, family, and even my schedule. I am now 33 years old and a few years ago I was suffering from migraines about 28 days a month. I couldn't make any plans because I knew I would probably have to cancel.

Migraine days include throbbing headaches, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, which is constant and excruciating. It's like my body is working so hard trying to cope that I can't cope with anything else - friends, family, work, etc.

It is difficult for others to understand my illness because they cannot see it. Many people tell me that they get headaches too, but I sometimes don't feel motivated to explain that migraine is a complex neurological disorder that affects many different people. Friends and family ask me why I can't tolerate the symptoms. They cannot comprehend the intensity of what I am experiencing and feel frustrated and misunderstood.

Getting my coworkers and supervisors to understand my symptoms is also a major challenge. I have been fired from my previous job because of my frequent sick days. I am an account manager and my supervisor told me, "This job is not that difficult. I have also been told, "You know what? The answer is no. I don't want people to think that my migraine symptoms, such as light sensitivity and nausea, are a way to escape my job.

The medical profession can be suspicious. I have been asked to rate uncomfortable symptoms on a scale of 1 to 10 during a medical visit. Some doctors have asked, "Were your symptoms really that bad?" or "Are you sure it is migraine and not just a headache?"

Some patients have migraines after a triggering event, such as skipping a meal or drinking caffeine, but not in my case. In other words, eliminating or avoiding certain things does not prevent the symptoms. Thus, until recently, if I sensed an impending migraine episode, my only option was to try different medications.

My current neurologist and I have a wonderful relationship. She believed me when I told her about my symptoms and the frequency of my migraines and told me not to give up hope that I might find a way to deal with my migraines that would work for me. For about a year and a half she had me try different combinations of treatments and prescriptions. I kept track of everything using a headache calendar. I kept checking off migraine treatment options, and if one didn't work, I moved on to the next option on the list.

Finally, she recommended a prophylactic migraine plan that included monthly injections targeting the brain's CGRP pathway, which is thought to play an important role in migraines. The various treatments I had tried in the past had not worked for me, but this one was completely different. They even mail it to me, which is really convenient now. The treatments may not work the same for everyone and the results may vary, but they actually worked for me. Over time, my symptoms have only gotten better. My disease still affects my life, but now I have more days to go about my daily life.

Now that I finally have a migraine management plan that works for me, I am excited that I am missing fewer days from work. By spending more time at work, I am creating new career goals that I didn't have before. I am now able to talk more openly about my career goals with my co-workers and supervisors.

To begin moving forward at work, I was referred to Nicole Lapin. Not only is he a big-time career coach (open in new tab), but he is also a woman living with migraines, and she gets it. With her help, I reviewed my career goals. She encouraged me to take stock of my goals by writing them down, giving myself a deadline to complete them, and rewarding myself when I made progress. And that is just the beginning. I cannot wait to see what else I can accomplish.

Chronic health problems come with shame and guilt that others don't understand. I want those close to me to know that a migraine is not just a bad headache and never an exaggerated excuse to miss work.

I want other migraineurs to know that it is not their fault and that they can have positive outcomes. You can find a doctor who understands and supports you. My relationship with my current neurologist has had a huge impact on my health journey. There is hope - don't give up on yourself or your situation. If I had given up, I wouldn't be here today, working toward my career goals, spending time with my wife, and enjoying the things I love to do.

To learn more about this disease, including migraines at work, seewww.KnowMigraineMission.com.

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