Learning to Live With Chronic Migraine: Deborah’s story

Deborah’s Story

“I am a retired 68-year-young registered nurse, but my story began at 23; in a grotty Italian train station.

I had just completed a 1,200 km bike ride through Holland, Belgium, and France with my boyfriend of the time (who now happens to be my husband of 43 years!) – and with no previous history, I experienced my first ever migraine.

The pain was excruciating. My Italian was non-existent, but thankfully I was adequately cared for by a local doctor.

My migraine diagnosis at that stage was ‘episodic’ and it did not present a problem for me. I worked as a Registered Nurse in Recovery, and also as a university facilitator. I experienced four years headache-free during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

But in 2020, everything changed with no clear reason. We relocated from the UK back to Queensland, Australia. Was the heat and humidity a trigger? Who knows.

My migraine attacks went from episodic to chronic, resulting in up to four days per week in bed, with pain, nausea and vomiting and drastic weight loss.

I am one of the lucky ones to have access to an excellent GP, neurologist, psychologist and physiotherapist, all of whom have helped me to deal with the chronic aspects of this disabling illness. I am treated with Botox every three months and Nurtec (a relatively new drug), which has enabled me to have some semblance of a normal life.

Migraine places a huge pressure not only on oneself but also on family and friends; as family activities, social engagements and travel cannot be planned with any certainty due to the unpredictability of the illness.

Given the disabling nature of this disease treatment and medication should be available to all sufferers – not just those who can afford it.

My take-aways are: Do not be afraid to explore all the available options, this is not a one-size fits all. Seek a good neurologist who specialises in headache and migraine. Explore, educate and investigate what services are available. With a multi-disciplinary team, good friends, supportive family you can live a good, albeit unpredictable but productive life.

I hope my story helps someone who is starting out on the migraine journey.

Let us all get behind the Brain Foundation and Migraine and Headache Australia. Research and funding are paramount.”

– Deborah A