Making The Most Of Life With Chronic Migraine

Yahoo

10-07-2025

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Chronic migraine is a debilitating condition that's both painful and frustrating. It's defined as 15 or more headache days per month for more than three months, with at least eight of those days including migraine-specific symptoms: Nausea and vomiting. Mood changes. Sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells.
There's a decent chance you nodded your head to at least a couple of those symptoms. According to the American Migraine Foundation, 85 percent of the 4 million Americans who live with chronic migraine are women—possibly due to hormone fluctuations around menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause, among other triggers.
There's good news, though. Many women with chronic migraine have found ways to not only live with the condition, but thrive in spite of it. Women's Health spoke to three of them about their migraine journeys, from their first experiences with severe headaches to the management strategies that have allowed them to live their lives to the fullest.
Gina Romero, 33, a licensed therapist and group-practice owner in Las Vegas: 'I remember this so vividly. I was 23 years old, and I was driving home from work on a Friday night. I remember being annoyed because I thought that everyone was driving with their bright lights on, and I even flashed my brights at one driver—which I feel bad about, because they didn't do anything wrong! I got home after the 20-minute drive and my head hurt so badly. I ended up spending the next 24 hours in bed, battling a sharp pain that left me unable to function. After consulting with Dr. Google, I came to the conclusion that I had just had my first migraine. I assumed it was a fluke at the time, but it ended up being just the first of many over the next decade.'
Laura Haver, 46, an author, speaker, and coach in Chicago: 'I got my first migraine shortly after the birth of my first son. He was born in an emergency C-section. I had a lot of medical complications post-delivery. I never had headaches growing up, so when I got my first migraine, I was like, Whoa! What is this madness? My migraines began with fuzzy vision and/or neck, jaw, or shoulder pain. My symptoms would blow up to the point where I had to surrender to my 'cave'—my bedroom—with every single shade and curtain pulled and the door closed. I'd lie in pain for days at a time, barely eating until the migraine finally subsided.'
Angela Zade, 46, a marketing director in Phoenix: 'I'd been suffering with severe chronic migraines most of my adult life, but I hadn't realized they were migraines until I was formally diagnosed in 2018. I was often treated for sinus infections that were actually migraines. Migraine presents itself differently in every patient—it's like a moving target.'
Haver: 'My migraines had a large impact for too many years. I hated that my husband had to do everything while I was down with one, and I missed time with my kids. I was apprehensive about making plans to do anything, as I didn't want to have to cancel. I went to different doctors, neurologists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and more. I tried various medications, but they all seemed to have a boomerang effect, making my migraines worse. My naturopath thought my trigger was food-related, so I cut out processed and aged foods. I felt like I could barely eat anything. I was miserable. But I was still determined to do anything I could to stop my migraines.'
Zade: 'I was unable to work full-time, so I moved in with my parents at the obscene age of 39. 'Being normal' was out of the question for me, and I became incredibly isolated. Ultimately, I was hospitalized in October 2018 for 16 days, and again in November 2018 for five days at a clinic that used zero opiates. Instead, I was treated with non-opiate abortive medications that finally broke my ongoing migraine. The formula that worked for me included neuromodulating injectables every three months, as well as a tiered medication system that includes 'cycle breakers'—a cycle happens when migraines erupt from triggers like menstruation, wind, or sleep deprivation.'
Romero: 'Migraines have been a part of my life for over 10 years. At their worst, they've disrupted work, my social life, and relationships. My most severe migraine happened when I was 25; it left me with blurry vision and without feeling in my hands. My supervisor had to drive me home from work because it wasn't safe for me to be there—I worked in a prison at the time. I've canceled plans last-minute and worked through pain and discomfort, because the world doesn't stop for chronic illness. The unpredictability can feel isolating, especially when others don't understand that it's not 'just a headache.''
Romero: 'Managing migraines goes beyond just medication for me. I pay attention to early signs, like neck stiffness or sensory sensitivity, and try to act quickly. I focus on hydration, gentle movements, and managing my stress load. I've learned the hard way that pushing through only makes things worse, so now I plan recovery time into my schedule as a non-negotiable. Even if I can't prevent every migraine, these choices help reduce the intensity and impact.'
Zade: 'During my hospitalizations, other patients talked me into believing that I'd be in and out of the hospital for the rest of my life like them. A thoughtful psychologist on staff countered: 'The patients who got better are not here at this hospital to tell you that you, too, will get better.' And she was right. I haven't been hospitalized since. Thanks to my treatment plan, I'm back working full-time again, I rarely have to skip a social gathering, and I was able to have a migraine-free wedding day!'
Haver: 'I eat relatively healthy foods, and I make movement part of my routine, even just a simple walk. I drink enough water and get enough sleep. And if I begin to feel overly tired or worn out, I go to bed earlier, sneak in a nap, or do a short meditation to get back on track.'
Romero: 'I've tried a lot of things over the years, including medication, acupuncture, therapy, and stress management. I've learned to take a proactive, holistic approach. I track triggers and try not to override my body's early-warning signs. I also lean on routines that support my nervous system, such as consistent sleep and pacing my workload. These approaches aren't always perfect, but they help lower the frequency and severity of attacks. What's been most effective for me are sumatriptan injections. They work very quickly and reliably, and they've been the least disruptive to my daily life. When I take an injection, I'm typically able to return to normal life within 15 to 30 minutes. This is a huge win, as it sometimes took me 8 to 10 hours to recover with other medications.'
Haver: 'For years, once a migraine began, there was nothing I could do but wait it out in my cave. They even got so bad that I would throw up—until finally I took matters into my own hands and sought alternative solutions. A coach introduced me to the healing power of energy work. It was a game changer! I created my own daily energy practice—a fusion of energy clearing, meditation, mindfulness, prayer, and more. It helps me release stress. My migraines have since turned into occasional headaches.'
Zade: 'I still undergo neuromodulating treatments every three months. I continue care with my neurologist in Chicago, where I lived previously, and have also established care with a local neurologist here in Phoenix. It sounds extreme to have two neurologists, but when you were as debilitated as I was, you can't afford to take any chances. And I know that this journey is ongoing, especially as I enter perimenopause, with more hormonal changes that will undoubtedly impact my migraine-treatment plan.'
Haver: 'First thing: I'm sorry you're having a hard time. And like me, I bet you've been doing so much to try to stop getting migraines. In my experience, my migraines were my body's way of shutting down. I simply couldn't push through anymore. Once I began listening to my body, and honoring myself and my needs, I was able to slowly and significantly reduce my migraines. And if I can do it, you can do it too!'
Romero: 'You can build a full life, even with chronic migraines. It just might look different than you expected. Don't be afraid to rewrite the rules of how a 'productive' or 'good' day looks. Let go of guilt, ask for accommodations, and don't be afraid to take up space with your needs. Advocate for yourself. Also, get familiar with your pharmacy options, because the logistics of chronic illness can be half the battle.'
Zade: 'Do NOT give up! It does get better.'
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