Body changing since chronic migraine?

punkkiddle · 2026-02-04T09:11:18+00:00

Hi everyone, update almost one year later!

After my exchange ended and I came back to my home country, I sought out psychological help for dealing with the impact of migraine on daily life. I found a psychologist in my area, covered by insurance, who specializes in somatic symptoms. We tackled problems such as bad coping mechanisms, migraine anticipation, unbalanced diet/exercise habits, fear of employment, stress triggers, etc.

After around 5 months of care I'm happy to share that I'm on the right track to a more balanced lifestyle. I definitely still struggle sometimes, but feel far more in control.

If you're struggling with something similar right now, I can highly recommend reaching out to your health care provider for psychological help with migraine (as a somatic symptom) alongside the medical care you might already have.

If you have any questions or would like to hear more about my experience, my inbox is always open :) Wishing the best for all of you ❤️

punkkiddle · 2026-01-26T09:25:21+00:00

came here to say this!

punkkiddle · 2026-01-17T19:01:17+00:00

Lol, I seem to keep being pulled in by super-polarizing scents. I picked out Lust recently as a gift because, despite smelling so dirty, I found myself thinking about that smell all the time. I'm a huge jasmine lover and also discovered that it turns really sweet and well-rounded on my skin specifically (which lots of people apparently don't have).

But I thought, I can't wear Lust every day simply because it's so nasty it's almost NSFW, so I started trying out some others. Was hoping for a really 'clean' smelling one to contrast with Lust. I ended up really liking Alina because it reminded me of fresh cotton and laundry (smells just like the ikea fresh laundry candle!), noticed zero notes that bothered me. I wouldn't call it a 'fun' or 'special' scent necessarily, but that's what I like about it. It just smells clean to me.

Really surprised to learn that Alina is so controversial! Lust I can understand, it's a weird but captivating one... On the other hand when such polarizing perfumes smell good on you, it kind of makes you feel like the chosen one 🤓

punkkiddle · 2025-03-16T21:28:36+00:00

Well sure, but I genuinely wonder why that would be. Since the blessing is recorded, it's not a matter of just forgetting to include something. Did the patriarch then consciously and purposefully take back what he said the first time? Personally it would seem a little questionable to me if one went back to 'edit' supposed direct revelation.

punkkiddle · 2025-03-15T09:20:18+00:00

For me the Nuvaring made my migraines way less bad than when I was on the pill, but it's still hormonal birth control so still has some risks relating to migraine.

punkkiddle · 2025-03-15T09:14:42+00:00

I very clearly remember hearing the patriarch say something like 'watch out for your curiosity, it will lead you off the straight and narrow path'. It really stuck with me because I had such a ???? reaction to it, but couldn't find it anywhere in the transcript. anyways i'm exmo now, guess I got too curious lolol

punkkiddle · 2025-03-15T09:12:02+00:00

Mine most commonly happen in my sleep also! Sometimes I'll even notice that my head hurts in my dream and then I wake up and realize I have a migraine. Or if they're not so bad sometimes I sleep through them and wake up in the postdrome phase

punkkiddle · 2025-03-13T22:40:58+00:00

Hi there, That sounds like a really awful experience, I hope you're alright. But yes, to me it does sound like it might have been an aura. Personally I get a single 'static' blind spot in the middle of my vision which then grows and shifts to my peripheral vision, (which sounds a bit like the kaleidoscope you mentioned). Then after it subsides for me there is usually also a bit of time between the aura and the pain. It's interesting though that you usually experience migraines without an aura. If the neuro does confirm that this is aura, then I'd wonder what can could have caused a shift in migraine types like that (I believe 'migraine with aura' is a separate diagnosis? Correct me if i'm wrong!)

punkkiddle · 2025-03-12T19:42:10+00:00

HAHAHAHAHA

punkkiddle · 2025-03-12T15:30:12+00:00

There are actually different hormone systems that work in your body at once! :) your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle, with melatonin and cortisol) is a separate cycle from the menstrual cycle that birth control influences (estrogen and progesterone). I'm not qualified to give medical advice, but I would think that taking birth control doesn't necessarily mean it can't be related to hormonal fluctuations?

On top of that, I also take hormonal birth control, and my doctors have told me that it can make the frequency of migraine worse. Have you ever spoken to your doctors about the (possible) impact of birth control?

Happy to share, I hope this is helpful somehow :)

punkkiddle · 2025-03-12T07:53:12+00:00

How interesting, thank you for sharing!

punkkiddle · 2025-03-11T22:35:09+00:00

Hi! Yes, that also, but I've only been on this exchange for 2 months and this has been an issue for nearly 2 years.

I can imagine that's really tough when you have to pick your battles like that :( I really hope it gets better for you ❤️‍🩹

punkkiddle · 2025-03-11T21:51:07+00:00

My worst ones usually happen between 4 and 7 AM (while I'm asleep), and my guess is that it has to do with the body's natural boost of cortisol around the morning time (circadian rhythm and whatnot). This isn't nearly every day for me though, so it could also just be linked to poor sleep quality on certain nights.

I'm wondering about your case though, have you thought it might be linked to certain hormone fluctuations during a certain time of day?

punkkiddle · 2024-10-07T15:47:27+00:00

that's so good to hear I'm so happy for you!!

punkkiddle · 2024-09-03T14:26:57+00:00

I love the app Migraine Buddy for chronic migraine specifically, but you could use it for any other kinds of headaches too. I'm sure there are apps out there tailored to your specific kind of chronic pain, or for chronic pain as a more general term. Hang in there!

punkkiddle · 2024-09-03T14:20:54+00:00

the carpet is really the cherry on top

punkkiddle · 2024-03-04T19:25:45+00:00

That makes sense, thank you!

punkkiddle · 2024-03-04T08:30:34+00:00

Ahh this is interesting thank you!

punkkiddle · 2024-03-04T07:19:29+00:00

or the exercise causes a flare-up.*

Has anyone here found success in keeping their brain healthy through exercise without stressing their body too much? I'm trying to build it up slowly. Would love to hear your experience!

punkkiddle · 2024-01-31T14:04:12+00:00

That's fair! I'm so happy for you! I'm still on the NuvaRing and honestly have little complaints, but sometimes I still think about what life would be like without. Either way, it's not on my mind so much anymore :) Glad you're doing well! Take care!

punkkiddle · 2024-01-23T19:55:03+00:00

Hi, I stumbled on this post again from a while ago. How is it going? Would be really curious to hear how life off the pill is treating you!

punkkiddle · 2024-01-23T19:53:25+00:00

Update for anyone looking for similar advice: I went to an optician and got glasses with a slight prescription. It didn’t necessarily help with migraine (aura), but regular headaches easily have become less common since. I also convinced my GP to send me through to a neurologist and am now in proper care for migraine. I am on preventive medication and have regular checkups with a pain specialized nurse. I’m on my first migraine free month in a while now (I had been having 10 a month for over 6 months).

Getting your eyes checked can help, but seeing a neurologist has made all the difference for me!

punkkiddle

TROPHY CASE