1. Look, migraines are the WORST.
Like "banging your funny bone a thousand times over" bad.
2. They're a random, miserable, unexplainable, pain-in-the-behind with pretty much zero rhyme or reason to them.
But...I guess they keep us on our toes?
3. And while everyone loves to say they "get migraines too"...
4. ...a headache and a migraine are two veeeeery different things.
I mean, I *wish* it was just a headache!
5. In fact, no two people's experiences of migraines are alike.
This leads to so many fruitless doctor conversations I've lost count.
6. There's light sensitivity, weather sensitivity, food sensitivity...
People sensitivity...
7. And for some, the after effects can last literally days.
Usually laying in bed for that long would be called a "great weekend."
8. Which really makes it hard to feel like anyone really understands what you go through.
Even those who do get migraines can't necessarily relate to what yours feels like.
9. And people tend to get much less sympathetic when you need to take time off.
They're usually very quick to suggest taking the afternoon off, but it often turns judgmental if it goes any longer.
10. Or if you need to skip out on plans.
Trust us, we'd hang out if we could!
11. Which, in turn, can make you feel a little guilty.
Especially with some people able to function through a migraine attack, it can make you feel like you're making a big deal of things. Which can be kinda lonely.
12. The triggers can be pretty random too.
Aged cheeses, rain, salty food, jogging, onions, bananas, loud noises...
13. And juuuuust when you think you might have figured it out, you get thrown a curveball.
Surprise! You're triggered by avocados now, too!
14. So you're constantly on alert for those trigger signs in case you need to run to your nearest medicine stash.
My warning signs are tiny blindspots, so I'm constantly reading small print to figure out whether I need to rush off or not.
15. Because if it turns out to be a big one...well, time to turn off the lights and settle in to being a curled-up ball for 12-plus hours or so.
See you on the other side! Hopefully!
16. But despite all this, a little compassion really does go a long way.
"Is there anything I can do?" is a personal favorite.
17. And we're always extremely grateful for our friends once we rejoin the world on the other side!
