Finding My Strength Amidst Migraine Pain

The Pain of Migraines

I can still remember one of those really tough days. The room was dark and I was all alone. I could hear my children playing outside the room with their dad. The pain I felt was so severe that tears run down the side of my face as I laid in bed.

During those long and painful days, I would scream out in my mind, asking God to make the pain go away. Why did it have to hurt so badly? Why wasn't it going away? Did He hear me?

Those were some of my thoughts after having a migraine for over 20 days. If you have suffered from migraines, then you understand how one day with a migraine is hard, but over 20 consecutive days can feel almost unbearable. 

Since then I’ve come to realize that I had migraines every now and then as a kid. I actually just thought they were regular headaches. I watched my mom suffer from debilitating migraines, so of course I would know when I had them. I was very wrong.

After my youngest son was around a year old, I started getting migraines more regularly. Although I didn’t know that is what they were at the time. One month, I kept waking up every day with a migraine that just wouldn’t go away. I’m not someone who likes to take medicine, but even medicine wasn’t helping. 

When you are in pain for what seems like a really long time, you can wonder, "Where is God? Is He hearing my prayers?" At that moment it didn’t feel that way for me. I actually felt alone. I couldn't see an end to the pain I was experiencing. Maybe you have felt this way too.

Later, I found out that I was suffering from migraines. I would have 20+ migraine days a month. Some were consecutive months and sometimes is would happen sporadically. This was all going on while having two toddlers running around. I was struggling to carry on with my day-to-day tasks. It was hard to be the mom and wife I wanted to be when I was constantly in pain. 

My Strength

 I can only credit God for how I made it through each day. I look back and can't fathom how I functioned the way that I did. The pain seemed to go on and on, but God was with me and gave me the strength I needed to get through each day. I thought He had left me, but He was right there holding my hand all along.

After what seemed like a really long process, with many doctor's appointments, we were able to find a migraine medication that helped at the onset of my migraines. With my reluctance to take medication, I had to swallow my pride and realize this was something that I needed in order to be present for my family the way I wanted to be.

Looking back on the last seven or so years, I can really see God’s presence and healing. I can thankfully say that I now only have 1-2 migraines a month. Some months I don’t have any. Praise the Lord!

When I went to my doctor and shared how few migraines I’ve been experiencing, he asked me what I was doing differently. If I am being honest, I did make a few lifestyle changes. I started paying attention to my triggers and I try to avoid them when possible, but that doctor was so impressed with the changes I’d seen. Some could say that it's the result of a combination of many things, but I know that God led me to this place of health. He is the reason I am in this place. 

Some things that helped me through this part of my life:

The ice pack can really help alleviate migraine pain. This dog truly shows how I feel during a migraine.

• Prayer- crying out to God was my lifeline

• Paying attention to my triggers

• Quoting Bible verses over and over

• Connecting with friends that suffer from migraines as well

• Medication when needed

• Migraine ice packs

You aren't alone

If you are struggling with pain, mental or physical, know that you are not alone. Your story is likely different from mine, but I know one thing to be true: God is with you. He sees you and is giving you strength each and every day to make it through. Hang in there, friend. God has got you!

Here are a few verses that help me in these moments of suffering.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10