Hi from me

I'm (obviously) Sarah! I'm 38 and had my first migraine at the age of 11. They have been a problem (the bane of my life, in fact) since I was 16 years old.

I get migraine with aura, but not too frequently (usually around once a month or so), but am plagued by migraine without aura. This I believe is mostly driven by my hormones, since it is far worse around the time of my period.

In addition, I suffer from TMJ disorder (jaw), which causes pain of varying degrees on the other side of my head to the migraine pain. Plus I am now suffering from dry eye syndrome, causing pain in one eye. I could really do without another source of pain in my head! Not all days are the same, but I am never without some degree of pain in my head. Nor can I remember the last time that I was.

I had always decided not to 'give in' to my migraines, and push on regardless, which I did for many years. However, in 2007 I decided that enough was enough, and I was doing myself no favours - the only person I was battling against was my own body. So I made the decision to give up my job, and haven't worked since. Whilst I would love nothing more than to be able to work again, I have never regretted that decision.

I have joined this forum, not as a desperate plea for help etc, but to chat with people with similar experiences to myself. Migraine can be very isolating.

So... that's my waffle over. Nice to meet you, everyone. And I look forward to chatting.

Hi Sarah

And a warm welcome to you.

Your story is like many others, so you are amongst friends.

I myself started at a similar age. And like you I pushed my way through them and carried on as normal - It was only when I had my first massive one that I took it a bit more seriously. But that all comes from the lack of migraine awareness, and the things doctors do not tell you - if they know themselves that is .

How often are you getting the migraines now? I assume your on some kind of medication?

Tee x

Thanks for the welcome.

I've never had any luck with preventatives or hormone treatments, unfortunately (they send me loopy, as well as making things worse. I also have issues with endometriosis and fibroids).

My biggest problem is my jaw, as it not only causes a lot of non-migraine pain on one side of my head, but also I think it acts as a trigger for my migraines (or at least makes the pain worse). Am currently seeing various specialists for this (including a dentist with a special interest), but they've all said that there is little really to be done about it. It seems to be a very specialist field, despite being a very common problem.

Ah well, onwards and upwards, as they say!

Hi sarah the article I read regarding Botox talked about your type of Migraine trigger I will see if I can find the link and post it on here x Sheena x

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/woman/health/health/3091476/How-Botox-can-help-cure-migraines.html

Thanks for that, Sheena. Been there, done that though, unfortunately (Botox, I mean), quite a few years ago now (over 5). I didn't know I had TMJ issues then, but I didn't get any relief from the migraines.

Thanks for thinking of me though.