Found on Facebook:

How do you manage your time when you are not having a headache? Kay D.- There never seems to be much time when my head is not hurting, starting to hurt, or feeling the after-effects of migraine or migraine meds. Living with migraine pain begins to take over everything, so when there is a moment of peace, it’ s often hard to take advantage of it. I feel“ lazy” because all I want to do at that point is take it easy before the next wave rolls in.

Trent M.- Spend time doing fun things with my kids!!! They are so good to be quiet and let mommy rest when I have a really bad headache!

Danielle K.- I enjoy it. Go with the flow.

What frustrates you the most about living with a headache disorder or migraines? Kevin C.- What frustrates me most is 1) I never know when and where an attack will occur, and 2) I feel like a drug addict because pain medicine is the thing that gives me relief, and then I get the third degree every time I go in for a refill.

Jenna S.- I miss my life. I miss freedom in my daily activities and diet. Being able to smell the roses. Not taking pills every night. I miss me, and that is what is most frustrating.

Becky S.- Living with new daily persistent headaches, there is no cure and there is no medicine for relief— whether it is over the counter or prescription. I don’ t want to live on pain meds for the rest of my life. And I don’ t want to live life with a daily headache as I have since 2006.

Do you tend to overdo it on your pain-free days? What do you like to do when you’ re pain free? Ashley M.- I’ m more productive at home and work. Play more with my son. Talk more with my husband. And as odd as it sounds, I worry about the next attack. You only have so many good days before the bad ones strike, but those good ones are worth every minute every time!!

Chris G.- Yes, I overdo it. When you only function one to two days per month, there’ s a lot to catch up on.

Overheard on Twitter at # Headaches # Migraines:

@ Jo _ shKaye I swear Muhammad Ali is inside my skull right now! # headaches

@ jamiedavinci It stopped raining outside. Temp beginning to rise again. Times like this, it sucks to have a barometer for a head. # migraines

Which treatment method do you find most effective for managing your migraines?

Medication( 78 votes) Managing Stress( 6 votes)

Avoiding Food Triggers( 12 votes) Deep Breathing / Meditation( 3 votes) Yoga / Exercise( 2 votes) Creating a Sleep Routine( 2 votes)

Alternative Medicine( 6 votes)

How many days of work or school have you missed in the last year due to headaches or migraines?

TOO MANY TO COUNT( 47 %)

10-20( 10 %)

5-10( 17 %)

1-5( 26 %)

Source: NHF Facebook survey, April 2011

www. headwisemag. org | National Headache Foundation 7