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Migraines....have they made you "age"?

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 7/8/2009 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all.

Well, yet another "sleepless in minnesota" evening.

I was lying and bed...thinking...I think I should post this as one of my "triggers". I have been suffering from migraines.....then insomnia....and now Meniere's Disease for the last year and a half.  I can't help but to look at pics of myself back then as compared to pics today....and at 36 years old it seems like I've aged 10 years since these problems all began.

I definitely know mentally and internally speaking I am COMPLETELY worn out almost all of the time.  "Externally" now it even seems to be showing.

Has anyone else noticed this change in there outer physical appearance??......and by all means, if so, have you found the answer as to improving it?? I know the old cliche of "you look how you feel"....but come on, is there at least ONE thing I can have "some" control over??

Posted 7/9/2009 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
I think chronic pain does show! I feel like I always have dark circles and generally my "spark" is not quite there like before. Granted with make-up and lots of faking I appear "normal" and have even been told "you can't be sick..you LOOK fine" but I think its that old saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and we are looking at OURSELVES in this case. Its because we can see everything we have been through and we know the depths of pain we experience daily.

Krista- I bet you are just as beautiful as you were 10 years ago..but because of your illness and pain you are now more beautiful and compassionate inside.
Posted 7/9/2009 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Sara,
You just always know the right thing to say!!

I didn't really think about the "outer aging" part until I read one ER report and the doctor had noted that "patient looks much older then 36 years of age she claims".......what??????? Then to top it off I have a pic of myself and my niece on the fridge and my fiance asked... "How long ago was that photo taken?"....I said the Christmas of 2007....why? Then he said........."you just look so much younger"!!
AHHHHHHH....again!

I know...i get the same looks to when I feel good and get as dolled up as "I can" and people are like....."yeah, right she's sick". I can't stand it. I just want them to walk one of my "sick days" in my shoes.

Sorry to rant....I'm usually 98% optimistic....tee hee...but you know some days even the best optimistic person has their off days.... :)

Thanks for the heads up girl....it is always so nice to hear back from you.!!
Posted 7/9/2009 10:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you!!!!!!! I just say whatever comes to mind :-)

I know exactly what you mean tho..sometimes I see pictures of myself and shake my head thinking 'that's not me...'

I attribute a lot to pain, but some to being married and have a baby...its all such a change (and it has all been VERY hard on my body and self esteem quite honestly)

Random story: my ex boyfriend (of 8 years ago) was over the other day (he is a good friend of mine-just not someone I was supposed to "be with") we were sitting on the couch with baby talking and I finally winced in pain and mentioned how bad it was. He said, "Are you serious? I never would have known...I don't know HOW you do it" as his face turns serious and he shakes his head.
It was a very brief moment of letting the veil down so he could REALLY see what I was feeling. It was nice to see his appreciation and understanding for what I deal with. I just got to the point a long time ago where I put on my HAPPY FACE and pretend like all is good around other people. They dont want to hear "My head hurts" every five minutes and they don't know what to say--so they never say the right thing. ha ha...I just figured this was was easier.

I am generally optimistic as well..but we do get to our breaking point where things crash down and we have to "regroup" and figure it all out again. You are more than entitled to that!

Glad to see you around here too!!!
Posted 7/10/2009 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
When I had my first nerve abalation I didn't have one headache for almost 11 months. People would ask me what was different about me? And then the people who knew you well would look into my eyes and say "'Your eyes look different. There's no pain in them." I've had so many major surgeries in the past 10 years that I barely recognize myself in the mirror. And then you take the meds to help with the headaches and the last increase in my Neurontin put 25 nasty pounds on me in a period of three weeks. Needless to say I brought the dose down to what I was used to but the pounds are not coming off. I have rotator cuff surgery in a couple of week and then dental surgery two weeks after that so I don't think the weight will be dropping off anytime soon. It sure doesn't do much for your self esteem when you feel like crap all of the time anyway. Makeup only masks so much.
Nurse 2
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