Failure Fatigue: How to Push Past the Fear of Yet Another Dead End

I think one of the hardest things for me when I was living with daily migraines was the emotional rollercoaster—the constant letdown.

Over time, I felt like I developed PTSD from trying countless treatments, always holding onto hope that one would finally take away the pain.

The Endless Cycle of Hope and Disappointment

I tried everything. Maybe you have, too.

The chiropractor sent me off with promises like, “I can fix you,” so I bought the 20-session package for $600. Sure, I felt a little better when I walked out of his office, but the relief was short-lived because the pain always came roaring back.
The physical therapist told me, with total conviction, “This is a neck and back issue. I can fix you.” So, I invested six months of my life (and over $5,000), desperately hoping this was it. But once again, I was left feeling frustrated, just as much in pain as when I’d started.
The massage therapist said, “I can help.” And the sessions did feel amazing, like the kind that made you go, “Ah, finally some relief.” Sometimes, my pain would drop from an 8 to a 2 or 3. But it never lasted, and at $50 a session, my migraines would inevitably return.
I even tried supplements because a friend of a friend had read an article that swore ‘X’ was a cure for pain. Honestly, I didn’t notice a difference despite sticking with it long enough to say I gave it a real shot.
The neurologist’s suggestions became a blur: “Try this medication, or this combination, let’s see how it works.” For some meds, I’d see progress. A Triptan could reduce my pain from an 8 to a 2, but I’d pay for it in other ways. They left me completely wiped out.

I could keep going, but you get the idea.

This Isn’t to Dismiss Those Therapies

This isn’t to say I don’t value these therapies, because I absolutely do!

I’ve even talked about them on my podcast in episodes like:

🎧 From Massage to Chiropractics: Deciphering the Impact of Alternative Medicine

🎧 Beyond the Pill Bottle: Finding True Relief From Your Migraine Battles

These therapies can be great management tools, but management isn’t always the same as solving a problem at its root.

For me, the hardest part was the emotional toll, the hope and disappointment cycle.

The fear of trying something new and worrying it would fail started to weigh me down.

And honestly, it wasn’t just the money (although that hurt). What stung the most was the crushing disappointment when treatments didn’t work.

I would’ve done anything to escape the pain. Sell my car, downsize my home, skip vacations, you name it, if only I could be certain something would work.

Maybe you’ve felt the same way. Maybe you’ve caught yourself saying, “I’ve tried it all, and nothing works.”

At some point, I found myself hesitant to even hope, scared to believe the next attempt might finally be the one. It’s like relying on a best friend who just keeps letting you down.

How I Kept Going

Eventually, I realized I needed to reconnect with why I kept going.

For me, it came down to dreaming about what my life could look like if I could just get free.

When I was struggling, I used visualization to calm myself, lower my stress, and even try to reduce the pain.

I’d picture my perfect life in vivid detail:

🏡 The house I wanted to live in
🌴 The vacations I’d take
💼 My dream job
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The people I’d surround myself with
❤️ A pain-free relationship with my family

I imagined what being healthy and free would feel like, along with the things I’d do and the way it would change my everyday experience.

I even pictured the smallest details: the furniture and layout of the house, the colors in the rooms, even the design of the hotel rooms I’d stay in on vacation.

That vision anchored me and kept me moving forward.

It wasn’t easy. Honestly, sometimes it was easier to stay stuck in my bubble and feel sorry for myself, to be scared of trying new things after so many failed attempts.

But now that I’m on the other side, I can look back and see how every one of those attempts brought me here.

Would I have loved to figure it out sooner? Absolutely.
I wouldn’t wish those wasted years on anyone.

But I’m so grateful I kept pushing forward past the fear and the pain.

What About You?

If you’re stuck in that same cycle, you’ve tried everything, you’re scared of trying something new, and the disappointment feels unbearable, let me tell you something:

You haven’t tried everything.

Most of us don’t realize we’ve focused so much on managing the problem that we haven’t actually addressed the root cause.

Management tools can ease the pain, but they can also keep you trapped in the cycle if you think they’re the solution.

When you tailor a root-cause approach specifically to your needs, that’s when healing happens.

Push Past the Fear. You’re Closer Than You Think.

So when that fear of trying something new creeps in, take a deep breath and remember:

The difference between managing pain and actually healing
The life you dreamed of when you first started searching for answers
Your why

Then push past the fear and keep going toward the freedom you’ve been searching for.

A Low-Risk Way to Start Fresh

If you're clear on your WHY and ready to explore a proven path to migraine relief, the Freedom From Migraines Method® Membership might be the solution you’ve been searching for.

With our low-risk membership, you can test it out, see tangible results, and actually feel the difference… all without a long-term commitment.

Cancel anytime (though we’re confident you won’t want to once you experience the freedom you’ve been waiting for).

👉 Learn more about the Membership here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Waidl is the Owner of In The Balance Health Coaching LLC, and Founder of The Freedom From Migraines Method™ & The Migraine Freedom Protocol™
She supports busy moms living with Migraines.

Debbie will uncover what is holding them back from migraine freedom so they can live their life pain and symptom free, work productively, spend the time they want with family and friends, and stop missing out on the things they enjoy.

A message from Debbie:
"I was once right where you are now. 100% believing there was NO WAY to end migraines and my only option was to learn how to live with them or find that magic pill that maybe would work for a while. If anyone told me back then that I could end my pain once and for all, I would have called BS and popped another pill!

Skeptical times 10 was my middle name for sure because when you try it all and everyone tells you they can help you and they don’t. You stop believing… you lose HOPE!

I now realize I was approaching my migraines all backward.

I was trying to cover up symptoms versus trying to end my pain."

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