The First Time OTC Medicines Didn't Help My Migraine

I remember the first time when over-the-counter medicines didn't help my migraine.

I panicked!

I was so used to ibuprofen dulling the pain.   Even if I had to take 4 or 5 at a time, it worked for a few hours until I had to take more.   But one day, it didn't help at all, and I didn't know what to do.

I recall crying (which only increased the pain) and trying every quick fix I could think of - ice, heat, oils. 

I even went for a massage, but it made things worse.

Knowing I needed help, I called my doctor begging for stronger medicine.  

Though he wouldn’t give me more, he did refer me to a neurologist.  That opened a new chapter of my life – a journey with tons of pills.  Abortives, preventatives, and even off-the-rack meds, all to manage the daily pain.

For a while, each pill helped a bit – lessening the pain or letting me get through the day.  But after a few months on each one, they began working less and less. So, the dose was increased, or more pills prescribed.  I felt like a lab rat every time I went to the neurologist, trying to find a magic pill mix for even a tiny bit of relief. 

Illustrating the insane amount of medications my neurologist prescribed instead of helping me find the root cause of my migraines

I even questioned the safety of taking so many pills, but got a shrug and a comment that meds are tested in isolation, not together… there's always risk but what alternative did I have?  I went on like this for almost a decade. 

Running after prescriptions with over-the-counter meds sprinkled in just to get through the day and go back to bed.  My health was going downhill. I battled two autoimmune conditions on top of still having migraines.

Finally, I'd had enough. 

I shifted my thoughts about meds. They're a helpful tool for the short run, but not a fix-it-all solution.   It was high time for me to stop hiding behind the meds and do what was truly necessary to be healthy and happy.

That was 10 years ago.  Now, after a decade migraine-free, I can proudly say that meds and migraines no longer rule my life!  

It’s been a journey, AND it’s possible to break free.

If you are looking for more information on how medications are impacting your health and migraine journey, click here. 

debbie waidl migraine freedom coach2

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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