What It’s Like When Your Pain Hides in Plain Sight

Why It’s Time to Talk About Your Migraines

Today’s topic might feel a little uncomfortable, but it’s an important one. We’re going to talk about you. Specifically, how you communicate with your family about your migraines.

Do you ever hesitate to talk to your family about the migraines that persistently interrupt your life? Are you reluctant to mention the next medication, supplement, procedure, or program you’re thinking about trying?

If you're nodding your head, you’re not alone.

The Quiet Struggle

Many women, and you might be one of them, get so tired of talking about their pain that they just stop. They pretend everything is fine around their family and put on a brave face while silently carrying the burden on their own.

The challenge is that when you keep your migraines to yourself, but suddenly bring up another treatment or hope, it can catch your family off guard. They might react with skepticism or confusion because, from their perspective, it looked like everything was going okay.

The Fear of Rejection

I remember worrying about my husband’s reaction. Would he roll his eyes? Would he ask, "Are we spending more money again?" or "You’ve already tried so much. Is this going to be any different?"

Does that kind of fear hold you back from leaning on your family? Are you worried they’re tired of hearing about your pain or that they don’t believe how bad it truly is?

You might think things like:

"It’s easier to keep it to myself than risk making everyone frustrated or disappointed again."
"I don’t want to sound like a Debbie Downer."

If that sounds familiar, please know this. You’re not the only one.

Many women who live with migraines are afraid of losing their support system or, worse, letting people down if the next thing they try doesn’t work.

Feeling Stuck

Do you feel trapped between wanting to share your burden and fearing how the people closest to you will react? It is an incredibly isolating place to be.

Chronic pain already creates isolation. The thought of opening up only to face judgment or even indifference adds another layer of loneliness.

But here’s something important to remember. It’s okay to feel afraid. It’s okay to feel vulnerable.

Your Family Isn’t Perfect, But They Care

Your family may not always react in the way you hope. They might ask hard questions or offer suggestions that you have already tried. They might mention insurance-covered options you know won’t help. They may even bring up past attempts that didn’t work or say something hurtful like, "But migraines can’t really be cured, right?"

Even so, under all of that, they care about you. They just don’t fully understand what you’re going through.

Unless someone has experienced migraines firsthand, it’s hard for them to imagine how debilitating they can be. It's like expecting someone who has never been pregnant to understand childbirth. They may try, but they are not living in your body, researching treatments, or navigating symptoms on a daily basis.

They don’t feel your pain, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want you to find relief.

Are You Ready to Let Them In?

Even if it feels scary, uncomfortable, or unpredictable, are you ready to let your loved ones in?

Because here’s the truth. You don’t have to fight your migraines alone.

Talking to your family won’t always go perfectly. They may not say the right thing. They may not understand right away. But pain already isolates you. Don’t let fear of their response create even more distance.

When that fear creeps in, ask yourself this:

What’s harder?

Carrying this burden by myself just to keep the peace? Or taking the risk to ask for support, even if their reaction isn’t perfect?

Permission to Hope

Above all, I want you to know this. You are allowed to hope. You are allowed to try again. And you are allowed to ask for support from the people who care about you.

Don't let migraines rob you of the chance to be vulnerable and lean on your loved ones.

And if opening up feels hard, know this. We’ve created a way to help. A way to bridge the gap between your experience and their understanding.

The Freedom From Migraines Method®

If you’re struggling to navigate this journey, the Freedom From Migraines Method® (FFMM) membership may be exactly what you need.

FFMM gives you a low-risk way to explore what works. It’s a monthly membership with the flexibility to cancel at any time, so you can take small steps at your own pace.

Inside, you’ll get access to the core Freedom From Migraines Method® curriculum, strategic resources, and expert guidance. It’s designed to make a real difference in your life and help your family better understand what you’re facing.

This is your opportunity to move forward with more clarity and confidence.

You’re Not Alone

Migraines may be part of your story right now, but they don’t have to define what comes next.

You are stronger when you’re supported. Even if it takes time for others to fully understand, that support still matters.

So take the next step. Give yourself permission to hope, to ask for help, and to keep moving forward.

Ready to explore the Freedom From Migraines Method®?

🎉 In honor of my birthday this month, use coupon code BIRTHDAY100 for $100 off/month

🔗 Click here to join the membership

You don’t have to walk this road alone. Let’s take the next step together.

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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