Living with migraine: ‘It’s like the worst hangover you’ve ever had’

One in five of us suffer from migraine, which can bring excruciating pain. So how can you manage it?

Migraine was a debilitating part of Sydneysider Carl Cincinnato’s life for 27 years.

He says a shoulder injury playing sport triggered a rapid decline from episodic migraine, which he suffered twice a year, to chronic migraine – which lasted seven long years.

At his worst, he experienced up to six attacks a week, leading to depression and anxiety.

“I was in debilitating pain; I’d have to go into a quiet, dark room and lock myself away and I didn’t know what was going on,” Carl says.

“It’s like the worst hangover you’ve ever had but without the party.

“The doctors couldn’t give me an answer and there was no pill to take that would fix me.”

As Carl cycled through different treatments, he’d often find that something helped for a few months but then fizzled out.

“It’s devastating to your quality of life and you feel completely isolated because it’s an invisible illness; no-one can see the suffering that goes on inside,” he adds.

Common symptoms of migraines

A 2018 Deloitte Access Economics report on migraine found 4.9 million Australians, or just over 20 per cent of the population, live with migraine.

Some 86 per cent of sufferers are of working age, and 71 per cent are women, which is thought to be due to hormonal factors.

“Migraine is a common neurological disorder, characterised by moderate to severe headache and nausea,” Sydney GP Dr Michela Sorensen says.

“The frequency and severity of attacks can vary greatly from patient to patient, but migraine usually occurs with a cluster of other symptoms and can be preceded by warning symptoms – such as yawning or tiredness and an ‘aura’, which can include visual disturbances like flashes of light or floating spots – and sensitivity to light, nausea and vomiting.

“That’s followed by intense pulsing or throbbing pain, often felt on one side of the head.”

Research shows most people with migraine experience episodic migraine, meaning fewer than 14 attacks each month.

Chronic migraine refers to patients with migraine symptoms, either aura or a headache, on 15 or more days a month.

Causes of migraine and how to treat it

While there’s no definitive cause for migraine, it’s believed to be due to abnormal brain activity that affects nerve signalling, and chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.

Perth GP Dr Joe Kosterich says common triggers include:

• Heightened emotions
• Lack of sleep
• Certain medications and foods
• Environmental factors

“Hormonal changes, screen usage, changes in barometric pressure, alcohol, vigorous exercise like running, sensory triggers – like bright and flickering lights, strong smells, loud and jarring sounds – and even travelling can all be triggers,” Dr Kosterich says.

While there’s no cure, there are treatments and lifestyle changes sufferers can make that will help them manage their migraine and enjoy a normal life, according to Dr Sorensen.

“When you feel the signs coming on, it’s important to get in early – have some fluids, take your anti-migraine medication and possibly some aspirin, and find a dark room to sleep in,” Dr Sorensen advises.

“Migraine can be very complex so if you’re getting these attacks regularly, make sure you speak to your doctor or a specialist about a management plan.”

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New hope for chronic migraine patients

A recent study published in Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine found hospital patients with refractory migraine (migraine that doesn’t respond to standard treatments) showed a significant reduction in pain following intravenous infusions of lidocaine, along with other medications.

Carl, who now experiences around six migraine attacks a year, says educating himself about his condition and learning from others were key to his improvement, inspiring him to found the MigrainePal blog to share information, resources and support.

“My quality of life is back, my enthusiasm is back, my energy is back,” Carl says.

“For so many reasons, managing migraine is difficult; but it is absolutely necessary.”

Written by Liz McGrath.