Alyssa Winegarden's Story

What were the steps leading up to your diagnosis?

I had my first migraine when I was very young, though I wasn’t aware at the time that the white spots dancing in front of my eyes were not as harmless as I thought them to be.

I remember very clearly standing on the playground and thinking it was hilarious that my friend could hold up 10 fingers and I would only see five. She stood across from me, lifting her hands and asking, “Okay, how many am I holding now?!” And each time, I’d get it wrong and we’d laugh.

The ‘white spots’ were auras, and auras would later be identified as one of my several indications of an impending migraine attack.

What lifestyle changes have you needed to make?

Even though I had been suffering from regular migraines for years, it took me a while to determine what some of my triggers were. They ended up including things like stress, pressure and weather changes, dehydration, MSG, hormonal contraceptives, anything 'sugar-free', aspartame, and over-exertion.

Once I was able to determine my triggers, it was easier for me to shape my lifestyle around that. I made sure to make time for myself and the things I enjoyed, like art and horseback riding, to help reduce stress.

When going out for dinner I have to call in advance for a list of MSG-free options, if someone offers me gum I have to determine if it's sugar-free before accepting, and participating in group fitness classes can be slightly embarrassing if I need to be picked up early due to a migraine attack from over-exerting myself.

Who has been there for you? How?

My parents have always been the ones who are forced to schedule their day around me in the event a migraine occurs. There have been many times where my mom has had to leave work to pick me up from school or my place of work to drive me home because auras make that physically impossible.

I know that aside from me, she's been the one most impacted by them, as she accompanies me to neurology appointments, and sometimes can tell if I have a migraine starting before I can (if, for example, we're having a conversation and I suddenly start getting delusional or slurring my words).

What accomplishment are you proud of?

I'm most proud of the fact that I was able to determine the majority of my migraine triggers and therefore have some control in avoiding them. I'm also happy that I've found an alternative therapy that works for me to help keep my migraines at bay so I can live a relatively normal life.

What's your advice to someone else living with Migraines?

The best advice I can give is from personal experience. Learn your triggers, try different therapies and treatments, and experiment with various migraine medications. What works for one migraine sufferer may not work for others, and frankly, you don't have much to lose!

Is there anything else we should know?

I'm the Community Manager here at NewLifeOutlook! :)