As someone who experienced migraines and cluster headaches for over two decades, I truly get it. I have felt the pain and numbness and vomiting. I have agonized for hours and taken many pills. I remember the whirlwind in my head when I tried to make the pain stop. I recognize that only people who have experienced migraines know what it feels like.

When I went through my headache cycles, I did not tell a lot of people. Many migraines happened at night when I was alone. During the day, I knew the warning signals well and would find an excuse to leave the room. Sometimes I would take medication and return, other times I would disappear for hours. While I had explained my frequent absences to my boss, everyone else was told that I had ‘something to take care of’.

I did not tell others about my headaches because I believed it showed weakness. I was also tired of explaining to others why they were happening. Trying to justify pain only makes the pain worse. I didn’t know why, I just knew that these pain attacks came frequently and they made my life difficult. All I could do was deal with them and move forward.

Times have changed. Now I really get it. It has been four years since I experienced a migraine headache. I don’t take any medications; I don’t require any special treatment. They are just gone.

As someone with education in psychology and holistic healing, I understand why I no longer experience migraines. I understand the emotions and beliefs that kept me in a repetitive pain pattern. I understand the subconscious responses that led to excruciating headache pain. Because I understand what has changed, I know that I will never have a headache in my life again. I know that I will not need painkillers. I know that I will not have to plan my life around the fragility of my brain. Through luck, coincidence, practice and effort I have learned how to not have headaches.

As a healer with compassion, it is difficult for me to step back when people ‘don’t get it’ about migraine disease. I know that this condition can be overcome and try to explain, but too often there are barriers. When someone regularly experiences migraines, logic does not always influence.

While everyone’s pain is unique, I have my own experiences to compare. I know what it is like to feel migraine pain and I am motivated to share information. If one more person can understand what I have learned and reduce headaches, the world is a better place.

As a holistic healer it is my role to observe, share and assist. I cannot take responsibility for the healing of another, nor can I take ownership of the outcome. Some people will read my material and solidify their own beliefs by proving that mine are wrong. Others may experience enlightening moments where understanding is awakened and power revealed. All I can do is share what I have learned in hope that others may benefit.

It does bother me when people ‘don’t get it’ about migraine disease. It bothers me to see people suffer when they don’t have to. It bothers me to see people take medication that reduces their memory and slurs their speech. It bothers me to read that there is no cure for migraines after being cured of migraines. It bothers me to read about a woman who lost her hair because of medication but is satisfied since the pain is gone.

Why does it bother me? I understand the pain and know it can be eliminated. I remember the desperation fueled by constant headaches. I remember the helplessness and the agony. I desire to help people change the experience, to teach people how to vibrate differently and no longer experience migraines. It bothers me because it is not my place to choose another’s path.

I do recognize that my personal healing is unique and that my discoveries are different than commonly accepted. I also understand the stigma of blame commonly aimed at people who experience migraines. When trying to coach people with migraines to help themselves there is a fine line to walk. Sometimes that line has to be crossed in order to initiate awareness and healing.

Twenty-two years of migraine pain was horrible, but I now recognize the blessings of my experience. Having applied various skills and knowledge along with good luck and timing I have eliminated migraines from my life. I understand the changes I went through to reach this plateau. Can I teach it? Can others learn the same skills? I don’t know yet.

When people ‘don’t get it’ about migraine disease, I offer my blessings and continue my path.

Copyright 2008 Glenn Stewart Coles