The Daily Impact of Chronic Migraine and Fatigue – and How I Deal with It

The aftermath of a migraine attack can leave you feeling exhausted. Ciara O’Rourke describes how she manages migraine-induced fatigue as a busy nurse and mother of three.

Chronic migraine affects my life in so many ways. I try to control some consequences of living with the condition, but others are entirely out of my hands. Some affect me intermittently, and some I experience daily. Unfortunately, I have had to learn to live with these outcomes. Although challenging sometimes, I try to live life to the full. 

However, one symptom can stop me in my tracks. After my migraine attacks, the fatigue can be near impossible to manage and often lasts for days.  

Having an acute migraine attack takes a toll on the body. I experience pain, nausea, vomiting, and light and sound sensitivity during an acute attack.

These symptoms can hit me like a bus. Sometimes, I need to stay in bed for three days after an attack to feel "normal" again.

With daily chronic headaches on top of the other symptoms, you might understand why I am always tired. Headaches and pain leave me exhausted almost daily, which can greatly impact my life and energy levels.

My family used to laugh at me and say that I could sleep anywhere, which is true. I tend to be tired a lot of the time, so I always take advantage of an opportunity to get a catnap in. Believe me; my days of burning the midnight oil are well and truly over.

Managing family life alongside chronic migraine and constant fatigue

In the past, I used to be able to manage migraine-induced fatigue better as I wasn't so busy. But as my work and home life got busier, my fatigue increased. Some days, I have no choice but to rest in bed. As you can imagine, this isn't always possible with a full-time job and three small children to care for.

But it feels very tough when I can't get out of bed. It's difficult to hear the hustle and bustle from the kids downstairs and not be a part of it. Thankfully, the days I have to spend the entire day in bed are rare.

Still, migraine-induced fatigue plays a huge part in my life. I work full time, so on the days I am fatigued, I utilise all my energy to get through the working day. When I return home, I'm often exhausted and too tired for other activities. This, in turn, has affected my family life. Tasks such as homework, dinner, taking the children to clubs, etc., have had to take a backseat. 

I have a GREAT husband, but even as great as he is, he can't do everything. So I do my bit. By 9 p.m., once the kids are in bed, I am only fit for bed myself – and most nights, by 9 p.m., that is where you will find me. My busy job and family already leave me tired. Add chronic migraines to this, and I am exhausted.

Exhaustion is sapping my social life

It's no surprise that migraine attacks and fatigue have also affected my social life. I am usually too exhausted to see friends after a busy day at work or with the children. My friends must be sick of hearing me say that I can't make a night out or attend a dinner because I am "too tired". Reserving my energy levels and prioritising what's most important has led to me neglecting other parts of my life. That's tough as they’re usually the parts of my life I really enjoy!

This is yet another difficulty of living with a chronic condition. You don't always get to do what you like and when you would like to do it. I know that this is difficult for other people to understand. Many people don't understand migraine or the complexities of the condition.

The symptoms don't only affect you when you have an attack. They can affect your daily routine in a range of ways. People can be very kind and understanding when I have migraine symptoms. Still, they often don't realise that a migraine’s lingering effects don't go away when the acute attack does.

3 lifestyle changes help my fatigue

Fatigue and intense pain are the most challenging symptoms of my migraine attacks. Both can vary in severity and intensity daily, but they're always there.

As a result, I follow three loose “rules” that help get me through the day, aching and exhausted or not.

1. I no longer compromise on a good night’s sleep

Ensuring I get a good night's sleep is very important. If I have an event or an occasion, I will prepare by sleeping as much as possible ahead of time. I must do so to ensure I am fit and ready for the day.

I also try to talk to people and let them know what I am going through. As I said beforehand, people don't always realise the complexities of living with chronic illness. Although I try to explain what’s going on, I’m never sure if my friends or colleagues truly understand.

Because my postdrome stage means intense migraine-induced fatigue, I need to adapt as my life changes. My life is very different from what it was twenty years ago. There are many more demands on my time; I have my family to look after as well as myself. I can’t do that when I’m so tired I can barely see. It’s that simple.

2. I now accept help when it’s offered

For far too long, I tried to portray to the world that I could do it all. Have a career, a family, and a social life, while managing a chronic condition. Sadly, this isn't always possible, and I need help.

Luckily, I have a great family and a few good friends to rely on when I need a break.

3. I’ve stopped sweating the small stuff

I've also learned to cut back on the number of things I tried to achieve in one day. I don't always help at the Parent Teacher Association meetings at the kids' school or bake cakes for the village fare, but that's okay. I was setting unrealistic expectations for myself, and the more pressure I put on, the more tired I got. I finally felt better when I stepped back and realised what was truly important.

It's not always possible, and I don't always get it right, but I try. That's all I can do. I love my life and don't want to give up any part of it due to migraine attacks or the fatigue in their aftermath. My priority is being there for those who matter most to me.

---

© 2023 Life Effects by Teva Pharmaceuticals

The individual(s) who have written and created the content in and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence or endorse any content related to the contributor's websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen​. 

This site is intended for UK and Ireland residents only.

Date of preparation: August 2023
D: COB-GB-NP-00189 (V1.0) / T: COB-GB-NP-00229 (V1.0) / M: COB-GB-NP-00209 (V1.0)