I got a simple ear piercing and it made my migraines virtually disappear
For as long as I can remember, I've suffered from migraines. I'm not sure when they even started. Still, I know it took quite a while to get medical professionals to take me seriously, with some suggesting the very painful headaches and nausea I experienced in my late teenage years were simply down to stress.
But if you've ever had a migraine, you'll know they're a wholly different experience to any other type of headache, they are debilitating. They can knock you off your feet, sometimes for a few days.
For me, it seems my migraines are probably down to my genes. I have very clear memories as a child of watching my own mum suffer terribly with migraines, some of which were so bad, she had to lie down in a dark room using one of my dad's neck ties around her head to try and relieve the pressure. I too have been there myself, where the pain is so intense light makes it worse and you almost feel the pressure behind your eyes is going to make your head explode and you're going to throw-up.
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I know that sounds dramatic, but it's sadly true, migraines are horrendous and I feel they're often overlooked by some medical professionals. Such was the battle in trying get diagnosed myself, I clearly remember the relief when one GP finally listened to me and tried to help by putting me on a treatment plan.
My migraines have tended to form in clusters over the years, often one spiraling into another. And due to hormone changes, the intensity of my migraines worsened after the births of each my two children.
Having tried numerous medications both long-term 'preventatives' and pain relief, all of which have either worked for a short time or just not at all, I've longed like most migraine sufferers to find a long-term solution that doesn't involve tablets, and my prayers were answered after just a simple (but painful) ear piercing.
I recall hearing about the Daith piercing from someone a few years ago during a conversation about migraines but I never pursued it, thinking how well can it actually work?
It wasn't until March this year when my migraines hit probably the worst peak they've had in a long time that I was desperate for any relief.
I quickly turned to Google and searched 'Daith piercings Belfast' thinking I could pop in somewhere after work and get it done. To my delight, I found a place just at the bottom of Rosemary Street and was told the appointment would be 'quick and easy' so I booked it, before giving myself time to chicken out.
I went to see Vesty, who runs Piercings by Vesty, located above Fresh Garbage and it was a very simple process. I filled out some health and consent forms, and picked the piercing I wanted, as a bit of a magpie I couldn't resist a bit of bling, and he explained the process.
He asked if I had a migraine at that time and I did, I explained the pressure usually forms above my left eye and he said then he would put the piercing in my left ear. He said I should feel some instant relief as soon as the piercing was done, I of course was skeptical about this but like I said, I was desperate for any relief I could get.
He numbed the area around where the Daith piercing goes in, which is in the ear's innermost cartilage fold, the crux of the helix. The Daith piercing is used to stimulate a pressure point associated with the vagus nerve.
He said I could 'swear, scream and call him whatever I wanted but I needed to remain very still'. I did as I was told and gritted my teeth and squealed a little, it was painful, I won't lie, but the worst of the pain was over in seconds.
As for the instant relief, my migraine didn't disappear but the intensity did ease, I took that as a good sign.
Vesty talked me through my aftercare routine and how important it was that I cleansed it twice a day and how I shouldn't lie on that ear for the first three months, I thought this sounded impossible but I managed and I didn't want to risk an infection or undoing the benefits that the piercing could provide.
Vesty was a fountain of knowledge on the subject of piercings and how different piercings can contribute to helping people who suffer from a range of conditions, including anxiety, I would highly recommend going to see him even just for a consulatation.
The piercing was tender to touch for several weeks after but not unbearable and it did get itchy as it started to heal, but aside from that I forgot it was even there!
As the first few weeks passed I was almost afraid to say that since the piercing went in, I hadn't had a single migraine and that phase lasted for at least 6 weeks. Even when a migraine did strike, the intensity and the length they lasted was much shorter than they previously had been. Dare I say it but my migraines virtually disappeared!
Now being realistic, no they've not disappeared completely, I still do get them, but they are much more manageable, I can still function with them, and some have even just subsided without the need for any painkillers, something I could never say before I got the piercing. I wasn't hoping for a miracle cure and I knew that wouldn't happen but one thing it has done is improve my quality of life when a migraine hits.
Would I recommend the Daith piercing? Absolutely, 100%! Migraines are debilitating, they affect your whole life when they strike and just make you miserable, which is turn affects those closest to you. Migraines are not taken anywhere near seriously enough by health professionals and this needs to change.
I wanted to tell my story as part of Migraine Awareness week in the hope that the more it's spoken about the more serious it will be treated. Recent research by The Migraine Trust has found high numbers of people with migraine report not being believed or taken seriously, including in employment and when accessing healthcare. Over half say their mental health has been significantly affected as a result of living with migraine and sadly a third have had thoughts of suicide.
90% of people with the condition believe most people think migraine is just a bad headache. This is a terrifying stat and migraine sufferers will know, if you've ever had one 'a bad headache' would be welcome in contrast to the horrendous pain and other unbearable side effects of a migraine.
Robert Music, Chief Executive, The Migraine Trust said: “This research paints a stark picture of the reality for many who live with migraine. It is far more than just a headache. Not being taken seriously is having a significant impact on the lives of those with the condition. Many spoke of social stigma, as well as poor understanding of migraine, and it’s clear that these are contributory factors in the reduced overall wellbeing of people living with migraine.
"It is essential that we change the perception of migraine and increase understanding about the true impact of living with the condition.”
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