Fall

Taking the Pain out of Migraines

Ways to Cope

Kelly's gives some suggestions to help manage migraines

Kelly's personal suggestions to help manage migraines:

  • Take deep breaths.
  • Go to a dark place or close your eyes.
  • Rest.
  • Mentally go to a place of comfort. "I always think of being at the beach," Kelly says.

Loud noises. Bright lights. A swift change in weather. These occurrences are annoying to all of us, but to Kelly Marasco these annoyances impair her daily activities. Diagnosed at the young age of 18 months with chronic migraines, Kelly can't recall a time when she did not have them.

"My mom has told me many stories of when I was young about the migraines and the doctors' visits. There is not an age in my life where I don't remember getting migraines," Kelly says.

Kelly's friends and family have always been a strong source of encouragement. "I don't think I would be as well off if it was not for the support from my family and friends," Kelly says. "I had lost a lot of weight from the medications, so they are always checking up on me to make sure I'm taking my medicine and eating."

Kelly came to the Headache Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center three years ago seeking help. After many years of trial and error with medications, her doctors were able to discover a medicine that alleviated her pain. Cincinnati Children's also offered biofeedback therapy, which prevented the likelihood of Kelly's migraines.

"The biofeedback taught me how to de-stress myself. I was hooked to a machine and was tested on how I could relax," Kelly says.

Now 18 years old, she is able to control her migraines with medication and therapy. Her migraines used to come two to three times a week for periods as long as a day. Now they come one to two times a month and last 15 minutes. Kelly is thankful for the improvement, and she continues to play an active role in her health care.

"I talk to my doctors and I always take my medication. Eating the correct foods and exercising is also important in taking care of myself," Kelly says.

Now that she experiences fewer headaches, Kelly has been able to enjoy new hobbies, like reading, and happily carries on with her life. She is attending the College of Mount St. Joseph this fall in hopes of becoming a primary education teacher.

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