Patient Contributor

Ciara O'Rourke

Chronic Migraine Patient Stories

Ciara is a nurse from Dublin, Ireland. She is married and has three amazing little boys.

Overview

Living With Condition
20 Years
Published
12 Articles
Location
Dublin, Ireland

I try to balance my life with migraines along with being a busy working mum. It is not always easy but I am so lucky and grateful to have an amazing husband who understands and helps me through this journey. I also have some very supportive friends and work colleagues who have started to understand what it is like to live with chronic pain and how that can impact on my working and social life.

I am delighted to document my journey through migraine here as I feel that it is only through sharing our experiences that we learn. I also think that it is so important to hear from other people that may be experiencing similar symptoms to you as chronic illness can be a lonely place where you feel like no one understands you or can imagine the feelings you are experiencing. 

History with Condition

I have been living with migraines for almost 20 years. I started to developed episodic migraines in my early 20’s which were brought on by hormonal changes. It wasn’t until I was in my late 20’s that my migraines became more chronic in nature. I developed nearly daily headaches, having anything between 20-30 headache days per month.

It was at this time that I was referred to a headache specialist and was correctly diagnosed. I have to say that it was a great relief to be finally diagnosed as I had felt the stigma of living with chronic pain and people not fully understanding the consequences and implications of migraines.

UK/MED/18/0284 October 2019

Published Articles

How “Same Thing, Different Day” Helps My Migraines
6 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

How “Same Thing, Different Day” Helps My Migraines

How I Stopped Migraine from Getting in the Way of My Career
6 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

How I Stopped Migraine from Getting in the Way of My Career

Lockdown Helped with Migraines - Now They're Back with Force
5 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Lockdown Helped with Migraines - Now They're Back with Force

Can Migraine Cause Vertigo and Dizziness?  This is the Link.
6 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Can Migraine Cause Vertigo and Dizziness? This is the Link.

Migraine and Weight Gain: Are They Linked?
5 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Migraine and Weight Gain: Are They Linked?

The Stress of Moving House with Chronic Migraine
4 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

The Stress of Moving House with Chronic Migraine

Why We Need to Destigmatise Migraine
4 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Why We Need to Destigmatise Migraine

Navigating the Pandemic as a Migraine Patient (and a Nurse)
6 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Navigating the Pandemic as a Migraine Patient (and a Nurse)

Losing (and Finding) Friendships with Chronic Migraine
4 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Losing (and Finding) Friendships with Chronic Migraine

The Reality of Raising Children with Migraine
7 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

The Reality of Raising Children with Migraine

Pregnancy Helped with Chronic Migraine (For a While)
7 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

Pregnancy Helped with Chronic Migraine (For a While)

How Planning Helps Me Manage Migraine
5 mins
article
Ciara O'Rourke

How Planning Helps Me Manage Migraine