The Invisible Burden
Imagine dragging yourself out of bed everyday in the morning, unable to focus, unable to remember, unable to read, unable to watch a movie, unable to eat heartily, unable to listen, and unable to work. How do you think it feels?
Well, this was what I had to endure for almost three years. Sometime in early 2023 my life was suddenly thrown upside down. Every morning, I woke up with a flickering eye sight, a precursor to migraines — one among the many chronic ailments I had downloaded from god knows where.
Any normal daily activity felt like carrying the world on my shoulders. I had to drag myself through the morning rituals and by the time I finish breakfast, my head was already bursting with intense pain.
Some days it was so intense, I just pop a pill and sleep through the day.
I feel hungry, I feel like having a coffee, I feel like watching a movie, I feel like reading a book, I feel like calling someone on their birthday or just to wish them in their moment of joy, but I just didn’t have it in me to make the effort.
Stepping out of bed or answering the phone felt as tedious and cumbersome as walking up a steep hill with a heavy backpack.
Someone would call me, someone would WhatsApp, but I usually put my phone on silent and get back to sleep. There’d be a knock on the door, but I just didn’t care anymore.
Being by myself, managing everything around at home, and also managing my health was quite a challenge. I had to endure the pain, endure the lost time, and endure the weak moments. It was not easy, but I had to be there for myself.
*****
The Breaking Point
Even the doctors were clueless. I think with migraine, medical science itself is generally clueless. Pain meds that allowed me to sleep through chronic migraine were the only respite.
The various Allopathic and Ayurvedic treatments didn’t work. An MRI using the latest machine couldn’t identify anything.
Almost every quarter, I consulted a new doctor, started a new treatment, but the migraine persisted. Most of my savings were spent on medicines and treatments with almost zero returns.
Friends and family noticed that I turned non-welcoming and less responsive. Soon they stopped bothering me with calls, and visits. I’m thankful they were understanding of my affliction and did not take offense.
Another significant challenge with chronic migraine was my ability to remember and recall. The condition was so intense that it affected my memory. Things such as faces, and names became vague. Bills and commitments became non-existent until someone reminded me of them. Most often than not, words played hide and seek, and by the time I remembered the moment had elapsed.
Food delivery apps were a godsend, without which I might have turned malnourished and skeletal. Most days, I had to get by with just breakfast and dinner, and with most dinners usually being delivered.
Medicines and meditation, helped me to steal some time off to be without pain, which I diligently used…
Three straight years of medicines kept the pain bearable. A pill in the morning, a pill in the night helped me endure, but without meditation and yoga, I might have lost the physical, mental and emotional balance, and could have easily broken down. Medicines and meditation, helped me to steal some time off to be without pain, which I diligently used to slowly build my first novel (soon to be released.)
In fact this very act of writing the novel kept me sane, giving me purpose and a sense of pursuit, making me eager to get out of bed even though my body wouldn’t.
In November of 2025, I consulted a specialist, who told that I might have to take pain meds until I get used to pain or until it stops. Getting used to pain was something I understood and practiced over the past few years, but until it stops sounded intriguing. I asked in all curiousity, ‘How long before it stops?’ He looked me in the eye with a cautious smile, and gently told, ‘For most cases it usually takes ten to twelve years.’ My mind immediately froze, ‘Ten years?’ I wondered aloud. That meant at least seven more years of excruciating pain.
That day, I accepted my condition and resolved, ‘No more medicines or treatments. I’m ready for the seven year challenge.’
*****
The Unexpected Solution
Fortunately, a month later, I found a local chiropractor to treat another chronic condition I had — lower back pain.
On my first visit, I told him about my conditions — all of them chronic. For almost thirty minutes, he intently listened to my entire history of complaints. At the end, he simply asked, ‘Shall I try something for your migraines first?’
I was intrigued, I came here for lower back treatment, why does he want to address something which I had given up on?
After all, I’ve tried everything, why not one more? I thought and said, ‘Sure.’
He said, ‘Your neck looks stressed, I’m going to relax them first and adjust the spine.’ I said, ‘Okay,’ but wasn’t very confident that it would work, as I never had any complaints with my neck.
For the next ten minutes, he rubbed my shoulders, my neck and pulled and twisted my head. I felt an ease, as if something released, but I wasn’t sure what.
That night, the usual precursors for migraine were missing. I did not take medicines. I returned the next day and continued with my lower back treatment. A couple of days passed, I did not feel the need to take pain killers, and then a week passed without medicines. For the first time in years, I have lived without medicines for over a week. Soon, I realized I don’t need medicines at all, especially for migraine.
There was a noticeable difference in my activity right from the first week. I was able to focus longer, read, watch a whole movie without break. Slowly, doing normal chores felt like a breeze. His simple treatment, a chiropractic adjustment, worked like magic.
*****
Life After the Storm
It has been four months since I’ve taken any pain meds. Let me be clear, the migraine did not completely stop, but the intensity reduced drastically. Even now, when I try to do something with absolute focus for long hours is quite a challenge, but whenever I feel it might trigger an episode, I just take some rest and that’s it, no more medicines.
The change was so profound, I was able to complete most of the pending work related to my novel with great speed. What might have taken another six months at least was completed in less than three.
Those ten minutes of careful adjustment relieved three years of intense pain.
The chiro had suggested a small practice that I can do daily at home. Each time I do it, I feel more clear and relaxed. It was such a simple treatment but had been elusive for almost three whole years. Those ten minutes of careful adjustment relieved three years of intense pain.
I wrote this, so someone who is going through something similar might find it useful.
If you are going through a challenging situation with your health. I wish that you too find your solution that is waiting to be found. Keep your thoughts and intent aligned with good health, and soon the solution might reveal itself in unknown ways.
_________
Disclaimer: This article reflects my personal experience and journey. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
If you have been through chronic pain, I’d like to know how you overcame or managed your situation. Stay connected for more insights and stories by following me on Instagram and Facebook.
Originally published on medium.com on Apr 5, 2026
