“My life has completely changed, thanks to Apex Headache Clinic”
At the age of just 6 months, Cian began suffering from migraines, which continued throughout his childhood. After trying every avenue of treatment, at the age of 8, he came to Apex Headache Clinic, Belfast desperate to find a cure. Here, Cian shares how the clinic’s unique regime of specialist headache physiotherapy treatment, called The Nelson Headache Approach™, cleared his migraines and completely changed his life.
Cian, when did your migraines begin?
All I’ve even known is life with headaches. I’m told that at the age of 6 months, I began suffering from them. With the onset of a headache, my temperature dropped, I became pale and the pain was so severe that it would cause me to vomit. Each severe episode would last for 2 hours and then gradually ease from there, before returning 10 to 14 days later. This cycle continued like clockwork over the years. Nothing in particular seemed to trigger it and we tried all angles such as consulting GPs and pediatricians, undergoing allergy tests and having MRI scans. You name it, we tried it. When I was properly diagnosed as having migraines, I was told that it was something I would have to live with and that I might eventually grow out of it. As this was severely affecting my life, it was really hard to hear and to think that I was stuck with these migraines forever.
How did the headaches affect your life?
In a way, I became used to having migraines. Because I developed them when I was so young, I didn’t know any different. However, it was still horrendous. When a migraine struck, I would curl up on the sofa for hours, waiting for the pain to ease. I just wanted to be left alone. Painkillers gave me no relief at all. I couldn’t understand why it was just me that suffered these and wished I could get on with doing things without being scared of a migraine stopping me. Although I usually had them in the evenings, I was always worried about getting one in school. In fact, the first time it happened at school, my teacher couldn’t believe just how bad I was.
What led you to Apex Headache Clinic?
My mum was chatting in work about my migraines to one of the physios there, who told her that she was attending a headache course, run by Rebecca Nelson from Apex Headache Clinic. She asked if she could mention my case to her. Following this, Rebecca asked us to come in for a consultation. She diagnosed my migraines as stemming from my neck and a course of treatment followed. I noticed a difference straight away. My migraines because less frequent and severe and now I’m thrilled to say that I haven’t had a migraine in 16 weeks.
How has Apex Headache Clinic changed your life?
We live in Cavan and all I can say is that it was definitely worth the two-and-a-half-hour drive! My Granny recently commented that I’m a lot more confident and care-free now, which I guess comes from not worrying about how a migraine could ruin my day. In a nutshell, Apex Headache Clinic really has changed my life.
Finally, what advice would you offer someone suffering from headaches?
Absolutely go to Apex Headache Clinic for an assessment. We’ve already recommended it to lots of friends and family here in Dublin. I can’t speak highly enough of Rebecca and the whole team for turning my life around.
To book an appointment at Apex Headache Clinic, Belfast call 028 9048 4153. No GP referral is necessary. The Nelson Headache Approach is only offered in Apex Headache Clinic, Belfast.