Name: Wendy V.
Residence: Guatemala
Conditions: Daily Headache, Migraine
First Diagnosed: 15 years old
Q: What is the most frustrating thing about your life?
A: I'm 40 years old. I've suffered from headaches for 25 years. I've visited different doctors, neurologists, chiropractors, anesthesiologists, traumatologists, acupuncturists, psychologists, psychiatrists, gastroenterologists and gynecologists, but none of them have given me an answer for the intense headaches that I have almost daily. They've given me all types of medicines and preventive treatments, medicines for when the pain starts, diets, etc. But, unfortunately, we've never managed to find a medicine that relieves me or eliminates the headaches. The symptoms are the following: Intense headaches-I get them many times when I'm sleeping or during the day, especially when I'm in the car or when I work on the computer. If I rest my head on a hard surface, the pain starts. Many times I experience heat and nausea. Between the diagnoses that they've given me, they tell me that I have migraines and neuralgia, but the medicines have not helped me. It's very frustrating to spend 20 to 25 days a month with headaches. I've become used to living a life that's more or less "normal." The people who live around me don't pay attention to me when I'm in pain. They've grown even more tired than me of so many treatments and medicines. Unfortunately, I don't have the money to continue with treatments (or the energy). My doctor told me that he thinks that we've gone through all possible treatments in my country. He recommended that I go to the United States to look for a new treatment or solution to the pain, but I don't have the money to do it. I'd like very much, at least, to know what it is I have that gives me pain and what I can do so that these headaches are as slight as possible, or even better, to find a cure for these pains that I've suffered with for more than 25 years.
Q: What is your idea of happiness?
A: To live without pain!
