Rosemary’s migraines started nine years ago, soon after she started using the contraceptive pill. It began with a loss of vision and an aura when she saw what looked like black-and-white snow before her eyes. The migraine would happen the day before her period and on day one of her menstrual bleed.
An MRI scan found no obvious problems. She was on the contraceptive pill for nine years and her GP suggested a progesterone-only pill, which she tried briefly. She decided not to go back on the pill but the migraines did not go away: nine years later they were still a monthly occurrence.
Two years ago, she also developed TMD (temporomandibular disorder) and the migraines no longer affected just the area over her right eye but extended down the right side of her face, sometimes both sides. The nape of her neck would become very sensitive and her vision unfocused.
As well as the migraines being aggravated before and during her period, a change of routine, overwork, daily stress, and even coming down from stress while on holiday, could all bring on a migraine.
During her periods she would feel drained, lose focus in her eyesight and struggle with pain in her neck, head and face. It was difficult trying to look after two kids while working and she would freak out worrying that it would last for days. Looking at her work screen for long periods, heat, dehydration, or noise would all make her migraine worse, while sleep, fresh air or a walk would ease the pain. She felt irritable, impatient and cranky with the kids while having a migraine.
After her period the migraine would disappear and her energy returned.
She had seen doctors, taken medication and tried acupuncture (which helped reduce the length of the migraine, although it would soon return) hypnosis, bioenergetic therapy, reflexology, massage and counselling.
For her TMD, Rosemary received treatment from an orofacial physiotherapist, who thought the jaw was being affected by the migraine. She made huge progress with her TMD symptoms with the physio and hypnosis but she would still get stiffness in her jaw and the migraine made her jaw, neck and throat pain worse.
In homeopathy, the physical and emotional body are connected. Homeopaths look for the root cause of an ailment and by treating it, the symptoms begin to ease and eventually disappear.
As well as looking at the specific symptoms around an ailment during consultations I am also interested in the person. I look at their personality, values, hobbies, sleep, energy, fears, worries, family history and stress and how they deal with it.
Rosemary described herself as ambitious, independent, stubborn, sensitive, family-orientated, patient and a lover of routine. She worried about her family and put pressure on herself to do a good job as a mum. Her work was stressful and she would take on too much. She feared becoming ill or not being able to look after her children. She had a sweet tooth for carbs in the form of biscuits, chocolate or crisps.
A large part of my practice is helping women who are struggling with migraines (or other ailments) since going on or coming off the contraceptive pill. Many women will say they’ve never felt right since coming off the pill.
My aim is not only to treat the person and how they present with their migraine symptoms but also to address the underlying cause and find a long-term solution.
I choose remedies based on many factors and due to the complex nature of migraines, there is no “magic pill” for all migraines. As well as constitutional treatment, I may also use therapeutic remedies to detox and support the organs and systems that are under stress, and provide “acute remedies” to help during a migraine episode.
What I hope to see over time is that the treatment reduces the severity, frequency and duration of the migraines until they eventually disappear. This process can be rapid for some while for others it can take longer. It all depends on the cause and the history.
I worked with Rosemary for over seven months and her migraines and tension headaches gradually eased. As well as being pain-free from migraines she was delighted that obstacles that had hindered her enjoyment of life were now being dealt with and her sense of being overwhelmed had gone.
I started with Eileen in January 2022 as I’d suffered hormonal migraines for nine years and TMD for two years. The migraines had become more intense with the onset of TMD and even after the TMD pain was mostly gone, there was ongoing discomfort in my shoulders and the base of my neck, which would aggravate my jaw and the monthly migraine further.
Eileen provided me with a remedy and with the first three doses, the migraine before my period was gone in a few hours: before, it would normally have taken at least two days. My energy improved and I felt refreshed in the morning rather than dragging myself around. I also felt less overwhelmed and panicky about work.
Early on in treatment, when a breakthrough migraine did occur, it was assessed and either a different dosage strength was tried or a different remedy, which would help.
The last few months, my migraines have stopped. I feel a calmness in myself and I’m more able to speak up instead of holding my emotions in. This in turn also helps with the TMD which has progressively got better.
Eileen also prescribed remedies for my grass allergies this year and they did the trick as I no longer need the anti-histamines I’d used for nine years.
Eileen is a lovely person and a wonderful listener and takes into consideration all areas of your life. She looks to get to the root cause. She made me think about areas in my life, look at things a bit more closely and why certain things were impacting me the way they did.
Eileen has helped me tremendously and I feel so much better in myself. So much so, that I’ve started doing things I wasn’t able to do for a long time. Thank you so, so much!
Rosemary, Co. Kildare
If you are struggling with migraines or TMD and would like to work with me, I’d be delighted to help and you can book an appointment here.
Consultations available: Dublin, Ireland & Worldwide Via Video Call
Eileen Scullion of Homeopathy-Healing is a Registered Homeopath LicISH ISHom with the Irish Society of Homeopaths (The Regulatory Body for the Homeopathic Profession which is recognized by the Department of Health and Children and works on the National Working Group towards an integrated Health System).