Woman, 26, suffering chronic migraine for 14 years says doctors didn’t believe her

Luaren Murray says she wouldn't wish the severe headache 'on my worst enemy'.

A dog groomer who has been suffering with a chronic migraine for 14 years says she ‘wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy’.

Lauren Murray, 26, has called for more research into the chronic migraine after revealing that she has suffered from one for more than half her life.

When she first went to the doctors she said they didn’t believe her and asked her mum if she was ‘trying to get attention’.

Lauren had her first severe headache when she was 13 – only for it to never go away.

She said: ‘I’m a very determined person. When my migraine first started I took two weeks off school and from then on I’ve only had one day off.

‘It was very difficult when it first started because a lot of doctors didn’t believe me.

‘Doctors would ask my mum if they thought I was trying to get attention. That was very difficult to deal with.

‘I won’t let it stop me learning or being the best me, but neither would I wish it on my worst enemy.’

She manages to go to work but says she missed lots of social occasions growing up – and struggled to visit one friend who had a telegraph pole outside her house because it triggered her bad heads.

Migraine is the most common and disabling neurological condition in the UK, affecting one in seven Brits – or around nine million people.

However, just 2 per cent of sufferers endure the chronic form on 15 or more days a month and even fewer have it permanently.

Lauren, of Guildford, Surrey, explained: ‘My mum had always suffered with migraine and before I was born, my dad had one that lasted for six months.

‘I guess I’m unlucky in that I clearly have it on both sides of my family.

‘Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and think “Why me?” but why does anyone suffer from anything? It’s just one of those things. You have to adapt your life.’

Lauren had to take several weeks off school when her headache first started.

When it didn’t go away, her mum took her to the family GP.

She saw neurologists and was then given a cat scan, which came back clear.

She was given an occipital nerve block, which is a painful injection into the nerves, to help her cope before her GCSEs.

But still to this day, doctors cannot pinpoint anything wrong with her and has been given a diagnosis of continual chronic migraine.

Medication has also failed to make any difference to her condition, with some common migraine drugs even making her symptoms worse.

She now manages to work as a dog groomer and says she copes with her condition by having an understanding employer and a great partner, Hannah Grist, 28.

Other coping strategies include listening to classical music, turning lights off and avoiding harsh lights and strong smells.

Lauren said: ‘It took four years to diagnose and no-one really knew what it was.

‘It feels just like a normal migraine, but the intensity of the headache changes.

‘My mum was quite good with it when I was younger and really pushed the doctors to figure out what was going on.’

She added: ‘You either let it take over your life or you choose to stand above it and keep trying to fight through it.’

She has been grooming dogs from the age of 13 and says her employer is amazing.

Her dog Oscar also gives her a reason to get up in the morning.

She went on: ‘Getting up and going to a job I love really helps.

‘I have a dog at home too and he gets me up if I’m having a bad day. It’s a lifesaver.

Una Farrell, of the Migraine Trust, said sufferers should go back to their doctors if they cannot get any relief.

She added: ‘Chronic migraine is a complex neurological condition and it must be having a huge impact on her life. It is very rare, but it can be treated.’