Pain ‘Like An Ice Pick Stabbing’ At Her: Connecticut Woman Shares Story Of Migraine Struggle

More than 37 million Americans, or 12 percent of the population, experience crippling migraines and no one knows better than Jennifer Vienneau about the debilitating effects of migraines. Vienneau, an educator, has made adjustments her entire life trying to manage with the excruciating pain, which she says many people don't completely understand.

Vienneau, who has been dealing with migraines regularly for 20 years, will wear sunglasses and hang Christmas tree lights in the classroom to help her function at work. Her colleagues do their part to help and turn lights off in meetings and even removed light bulbs from her half of the office. She admits students will bluntly tell her that it's weird to not see her eyes when she's teaching them.

Some days, it's a struggle for her to finish the work day and on many days she will "get to the car and cry the whole way home," Vienneau said. "It’s about putting on an act.”

Despite the physical and mental pain, Vienneau said her best strategy is to always try and keep smiling and have hope. She's also determined to live her life to the fullest that she can.

Vienneau, who lives in Milford and teaches in Hamden, shared her unique story on a series entitled "In Their Own Words: Moving Beyond Migraine with Robin Roberts" that premiered Monday on WebMD during Migraine Awareness Month. The series was made to shed light on the debilitating nature of migraines and the impact it has on all aspects of a sufferer’s personal and professional life.

"It is really an invisible, misunderstood condition," Vienneau said.

The Pain Is Like An Ice Pick Stabbing At Her

Vienneau knows she is in trouble when colorful spots fly across her vision. She has experienced this before, and is not surprised when the subsequent nausea kicks in.

“Sometimes the auras look like little floating spots," Vienneau said. "Sometimes they’re colorful. At times it does feel like my vision is starting to get lost.”

The sharp pain sets in shortly after, feeling almost like an ice pick stabbing at her. Her speech gets slower and she can feel it in her temple, and now her eye; she knows she needs to stop working and lay down.

"You can almost hear the throbbing in your head," Vienneau said.

Unfortunately for Vienneau, this sensation is just part of her typical week.

“I have a headache most days at some point, and a migraine I would say four or more days of the week," Vienneau said. "They can vary.” (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities click here.)

Vienneau has experienced near-constant migraines for almost 20 years now. In fact, they have occurred so often that typical over-the-counter medications one might normally take to cure a headache have no effect on her.

"Advil and Ibuprofen," Vienneau said, "those don't do anything for me anymore."

According to the Migraine Research Foundation, 12 percent of the population suffers from migraines. The foundation's research also indicates more than 4 million adults experience chronic daily migraines, with at least 15 migraine days per month.

What Leads To Her Migraines?

Vienneau said she does not have a specific trigger that may set off a migraine, but there are a number of factors that can lead to one.

In fact, on a rainy day she might simply wake up with a headache due to barometric pressure. She also attributes not drinking enough water or skipping meals as a way she could set herself up for pain.

“Those Snickers commercials about being (hungry and angry)," Vienneau said, "those are me to a t.”

Though Vienneau loves Pilates, she knows not to take part in any portion that involves being in an upside down position. Water is also a must whether she is outside or inside.

“I can’t be outside for too long without a ton of water or a chance to sit in the shade," Vienneau said. "I’m not a huge beach person. I’m definitely not a person who can make it an all-day event just sitting in the sun.”

She has invested in a couple of water bottles, which she is constantly filling up throughout the day. She even has one that can hook easily to a backpack for when her and her husband go hiking.

Just as important as keeping hydrated is protecting her eyes. Due to how sensitive she is to light, Vienneau wears sunglasses whenever she is outside, even on cloudy or rainy days.

She said she has a stash of sunglasses everywhere to make sure she is never caught without them for an extended period of time.

Coping At Work

Vienneau works as the Director of Social Studies K-12 for Hamden Public Schools, a job that requires her to be in communication with a lot of people each day and the kind of environment that does not lend itself to hiding in a dark room alone.

“I have over time gotten better at acknowledging when I’m pushing myself and do need to go home," Vienneau said, "It is tough though for somebody who is conscientious about their job and wants to do things well all the time to know when to say ‘no’ and leave.”

Vienneau has also found ways over the years to keep the pain at bay during her daily routine. She wears prescription sunglasses for indoor use that help with UV lights or glares from her computer.

“Even very bright lights in a building can be too intense," Vienneau said. "I have learned though you can’t just wear your sunglasses inside without people staring or looking at you.”

Her colleagues have become familiar with Vienneau's condition and try to help by turning off all the lights during a meeting and through other methods. Though she shares an office, she has also had the fluorescent lighting on her half of the room taken out.

Vienneau said when she first started out teaching, her smaller colleagues were less familiar with her condition.

“I used to laugh when I was in the classroom and I had all these little tricks," Vienneau said. "I would put Christmas lights around the room and turn the lights off, and the kids at first just thought it was so cool. As I began teaching older grades, there would be days where I would teach with my sunglasses on and kids would say to me ‘it’s so weird to talk to you and not see your eyes’ because kids don’t hold back.”

Vienneau, however, does not really mind answering questions anymore.

“At this point, it’s kind of who I am," Vienneau said. "I’m used to fielding the questions.”

She admitted it can be challenging to keep energized throughout the day from time to time, but still finds it best to keep smiling.

“I’ll get through a day, maybe needing to leave a little early, and I’ll get to the car and cry the whole way home," Vienneau said. "It’s about putting on an act.”

Migraines Cause Plans To Change Often

Vienneau admitted that making plans can be a difficult undertaking at times. Keeping plans can be even more of a headache.

"At times the migraines can alter our plans," Vienneau's friend Amy Caserta said in an email. "If Jenn is not having a great day with her head we may change our plans to avoid obvious triggers, but it's not a big deal."

Caserta said she has known Vienneau for about 28 years, and the two have became really close over the past 10 years. She said her and her friends may avoid places that are too loud or bright when hanging out to make it easier for Vienneau, and may ultimately opt to stay local instead of going on a planned big outing.

"We tend to have fun no matter what we are doing," Caserta said, "so alterations to plans are no big deal for us. We just adapt to the option that works best at the time."

Vienneau's friends are not the only ones who show her understanding.

“My family is pretty used to me coming by for a holiday and needing to cut the night short,” Vienneau said.

Despite the fact that it may be easier to stay home, Vienneau has been determined to stay active rather than living in fear. She goes on hikes with her husband, and the two have traveled together a number of times.

She said her husband is also a craft beer guy, so the two will go to breweries together. She just makes sure to only do the smaller samples.

“I feel like I am going to have a migraine anyway," Vienneau said, "so maybe I should just enjoy life rather than waiting for it to come and take over.”

About eight years ago, Vienneau experienced one of her big trips to the emergency room. She said she remembers a feeling of helplessness as she sat in the brightly lit medical center.

"No medication is working, you can’t go to sleep because it hurts so bad but you know sleep would probably help stave off some of the pain," Vienneau said. "And unfortunately a trip to the emergency room is one of the worst things for a migraine sufferer. You have those awful bright lights in a loud busy place. With a really bad migraine you just want to curl up and escape the whole world, but instead you have everyone asking you questions.”

Though a prominent memory, Vienneau said it was not the longest headache she has ever had. She said she was once forced to nurse a migraine over the course of three days for an entire weekend. That was the past, however, and Vienneau would much rather move forward than worrying about what tomorrow may bring.

Advice To Those Who Suffer As She Does

She also offered advice to others who may be experiencing similar issues.

“One of the things that I have always said is really just to not give up hope," Vienneau said. "There are so many treatments out there, and really something that works great for one person might not do anything and vice versa...search for a doctor that will listen to you. I’m lucky to have a doctor that listens to me and helps me try to figure out the best plan.”

Though the summer heat may be hard for her condition, Vienneau said she has never seriously thought about moving somewhere less seasonal than Connecticut.

“I have thrown the idea [of moving] out there before and said ‘oh, let’s move to Minnesota’ or something, but some of my favorite places to go are in the Caribbean," Vienneau said. "So it really is just about knowing your limitations and working with them.”

View Jennifer's segment of "In Their Own Words: Moving Beyond Migraine with Robin Roberts" at WebMD.

Image courtesy Jennifer Vienneau