five weeks ago, I followed though on something I’d been on the fence about for a while. I got my daith pierced! as a chronic migraine sufferer for most of my life, i’ve tried just about everything. once my migraines became more severe at the start of the year after my jaw surgery (I had a migraine daily for about 4 months straight), my neurologist switched up my medication regimen (for both preventive measures and for attacks), which brought them down to one or two a week, and then over time, just about one a month.

i’d heard about the “migraine piercing” years ago, but was so skeptical that I never gave it much thought. as my migraines progressed so dramatically this year, it became more of a “why not just try it?” thought in the back of my head. when I went to my dermatologist to get my triple lobe redone, I decided to just go through with the daith piercing too. she referred me to a tattoo shop she trusted for cartilage piercings, and off I went.

it was by far the most painful piercing i’ve experienced (I only have both triple lobes to compare it to though, and it was just simply a different sensation than a tattoo), and the longest healing period, that’s for sure. the process itself was really quick, but it felt like I got clocked in the ear for a day or two after. didn’t help that I kept sleeping on it. I was told to get this spray, and that made a profound difference during healing. after I got it - I figured if it didn’t help, at the very least, it’s a cute piercing, or I just let it close.

five weeks out, and i’ve had one migraine since. obviously the medication regimen i’m on has made a HUGE difference in reducing the frequency and severity of my migraines. I know that the daith piercing is not scientifically proven to impact migraines, and that so much of it can be placebo - and I don’t care if that’s the case - I haven’t been this migraine free in years. two of my major triggers are stress and crying. well, my childhood dog crossed the rainbow bridge a few weeks ago, and I cried of and on for about 12 hours the day she passed. not even a slight headache. nothing. i’ve been stressed basically all of october. I also always get a migraine or two during my PMS week, and again - nothing. the one migraine I did get was just a random one that was relieved by the lowest dose medication I take for relief.

my only complaint aside form the initial pain is the healing period. it’ll be at least 2 months (so one more month now) before I can change the piercing, but in reality it’ll be about 6 months before it’s fully healed. it varies from person to person, but that’s about the average (even up to 9 months for a full heal). i’ve gotten used to it, so i’m not as aware of it as I was just a few weeks ago, but it does sometimes hurt a bit. I haven’t had much issue wearing airpods, but it can hurt for just a bit after I do wear them!

so in the five weeks that i’ve had this piercing, would I say it’s been worth it? yes. do I know it’s actually doing something? no! but do I feel better? yes.