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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Patrick Edrich

Mum-of-three 'living in darkness' because of constant head pains

A woman who's had migraines for eight years said she can't stand the daylight and is "living in darkness".

Tanya Brady told the ECHO she's in constant pain and is highly sensitive to light which causes major disruptions to her life as a single mum to three children.

Ms Brady said the pain is so severe she has called her doctor's every day since before Christmas to try and get some respite.

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The 34-year-old from Kensington, said the pain is so bad she can't sleep and constantly feels nauseous as she can't eat or drink.

She told the ECHO : "It's a throbbing pain that I feel behind my eyes and on my neck and shoulders.

"I feel dizzy and sick and I can't eat or drink like I should be able to.

"I have my blinds closed all the time because the light is too bright for me.

She continued: "I have my phone on its lowest light setting otherwise it hurts my eyes too much - it's basically black.

"It gets to the point where I can't see my phone at all so I have to push my head back and put pressure on my temples so I can focus on it.

"I'm in pain 24/7 - all day and all night."

As well as the severe migraines Ms Brady already suffers from fibromyalgia which causes her whole body to ache.

She said this makes it harder to look after her three children who live at home with her.

She added: "I'm lucky my kids understand and they help me as best as they can.

"When I cook for them I have to sit on a chair next to the cooker as I can't stand up.

"I can't walk long distances anymore.

"I can't go to the town centre - I only leave my house now to go to the doctor's or my local shop."

Ms Brady said she was only diagnosed with severe migraines after five years as she was told before it was just an issue with her sinuses.

She told the ECHO she has struggled to obtain an in-person appointment at Edge Hill Health Centre and has called them everyday since before Christmas.

Ms Brady said whenever she visited the surgery it was empty, but she was only ever offered an online consultation.

She said she needs the help of the surgery to prescribe her medication which can relieve the symptoms of her severe headaches.

The pain has been so severe she's had to previously go to A&E four times.

A spokesperson for Edge Hill Health Centre told the ECHO they don't comment on individual cases but patients can access the practice by telephone, econsult, letter and in person.

But since then she has been given a letter from a neurologist with details regarding her condition and has recently had an MRI at The Walton Centre.

Ms Brady said her MRI was "painful and scary" but hopes it can provide some answers to why she's having the headaches.

She said: "I can't even tolerate the most simple of things.

"I'm afraid of going outside because of the day light.

"I have all my blinds drawn - I'm basically living in darkness."

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