Your closing remarks made a very good point. The political classes have for years now been trying to make out that mental health is being give equal parity to physical health. The counsellor who worked in the two local medical practices in our area was made redundant last year. Read into that what you will. The more mental health is talked about in open fora such as this the better. Thank you for being so open with your experiences.

Good video, with many interesting points. We are all different, and as you quite rightly said, what is good for one person, doesn't mean it will work for you. I don't suffer with any ongoing ailments, but am currently just getting over the flu. Just showed your video to my hubby, as he gets upset with my "I want to be alone" stance when I'm sick. By that, I mean I get fed up with the ongoing advice, no matter how well meaning it is. Hope you have got over your migraine. Take care.

I used to have terrible migraines. They lasted for three days sometimes, and I was completely bedridden. I would throw up if I tried to eat. It was awful. I have complete empathy. No cure ever worked for me..ever. Then I got beyond menopause and they stopped. Evidently they were hormonaly triggered. Now if I eat anything soy, which is estrogenic, I can start to feel pain in my head again. I avoid soy, and have since read that it isn't a food anyway. Anyway, I'm rambling but...really just wanted to say I empathize totally. In my case old age made them go away. The plus of having all of these wrinkles. Oh and thanks so much for saying what you did about those who tell you to just "Be more positive"! For god's sake, what's wrong with those people?!!! I don't know how many told me to "Just work through it anyway!" OMG! Where has empathy and compassion gone? ...Love your vlogs, Andrew. :)

We're all poorly informed by the contemporary medical industry and too often poisoned by various toxins in food, air, water. That said, each of us are biologically unique so solutions to our health issues also need to be individual. That means...you're going to have to experiment until you find what works for you. I appreciate your humor and honesty in discussing these topics in your vlogs!

Thank you so much for describing migraines so very well, I suffer from migraines and also fibromyalgia both neurological. Along with arthritis and scoliosis with depression just to round the numbers up, I get “advice” from so many people most of whom are very well meaning 🙂. I am disabled because of my physical issues mainly, but it’s the fibromyalgia, migraine and depression that absolutely cripple me. I am so so blessed to have a wonderful, fantastic husband Gary and he is my carer and does everything in the house and cooks all the meals and in the nine years that we have been together he has never ever complained, I am very lucky. I find with the sumatriptan, that it only works if you can take it at the very, very beginning of the migraine starting. Take care Andrew

Just LOVE your work. I had headaches for years. Then one day I started going blind. I work in a hospital, so I was admitted. The doctor looked at me and said "you are having a migraine". I was amazed. Hot peppers work for me, usually, everyone is different. But it triggers your bodies natural pain relievers. For some-hot sauce is a trigger for a migraine. I have to have coffee, too. Love your furbaby, and your rant is spot on too!

Very commendable of you, it just struck a nerve when I see my wife suffering terribly from this (in her case) debilitating condition. Its no reflection on your other work and informative videos. Humour very rarely goes hand in hand with, my perception of a severe migraine and should be treated with respect, thats just my opinion, but hat off to you for coming back with some realisation.

Hi Andrew, thank you for your latest vlog. Massive appreciation for discussing something that is personal to you. I have recently experienced a 6mth depression period where my GP discovered I wasn't sleeping well at night which was contributing to my depression. Whilst I was recovering, which I feel, did help was watching your vlog. So thank you and keep up the good work Neil

Thanks, Andrew. At the end there you said something that a therapist said to me once. It was that we shouldn't be ashamed of mental illness. People aren't ashamed of their physical illnesses. They take their medications or do their therapies and move on with it. But with mental illness so many people feel they have to hide it or get off the medication because it's a stigma. But it shouldn't be. It's as much a physical illness (as in caused by biology) as a broken leg. You do what you can to mend it. It might feel as good as new eventually, but it will never be "unbroken". You've just done what you could to mend it and live with it going forward.

Hi Andrew. As a recent subscriber, I am just now viewing this video. I make sure to always have a supply of Sumatriptan on hand, a few in my purse, etc. It usually does the trick for me. The side effect of the Sumatriptan is in about an hour after taking it, I feel very achy all over, like I had the flu. The side effect eventually subsides and I would rather deal with the "achy all over" feeling than the excruciating pain in my head. Take care and I will keep tuning in! P.S. Sometimes a fall in the barometric pressure will trigger a migraine in me.

I've made a commitment to being an *advice-free zone* unless asked. I am well-versed in nutrition and plant-based foods (I wrote a vegan/GF cookbook/ebook), herbalism, etc. Most has been in the effort to help me ameliorate the effects of my own chronic illnesses and constant pain. I, too, find the "have you tried...????" people to be quite annoying--but, it's also annoying to hear one complain, often for years, about pain, etc. and they shove Big Macs down their gob and drink like a fiend or whatever. Humans, help yourself. Educate yourself. You can't constantly pollute your body and expect it to work optimally. Coping the victim role will not change your state. Anyway, mini-rant over (and screw those who are chipper/chirpy and full of life ALL THE BLOODY TIME)! :) Cheers to you Andrew!

Hello Andrew, I came across this video today. I sympathise totally with you.I worked for 30 years as a Psychiatric Charge Nurse and had to retire at the age of 49 following a severe meningism infection. I am now seventy. This illness has damaged my meninges and left me with a permanent, 24/7, headache with tinnitus and a general feeling of weakness.I have been prescribed virtually everything by a succession of doctors but nothing helps.Most medications I have tried makes me worse, often making me feel like a zombie with a headache.I have tried most alternative concoctions but again with no benefit.I was lucky in that I was born bloody minded. That has allowed me to get on with things despite my headache. My attitude is that I will not be defeated and I might as well do what I want to do even when I feel crap. The alternative is to stay home sucking my thumb and still feeling crap.I have a love of the great outdoors, especially the Scottish West Coast and islands. I would much rather get out in the hills or beaches than to be trapped at home feeling sorry for myself.The thumbnail photo of me was taken on my trek across Spain nine years ago when I walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route...great therapy in so many ways. In November I walked the Great Glen Way (Fort William to Inverness). I can see that you have the same approach to your condition. You have a very positive personality which enables you to take the bad times in your stride. I am pleased that you have found some medication that gives you some relief. Like you, I often find that when my headache is especially bad going for a walk with my dog helps more than anything. Take care and give Dougal a pat from me.

Loved the way Dougal perked up when you mentioned a walk. I am lucky I suppose my Migraine are few and far between, when I have one I crave coffee and drugs! (Legal ones) and you are right when you a suffering one you couldn't give a monkies about anyone else's problems. My MiL believes headaches are all in the mind..no pun intended. Please accept this virtual hug. 🤗

Wow this was fantastic. You really helped me. So nice to know someone else understands. I don't get migraines but I just see everything half empty. I take antidepressants but it is still an effort every day to cope. So many self doubts. Thank you for sharing your story.

No one tells you to throw your crutches away and get on with it. What an excellent point you raised! All the best.

Thank you for stating the fact that the small things that you can get done go along way with getting along when you have depression. Changing up what to do that day that accommodate what you can get done is sometimes all you can do. We don't need to be"fixed",we have tried the most obvious things. People can't see a depressed person. Offering a helping hand is the one thing that can really help.

Thanks for the help! My son has Migraines I now know when or when not offer help!

hi Andrew. I have been a migraine sufferer since childhood. kept me laid up for days at a time and often came back one after the other just as I started to recover. My Dr finally listened and prescribed me a preventive tablet and it has made a huge difference for me. I take it every night but it's worth it. good luck mate and keep it up

Good on you for producing this Andrew. Hope it reaches a wide audience - it deserves to.

Excellent video Andrew. As a depression sufferer I am always being told that 'there are others out there worse off than you' or 'just snap out of it'. You hit the nail on the head and people that don't understand should not try and 'fix' others. I will leave it at that and put my soap box away for now. Thanks again for raising this important subject that no-one ever wants to talk about (especially my doctor!!). Hope the meds work eventually and I am sure Dougal makes a good Florence Nightingale :o) I would say 'chin up mate' but I know that should someone say that to me, it makes me want to punch them in the face!

Andrew I really enjoyed this vlog. Thank you for your insightful thoughts, comments and views. I suffer with serve PTSD, depression and anxiety. I retire soon and am planning to buy a caravan and just tour. Camping is my joy at the moment and trips out on my motorbike, ( A triumph of course) but when I get down into that dark abyss, I fantasise about the caravan I will have and the trips I will no doubt take.

Well done wonderful insight. As someone who worked as Physical Therapist for close to 30 years before chronic migraines caused me to end up on SSDI the stigma and beliefs is often the unspoken side of the condition .

I'm suffering with mental health to and it seems hit and miss what works and what doesn't. its different for each person. Another great video! Simon 8-)

Thank you so much for making this video Andrew! I can't tell you how much it means to me along with you saying, "don't beat yourself up." I struggle with PTSD, Anxiety and Depression. I totally understand what you are saying about what others think I should do. I give them a look and walk away. I'm not always full of energy either because some days my body hurts terribly. So, I do what I can each day just to get through. I get judged every day. Those who have no clue should not judge. That could one day be them. Thanks again for making this video. We all suffer from something. Right? Some just don't talk about it.

Great vlog Mr Ditton. Important and worthwhile advice, well imparted too. Thanks for all you do.

Dear Andrew, I will not give any advice to you since I am in no position to do so. I am a trigeminus patient. So I feel with you. My migraines were quite frequently. Until after almost 7 years of pain somebody asked me if I am histamine intolerant. Like if I do get headaches from coffee or red wine. Well I dont drink any alcohol. But one cappuccino and I am bedridden for at least one day. I managed to get a list with 500 entries of medications, groceries and such for testing the histamine intolerance. And every histamine intolerance is as different as we all look.That helped me a great deal. I was at work with 4 weeks of trigeminus migraine after a dentists treatment. He had hit a branch of the trigeminus when numbing my teeth for treatment. I had only a sight of white on the right eye nor was I able to think straight. When I started living vegan about a year ago due to renal fatigue these attacks got better and less frequent. But they still do come and put me to bed in a very dark and very quiet room, cuddling the right half of my face into the pillow. And no medication helps. Nor can I then stand anybody around me - despite our dog.

unfortunately people can only see broken legs/arms but they can't see any kind of mental illness. my sympathy to you and so glad you have Dougal for therapeutic support .

I send you many hugs from cyberspace, love the video , you addressed so many things that rang true to me , many thanks

You have my utmost sympathies for the reality of living with migraines, depression, anxiety & panic disorder. When I first developed migraines, my first headache lasted for about three months. Sumatriptin was first developed in an auto injectible at that time. It was a god send & took the headache away immediately! I have not had that great of experience since though. I guess that I've had migraines since about 1992.

This is an amazing vlog. And spot on. Like you commented in a post, everyone is an expert, but they can't really feel how it is for you or how things work for you because it's your head, not theirs. I don't know how it is to live with migraine but I do know how it is to get all the 'good' advice at times you really don't want to because I am a hyper sensitive person and therefore always tired. Wish you well and hope that by now you are a little bit less affected by the migraine

Thank you for the blog Andrew. I'm bipolar and have struggled for years understanding it and dealing with well meaning advice. I chose to work from home so that I can structure my days and to be away from toxic people. One of the best pieces of advice I did get was to stop fighting it and just give up. I did that and immediately began to get control of my life which I still find strangely amusing. I also say to people that they wouldn't tell a blind person that they're not trying hard enough to see so why are they telling me I'm not trying hard enough to not be depressed. A dog is a good thing and worth more than it's weight in gold :)

Love your vlogs. They are interesting & enjoyable. Your dog is adorable. In regards to health & the human body, it's important to remember, each person is different. Some people are hypersensitive to peanuts, others....nothing. Regarding migraines, my GP's plan was for me to avoid the 3 C's, drink plenty of water, &, writing a food diary, before I tried taking migraine medication. He was right. I discovered lemon juice was one of my triggers, as well as cheese, caffeine & chocolate. Everybody is different. I read with great interest someone above talking about the impact of work stress on their body. I look forward to more of your vlogs.

I find it amazing that, after your thorough and brave and honest video, someone is daft enough to tell you your illness is not 'legitimate'. I've been a headacheur all of my life. Luckily decreasing substantially as I age. But I've had only 2 that were 'textbook' migraines. It felt like the nausea originated in my bone marrow. Take good care. Best... Jon

Massive respect to you for making this video! I suffer from Migraines and they aren't easy. We also use a caravan for a base for filming. Thanks Andrew :)

Hello again Andrew. Another thing that I have tried is cold packs & going to bed. A good try is to take is bagged dry beans & freezing them. Take them & wrap them in a light weight towel & drape them over your head at bedtime or whenever you lay down. They help you to get to sleep & they ease the pain. I understand that epsom salts in a warm bath can help too. My only goal is to assist you during your next migraine. Hugs my friend!

Hi Andrew, this is a great video and I love your outlook of what works for you. I have chronic fatigue syndrome and I have started to look at the little tasks in my day as achievements rather than just part of my day and it helps so much as I can focus on all of the things I have achieved rather than being negative about the things I haven't done. A cup of tea and a hug solves a multitude of ailments, I crave tea and drink lots of it and I find without it I feel a million times worse. Interesting about the milk too as I started drinking raw milk from the farm opposite and found that it helped me feel more awake and alert each morning instead of waking up each morning feeling like I have my head in a vice, Ive had loads of comments and the best one for me is 'I get tired too, just go to bed earlier' grrrrr

Very interesting video and comments. I come from a long line of migraine sufferers. Grandmother, Mother, Brother. We all suffer with them differently with different triggers! I am always very sick with them which is normally a welcome relief as mostly it brings an end to the crippling pain and let's me sleep. But not always... And I think that's the key. We are all different and we all handle pain and emotions uniquely. We just need to try to understand what we can do to minimize them, not always possible I know! Also how we can help. My husband says he feels useless when I have a migraine, but as I'm head in toilet vomiting, a glass of water arrives next to me and a rub on my back from the man who feels useless is the nicest gesture he could possibly make. There's currently no cure, but some understanding from others goes a long way. Off the soapbox now! Sorry Andrew! Hope you are feeling better x

Hi Andrew, I too am late to the party but am finding your blogs really great with some fab advice. Now to the Migraine problem. I was informed by a neurologist that mine were genetic therefore everything and nothing triggers mine. I have now been on Beta Blockers for about 8 years (long time I know). However, I was having a migraine a day and now I only get about 3 a month sometimes none!! I do find if I miss 3 doses (forgetting to get my prescription ....dummy) then bang I get 3 in a row. So, thing is, this seems to work for me, so just may be an idea for anyone else to try. I am still trying to pluck up the courage to buy my caravan and go touring. I know I am a scardy cat. Your blogs help though. Keep up the great work. Liz

You hit it on the head Andy.... As an ex Nhs worker , suffering with degrees of mental illness ,depression ,ocd and migraine.. Yup health service is crap with help... All I got from my gp was a list of self referral help lines, and told I had my 10 minute slot with the dr , and go away...but if I'd got anything physical....wow the wheels of referral to hospital would be put into gear.... I fear if u have something that can't be physically seen ,it's easily dismissed.... By friends and a lot of health professionals....

Interesting video Andrew, particularly the depression topic...as a former sufferer I was disappointed to find that all my GP could do was to throw tablets at me (not literally I hasten to add)

Well said - do whatever works for you

I've also been a long-term sufferer of migraines, even requiring hospital visits. I have been prescribed painkillers and have found that if I feel it coming on, I have to knock it out quickly with a serious dose or it will get worse and worse until nothing I can take will touch it. It still lasts a few days, but not nearly as horribly. I have a prescription for butalbital, a benzodiazepene, that is formulated with caffeine, and it's the only thing I have that helps. I can't leave the house after taking it, but that isn't happening anyway. I never tried botox. Sorry you have to go through this. I can't imagine why people think you should give up caffeine when caffeine actually helps. I got a lot of useless advice too from people who never suffered even one migraine, like the people who sent me affirmations or wanted to "heal" me over the phone. Sorry, but I have no patience for affirmations or healing phone calls when my head is splitting open. You know better than anyone what helps and what doesn't!

Big respect for your vid, I love watching your channel.

When people tell me they have a 'migraine' to gain sympathy for a bad headache, I tell them it's a completely different animal (e.g. blood veins in head are too wide w migraine whilst constricted w headache) and I wouldn't wish my migraines on my worst enemy: as if my brains rolled out on the street and a truck driving over them again and again ... if I manage to get up, I walk and talk like I'm drunk etc ... I tend to summarise it as an inherited 'construction fault' and get them from time to time whatever my mood ... I do note certain things affect frequency, e.g. sleep shortage. I now understand it's due to an oversensitive something in my brain (like a fuse box that is very sensitive to tripping) and I just have to live with it (like some ancesters). BTW re sumatriptan: I used to take those but they are highly addictive and lead to a 'rebound' attack in my experience, so would only take them to 'postpone'/ mitigate it in case of something unmoveable like an exam. What works (to some extent): drink some of those overcaffenieted energy drinks at a first tinge to 'rebalance' the size of veins (this is not medical advice but something that I found that worked somewhat for me). To all fellow sufferers: you're not alone and an attack will pass (eventually!)

I know about these things my friend,i have a few T shirts and i feel for you and others in the same boat.

I never put my mobile to my ear as it causes headaches. I always use loud speaker. I also don't have caffeine now. These things work so well for me. Nice vid Andrew

Hi Andrew, I just found you and am binge watching all your videos!! Thanks for all your fantastic content, you have lowered the threshold to living in an RV considerably (and I have recently gone Airstream browsing!). I will admit that one of the concerns holding me back, has been my diagnosis of Endometriosis (a chronic, inflammatory, auto-immune disease with pain symptoms that come in "flares"). Clearly you have not let your migraines hold you back from touring in a caravan full-time (and moving every 14(?) days), and I was wondering how you cope with all the hassle when all you want to do is lay down. I would highly value your perspective on the matter, as i can very much relate to how you feel in this video. I hope you are doing well... regardless... we deserve a cup of tea :) All the best!!

Thanks for that AD, I am one of the fortunates that grew out of migraines, lucky me, but my lady wife isn't and since a recent TIA, she's off the pills that kept her stable. I confess that at times I can be less than understanding because she appears normal so how can she be so negative. Dougal has the answer if you ask him.

I appreciate your response, the tipping point for me was 58 seconds in, just let yourself down a little 🤔

Gratitude moment: Thank you for being transparent on such a stigmatized topic! 1 in 5 experience a mental health condition / illness in the course of the year here in the US (#NAMI). I am forever grateful for your contribution to my day.

excellent, nothing more interesting than the truth.

I do get this!! It’s so depressing!! People don’t get it!! I live half my life in bed!! And then trying to catch up! I can never make commitments 😢and people don’t understand!! Thank you for your video!!

I really don't think you needed a disclaimer of any type in your video . The medical "profession" (industry is a much better word) is still in the dark ages . There is not a doctor anywhere that can do anything about headaches other than issue painkillers which rarely work . Unfortunately this is true of almost all serious illness. Nothing can be done except to attack the symptoms , as the cause is beyond their expertise or lack thereof .

Good advice - pain makes us grumpy fucks , and everyone thinks they have been there . I totally agree with you about listening to your bodies cravings - you apear to manage it well .

Marmalade triggers my migraine,,,I suffer from all you said,its not good,!! Just came across your Chanel, I admire your life stile, great,

Hi Andrew, thank you for your courage and bravery in sharing some of your life struggles with us, have you ever checked out the spiritual reasons for migraines?? you seem like an opened minded kind of chap.....So just tell me to get stuffed, all good. I checked it out, so let me know if you want to know what it said, but totes okay to tell me to go and jam my head in a gas oven and turn it on..... .lol...

Well said.

Well done for havin the cahoonas to talk about it.al

How is all this now, Andrew? I see this is 6 years old and you don't seem to be on caffeine or milk now, currently a vegan trip? Sounded like the fat was doing you good there, in the whole milk, vit D etc. Seems like you are very focused, however many hours you got. Seems with all the videos over some years, we see changes in your lifestyle, same with jogging, in an earlier video I thought you ruled it out but now you seem to do it al the time... I've been working with health challenges, definitely great to have these sort of vids about focusing on the basics and bering flexible, it's that sort of constancy that adds up to great things in the end. I'm finding different points on the health journey, different things are needed or tolerated by the body.

another good vlog Andrew and keep it to yourself but the link I sent to you was sent to me by someone else so thanks for the mention on this vlog but I can't take all the credit. ray aka homer Simpson doh now everybody knows.

I can spell, but predictive text , alters things, and am a bugger for not checking before I send ... Sorry

Oh me, I've suffered from migraines many years. Men'al alright. Whew, it's a mess. "Have you tried giving up nuts?" Yes, all nuts except you!

I agree... Well am here of u ever need a friend.... U could text me, and f u waned my number, but how do I not give that to the world on here ,,,,

Buy a ukulele !!

OMG!! I cant listen to this nonsense!! Clearly you do not suffer from a true migraine. Talking about it in sensitive daylight, the fact that you're mobile and actually chatting on camera and adding humour to it, please, and for the people that have "liked" it. Probably a bad headache from the dry heat in your outfit.

excellent, nothing more interesting than the truth.