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When the Migraine Monster Touches Your Child: Part 1
I will never forget the day that my oldest son, Joel, called me into his room and said: “Flashy lights, mommy! I see flashy lights!” He was not quite 9 years old and my heart sank. At that time, I knew little about the hereditary risk of migraine but quickly found myself on a steep learning curve. Less than two years later, I went through the same heartbreak with my second son. The disease took on a new face, a more personal and challenging face.
Read MoreA Journey Towards Self-Advocacy
I know for many self-advocacy is difficult. It is time consuming. It is hard to do when you are in pain. It is frustrating, being sent from one person to another and back again. It is discouraging dealing with unfriendly people, and it can be incredibly hard to find a good doctor to work with. In short, it is not easy! However, it is something we all must learn to do in order to get the very best treatment we deserve for our health.
Read MoreCGRP Inhibitors and Realistic Expectations
I’ve never quite understood the fatal attraction of rollercoasters! As the mother of three boys, I spent the better part of two decades trying in any way that I could to avoid getting on one of those beautifully gut-wrenching, twisting, heart-stopping monsters! Somehow, it seems to me that trying to manage migraine isn’t so very different. There are ups and downs, twists and turns, some incredible views, but a lot of groaning and longing for the “monster” to end.
Never was this more obvious than with the emergence of the new CGRP inhibitor medications in 2018: Aimovig, Ajovy and Emgality.
Read MoreHow Virtual Communities Are Shaping Migraine Advocacy
Migraine and headache communities have cultivated a safe space in the virtual world. As COVID-19 changed the landscape of the world around us, the headache community maintained its steady pace of providing content to those in need. What has amazed me is how the community has continued to rally with patients. While I have found online communities helpful for many years, I noticed something special about this community. Patient advocacy is the heart of the community.
Read MoreHope Will Long Last
A migraine poem by Deborah Bloom: Hope Will Long Last – Some may question this disease that they cannot see but it is not invisible to you and to me. Migraine you may refuse to let me loose, but I will continue on my quest; today and the tomorrows I will pick myself up and strive to do my best
Read MoreIs the Nerivio For Me?
Is the Nerivio device by Theranica really helpful for migraine? So far, it’s looking hopeful for me but the jury is still out.
Read MoreConstant Companion
Pain is our constant compaion
Read MoreI Have a Friend
I Have a Friend poem that talks about the impact of connection when you live with chronic pain or illness.
Read MoreAn Open Letter to My Doctors
“Please don’t give up on me!” It’s a silent plea that rarely is verbalized but which trails so many of us doggedly. Even when we’ve had good experiences with the medical profession this concept of “giving up” often lingers. Sadly, migraine disease is often treated differently than other diseases. There is more of a tendency to give up – both ourselves, society and even healthcare professionals. It is more likely for people with migraine to be told to “accept” things as they are or accept minimal improvement.
Read MoreSome Migraine Questions May Not Have Easy Answers
When it comes to migraine, I want to have answers – for myself and for others. It’s important for me to be able to explain what is going on, when the migraine attacks started, and why they are not getting better. There is a driving desire to know what is currently unknowable. – to understand, be understood, and have migraine acknowledged for the disabling disease it truly is.
Read MoreYou are MORE than Enough
When motherhood and migraine collide, you are more than enough!
Read MoreAn Insurmountable Task?
As a diehard Brit who was introduced to the delights of a “real British cuppa” as a young child, I basically don’t come alive in the mornings until I’ve downed at least one cup of my trusty PG Tips. However, some mornings are much harder than others, and there are many days when just crawling out of bed seems like an insurmountable task, British cuppa or not!
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