Men with Migraine: Insights and Hope
Living with migraine is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to men. Too often seen just as a “women’s disease, ” it is all too easy for men to end up feeling isolated and unheard in their experience. This blog stems from an insightful interview I had with Qasim Amin Nathari, a man who courageously shares his personal journey and wisdom to empower other men navigating the challenges of migraine. Qasim sheds light on the unique struggles men face, the stigma surrounding migraine, and the resilience required to manage this often invisible condition.
Be Proactive and Stay Invested
Qasim emphasizes the importance of being proactive in managing migraine. “As men, we often get caught up in our roles as maintainers, protectors, and providers,” he explains. “But we can’t let managing migraine fall by the wayside. It has to be foremost and prominent in our daily lives.” Regular conversations with healthcare providers and recognizing how migraine changes over time are essential steps to staying ahead of the disease.
Life Redirected but Not Defeated
Migraine drastically altered Qasim’s life path, forcing him to leave his career and adjust to a new economic reality with disability benefits. Despite these setbacks, he shares a message of resilience: “Migraine, especially when chronic, is life-altering. But with navigation and adjustment, life continues.” Living modestly and embracing new goals has helped him find stability amidst the uncertainty.
Confronting Stigma & Self-Acceptance
The stigma surrounding migraine is compounded for men, who are often expected to “bear all types of pain” silently or “man up.” For black men, Qasim notes an additional layer of silence around expressing pain. He shares, “In the black community, boys are taught to ‘get up and stop crying,’ which makes it harder to openly talk about migraine pain.” This cultural stigma can lead to isolation and reluctance to seek support, making advocacy and open dialogue crucial. While self-stigma initially challenged Qasim, his faith helped him embrace migraine as a personal test. “Everyone is tested with something,” he shares. Accepting migraine as his challenge allowed him to avoid self-blame and focus on overcoming daily hurdles with gratitude and strength.
Changing the Narrative: Migraine Is Also a Man’s Disease
Qasim points out the lack of male representation in migraine advertising and research. “Until recently, I never saw a man in migraine treatment ads,” he says. This invisibility contributes to the misconception that migraine is a ‘women’s disease,’ which can delay diagnosis and treatment for men. He advocates for greater visibility and representation to help men recognize migraine symptoms and seek help without shame.
Holding on to Hope
Despite the severity of his condition, including episodes of hemiplegic migraine that left him debilitated for days, Qasim remains hopeful. “I’ve lived through the worst of it, and that survival fuels my optimism,” he says. His roles as a father and grandfather inspire him to continue proactively managing his health!
Let Us Know
If you are a man with migraine, what has your experience been like? Have you experienced stigma or challenges in accessing the treatments you need? What are your best tips for others who are going through this?
For more insights and support, we encourage you to connect with migraine advocacy groups such as Migraine Meanderings, and healthcare professionals who are trained in headache medicine. Visit the new Migraine Meanderings webpage on Men with Migraine for more information and resources.
Note: This blog draws from Qasim Amin Nathari’s candid conversation with Shoshana Lipson about living with migraine, highlighting the importance of visibility, resilience, and hope for men managing this chronic condition. The blog was organized with the assistance of Coral AI, an AI-powered tool, to enhance clarity and structure.