As I look back on the past 10 years, I’m struck by how far we’ve come in our collective quest for better treatment options and understanding of migraine. When I first began writing about my experiences with this condition, treatments were limited and often carried significant side effects. Fast-forward to today, and I’m thrilled to see the emergence of targeted therapies and innovative approaches that have transformed the lives of many. The development of CGRP inhibitors has been a game-changer for those who previously had little hope of finding relief. These medications offer a new level of precision in targeting…

By Kerrie Smyres Last Updated: 3 min read Keeping a migraine diary gives you vital information that can help track down the patterns of your migraine attacks – when and how often they occur and how long they last, what your symptoms are (before, during, and after the most painful phase of the migraine), what your pain levels are, where the pain is located, what meds you take and if they work, what your potential triggers are, and so on. Over the long term, the diary can show you how effective a preventive treatment is for you, whether your abortives…

Ah, the joys of menstruation! For many women, it’s a monthly reminder of their reproductive health. But what about the not-so-fun side effects? You know, the ones that can turn your life into a constant migraine (pun intended). Let’s face it: hormonal fluctuations are no joke. As estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall throughout the menstrual cycle, some women may experience an uptick in headaches – including migraines, tension headaches, and rebound headaches. The culprit? Estrogen, of course! It’s the primary hormone responsible for those pesky premenstrual headaches that can strike at any time: before, during, or after your…

As I look around at my social circle, I’m struck by how few people I know personally who live with migraine. Despite the staggering 36 million Americans affected by this condition, it’s easy to feel like you’re flying solo in your journey. And yet, when we do find someone who gets it – someone who understands the daily struggle and the isolation that comes with it – it can be a profoundly uplifting experience. So why are so many of us living with migraine forced to navigate our lives alone? The answer lies in the very nature of the condition…

I’m guilty of it myself – when someone tells me they’re fatigued, my response is often a dismissive “tired, too!” But let’s be real, folks. There’s a world of difference between being tired and feeling utterly exhausted. As someone who lives with the constant companion of fatigue, I’ve learned to spot the signs. It’s not just wanting to take a nap or needing a coffee boost – it’s about having the energy drain from your very soul. Here are some examples that showcase the stark contrast between mere tiredness and debilitating fatigue: * Daydreaming about tackling that messy room, but…

Pain is subjective, and that’s an understatement. When we’re asked to rate our discomfort on a scale of 0-10, it can feel like we’re trying to reduce a complex, messy experience into a neat little number. And let’s be real – when you’re in the midst of a migraine or chronic pain, it’s hard to think straight, let alone assign a numerical value to your suffering. As someone who deals with daily migraines and other health issues, I’ve had my fair share of frustrating experiences with the traditional 0-10 pain scale. It seems like no matter how I answer, the…