This article is sponsored by our partner, Healthline. Migraine Healthline, is a new app that connects people with migraine. Download your free Migraine Healthline App! We have been working with Healthline since February to build a strong community within the Migraine Healthline App. This Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, we continue to join forces with Healthline to raise awareness and provide support for the migraine community. We have enjoyed spending time in the app. It is amazing to watch the community take shape and evolve. We see friendships blossom and watch people suffering with migraine reach out to others to lend a steadying hand. What We Love About The Migraine…
Migraine Cocktail: A Comprehensive Guide
According to the Migraine Research Foundation (MRF), migraine affects one billion people across the globe, 39 million in the United States alone, and it’s the 6th most disabling illness in the world. Finding an effective migraine cocktail is one of the single most important things that anyone with migraine can hope to find. Everyday we have conversations about acute medications in the Migraine Strong Facebook group. Which ones work best, what can be combined together and just how many triptans are there on the market? I hope having all of this information in one place will be helpful for anyone treating migraine or trying to put together an effective migraine…
An Open Letter to Family and Friends of People With Migraine
There are some realities of migraine that none of us can escape. It affects more than a billion people worldwide, between 40-50 million in the United States alone and around 4 million of those have chronic migraine (15 or more headache days a month with 8 days being migraine). These are common symptoms of migraine: Pain (mild to severe) Dizziness/Vertigo Nausea/Vomiting Extreme sensitivity to light/scents/sound/motion Tinnitus/Ringing in the ears Aphasia (Difficulty speaking) Vision loss Visual phenomena (shapes, spots, colors, flashes of light, zig zag lines, halos etc) Weakness or numbness in face and extremities Olfactory hallucinations (smelling odors that aren’t there) Intense fatigue/Weakness Neck pain and stiffness Irritability/Excitability Food cravings …
The Allay Lamp for Migraine Light Sensitivity
My migraine light sensitivity is rather legendary. Everyone from my family, friends and even this migraine community has heard me talk about or has read what I have written about it. During bad attacks it seems as if the sun is loud and not just exceedingly bright. I love a dark cave of a room during an attack more than anywhere else. It is my safe place. When I was approached by the Allay company to test the new Lamp for migraine in exchange for my feedback, I was excited to give it a try. This is yet another tool that we can add to our toolbox to fight migraine…
Cannabis for Migraine: Interview with Jodie Epstein
Cannabis for migraine is a popular topic in our private Migraine Strong Facebook Group. It falls under the Misc. category of our Treatment Pie. While not everyone in the United States and beyond has legal access to cannabis for migraine, a larger number of patients are gaining access each year and are finding that cannabis has a place in their treatment plan. Jodie Epstein is a patient advocate and educator from Toronto, Ontario. She is also the Founder of MigraineBuds.com and the private MigraineBuds Chat Facebook Group which discusses all things cannabis and migraine. She created both channels after finding it difficult to obtain information about cannabis that was specific…
Why is Migraine Such A Pain In The Neck?
I have had neck pain along with migraine for as long as I can remember. It just took me a long time to realize that the migraine neck pain in my was actually a symptom related to migraine. It was not a separate underlying condition. This was certainly complicated by the fact that I had herniated a disc at the C6-C7 area of my spine shortly after my son was born. Because of this, I really thought that the years of neck pain before and after this injury were all related, even though physical therapy was successful. Why was I still so convinced that the pain in my neck was…
Migraine and Special Occasions: Navigating Holidays
Special occasions often include shopping, wrapping, baking, packing, traveling, cleaning, decorating…it’s enough to make our heads spin…and that’s without the added complication of migraine!! So how do we combat the effects of the added stress from all of the holiday craziness? It seems like a simple thing to say plan ahead, but when we break things down and become intentional about how we get things done, it can help our holidays run more smoothly. ** While Migraine Strong writes about the latest in migraine treatments, this is not medical advice. We are patient educators and all information you read should be discussed with your doctor. Before we get into the…
Migraine and Parties: Navigating Holidays
The holiday season is in full swing and we, and our migraine, will be heading out to family and office parties in the coming days and weeks. What is the best way to navigate a party where you don’t have any control over the food or drink? Safest cocktails or mocktails to order? What food should you look for in a buffet? What do you do at an office pot luck? Here are some of our best tips for how to survive the holiday party season. ** While Migraine Strong writes about the latest in migraine treatments, this is not medical advice. We are patient educators and all information you…
Traveling With Migraine: Navigating Holidays
Traveling with migraine can be…challenging. There are so many problematic aspects to it. The excitement, extensive planning and packing, remembering to pack all of our meds and supplements, and planning for head friendly meals away from home are just a few. I have found that if I plan ahead, I can mitigate some of the normal triggers that happen when I travel. ** While Migraine Strong writes about the latest in migraine treatments, this is not medical advice. We are patient educators and all information you read should be discussed with your doctor. Building The ‘Perfect’ Plan Anyone with migraine knows there is no such thing as the perfect traveling…
How to Manage Light and Sound Sensitivity With Migraine: Part 2 – Concerts
Photo Credit: Eileen Zollinger Light and sound sensitivity are two of the most consistent problems I have with migraine (read Part 1 here). And not just during an attack but between attacks as well. I have found I need to have some tools in my toolkit to be able to enjoy certain events such as baseball games, movies and especially concerts. For The Love Of Music I love music. It feeds my soul in so many ways. One of my biggest regrets is that I don’t play an instrument (I know it’s not too late). I sing in my car with the best of them. There is nothing like your…
