syrinx

The impact of migraine on a sufferer's life and loved ones is finally being recognized. The article reproduced below sums up that impact very well. Some businesses will include this article as part of their disability documentation on understanding their employees with migraine and similar conditions. It's worth including here as I think it shows the evolution toward a more compassionate world. This is so forward-thinking that I rejoice having lived to see the day this was posted.

I look at such documents as signposts along the way, as steps in undoing the foolishness that burdened so many sufferers for no good reason. What people have to realize is that there is high incidence of death by suicide in the migraine community, not for the reasons Dr. Sacks has suggested, but due to fear of the next attack and the various stigmata that Sacks helped to perpetuate. I believe these deaths were more the result of social pressure than just pain from the condition. Personally, I've had relationships end as a result of my illness. Of course, I'm better off without those people, and I do have true love now. Looking back to the days before my pain was managed is very uncomfortable for me because it was pretty grim. You don't plan for the future because you know there will be pain for yourself, and disappointment to the people in your life. It is another aspect of what makes us (the severe cases) so different from other people. We have to live completely in the present. Not much to look forward to. But if you manage your pain and work on your general health, it changes. You can start to plan and hope and be part of more things.

Managing the pain correctly is up to the medical team you work with. The rest is up to you. Keep a copy of this as reminder, and celebrate the fact that people are beginning to see us in a new light.

Reproduced from The American Council for Headache Education

How do Migraines Impact the Sufferer's Life?

Migraine is characterized as a recurrent headache that lasts from four to 72 hours. Typical migraine headaches are one-sided, pulsating, moderate or severe intensity, aggravated by routine physical activity, and associated with nausea and sensitivity to light and/or noise. Some people experience migraine with an aura—a neurological symptom that develops over five to 20 minutes and usually lasts less than 60 minutes. One of the most unrecognized features of migraine is the disability caused by these distinguishing headache characteristics.

Disability caused by migraine can originate from the pain itself and also from non-headache symptoms. For some people, nausea and vomiting are the primary disabling features and, for others, the sensitivity to light and noise prevents them from continuing in their daily routines. Consequently, migraine attacks clearly impact the sufferer's personal life. Frequently, migraine sufferers change their personal lives because of attacks or fear of an impending attack. For example, changes may occur in:

1. Social engagements
2. Sporting or exercise activities
3. Relationships
4. Family activities
5. Travel and/or vacations

Migraine not only affects the sufferer, but also the sufferer's spouse who may carry much of the burden associated with their partner's migraine attack. Common lifestyle changes include:

1. Leaving work early or changing plans in order to:
   • Take care of the children
   • Pick up medications
   • Take the migraine sufferer to the doctor's office
2. Not completing household chores or requiring that they be done by other family members
3. Cancelling social commitments
4. Changing partnership roles (sexual relationships, care-giving roles)
5. Relying on the family for support (spouse becomes stressed, children worry)

Children of migraine sufferers feel the impact of a parent with migraine because their daily routines change. For some children, this can lead to disappointment, discouragement, anger, or a sense of hopelessness.

Friends of migraine sufferers also can carry a significant part of the burden by helping with activities and commitments that can't be kept. For example, friends may drive children to activities, entertain or watch them if the spouse is at work, or help with household chores such as cooking a meal.