D is for....

Depression - Almost half of Migraineurs experience depression. Why wouldn't we? Being in pain more days then not can get very depressing and lonely. Not to mention some of the preventive medications we can use have depression as a possible side effect. Teri Robert has written about Depression and Migraine being co morbid - meaning you can have both, but one does not need to exist for the other.

Depression Common in Headache Sufferers

Depression in Woman with Migraine Linked to Childhood Abuse

If you or someone you know suffers from depression, HealthCentral has a site for this as well. It's at My Depression Connection. Depression is not something to fool around with. I have been battling with it since I was about 8 or 9, but not diagnosed until I was 14.

Dehydration - This can be a huge Migraine trigger! It can also trigger a headache for those who do not have Migraine Disease. You would think the first sign of dehydration would be thirst, but nope! It's headache!

Diagnosis - When dealing with any new symptom or illness, it is crucial to get a proper diagnosis. Don't go guessing what you have - get to a doctor and have it checked out! You will save yourself a lot of aggravation, and maybe even your life by doing this! Trust me!

Disability - "According to a World Health Organization analysis, migraine alone is responsible for at least one percent of the total US medical disability burden, and severe migraine attacks are as disabling as quadriplegia." Migraine also makes up 9% of labor loss in the US alone.

Statistics and quotes found at the Alliance for Headache Advocacy Fact Sheet

DHE-45 - Dihydroergotamine is an injectable drug used to abort Migraine. It also comes in a spray form called Migranal. This drug can be used in an IV treatment therapy as well.

IV Treatment for Refractory Migraines

A is for:

Aura: Only about 25% of Migraineurs experience an aura. An aura can be different things to different sufferers. Visual issues such as flashing lights, floaters, zig zag's, blurry vision or even loss of vision. My friend Rain just found a great video on aura, which you can see HERE.

Abortives: Abortives are medications that actually abort a Migraine attack. There are quite a few options in abortives right now, including Triptans (Amerge, Axert, Frova, Imitrex, Maxalt, Relpax, Treximet, and Zomig). Then there is Migranal, DHE, and newly back on the market, Ergomar which are Ergotamines. And last but not least, Midrin, which is a combination of Acetaminophen, Isometheptene, and Dichloralphenazone. Abortives can come in many forms such as pill, capsule, indictable, IV therapy, nose spray, and even wafers. Not all abortives are available in each form, click the links for more info on them.

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: Given the name because of famous Migraineur Lewis Carroll's book, Alice and Wonderland. This is a specific type of aura that can make a person feel like they are too big or too small. Teri Robert just recently wrote a great article on this: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: The Basics.

Aphasia: The inability to speak or trouble speaking. Also may affect comprehension of words.

Allodynia: Sensitivity to touch.

ANODYNE Headache and PainCare: This is where, IMO, the top Migraine and Headache Specialist set up shop. Dr. John Claude Krusz's office is located in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Krusz is know for IV therapy and treating the patient, not just the Migraine disease.

Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA): A group of Doctors, patient advocates and patients working together to raise awareness and funds for Migraine research.

ADVOCACY!!!!!: Teri Robert, the top Migraine Advocate! Advocacy is empowering yourself, sticking up for yourself, and teaching others to do the same. It's fighting for a cause. It's busting your butt, it's having a great passion for something. This is how I view the word Advocacy.

Wow - "A" is a big one! I didn't do them all, because you would lose interest in reading them, and I also wanted to give you, the readers a chance to add your own! Please feel free to add any other "A" words you feel fit in with Migraine, and give a definition.

Seems like everyone has advice....

Yes, I have an invisible illness. You can't see it, and if I didn't tell you I had it, you would probably never know.

Even with Migraine Disease, I have managed to still work and have a somewhat normal lifestyle. This is not to say that I don't end up in pain at work, or have to cancel plans last minute, but I still consider myself one of the lucky ones. Migraines have not totally disabled me.

For the times people do see me in pain, I get a lot of "have you tried this?" comments thrown my way. Maybe it's because the average person does not really understand that Migraine is "not just a bad headache".

Migraine is a genetic neurological disease affecting close to 36 million Americans. Migraine affects more people the Diabetes, and is the 12th most disabling disorder in the US.

You would think with those numbers, more people would know what it is. I guess because with Diabetes, people know it's watching your diet or insulin that is used to control it.

It just seems odd to me that there are so many people out there with misconceptions or no knowledge about Migraine at all! That's probably part of why it's under diagnosed and an individual waits till their attacks are very chronic before getting treatment.

The "can't they do anything for you" comments get old. I get tired of answering them. I am doing everything I can, trust me. If you felt anything like I feel on a daily basis, you would be on the computer researching Migraine, talking to people, looking for the best specialist in the world, no matter what the cost.

Granted, I am happy when I see a news report on Migraine make the evening news, but still, the information given to the general public is information Migraineurs have had for over two years. The news acts like it's a new fangled test, drug or device, when it's been on the market for years!

I wish for the day when invisible illnesses like Migraine, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalga, and many others are hitting the main stream publications and radio waves.

So many of us suffer alone, trapped inside our pain. But having support groups out there make life a little easier. Knowing that "oh she feels that way too!" is comforting. Sharing pain is a powerful bond, yet I don't wish it on anyone.

There are a lot of great organisations and support out there if you suffer from Migraine:

My Migraine Connection

The Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy

MAGNUM

The Migraine Research Foundation

The National Headache Foundation

Oh, and I can't pass by this little tid bit either.

If you have someone that is a "can't they help you" person or just doesn't understand, give them a copy of Teri Robert's Friends and Family Letter and help educate them!


Find more videos like this on Illness-Disability-Healthcare-Caregiver Ministry Network


I just wish for those who don't understand to maybe think before they make comments.

Please sign up for the AHDA email alerts!!!

This is my first shot at solo video.....it's not great, but it gets the point across. I'm putting this rough draft up now to get you all to move your butts and sign up for the AHDA email list. The second wave of emails are coming up - and we don't want you to miss it!!!! Please, sign up at The AHDA website NOW!!!!!

Support for Migraineurs!!!

Since becoming a host on My Migraine Connection, I've become very involved in wanting to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to raise awareness and support for migraine sufferers. I don't care if it's handing out flyer's on the roadside, e-mails, what have you....I just know that I have to do it. Not only for myself, but for the family I've meet on the forum.

I admire Teri Robert so much for what she does every day for all of us. If I can do half of what she does, I would be happy.

Here are some statistics as to what lights my fire....aside from being the obvious sufferer.

*According to a study published in the April 1999 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, migraine costs American employers $13 billion per year due to missed work and reduced productivity.

*It is estimated that 157 million workdays are lost annually because of the pain and associated symptoms of migraine. (Source: National Headache Foundation)

*Most children who get migraines, have at least one close family member who suffers from migraines too. If a child has one parent who suffers from migraines, they have a 50% chance of getting them too, if both are sufferers, this rises to 75%.

*Migraine alone is the 12th most disabling disorder in the US.

With facts like that, we need more research! We need better treatment!

Now is the time to act!

Please visit Alliance for Headache Advocacy and sign up for emails. The site was put together by my friend, the lovely Miss Teri Robert , along with one of the top headache specialists, Dr. William B. Young, of the Jefferson Headache Center.

Also, see that little badge over there to your right? You'll find that on the Alliance for Headache Advocacy page too, I encourage you to click on it, it's your friend! Donate! Donations are as little as $10.00 and are tax deductible. The American Headache Society will even send you a nice letter thanking you for your donation! Please! Donate now and donate often! We are not even to the half way point to where we need to be.....$10, it's not a lot - you can do it!

Thank you all so much! Thank you for reading! Thank you for your support.