Are Genetics to Blame for Headache Disease?There has been a lot of research and discussion regarding migraine disease being genetic. The general statistics are: If you have 1 parent with migraine, you have a 50 percent...reactions8comments
Under Attack: Mental Health and Migraine Stigma"Are you stressed?" How many times has a well-meaning friend or physician said this? I wish there was a magic wand to relieve my stress! This begs the question though...reactions3comments
When Normal Tests Results Really Aren’t NormalHave you reported symptoms to a doctor, they run some labs or other tests, and the results are normal? This happened to me recently. I did something new. I consulted...reactionscomments
Confusing Term: Cluster MigraineI live with both cluster headache and migraine disease and they are two completely different things. The term “cluster migraine” is still used somewhat frequently in the community and when...reactions11comments
I Just Got Diagnosed With Migraine, Now What?Sometimes the diagnostic journey has many twists and turns. Other times, it is simple. When I was diagnosed with migraine it wasn’t that difficult to get the diagnosis. I told...reactionscomments
Headache Disease and InsomniaHave you ever wondered which came first: headache disease, or insomnia? I have had both for as long as I can remember. Migraine disease started in childhood for me, as...reactionscomments
Who Is in Your Village?I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child” but, do we ever stop needing a village? Just because we turn 18, doesn’t mean we...reactions4comments
Take the TripIn the days leading up to the first vacation I’ve taken since 2016, I really wondered what I had gotten myself into and hoped I was not making a huge...reactions4comments
Is Advocacy Really What You Think?When I say the word advocacy, what picture comes to mind? Do you envision standing before a committee in Congress testifying? Do you imagine you have to have a perfect...reactions3comments
Headache Diease and Sweet Remission - Now What?My journey has been brutal since 2017 adding many new diagnoses and struggling to manage. Balancing chronic cluster headache, SUNCT, trigeminal neuralgia, migraine and vestibular migraine has really been challenging...reactionscomments
Clusterbusters: The Importance of HopeAfter two years of meeting virtually, Clusterbusters had an in-person conference. My brain was full of questions and concerns about traveling, meeting others, and fitting in. However, all of that...reactionscomments
Surviving Well with Chronic Cluster Headache DiseaseCluster headache disease can be episodic or chronic. While the primary symptoms are the same, the chronic version can have different presentations that make it tougher to manage. With episodic...reactionscomments
Compounding Effects of Trauma With Headache Diseases I want to have a tough conversation today. Adverse childhood events (ACEs) affect 61% of Americans, and 16% of adults have experienced four or more. Adverse childhood events (there are...reactions6comments
SUNCT - Discovering a New DiagnosisHow do you navigate experiencing new symptoms? How do you handle it when your doctor doesn't know a diagnosis or a treatment plan for the new presentation? I experienced this...reactionscomments
What are Cluster Shadows and Ghosts?People who experience cluster attacks often have pain outside of the traditional attacks. While the cluster attacks are completely debilitating and the pain is excruciating, shadows and ghosts are a part...reactions27comments
Preparing for the Next AttackEver have a plan? Ever have that plan get ripped to shreds? I know you do because if you are reading this, you probably have a devastating disease as well or know...reactions3comments
Teaching My Kids It's Okay to Say You Aren't OkayI have two teenage daughters who are amazing human beings. As their mom, I know I am biased! Over the years, my parenting has changed. In the early years I would push...reactions4comments
Migraine vs Cluster Headaches: What’s the Difference?I experience two primary headache disorders: migraine and trigeminal autonomic cephalgia (TAC). My migraine started developing when I was 10. I developed cluster headaches, a member of the TAC disorders, in...reactions49comments
What Does the Trigeminal Nerve Have to Do With It?Whether you have cluster or migraine attacks, you quickly learn they are more than just a headache. One of the many parts of the head that gets triggered during an...reactions13comments
