Nancy Harris Bonk

About Nancy Harris Bonk

Nancy Harris Bonk is a patient advocate and educator who has been helping patients empower themselves by taking an active role in their health care since 2003. Read more.

30 Things About Nancy’s Migraines

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - June 26, 2015

My diagnosis is: Chronic migraine, post-traumatic headache. My migraine attack frequency is: Three to four times a week. I was diagnosed in: 1997 after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. My comorbid conditions... READ MORE

Niagara Falls Goes Purple for Migraine

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - June 29, 2013

Chronic Migraine Awareness Day is June 29, 2013 As Migraine and Headache Awareness Month comes to a close, today June 29, 2013, marks Chronic Migraine Awareness Day. We’ve spent the month raising awareness... READ MORE

Managing Food Triggers During the Holidays

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - November 28, 2012

As many of us know migraine triggers may include changes in our sleep schedule, skipping meals, sounds and smells, and changes in the barometric weather pressure. Food triggers can also be problematic... READ MORE

NFL Player Tested, Cleared of Concussion

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - September 20, 2012

Professional pre-season football and training camps are for players to vie for positions, learn the plays, get in game shape, and try to avoid injuries like concussions T broken bones. At the... READ MORE

New York State Enacts Concussion Management & Awareness Law

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - September 3, 2012

Now that football season is upon us, we’ll be hearing more about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion on both the professional and student athlete levels. Many states have now passed concussion... READ MORE

Progesterone and Traumatic Brain Injury

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - August 14, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury and 52,000 die from them every year. There aren’t many treatment options for... READ MORE

My Experience Caring for Children With Migraine

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - August 10, 2012

My children, Sarah and Samuel both have episodic Migraines. Luckily for us, when they get an attack, they are usually managed with over-the-counter medication. Even though my “children” are 22 and 17... READ MORE

Migraine Comorbidities: Fibromyalgia

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - August 4, 2012

Migraine disease is not only painful, but can put Migraineurs at an increased risk of having additional illnesses. Migraine is found to be comorbid (diseases that occur at the same time, but... READ MORE

Migraines & Stroke Force Football Player Into Early Retirement

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - July 30, 2012

When we discuss Migraine disease, many people try not to think of the long term complications it may have in store for us. As we approach the football season, there is bound... READ MORE

Tips for Caregivers

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - July 16, 2012

Migraine disease not only affects the 37 million Migraineurs who deal with it, but their family, friends and colleagues. Migraine is the 12th most disabling neurologic condition in the United States, and... READ MORE

Traumatic Brain Injury and Memory Loss

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - July 6, 2012

Let’s face it – my memory in addition to a few other things, has not been the same since I sustained a traumatic brain injury TBI 16 years ago. The life and... READ MORE

Migraine Awareness Month #9: Day Dream Believer

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - June 9, 2012

Today’s Blog Prompt for Migraine Awareness Month is “Day Dream Believer -Describe your dream day – without a Migraine to hold you back.” I think it’s pretty clear that any day without... READ MORE

Migraine Awareness Month #3: Just shoot me now! My worst migraine trigger

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - June 3, 2012

Today is the third day of Migraine Awareness Month and the prompt is “What’s your worst Migraine trigger?” This is a “no brainer” for me – skipping meals will trigger a Migraine... READ MORE

Migraine Treatment Experiences: Physical Therapy

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - May 31, 2012

There are lots of Migraineurs who don’t like to take medications for various reasons and some are quite adamant about it. Complementary therapies such as biofeedback, aromatherapy, crystal therapy, acupuncture, and physical... READ MORE

Treatment Experiences: My Attempts with Zonegran

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - May 18, 2012

I’ve lost count of all the different Migraine preventive medications I’ve taken over the last 16 years. It is, however, quite a wide range; from Elavil to methadone, and Lithium to oxycontin.... READ MORE

Loss of Productivity During a Migraine Attack

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - May 16, 2012

Word from the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy is that headache disorders cost the United States more than $31 billion a year. They are also accountable for nine percent of all United... READ MORE

Traumatic Brain Injury and the NFL

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - May 3, 2012

News of the recent and unexpected death of Junior Seau, 43-year-old former Pro Bowl linebacker, has once again raised questions regarding the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries in the National Football... READ MORE

Pain from migraine & severe headache increases suicide risk

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - April 11, 2012

The pain from Migraines and severe headaches can make a person feel weary, isolated, and hopeless. A recent study also surmised this type of head pain may increase the likelihood of attempted... READ MORE

Post-Traumatic Headache

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - March 23, 2012

Headache is one of the most common lingering symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be caused by many things: an assault on the brain from a... READ MORE

Brain Injury Awareness Month

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By Nancy Harris Bonk - March 14, 2012

Brain injuries may happen when we least expect them. March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and the theme this year is – Brain Injury: Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone – Brain injuries do not... READ MORE