Where I Turn for Online Support

By The Migraine Girl

1 min read

Many of the people visiting Migraine.com are new to the online migraine community. Thankfully, I feel as if where they’re starting—this website (or the connected Facebook page)—is a really great resource. There is a LOT written about migraine and headache out there, but I advise you to tread cautiously—migraine is a complicated disease that is only just beginning to be understood.

Don't believe anyone who purports he has a cure, ever! Stick to reliable sources and you’ll find good information. (But remember that you should always talk with a doctor and not self-diagnose or begin treatment without a doctor’s supervision).

In addition to some “official” websites, there are a lot of personal blogs that focus on what it’s like to live day to day with migraine disease. I want to point you to a few writers whose resources and online journals I’ve returned to over and over again throughout the years. As you’re probably already realizing, it’s immensely comforting to find out there are others dealing with what you cope with. Here are the writers I have relied on most over the years:

Diana Lee (of Migraine.com & Somebody Heal Me)

Teri Robert (of several migraine disease resource sites, including Migraine.com)

Megan Oltman (of Free My Brain)

Ellen Schnakenberg (of WeGo Health & Migraine.com)

Kerrie Smyres (of The Daily Headache, the first blog of its kind I ever encountered—it’s great)

Jenni Propky (ChronicBabe.com. FYI: the CB blog carnivals are second only to the ones Diana Lee puts together)

Paula Kamen (speaker & author of All in My Head)

Of course there are many, many others whose blogs and websites I have visited over the years; these are just the few I’ve found myself going back to. It’s quite possible that I’m forgetting someone who’s very important, so I hereby apologize to whomever I’m forgetting and hope you’ll see this as a beginning list instead of an all-inclusive guide to migraine blogging!

Psst…! A few years back, the New York Times ran a featured blog about migraine and that’s pretty good too.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Migraine.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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On July 5th, Mark and I have an appointment with Robert Dalton, the Executive Director of the National Headache Foundation, and Debra Ashby, Public Outreach Director at their headquarters in Chicago. The foundation is seeking new ways to aid those in the migraine community and has asked for input. In a phone call last week, I mentioned that we were working to involve support partners and also to provide personal support beyond the exchange of information about drugs and medical resources. This is a wonderful opportunity to share your ideas on what this national organization might do to be more supportive your need. Please think about it and write to me at stlmigrainesupport@hotmail.com, or reply to this post. Thank you. Sharon Alexander
migraineland Member
Hi Sharon! That's so great you are meeting with Bob and Debra.. they are both wonderful people. I am one of the only active members of the NHF support group in Chicago and would love to help in any way I can.
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Reading Paul's book let me know I was not alone! I am so greatful for the wonderful sites such as these, The Daily Headache, Chronic Babe, Somebody Heal Me and Teri Robert. I was diagnosed with migraines at 13, I am now 42. They have been a challange from the first 3 weeks I spent in a dark room. It was not until the last 5 years though that they began to get increasingly bad that I had to give up my dream job in March of this year after being on leave for 1 year. It was challenging. I had worked hard to get there, I loved what I did, & wanted to continue my education further. But God and my body had other plans. I think the hardest part about giving up my dream job was that some of my co-workers felt that when I would come to work not feeling well it was "just another migraine" or a headache and I am an ER nurse! they don't fully understand the reaching implications this silent screaming pain inside of us! How it feels to wake up and feel like someone is trying to force your brain out of your head through your nostrils using hot ice picks. Or that there is some mysterious pounding going on, as if there in an unknown construction crew in there. The only draw back you cant see the good looking guys.....ohhh and if you could you would not give a #^&%$ because of the pain! These sites among many have helped me through the last 1 1/2 years as I has transitioned from ER nurse to a migraine person on SSI. It was a horrible feeling to go from healthcare professional to the outside.