Language matters! How do you describe your migraine?
The way we discuss and describe migraine can be so personal. For example, some feel very comfortable identifying as a "migraineur" while others prefer more person-first language, like "person with migraine".
What language do you use to describe your experiences with migraine? Are there any terms associated with migraine that you either resonate with or find stigmatizing? All perspectives are welcome here!
I cringe when someone says “Oh you have a headache?”
I reply “No I am having a migraine attack” I want to be as transparent as possible, there’s so much more to a migraine than head pain. Some people are open to hearing about it & others aren’t so you have to read the room. But I am firm on correcting the fact that I am having a migraine attack, not a headache. Even when I’m dealing with medical professionals.I'm a medical professional with chronic hemoplegic migraine. Still MOST don't understand just how bad the pain is or the condition/disability itself. Unforturately, i'm getting worse each year. Still fighting on... 
How frustrating - on an even deeper, I'd imagine - to have those close to you, as a medical professional - not understand what you're up against. I tend to believe that to truly comprehend and have compassion for migraine, one has to experience it first-hand. Not that I'd wish it one everyone- but it's just so difficult to fully understand migraine as a complex neurological condition rather than just a bad headache as that has become such a widely held belief.
I'm so sorry to hear that your condition is worsening each year. I'm assuming you're working with a migraine specialist and have tried/are trying available preventative/rescue options. I say this knowing that trying new treatments is an exhaustive process. Glad you're still fighting on! We are with you in this fight and we are here for you. Sending you warmth and compassion- Warmly - Holly (team member)
After years of not going to regular doctors for my migraines because they had nothing to offer me finally hearing about new medication‘s. Went to my PCP to ask her about them and the first thing she said was you just have headaches you should get a massage. It wasn’t until my next doctor asked me why my kidneys were so bad and how much Advil I took That I mentioned that I take hundred of Advil a month because I had migraines and she listened and gave me some medication
So sorry to hear that the benefits of Botox seem to be fading,
. Has your doctor made any mention of anything they might be able to do? I wonder if they're able to change the area of injection or do something different to help you get the relief you originally saw with Botox. Just some food for thought! - Cody (Team Member) 
Thank you for sharing your journey and joining the conversation! I hear how frustrating it is to try and tell the difference between a migraine attack vs. a headache. We have an article that may be useful here; https://migraine.com/stories/what-type-tension-headaches.
We do have to be careful about medications, even over-the-counter pain relievers can increase our risk of medication overuse headache, commonly called rebound. MOH is not fun - I've been there done that!
May I ask how many attacks you had before you started Botox? While this medication isn't a cure, it goes a long way in helping reduce attack frequency and severity. I've been getting Botox since 2016 and am down from 28 migraine days to approx. 10-15. These attacks are easier to treat as well. My nasal spray works like a charm now, most of the time! Has the doctor given you anything acutely for migraine attacks? Looking forward to hearing from you, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator (team member)
Hi! I advertise I have chronic migraines! Well, sort of. I use Cefaly neuromodulator nearly everyday (it helps decrease my pain!) and this includes when I leave the house.. to go to hospital, grocery shopping or out to eat. Really anywhere and I'm not embarrassed about looking like an alien. It's a way of bringing awareness to Cefaly to let people know about it - migraineuers and non-migraineuers alike. It's changed my life and I wear it out bc it helps me and allows me to get out of the house. I get looks and ppl staring but what I like most about that is that strangers ask me about it! The nurses I see ay the infusion center now know about it and they've told ppl they know with migraine, and they're using it now! My pain doctor didn't know about it so I've educated her. I do this to hopefully help others and to bring Cefaly to the attention of medical personal so they can tell their patients about this tool. My migraine doctor never even told me about it, it was the MA who let me try their sample. And to answer the question of how I identify with migraine in telling others, is "I have migraine" or "I am migraine". Be proud of the strength you have, surviving a life with Migraine. ..and no this is not an advertisement nor am I paid to say this about Cefaly! Lol. does using Cefaly hurt? 
what a great question. Wanted to stop by and offer up some information on Cefaly. Here is a link that offers answers. I hope others share their experience with this device. Best of health - Rebecca (team member)
https://migraine.com/blog/cefaly-migraineurs-review
I know this is crazy but I tell my family what color my migraines are. The colors from best to worst are: blue, green, gray, red and black. They know if it's red or black I'm off to bed.
thank you for sharing this. This is not something that I have ever thought about doing to describe my migraines. I am glad that many of you have had success with this. Did the chemist understand when you said your migraines were blue? I hope today is a calm and symptom-free day for you. (Tonya, team member). It’s purple and pink for me.
