We May Be One Step Closer

Roughly 1 billion people globally are estimated to experience migraine. I fit into that number and if you are reading this I will assume you are too, or know someone who is. It's the "invisible disability". The symptoms are unlike a regular headache. Migraines may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, sensitivity to light and sound or smell, weakness, numbness, dizziness, and speech difficulty, which can be disabling. The intensity of migraine is variable, and they can last from minutes to days.

Others don't understand migraine

Migraine makes daily living often difficult and unbearable. And others who do not suffer from them are not understanding. How can anyone feel the ups and downs we do and have the pain we have? I have never been able to explain exactly what it's like because it's different each time. It's in the sane region of my face/eye area but the pain is more difficult than before. Often I am so miserable that I can't open my eyes or even talk because I am so afraid I may throw up. I usually turn into the exorcism of Emily (throwing up). Sorry, it's the hard truth about this illness.

What treatments have worked for me

I want to tell you that there is so much help now in my 30+ years of this. I have been on so many medications and been in so many trials. Yes, all have pretty much failed. Ubrelvy helped me so much. Like most treatments and medicines, it's on an individual basis, so please don't think I am telling you to go out and try this. I am saying that it worked for me until my insurance stopped paying for it. I unfortunately cannot afford to pay for it out-of-pocket on a regular rescue basis.

Fighting for authorizations

I would love to get a group together to lobby for cheaper medications or even samples to be given on a monthly basis until authorizations or pre-authorizations can go through. We get prescribed medication and, unfortunately, our specialists are very busy and lose track of what that have prescribed. They often forget that insurance companies change their formulas so often that we need to communicate and make available samples until we get the actual medications prescribed until the next visit. Or, other options.

I fall into this category a lot with my doctors and specialists. I spend a lot of time on the phone with my pharmacy and the office trying to explain that just because I have a PPO doesn't mean that the insurance company won't require a pre-authorization. I literally spent all day working on my prescribed Aimovig today that was prescribed originally in June. And my follow up is next week.

I want to give praise to CVS for diligently trying to get the authorization and keeping track and calling me. Also, thank you to my specialist's office for the office manager for hearing what I was trying to say.

Learning to advocate for myself

Throughout my journey with migraine, I have learned that sometimes I may not be able to explain how I feel or my pain exactly, but I still want to be heard that my pain is valid and my symptoms are addressed. I advocate for everyone to use that and know that you also have that right to be listened to and heard, not just a number in a doctor's office. Remember, we know our bodies best.