Motivations and inspirations from our Move Against Migraine support group
People living with migraine are the strongest we know. Migraine can impact mood, strain relationships and interfere with every aspect of life. The patients who work hard to understand their disease and advocate for better treatment and understanding inspire us. On good days, bad days and migraine days, the American Migraine Foundation is here for you.
During a migraine attack, it can be hard to remember what motivates or inspires you. So we asked our Move Against Migraine (MAM) Facebook support group members: What keeps you going?
Family Members and Loved Ones
For many people living with migraine, family support keeps them moving. To keep going, MAM member Lisa is inspired by “the unconditional support from my family.” A strong family support system can go a long way. It lets those living with migraine know someone has their back. Looking for a way to offer support? Here are three ways to help your loved one with migraine.
It can be difficult to bring up your migraine for the first time with loved ones, but it’s an important step in creating your migraine support network within your family. A support team will be there for you to help lessen the impact of migraine attacks.
MAM member Gina knows how important a strong team can be. “They never judge me for being sick, they boost my morale when I need it most and they celebrate my few pain-free days,” she says. Learn how to start the conversation about migraine with your loved ones with our helpful tips.
Advancements in Migraine Research
“It gives me hope that my kids’ and grandchildren’s life with migraine will be easier than mine has been,” says Gina. Migraine research has grown greatly in recent years, with new treatments and advancements in basic and clinical sciences. In addition to innovations in these areas, migraine research has expanded to include a dedicated registry. The American Registry for Migraine Research, or ARMR, collects information and blood samples from patients living with migraine and other disorders that cause head pain to help healthcare providers and scientists better understand the causes, characteristics and management of migraine.
Migraine Management
Migraine management techniques involve headache journals, consistent sleep, understanding triggers and so much more. People find it motivational to hunt for better ways to manage their migraine. This is so they can find either a reduction in the severity or frequency of their attacks. MAM member Jennifer says she keeps going for her “husband, kids, dog and the few days here and there that I’m not being attacked with a migraine.”
Finding a management strategy that works for you takes time and effort, but the reward is worth the search. MAM member Andrea is motivated by “the idea that it is possible to live with a chronic disease like migraine and still have a meaningful life, regardless.” She figured out ways to travel, be at work, and help friends and family understand what life with migraine is like. “This doesn’t mean that migraine doesn’t get me down,” she says. “It does at times, but I know better days are ahead.”
Migraine Support Communities
Those living with migraine will encounter many people who don’t understand the impact of migraine. Managing this disease isn’t easy on your own. Finding a migraine support community can be one way to ignite your inspiration to keep going. Your community may consist of friends or family members who live with migraine, an in-person support group or an online community like our Move Against Migraine Facebook support group. The encouragement from the MAM group is what member Tabitha says keeps her going.
When life with migraine gets hard, know that the American Migraine Foundation is on your team. Our doctor-verified resource library, free downloadable guides and Find a Doctor tool were developed with patients in mind and designed to help keep you going. Together we are as relentless as migraine.
