Migraine on The Mighty

24/10/2024

Experiencing migraine? They impact more than just your head—learn how they affect all aspects of life.

"Even when a migraineur is having a good day, they are likely still wondering when the next one is coming."

11/09/2024

"Migraine is a massively misunderstood and underestimated illness, and those of us with chronic migraine often endure all the time a level of pain that is inconceivable to those without chronic migraine."

“Sometimes, it is not our illness that keeps us from living important parts of our lives. It is the community that insists we travel through life with them and like them; that we unify with them on their terms.”

16/11/2023

To me, thriving looks like…

You might have read that prompt above and thought, “That’s a trick question! I can’t thrive with a health condition!” Maybe you’re finding it difficult to thrive in the traditional sense, but here’s some good news: We can define what it means to thrive in a way that’s unique to us and our experiences.

As Mighty staffer Skye recently realized and is trying to internalize, you can be in mental and physical pain and thrive at the same time — the two aren’t mutually exclusive. This is especially true when you’re able to define what thriving looks like for you.

Maybe you’re thriving when you make it to your therapy appointment on time. Or you may feel like you’re thriving when you find a treatment regimen that alleviates some of your most annoying symptoms. Thriving could even look like watching your favorite Netflix show while in bed.

Let us know what you think it looks like to thrive with a health condition (or three). We’re cheering you on!

💡 Want to learn more about how two Mighty staffers living with multiple chronic illnesses define what it means to thrive with health conditions? And why it’s OK if you’re not quite there yet? Then check out episode 12 of Health and (un)Wellness, the final episode of the first season! Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

15/11/2023

Those moments when you regain control feel so 🤌.

Shout-out to everyone who has listened and made it through this entire season. We’re really grateful for you, and we will probably miss you most of all.

Catch the final episode: https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

14/11/2023

**rue or False: You need to accept your health condition in order to thrive with it.**

In episode 12 of Health and (un)Wellness, Mighty staffer Kat shared this hot take: “I think it’s really impossible to feel like you’re thriving if you haven’t fully accepted your health conditions.”

The journey to acceptance is not a straight line. Just like some days with chronic illness are more challenging than others, we may feel better or worse about our health circumstances depending on the day — or even the hour.

When we asked our Mighty community how much they feel they’ve accepted their health conditions, only 15.5% of folks who responded said they have fully accepted their health circumstances, while 4% answered that they’re still in complete denial. Most Mighties fell somewhere in the middle: 33% answered that they’re struggling with how to move forward, and 37% shared that they’re learning to live with their health conditions rather than against them.

Where are you in your acceptance journey?

✨ Listen to the rest of Kat and Skye’s conversation about thriving with a health condition on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

14/11/2023

What does thriving with your health condition mean to you?

Shout-out to everyone who has listened and made it through this entire season. We’re really grateful for you, and we will probably miss you most of all.

Catch the final episode: https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

10/11/2023

How is your health condition making you feel today?

On days when a migraine attack or other chronic illness flare-up has you lying in a dark room by yourself all day, the last word you might use to describe where you’re at is “thriving.” It’s on days like these when you might question if it’s even possible to thrive with a health condition — especially in the traditional sense.

The Mighty’s migraine community knows that feeling all too well. When we asked if they consider themselves to be thriving with migraine, 60% said that they fall somewhere in the middle on the surviving-to-thriving continuum; it all depends on the day. On one end of the spectrum, 31% of folks who responded to our poll said they are merely surviving in life with migraine. On the other end, 9% feel like they are thriving.

Do you feel like you’re thriving in life with migraine or another health condition? What contributes to that feeling?

As a bonus, share your metric for what it means to be “thriving.”

🧠 Check out episode 12 of The Mighty’s podcast Health and (un)Wellness to hear two Mighty staffers reflect on their journeys with migraine and where they think they fall on the surviving-to-thriving spectrum. https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

08/11/2023

What does it mean to thrive with a health condition like migraine? This tangled web of accepting, surviving, and thriving is the topic of choice for this very last episode of Health and (un)Wellness’ first season, Mighty With Migraine. Kat and Skye explore their complicated feelings about thriving (they aren’t there! and that’s OK!), share what they’re most proud of accomplishing despite both of their migraine diagnoses, and take a nostalgic stroll through the entire season. Bring on the introspection, friends — and thanks for listening.

The last episode of Mighty With Migraine is out now! https://spoti.fi/47lhGfG

01/11/2023

Caregivers, here’s to you!

Be sure to stick with us until the end of the latest episode of Health and (un)Wellness, when the co-hosts’ very own loved ones impart their advice for other caregivers — because you deserve support, too.
https://spoti.fi/46XW0Gb

31/10/2023

True or False: I prefer to be left alone during a chronic illness flare.

It can be hard to establish a support system when you live with chronic illness, especially if you’re not comfortable communicating your needs or have no idea what kind of support would be best for you.

When we polled our migraine community about it, 35% of folks who responded said they prefer to be left alone during an attack, while 8% aren’t sure how they like to be supported.

While it may take a whole bunch of trial and error, we hope you find what works for you — even if you only get a tiny bit of relief. (And remember: It’s OK to ask for help.)

💖 Do you want to hear how two Mighty staffers like to be supported during migraine attacks? (Spoiler alert: They both love some quiet time in a dark room. 😴) Then listen to the most recent episode of Health and (un)Wellness on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46XW0Gb

27/10/2023

We’ve always known that animals make the world a Mightier place, but did you know that 34% of our members with migraine turn to their pets for support during an attack? That’s compared to the 27% of respondents who said they receive support from their partners and spouses, and 17% who said they seek support from their parents, siblings, or extended family members. The remaining 20% of Mighties who answered the poll voted for friends or online community, while only 2% said they turn to their co-workers or peers for support.

Do these results reflect your experience? Who do you turn to for support when your symptoms flare up?

🎧 Check out episode 11 of Health and (un)Wellness to hear what two Mighty staffers’ support crews have to say about having a loved one with migraine. Listen on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46XW0Gb

26/10/2023

What advice would you give other caregivers?

Be sure to stick with us until the end of the latest episode of Health and (un)Wellness, when the co-hosts’ very own loved ones impart their advice for other caregivers — because you deserve support, too.
https://spoti.fi/46XW0Gb