Migraine and Headache Comments from the Petition

We're currently working toward Congressional hearings to bring out into the open the facts about Migraine and other headache disorders, including their resultant disability, stigma, suffering, inadequate treatments, and federal neglect.

When you sign the petition, you also have the opportunity to make a comment to go along with the petition. We've been reading these comments, and to say that we've been touched by them would be an understatement in the extreme.

This morning, without disclosing any names, we want to share some of those comments with you:

"17 years of constant headache...sudden onset...severe headache...headache every day since...I was 35 at the time...life changing"

"I have suffered from Migraine headaches for more than 26 years. Due to Migraines, I left active duty military, I have missed out on much of my daughters' lives growing up, I have placed un-due stress on my marriage and have been on full disability for the last four years. This is not living."

"I have a 7 year old daughter who suffers these horrible migraines every 2 weeks. We were told there isn't enough research being done on young children and migraines. We are crying for help.."

"i suffer from migraines and have over 10+ years--i have suffered a stroke from them--i also live with a migraine every day to some degree or other. i have days where i live on my couch away from my life. i have seen numerous drs no one can help me."

"Signing this with a migraine, hoping someone we elected will listen to us for a change."

"As someone who was given a diagnosis of an intractable, literally constant headache that will not respond to any curative treatment, I beg of you to help in any way you can."

"My father suffered from cluster migraines. In 1980, he chose to end his life at age 52 rather than live with these headaches any longer. 32 years later and there are still no good answers."

"my husband is a military soldier with ptsd, and migraines.. i myself have cluster migraines. Day to day life is rough to say the least."

"I have suffered with migraines since age five. I am now sixty-two. I have lost precious time from school, family/friends, and work due to this debilitating disorder. I have been told "it's all in your head", "just shake it off", and "it can't be that bad"! I have tried every new migraine drug that comes onto the market; many of these with terrible side effects. I have spent much time and money at doctor's offices and hospitals. I was promised by doctors that once I reached menopause my migraines would disappear. This did not happen in my case. I have also experienced mini strokes due to migraine, which are evident on imaging. I have come to the conclusion that I am a "lifer"! I strongly support this petition! A migraine induced stroke could end my life at any moment!"

"I was forced to seek social security disability at age 45 for migraine. I have now been on disability for over 18 years. I never realized my full potential in earnings nor did I really utilize my college education. Indeed, I was forced to declare bankiruptcy and will probably spend the remainder of my adult life on public assistance, food stamps and HUD housing assistance to augment my Social Security Disability income. The financial loss includes lost taxes on a professional income, loss because of bankruptcy and a loss to the Nation in public assistance to support me that includes almost 20 years of medical costs for migraine drugs at between $1200 - $2000 per month!"

"PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE increase funding for research and clinical trials to find the cause of CLUSTER HEADACHE attacks. Over the past 20 years, I have been to countless doctors and tried over 35 ineffective medications with horrible side effects. I just want to be able to live and enjoy life rather than dreading with fear my next CLUSTER HEADACHE attack."

"Migraine all day every day and they can't help me nobody understands..."

"I have not shut myself off from life, my head pain has shut life off from me. I would hate to see another person go through life as lonely and afraid as I am at this very moment."

"After suffering with migraines for the past 45 years I know how they touch so deeply your personal life, family life and work life....affecting each dramatically, though in different ways."

"It is necessary for an awareness of the debilitating, insidious nature of migraines. They steal ones life away. The dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, fatigue, and of course the pain. The inability to make any plans. The destruction of relationships. It is the time for answers and solutions for all of us that suffer on a daily basis!"

"So many of us have to stop working and live on government aid because of headache disorder disabilities. With lack of education, funding for research, and new treatment options, we are have no other option than to continue living this way. Give the nation education, research funding, and new treatment options, and I guarantee that you will be shocked at how many Americans will benefit and be able to go back to work, thus paying back into the system. Help us so that we can help you."

"Many more people are suffering than anyone knows as you can't see it like if someone had a broken arm for example. Millions of us are suffering in silence and only more research will bring and end to our problems..."

We hope sharing these comments gives you a better view of why we're fighting for Congressional hearings, why AHDA advocates will be on the Hill on March 27 to personally present the petition to members of Congress.

If you've signed the petition, thank you. You've stepped forward to help the people who wrote those comments and millions of other people. If you haven't signed it, we hope you'll take just a minute to do so now. It's very quick and simple. Just follow the link and enter your first name, last name, email address, and ZIP code. Please be sure to enter your full name rather than initials so your signature will be counted.

One more thing you can do to help is to ask all your friends to sign the petition, whether they have Migraines or headaches or not. Send the link to everyone in your email address book, post it to your Facebook page, Tweet it, share it any way you can.

SIGN THE PETITION, PLEASE.

With our sincere thanks,
Bob Shapiro
Bill Young
Brad Klein
Teri Robert

Comments

[Allison]

I only made it to the seventh comment down before I broke down and started crying.

[Susan]

CLUSTER HEADACHES RUIN LIVES
.

[Christine G. Teske]

Yes . I having Migraines with the other sufferers. Dealing with having a job, is never easy. I had a job and it also involved talking on the phone as well. When, u are monitored and there is a discrepancy with your daily phone calls. I was asked , why there are days , when I do good and days, when they think I am slacking off. Even though, I don't think , the employers should know why. I told them and I am no longer working.