Help Donna raise money

Thank you for visiting my page.  I'd like to share some of my migraine story with you, and I hope it helps others find their way to better health...

In 2012, I began having frequent neck pain and headaches, esp. at work. By 2016, I was taking "Excedrin Migraine" daily, and complaining of "burnout" because my anxiety was at an all time high.  Much of the anxiety was due to my having trouble thinking of words while talking with my patients and being unable to process my thoughts as quickly as I had previously.  Meanwhile, I kept a smile on my face and a professional demeanor.  I didn't know what was happening, and thought I was over-stressed and needed to take a break from working full time.  In Summer 2017, I stepped down from my leadership role as Neurologic Team Leader at GSPP, and in Nov. 2017, I left my benefitted position as a staff PT to become "per diem."  I thought I just needed some rest for a couple months.  

When I finally reached out to a neurologist with whom I worked, I learned that I had a neurologic disorder called "Chronic Migraine."  I worked with my neurologist over the next 3 years to try to reduce my migraine attack frequency to <15 per month.  Together, we tried numerous medications and treatments, including dozens of painful Botox injections around my head and neck.   We did our best, but after not being able to return to work regularly for so long, I decided to switch my care to the Jefferson Headache Center.  It was there that I learned about Miles for Migraine and about advocacy for people with headache disorders.  The stigma toward headache is so strong in our culture that even those of us with headache disorders stigmatize ourselves and allow ourselves to suffer for years, saying, "It's just a headache."  It was in August 2020, that I learned that Brain Fog is actually a migraine symptom, and has been my primary symptom for many years.   There are so many aspects to migraine disorder, it is anything but "just a headache."  

Today, I continue to live with chronic migraine, but through a unique and evolving treatment plan, I am living a full and joyful life although not the one I expected.  Here are some of the treatment options that help me:

>three preventative and four rescue medications 

>wearing special glasses and visors for light sensitivity 

>lifestyle changes, such as sticking with a strict schedule for meals, sleep and screen time limits

>exercise, especially for my neck

>Cefaly trigeminal nerve stimulation daily

>work accommodations

>using apps (N-1 Headache and CtrlMHealth)  

>Caring for my mental health and minimizing stress and stimulation (e.g. saying "No" much more often than I would like)

Miles for Migraine has been a huge part of my improved well-being.  Through MfM, I've had opportunities to meet others living with migraine, hear their stories and learn from them what I haven't learned from medical providers; to practice self-care through the Mindfulness Series (art therapy has been wonderful!); to hear from renowned headache specialists all over the country at Education Events.  I cannot say enough about the quality, compassion and advocacy that Miles for Migraine provides.  

Please help end the stigma and isolation that accompany migraine.  Consider taking any of these actions:

> Walk with Ryan and me on Oct. 2 in the Wissahickon

> Donate through this page to Miles for Migraine

> Share my story (along with the resource links I included) with others who may be experiencing migraine and suffering silently.  Let them know that you know it's more than just a headache! 

Thank you for caring!