Are you a migraine warrior?

Migraine Australia has launched the first ever support service for Australians with migraine with 10 local support groups starting up.

Led by local volunteer ambassadors, each local Migraine Warrior Support Group connects online and through local meet-ups, providing peer support and helping to direct people with migraine to the services they need to manage their condition. The program is entirely driven by volunteers and has no funding.

Migraine Australia founder, Raphaella Kathryn Crosby, said one in five Australians live with migraine, and most either don't take it seriously or hide it from others in their life. For some, it is impossible to hide and completely debilitating.

"Often the best people to help with the lifelong challenge that is managing migraine are other migraine warriors," Ms Crosby said.

"It is our hope that through these local support groups everyone with migraine can connect with others in their local community who live with migraine in a stigma-free space. Connecting with others who get it is a really important step in taking control of your migraine."

Research conducted by Migraine Australia earlier this year found that 94 per cent of people living with migraine felt they had been stigmatised and their condition belittled as ‘just a headache'.

The biggest source of stigma was doctors, followed by extended family and work colleagues, many of whom don't believe the severity of symptoms, or believe they are making it up to attract sympathy, get out of work, or to get drugs.

Migraine Australia's target is to have around 50 local groups active by the next Migraine Awareness Month in June 2021.

Each local group will have their own local Facebook group, in addition to the Migraine Australia Chat Group which is the largest online support group for Australians with migraine.

The 10 local Migraine Warrior Support Groups that have started so far are:

· Adelaide

· East Melbourne

· Sunraysia (the border area around Mildura)

· Canberra

· North Sydney

· Hunter Valley

· North Brisbane

· Gold Coast

· Fraser Coast

· Townsville

"The migraine community has been on a particularly cruel rollercoaster for the last two years, with breakthrough new medications that prevent migraine attack dramatically changing our lives, but not being listed on the PBS, meaning most of us cannot access them.

"This is despite these medications being recommended by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) many months ago, and despite Greg Hunt's repeated claims that they would list everything the PBAC recommended," Ms Crosby said.

More information on the Migraine Warrior Support Network is available from the Migraine Australia website.

Do you suffer from migraines? Would you join a migraine support network if there was one available in your area?

3 comments

Thats a yes from me in WA!

Pam

Count me in for Fraser Coast

I have lived with migraine for more than 50 years. Over that time I have seen many changes to both treatments and attitudes.

At one time you would never admit to having migraine in the workplace for fear of losing your job. Today every second person claims to experience it. Problem is, much like calling a cold - flu, people call a simple headache migraine (as if it's some kind of badge of honour)and those that genuinely do have attacks don't always get the understanding they deserve.

Treatments have come a long way from beta-blockers and epilepsy medications to now including self-administered injections, nasal sprays and even botox! (I still miss codeine!)They all work for some people you just have to find the one for you and that can take time.

I may have joined a club in my youth but after 50 years you find your own way to live with the condition. It is important to understand that between migraine attacks, life is completely normal. yes living with it can be awful, but it shouldn't define you. I live with it, I don't suffer from it!

3 comments



To make a comment, please register or login

Preview your comment