Migraine Realities

Send a textOur guests today are participating on behalf of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Participants have been compensated for their time and appearance. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.In this episode of Migraine Realities, pediatric and adult neurologist Dr. Jennifer McVige of DENT Neurologic Institute joins Lindsay Mang, a parent advocate, to talk about what pediatric migraine truly looks like and why early, informed care can make such a difference. They discuss how migraine often begins in childhood or adolescence and why careful listening to both children and their families plays a central role in diagnosis and long-term care. Dr. McVige also explains how pediatric migraine can present differently from adult migraine and how treatment decisions evolve as children grow.Lindsay shares her family’s experience navigating migraine care for her son and what changed after starting AJOVY, a preventive treatment recently approved for episodic migraine in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17. The conversation reflects on how preventive treatment may help reduce migraine frequency and support day-to-day functioning, allowing kids to stay more fully engaged in their lives. This episode offers clear clinical perspective, real-world experience, and measured hope for families exploring evidence-based options in pediatric migraine care.

Send a textCollege is tough enough, but for Ben Estes, migraine, daily pain and his transition process made it even tougher. This is a raw and candid glimpse into his daily challenges and victories.

Send a textWhat does it mean to decide to have children when you live with migraine? Kelly Amspacher and her daughter, Shelby Amspacher, bring both sides of the migraine-and-motherhood experience to the mic. With honesty and humor, they share what they’ve learned about empathy, flexibility, and making the most of good days. It’s a testament to how openness and adaptability can carry families through any challenge.

Send a textWhat does it mean to rebuild your life when chronic illness topples everything you once held steady? Sara Batchelder and I share our experiences of living with chronic migraine, the grief of losing old versions of ourselves, and the surprising gratitude we’ve found along the way. With Jenga as a powerful metaphor, Sara offers insight into the daily decisions, trade-offs, and small triumphs that come with life in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.In this episode:The Jenga of chronic illness: what falls, what staysLiving with loss while still finding peaceLetting go of expectations (and why that’s not giving up)The mental and emotional weight of invisible illnessThe power of communityCreating a life that works with migraineResources mentioned:Headache on the Hill  https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/headache-on-the-hill/Miles for Migraine  https://www.milesformigraine.org/Headache Centers of Excellence  https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/programs/headaches/Clusterbusters  https://clusterbusters.org/

Send a textIn this episode, Kim talks about what it’s really like when you’re not just dealing with your own migraine - you’re also trying to help your kid through it. She shares how hard it was to be taken seriously, the fight to get her child the care they needed, and what it’s like to be a parent in advocacy mode while living with chronic pain herself. It’s an honest and emotional conversation about parenting, pushing for answers, and finding strength in the middle of it all.Kim opens up about:When her child started showing signs of migraineThe frustration of not being believed by doctorsWhat it took to get school to take it seriouslyLiving with migraine while parenting through itThe strength it takes to keep pushing for answersThis episode is for every parent who’s ever had to fight twice as hard—for their child and themselves.Resources mentioned: Pediatric, Teen & Young Adult Migraine & Headache Disorders Parent Supporthttps://www.facebook.com/groups/pediatricmigraineandheadachedisorders

Send a textAinslie Course, President of Clusterbusters, shares her personal journey with cluster headaches and how it led her to advocacy leadership. She shares what it’s like to live with cluster headaches, a condition often described as the most painful disease known to medicine. We talk about the urgent need for an accurate diagnosis and what it means to work with a doctor who truly listens. Ainslie also talks about what Clusterbusters is doing to make a real difference through research, education, and support for people living with cluster headaches. Whether you're living with cluster headaches or trying to better understand it, this conversation offers insight, hope, and practical guidance.Resources:Clusterbusters website: https://clusterbusters.orgGeneral inquiries: [email protected] Ainslie directly: [email protected] Annual U.S. Patient Conference, September 11-14, 2025, Grapevine, TX

Send a textKelly Amspacher shares what it’s like to live with intractable migraine. The kind of migraine that doesn’t let up. She talks about losing her nursing career, grieving the life she thought she’d have, and slowly finding her footing again. Drawing from both her medical background and her personal journey, Kelly has become a powerful advocate for others living with migraine.We talk about grief, identity and resilience and what it means to live with a condition that doesn’t let up.Whether you’re in the thick of it or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, you’re not alone. National Headache Foundation  https://headaches.org/Miles for Migraine https://www.milesformigraine.org/ 

Send a textMigraine can change how we see ourselves, but it doesn’t erase who we are.In this episode, Katie joins me for a deeply honest conversation about life with migraine: the treatments we try, the people we lean on, and the invisible weight we carry. We talk about how cognitive symptoms affected our ability to work and the painful decision to leave careers we once loved. Through it all, we reflect on the importance of self-compassion, connection, and grace.You’ll hear us talk about:How migraine can quietly reshape identityThe emotional toll of cognitive dysfunction and job lossThe sometimes long, unpredictable road of trial-and-error treatmentHow Katie holds onto hope, even on the hardest daysWhat it means to show yourself graceIf you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or alone in your treatment journey, this episode offers a reminder that you’re not walking it alone.Visit www.migrainerealities.com for more conversations like this one.

Send a textMigraine treatment is not one-size-fits-all, and finding what helps can take time, patience, and a lot of trial and error.In this episode, I’m joined by my friend Sara Batchelder, who has lived with migraine for more than 30 years, including two decades of chronic daily migraine. Together, we explore the realities of living with migraine while navigating the maze of treatment options.We talk about:Treatments we’ve tried and why results can vary so muchHow tracking symptoms and identifying thresholds can help (and when it can backfire)Why symptoms like brain fog and fatigue are often overlookedHow life stages, hormones, and other health conditions can impact migraineWhy progress is rarely a straight line and what helps us keep goingIf you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or alone in your treatment journey, this conversation will remind you that you still have options.Visit www.migrainerealities.com for more resources and real-life conversations about life with migraine.