“That’s When I Realized: I Have Migraine.” Beth’s Empowerment Story

Hi, I’m Beth. I work in training and education for CEFALY, and I’m also a migraine sufferer. I suffer from episodic migraine.

The funny thing is that for years I just thought I had really, really, really bad headaches. I didn’t get them enough to think that they may be something more than just a headache. I probably get four a month. But when I do get them, they’re pretty debilitating. It’s the whole dark room, hoping I’ll fall asleep, don’t want to hear any loud sounds… So while I don’t really have many headaches a month, the ones that I do have definitely put me out for the count.

For years I just suffered through it, thinking, “Oh my gosh, I just get these bad headaches.” And then I came to work for CEFALY. I was sitting in training, learning Migraine 101 about all the criteria for migraine, what migraines look like in terms of symptoms, how long they last.

That’s when I realized: I have migraine. It took 40-plus years of just toughing it out to realize that this was real.

“Every migraine is a big deal”

I realized there were many more interventions other than a Gatorade and a BC powder in a dark room. So I started using CEFALY. I started doing my preventative treatment and I would start treatment at the first sign of a migraine. I don’t actually have aura, but I definitely get a little knot right above my right eyebrow that lets me know it’s coming. And many times I’ve been able, if I can catch it, to bypass the migraine altogether. That may not be the case for everybody, but if I can catch it in advance, it’s been a game changer for me.

Not being a chronic migraineur, I didn’t think that my episodic migraine headaches were a big deal. But what I’ve realized, especially now that I work in education and support patients and providers, is that every migraine is a big deal. Anything that puts you out for the count, anything that makes you miss something special, anything that causes you any kind of duress is important.

Don’t tough it out: CEFALY can help

If you ever worry about your headaches—if you ever think, “Oh, could this be more than a headache?”—definitely talk to your provider. There might be interventions that you never even knew existed that can make your life a lot better.

Having access to my CEFALY has been a total game changer for me. I’m thankful for it, and I’m thankful that we’re able to put it out there and help patients. I’m thankful we get to educate people about it all the time.

I’m grateful that I get to work for CEFALY. Because I not only see the difference in my episodic migraine, but I notice the difference in the patients that I see. You don’t have to be chronic to get the value of CEFALY treatment. You can be chronic, you can be episodic.

At the end of the day, a migraine shouldn’t keep you from doing the things that you love. I wish you well on your own migraine treatment journey! And remember, the CEFALY team is always here to support you.