About Lori
First Name: Lori
Age: 52
Location: Fayetteville, North Carolina
Years with Migraines: 10
Occupation: Developmental Therapist (infants/toddlers)
How long have you had migraines?
10 Years
When do you usually get migraines?
No pattern, it was sudden onset at the age of 42 with no migraines prior. The severity prompted multiple neurological studies and testing including tests for TBI and MS. Initially, the first migraine was so severe it was feared it was a brain bleed.
What have you tried pre-Cefaly?
Multiple medications; however, I experienced the MOST extreme side effects and all had to be terminated.
What does your migraine feel like?
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, black out seizures, distorted vision, unstable gait, inability to sit up, drive, or walk at the most severe periods. I have lesions in my brain and because they’re kind of everywhere the migraine can trigger from anywhere. When I have a migraine it’s very sharp, almost feels like a seizure might but within my brain, it’s hard to explain.
How did you hear about Cefaly?
My Neurologist suggested it as we could not get my migraines under control with medication due to the side effects.
What’s your Cefaly experience like?
AMAZING. I can use it anytime of day outside of my nightly use and I have been able to eliminate all meds except for promethazine, which controls the nausea during or after treatment with my Cefaly
What made you want to share your story?
Far too much emphasis is often placed on pharmaceutical options, due to my extreme side effects to all kinds of medications even diphenhydramine, I was suffering without any end in sight. I had quit working, was basically home bound unless I went out with a family member due to the blackouts and had migraines that would last weeks at a time. The Cefaly allows me to treat the migraine at onset but also I can use it nightly as part of my bedtime routine and often thwart the daily migraines I was having.
At the onset of my migraines my first migraine lasted 6 weeks with hospitalization, IV drugs as well as a litany of other drugs attempted to reduce or relieve the migraines but they did not work. I had given up hope of living without migraines and was actually learning to live with the “pain.” Some days were better than others but the worst thing was looking forward to a lumbar puncture as it would at least temporarily relieve the migraines for a week or two.
Now with my Cefaly use on a daily basis I have gone from 15-20 migraines a month to 3-5 a month with reduced intensity, and duration. I also find that being able to use the device both as a proactive measure as well as being able to use it at onset of a migraine has helped tremendously with my outcome. I am thankful each day that my neurologist looks outside of the pharmaceutical box to offer other suggestions. While at first I felt that the Cefaly was “too good to be true” after 6 months of tracking my migraines it truly went above all claims. My neurologist actually said after a year of treatment that I could be a spokesperson for Cefaly because it has worked so well for me. Because of underlying issues with my MRIs I was not a candidate for neurotoxin injections and basically was out of options before Cefaly was approved by the FDA. I was given my RX for Cefaly within weeks of the FDA approval and have benefited greatly ever since. My medical records substantiate the efficacy of the Cefaly in my situation and the fact that I have gone from almost monthly neuro appointments to yearly follow ups is in itself a success story.
Want to share your story too? We’d love to hear from you! Please send an email to m.coder@cefaly.us. Please include your name, contact information, and let us know where you’re located so we can set up a good time to talk.
If you’re wondering if Cefaly is right for you, click here for more information and, of course, check with your doctor.
