Migraine – More Than A Headache

By Christine Francine

Oh no, thought fifteen year old Lisa. Not now. Not in the middle of Mr. Glen's history 
class. "Please," she pleaded, "wait until I'm home." 

Lisa looked up at her sauntering teacher, Mr. Glen. He seemed to enjoy moving around 
while he lectured.

Suddenly, before her vision and slicing vertically before Mr. Glen and everything else Lisa 
looked at, were lightning bolt-type zigzags. She closed her eyes and willed the upcoming 
headache away. The white bolts meant she had between ten to twenty minutes before the 
throbbing pain would begin. 

Lisa glanced at the clock. No, she screamed to herself, ten minutes before gym. I can't 
do it. Movement, bright lights, and loud noises were the last thing she needed. They made it 
worse. She needed to lie down in a quiet dark, room and go to sleep; yet how could she do that 
now? She'd missed so much school already. If only people believed her, knew what she went 
through, but no one in school, especially the nurse, understood. They seemed to think all kids 
were trying to get out of class, out of school.

The bell rang and everyone stood up and started for the door and into the hall. Lisa 
proceeded slowly. She had to. Already her sight narrowed to tunnel vision. Lisa could see only 
directly in front of herself. Darkness flooded her peripheral vision. This was going to be a doozy of 
a migraine.

"Hey!" Someone cried. "Watch where you're going."

"Sorry." Lisa called.

Thank goodness she didn't need to go to her locker and that the gym wasn't far from Mr. 
Glen's classroom.

Lisa managed to make her way into the locker room and find her locker number 103. As 
she started to change into her T-shirt and shorts her stomach suddenly went green. Her vision 
began to clear, but her stomach threatened to rid itself of it's contents at any moment. Again, Lisa 
willed it all to go away. What was the matter with her? Why was this happening? More and more of 
these migraines came. It was as if she had a disease, wasn't it only a headache like 
everyone said?

"Lisa?" a familiar voice asked from behind. "What's up?" Sarah came around in front of her 
friend.

Lisa looked up at her slowly.

"Ooooh, you don't look so good. Another headache?" 

Slowly, Lisa gave one short nod and blink of her eyes.

"You should go home." Sarah said with resolve.

From the gymnasium Miss Edgson called. "Is everyone out here? We're about to start."

"I can't." Lisa said wishing she could, and made a motion to leave.

Sarah put her hand on Lisa's shoulder as they headed toward the gym. "Well, you can't 
play gym."

Lisa's stomach churned and like a dam opening its floodgates, the pounding began. It was 
as if suddenly her skull was too small and tight and her brain was using a sledgehammer against 
the bone trying to become free.

The girls rounded the cement walls and came into the gym. Glaring lights radiated their 
rays of brightness causing Lisa to squint. 

Sarah led Lisa to their place in line for attendance. "Go to the nurse," she whispered 
another attempt to help.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Lisa said, keeping her voice and eyes low.

That was it for Sarah. This was silly. Why did kids have to go through things like this? It 
was like they were in some kind of twisted slave camp. No one ever believed kids or teenagers. 
Where was their right until proven guilty? Just because some kids were screw offs and deadbeats 
didn't mean they all were. Not all of them were trying to get away with something. And, that 
nurse…a school nurse should have compassion and the ability to tell whether someone was faking 
or not. The nurse knew a doctor had been seeing Lisa, and that she'd been diagnosed with migraines, 
but time after time she growled at her and told her to go back to class.

"Miss Edgson?" Sarah asked suddenly.

The gym teacher looked up from her clipboard unhappy to be interrupted from calling out 
names. "Yes, what is it?"

Lisa tugged on Sarah's shirt. "No, she never believes me. She'll only get mad.

Sarah glanced briefly at her friend who looked as if she were going to spew chunks at any 
moment. Sarah didn't want Lisa mad at her but her friend couldn't do this. "Can…I mean may Lisa 
go to the nurse's office?"

The short, straight standing woman casually walked to them and studied Lisa. After a 
moment she asked, "Didn't you have a headache last week?"

"Yes."

"Did you take something? Aspirin? Tylenol? You can't keep missing gym." Miss Edgson 
had narrow brown eyes and a haircut like a man's. "You need it to graduate you know."

Quietly, Lisa said, "I know."

"It's up to you." The short woman stated flatly. "You may go to the nurse or stay."

"I'll stay."

Sarah sighed.

"Problem, Hooper?"

"No, Sarah said, "it's just that…"She looked at Lisa.

"Seems to me your friend has her own mind and has used it. Now unless you have 
something important to tell the class I'd like to get started with basketball."

By the time teams were selected and the game was underway, Lisa thought her head was 
going to split open. The pain was unbearable. Even if she wanted to play, she wasn't sure if she 
could.

She sat on the floor next to the others waiting for their turn to play. Her head rested on her 
folded arms supported by her pulled up knees.  Lisa wondered if she'd have these headaches forever.

MIGRAINES

The word means different things to different people. To those who have never had one or 
have someone close to them who does, it usually means a regular headache fixed by aspirin, 
ibruphrophen or acetaminophen (Tylenol). To many unlucky people a migraine strikes terror, frustration and 
misery. Over-the-counter medicine doesn't work for many migrainers. Usually, it takes seeing a 
doctor, often a neurologist, or headache specialist who prescribes preventative and abortive 
medications. 

The word migraine is used loosely. It seems to be a catchall phrase for all head pain, yet 
migraines are quite different. There are multiple types of headaches; sinus, stress, tension, and 
ones caused by TMJ (a disorder where one clenches and possibly grinds their teeth at night 
causing jaw-bone problems). Migraine is in a class all by itself, and it deserves it. Within this class 
are variations as well. Some people believe migraine shouldn't even be called a headache due to 
the huge difference between them and the others, although other types of headaches can be 
extremely painful.

IS MIGRAINE REAL?

Statistics, Facts & Studies:

-Migraine is more common in women than in men. Striking women 3 times more than men.

-Research has confirmed that migraines may increase a person's risk of a stroke.

-It is thought that migraines affect up to 20% of the population.

-Studies have shown up to 59% of women and 70% of men with migraines have never been diagnosed by a doctor.

-The tendency to develop migraines can be inherited. Studies show that if one parent has them the child has a 
40% chance of having them. If both parents have migraines the child has a 75% chance.

-Vascular (migraine) is common between the ages of 15 and 55.

-70% to 80% of sufferers have a family history of migraine.

-About 10 to 20% of migraine sufferers experience aura (visual blind spots, bright lights, zigzags, or distorted 
images) around 10 to 30 minutes before the pain begins.

-Those whose parents don't experience migraine but have a relative who do have a 28% chance of developing migraines.

-3% of children under 7 years old get migraines; 5% between the ages of 7-12; and 10 to 20% teenagers.

-About half of all children who get migraines stop getting them during their teenage years and a quarter during early adulthood.

-There are certain headaches which should not be ignored. Click Here to learn more.

-While people from every racial group are prone to migraines, Caucasian women are somewhat more likely than African-American and Asian American to suffer.

-Migraine frequency tends to peak during the teenage years and early twenties. Another peak occurs between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five. The older people become, the less likely they are to have migraine headaches.

-Recent studies have found migraines often have a pattern, are triggered by certain things and can occur with seasonal patterns. It has been found that women were more often to seek help at hospitals in the spring. Studies have also found the time of day to be a factor. Sufferers report having migraines more often between 6 A.M. and 10 A.M. and also that they're least likely around 8 P.M. to 4 A.M.

What Is A Migraine Headache?

The medical profession doesn't exactly know what causes migraines to begin. There are 
clues, however. Research has indicated that it begins in the area of the brain stem and then as the 
migraine develops, alterations in the brain's physiology follow.

The chemical chain reactions that cause a migraine are different than say a tension 
headache. The blood vessels constrict with the beginning of a migraine due to a hormone called 
serotonin secreted by blood platelets. These are smaller than red blood cells and are part of the 
protective clotting system. 

This is what is thought to happen to cause the headache: 

For certain people, ones with the migraine gene, a mild instability of the nervous system 
and blood vessels it begins when a tiny spreading depression of tiny electrical currents travel from 
the back to the front of the brain. This causes the blood vessels in the brain to tighten and deliver 
less blood. Then, a hormonal combination of serotonin and thromboxane cause a dramatic 
decrease of blood flow to the brain. This is where certain migraine sufferers may experience aura, 
blurry vision, or dizziness from the partial blood shut down. Next, serum serotonin levels drop a lot; 
blood vessels dilate fast. This causes intense, terrible pounding pain. The reason it feels like 
pounding is because the blood pulsing through the swollen arteries are in time with the pounding of 
the heart. Then, in the post headache phase, the headache slowly subsides, but is not replaced by 
a constant pain. Blood vessels become thicker and more rigid. When blood vessels rebound, they 
dilate, or swell up. This may cause them to leak a small amount of pain-causing chemicals into the 
skin of the scalp. So, now, what happens is the structures in the head that may hurt are the 
nerves, blood vessels, and the covering of the brain, not the brain itself. Nerve endings can become 
so sensitive that just running ones fingers through ones hair may hurt.

Other known facts about migraine characteristics:

-Pain is typically on one side of the head.

-Pain has a throbbing or pulsating feel.

-Moderate to intense pain, which affects daily 
activities.

-Nausea and/or vomiting.

-Sensitivity to light and sound.

-Attack can last 4 to 72 hours, and sometimes much 
longer.

-Visual disturbances/Aura, zigzagging lighting bolt 
lines, peripheral vision loss.

-Exertion such as climbing stairs, running, or impact 
sports make headaches worse.

Migraine is an illness, not a symptom. Like other chronic conditions it most often can be 
managed and controlled, yet realize that it can't be cured. People with migraine shouldn't feel 
guilty. They don't cause their headaches like many may believe. There is still much 
misunderstanding about this illness. It is an inherited (biological abnormality) of the central nervous 
system. Because there is a change in the brain physiology it is understandable that the migrainer 
may have mood changes, other disturbances and that other organs in their body are affected as 
well.

Other associated symptoms that may or may not occur:

-Mood changes
-Sleep disturbances
-Difficulty urinating 
-Tearing eyes
-Drooping eyelids
-Nasal congestion
-Facial flushing
-24 to 72 hours before: anxiety, depression, excessive hunger or thirst, surges of energy, irritability or 
obsessiveness. 
-Food cravings 
-Lack of appetite
-Constipation or diarrhea
-Yawning
-Difficulty in concentrating
-Restlessness
-Sleepiness
-Coldness
-Depression

The Emotional Impact

Many migrainers feel shame, guilt, frustration, depression, hopelessness, and a breakdown 
on their self-esteem. It leaves disabling scars more by the psychological rather than physical. This 
illness is very disruptive to a person's life and wreaks havoc that is felt by not only the sufferer, but 
by people close to them too. It can be a disabling illness, especially if it is chronic and/or 
reoccurring static migraine.

Types of Migraines

There are basically two categories of migraines. One is the type with aura (classic 
migraine) and the other without aura (common migraine). Some people experience only one of 
these, but some, both. There are other less common variants and these account for 2% of all 
migraines.

*Migraine with aura (classic migraine):

About 15 to 20% of migrainers experience the aura with migraine. It is usually visual and 
occurs before the pain begins anywhere from ten to thirty minutes before the pain comes. Some 
people say they see lighting bolts, flashing lights and/or shimmering lights, blind spots, tunnel 
vision, and peculiar shapes at the edge of their vision. Some say their vision becomes blurred.

*Migraine without aura (common migraine):

About four out of five people with migraine headaches don't get aura. These people do not 
get the warning that the pain is coming. In this case migrainers can look for other clues such as 
having difficulty concentrating, being extra irritable, and have increased thirst.

Triggers/Prevention

There are a number of triggers and lifestyles that may either cause or contribute to a 
migraine headache. These may be internal or external in susceptible people. Everyone is different. 
What may be a trigger for one migrainer may not be for another. Some sufferers have already 
discovered what their trigger is; unfortunately there are many who haven't. Finding what this may be 
can be difficult for some. If only there were clear-cut answers. This is why research must still be 
ongoing. Our president, George Bush, realizes this and has taken a stand on headache/migraine 
awareness. Click Here to read his formal letter to a congress known as IHC 2001, Liberty from 
Headaches at the 10th Annual Headache Congress. It includes neurologists, family practitioners, 
internists, anesthesiologists, dentists, physical therapists, psychologists, nurses, and other health 
professionals who treat migraine disease and headache disorders. Bush wasn't able to address the 
congress in person, but the letter was well received anyway.

Remember, each migrainer is different. What may cause a headache for one person may 
not for another and also what may help one may not another. If a person is lucky they will be able 
to find a way to either lessen the number of migraines or even prevent them. Unfortunenately, a few 
have to work hard to find their trigger and it may end up being something such as the weather that 
cannot be controlled. For many, such as those who've inherited the gene, a migraine is an 
activator, not a cause. A migraine trigger merely activates the existing physical potential, and to 
complicate things even further some people are susceptible only when more triggers are 
encountered together - many at the same time.

Triggers to Watch For:

-Dietary (watch especially foods that contain tyramine, 
sodium nitrate or phenylalanine) 

*Don't skip meals. Eat 3 times a day. Some people 
need to be careful not to eat too many carbohydrates 
in a meal.

*Alcohol, especially red wine and sherry

*Aged cheese

*Excessive chocolate

*MSG (monosodium glutamate) (soy sauce, seasoning 
salt)

*Meat containing nitrites (salami, bacon, pepperoni, 
etc…)

*Too much caffeine (4 cups or more)

*Fermented dairy products (sour cream, yogurt)

*Citrus (oranges, lemon, grapefruit)

*Nuts

*Legumes

*Onions/Garlic

*Bananas

*Pineapple

*Pickled foods

*Yeasty foods

*Aspartame (artificial sweetener)

*Chicken liver; pate'

-Environmental (one recent study revealed weather changes 
caused migraines in 47%)

*Low pressure weather fronts moving into an area are a 
particular problem for some

*Change in altitude or barometric pressure, high 
winds, traveling, or change in routine.

*Extreme cold, heat, or humidity

*Weather change

*Extreme light, glare, flickering lights

*Odors, fumes, vapors (paint, cigarette smoke, 
perfume)

*Noise, especially loud and constant

-Physical

*Over exertion

*High blood pressure

*Changes in sleeping patterns or sleeping time, 
fatigue

-Hormones (more common in women, especially young girls. 
The number increases drastically after the onset of 
menus ration).

*Pregnancy

*Oral contraceptives

*Fluxuating hormones throughout the month due to a female's period. It is important, due to different hormones at work at different stages during the month, to note when the migraine occurs; before menses, during, or after.

-Stress (the migrainer's body does not handle the biochemical result of stress as well as the non-migrainer). A physical predisposition is the cause, not the activator. People who don't get migraines may have the same amount of stress as a migrainer, but because they do not have predisposition in their genes, they do not get one.

*Sometimes it's the letdown later, after the stress that the migraine comes.

*Sometimes even positive excitement can cause a migraine.

*Helpers for stress: learning to relax by using imagery, deep breathing, the wearing of comfortable clothing and shoes, relaxing muscles, lightening up on oneself. Maybe trying biofeedback, yoga, liking oneself.

What to Look For In A Doctor

It is extremely important to find the right doctor. Look for one that is knowledgeable, caring, and 
compatible with your personality. Some doctors don't like you to question them. There are also those who are not up on the latest research, medicine, statistics, or aren't migraine savvy in the first place. It still happens where a doctor says things like, "It's just a headache dear." If one does, it's time to look for another doctor.

-Levels of Medical Migraine Treatment If Successful Treatment and/or Level of Understanding Isn't Found at One Level, Go To The Next:

*Primary Care Physician
*Medical Specialist
*Neurologist
*Headache Specialist
*Headache Treatment Program
*Chronic Pain Treatment Program
  (see below for places to go for more help)

The Migrainer's Rights and The Law

Don't believe that a migraine is just a headache and that you need to learn to live with it. 
Finding help can be disheartening for a few reasons; your doctor didn't take you seriously, the 
medicine didn't work, and so on. You DO have rights.


-The Migrainer's Bill of Rights 


-The Disability Act


-Family Medical Leave Act 


Work & School

Regrettably, migraines create problems in all areas of a sufferer's life, but two places 
where there seems to be less understanding, sympathy and fairness is the workplace and school. 

Labor statistics suggest headache a frequent cause of absenteeism.  150 million days of work are lost per year at a cost of $15 Billion.  Is further continuing research on migraines too expensive or would we save money in the long run?

For years a stigma has been attached to anyone who has frequent headaches. More often 
than not people who either do not suffer from migraines or have someone close to them who does, 
do not fully understand or have a clue to how debilitating this illness can be. The fault does not lie 
with the person suffering from a migraine any more than it does with someone born with a visible 
illness. It seems if there were a big physical scar, a broken leg, or scab, those around them would 
be sympathetic. The problem is sufferers don't look sick. Many try to stick it out and/or hide how 
they're feeling. This adds to the skepticism. 

Should one tell one's boss and/or co-workers? This is a question one needs to feel out for 
themselves. It isn't fair or right; as a matter-of-fact it's against the law to let someone go who has a 
disability, but it is done. If one is fortunate to have a reasonable boss invite them out for lunch and 
pay for the meal and then explain the situation. 

If one has an unreasonable boss, try going to the supervisor. If one belongs to a large 
company, go to the human resource department. Providing physician documentation is essential.

For a child or teenager migraine sufferer dealing with school can be difficult. If the 
headaches become chronic and severely debilitating on a daily basis, action needs to be sought 
before absenteeism becomes a problem. Trying to convince school officials can be a challenge. 
Many times the school thinks that the student is simply trying to get out of going to school. There 
are strict rules on attendance so parents, together with the doctor, need to advocate for the child. 
If the migraines have become debilitating, (meaning the child cannot do anything except lie down) 
and occur daily for weeks or months at a time, parents must find a doctor who understands 
migraines – has worked with many people with migraines before -  is up on all the latest medicine, 
studies and statistics and get their child diagnosed. Next, have the doctor (he/she must be at least 
an M.D. or the school will not accept the note) write up a progress report for the school stating that your child 
is in fact a severe migraine sufferer with real physical problems and needs home schooling until the 
pain is under control. This will in turn force the school's hand and they will have to provide home 
schooling until the doctor says the child is able to go back.

Children and teenagers, who suffer from frequent, severe headaches, worry about another 
headache coming on at any moment. Some kids even get school phobia. They worry about getting 
a migraine while in school, from suffering pain, but that no one will take them seriously, and from 
the humiliation. They are afraid of throwing up in front of others and of being labeled weird, weak, or 
different. They want to be "normal." 

TIP: Parents, help your child resume and keep a regular schedule.

*Have regular meal times
*A regular bedtime
*Encourage socializing and leisure activities
*Remember there is more to a migraine sufferer than 
suffering from migraines. They should be known as 
the artist, violinist, athlete, and etc…

A Natural Approach

For some migraine sufferers' alternative remedies have been shown to help. Some want to 
simply try a more natural approach instead of expensive and powerful drugs or may want to 
because they are pregnant. However, it is advisable to seek and work with a credited physician 
because such things as tumors or other life-threatening reasons can cause migraines. See a 
neurologist or headache specialist for one's own sake.
More doctors are beginning to accept alternative remedies, especially when studies have 
shown they can make a difference. Be sure to let your physician know about the alternatives you 
are trying so that she/he may monitor the effects and take them into account when prescribing 
medicine.

Here is a list of Natural Helpers Known To Help With a Brief Note About Each:

*Hot and/or cold compresses (rice bag, ice, heating 
pad)

*Feverfew (studies have shown this herb to help some, 
but not others)

*Fish oil (can help, advisable to not take more than 
one gram a day)

*Magnesium

*Massage therapy (helps tension and increase serotonin 
levels)

*Chiropractic Manipulation (can be beneficial for 
some, but can cause stroke, even though its rare)

*Biofeedback (process of controlling one's own body)

*Acupuncture

*Relaxation Therapy

*Meditation

*Aromatherapy (angelica, blue-gum eucalyptus, juniper, 
lemon grass, rosemary, lavender, roman-chamomile, 
rose, rosemary, sweet marjoram, clary sage, 
frankincense, lemon, lemon balm, vanilla, peppermint.

*Exercise (brings about endorphins into the body 
system)

*Sex (brings about those pain reducing endorphins)

*Riboflavin (vitamin B-2)

*Ginger (especially with nausea)

*Imagery Exercises

*Eye Stretches

*Relaxation Exercises

*Melatonin

*Helpful tips from migraine sufferers: 

-Drink plenty of water and never drink 20 minutes
before or after a meal

-Relaxing bath or shower

-Sleep, sleep, sleep

To try a natural detoxification and or vitamin/herbal formula, Click Here. 

Hope For The Future

There is hope for the future. In the last twenty years we have learned more about not only 
the physical attributes of a migraine but about medicines too .As of this writing we have learned some of the specific mechanisms involved, and specific measures,which may be used to alter these. 

We've learned that there are upwards of forty neurotransmitters in the brain, and that all of 
these systems are complex – extremely so and have subtypes in each family.

We haven't figured out yet what biochemistry in the brain that allows a migraine to develop, 
but we do know they begin in the brainstem, setting off a chain of events. These end up causing 
the dilatation of blood vessels on the surface of the brain. The dilation triggers the release of pain-
causing neurotransmitters and stimulates nerve fibers that ultimately activate pain centers in the 
brain.

Headache is classified as either primary, which means no other condition is the cause, or 
secondly, meaning it is the result of another ailment. Even though there are 300 medical conditions 
that have headache as a symptom, most are benign and primary, and can be successfully 
diagnosed and treated.

As of yet, there is no cure for migraines, although with a combination of prevention and 
treatment methods tailored especially for each individual, relief can be experienced.

Researchers believe that it is only a matter of time before the exact combination to unlock 
the cure to head and facial pain is found.

Migraine Scars

This illness from a technical point of view is termed a benign disorder. It's not life threating, 
but this label doesn't account the marked negative effect on the sufferer, his/her family, friends, 
associates and acquaintances. The emotional, financial, social and physical strain on this 
condition is astounding and incalculable.

Migraine can be deeply disruptive to a person's lifestyle. Fighting this powerful disorder 
year after year can be exhausting and depressing. Eventually, it may feel as though the migraine is 
the one in the driver's seat. It is easy to fall into a rut and may take months to climb out.

Which comes first, migraine or depression? Chronic migraine can understandably bring on 
depression. Suffering pain day after day, week after week, or (God forbid) month after month is 
enough to make anyone depressed. Researchers do say though that anxiety and depression can 
actually precede a headache in 20 to 40% of sufferers. They believe these people probably have 
inherited this trait. These individuals need to find pleasant things to do; even if it is small to begin 
with. It helps if take time to escape problems, worries and themselves; to leave behind bad habits; 
to be involved with others. Often helping others is beneficial to one's self. It can be psychologically 
healthful as long as not done in excess.

Finally, the medical profession now recognizes and addresses some of the physical scars 
of migraine. That there can be a continuation of pain for days or weeks after a severe attack. This 
is known as the "postdrome," a period akin to the symptoms of a hangover.

Places To Go For Help

There are many great places to go for further information, education, help, support, and 
more! To see this vast list, CLICK HERE 

Recommended Books

Very Good Books on Migraine For Further Information and Help

*The Hormone Headache New Ways To Prevent, Manage, and Treat Migraines and Other Headaches 
By: Seymour Diamond, M.D. with Bill Still & Cynthia Still 
ISBN#0-02-008315-7 Number of pages: 219 
Macmillan - A Simon & Schuster Macmillan Company 1995

*Migraine: The Complete Guide
A Comprehensive Resource Book for People with 
Migraine, Their Families, and Physicians
By: The American Council on Headache Education with 
Lynne M. Constantine & Suzanne Scott
ISBN# o-440-50458-9
Number of pages: 289
A Dell Trade Paperback 1994

*The Woman's Migraine Survival Guide
The complete, Up-to-date resource on the causes of 
your migraine pain – and treatments for real relief 
By: Christina Peterson, M.D.
ISBN# 0-06-095319-5
Number of pages: 226
A Harper Resource Book from Harper Perennial 1999

BIBLIOGRAPHY & FURTHER READING

1. ACHE – American Council For Headache Education (2001) http://www.achenet.org
2. AHS – American Headache Society (2001) http://www.ahsnet.org
3. Burks, L., Susan, MED (1994) "Managing Your Migraine-A Migraine Sufferer's Practical 
Guide" Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey 41, 187-190
4. Constantine, M., Lynne, and Scott, Suzanne, and The American Council on Headache 
Education (1994) "Migraine: The Complete Guide – A Comprehensive Resource Book for 
People with Migraine, Their Families, and Physicians" A Dell Trade Paperback, New 
York, N.Y. 2, 6, 13, 43, 218
5. Diamond Seymour, M.D., and Still, Bill and Cynthia (1995) "The Hormone Headache – 
New Ways To Prevent, Manage, and Treat Migraine and Other Headaches" Macmillan A 
Simon & Schunster MacMillan Company, New York, N.Y. xi, 65-73
6. Moe,Barbara (2000) "Everything You Need To Know About Migraines and Other 
Headaches" The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc., New York, N.Y. 8, 17, 39-41
7. National Headache Foundation, (2001) http://www.headaches.org
8. Peterson, Christina, M.D. (1999) "The Woman's Migraine Survival Guide – The Most 
Complete, Up-to-Date Resource on the Causes of Your Migraine Pain – and Treatments 
for Real Relief" A Harper Resource Book, New York, N.Y. 8, 73-79, 173-174
9. Robert, Teri (2001) "Bush Address Congress" About Headaches.com 
http://headaches.about.com/library/nosearch/no71101a.htm
10. Run With The Wolves (2001) http://www.runwiththewolves.com
11. Sacks, Oliver, (1992) "MIGRAINE" University of California Press, Berkeley of California 
Press, 256-257

About the writer, Christina Francine:

Christina's daughter struggles and endures from the mighty illness of migraine. Chris has 
researched and learned more than she ever wanted to know in an effort to help find a way to give her 
daughter relief – to give her back her life. It is her desire to help other migrainer's using the 
knowledge she's learned.

"It has been a battle." Chris will tell you. "We were surprised with the medical profession and how some doctors don't seem to know much about migraines. Two doctors we went to seemed to be living in the dark 
ages. After two long years of doctors, tons of medicine (we have a huge bag of misc. medications which didn't work), x-rays, MRI's, blood-work, and all the other experiments, we've learned the medical profession still has a long way to go. More research needs to be done. This is a debilitating disease. It can turn your world upside down and become the ruler."

 
"We've also learned, to our dismay, that schools don't have a clue. Our daughter has been 
diagnosed, had notes from doctors and still the treatment from some school staff has been 
horrifying. If she had a broken leg with a cast I'm sure she would be treated differently. There were 
days in school when our daughter couldn't see, has fainted, thrown-up, and was in agonizing pain. 
Schools need to be educated on chronic illnesses such as migraine and implement a workable plan 
for students who have them; one that allows the continuation of education without being penalized. 
Also, attendance laws for children with severe illnesses need to be revamped."

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