Real Talk

Real Talk

We Need to Stop Saying “Migraines” —Here’s What to Say Instead

Migraine is a condition is often minimized and stigmatized. Language shifts that seem small can have a big impact. Removing the “s” helps recognize the complexity of migraine.

Real Talk

Medical Gaslighting Is Real, and It May Have Happened to You

A patient’s word should be believed. You shouldn't need to fight to advocate for your health when you're feeling your worst.

Real Talk

What the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for the Chronically Ill and Disabled Communities

The court’s decision affects all Americans, but disabled, chronically ill, and disadvantaged people will be disproportionately affected. They face healthcare inequities, poverty, and more.

Real Talk

A Flare Does Not Mean You’ve Done Something “Wrong”

When you live with chronic pain, you can’t stop the weather, but you can learn to adjust your sails.

Real Talk

9 Ways Acute Illness Is Thought Of Differently Than Chronic Illness 

Living with chronic illness has made me aware of the many ways that society views chronic illness differently than they view acute illness.

Real Talk

Recognizing Signs of Medical Trauma When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Medical trauma is real but sometimes it can be hard to recognize. If you live with a chronic condition it is especially important to be aware of how traumatic medical scenarios can have lasting effects. If you have experienced medical trauma, it is important to know you are not alone.

Real Talk

My Journey to Becoming a Chronic Illness Advocate on Social Media

Writer Nia G. discusses her journey to becoming a social media advocate after her chronic illness diagnoses.

Real Talk

The Way We Treat the Undiagnosed Needs to Change

Being undiagnosed is an under-acknowledged stage of living with chronic physical or mental symptoms.

Real Talk

What I’ve Learned About Self-Advocacy When Living with a Chronic Condition

When living with a chronic condition or disability, finding and using your voice is a must.

Real Talk

Working from Bed Isn’t Lazy — It’s Accessible

As a disabled person, working from bed makes it possible for me to have a job.

Real Talk

You Don’t Know the Full Story: Judging Me for How I Manage My Health Doesn’t Help

The intersection of racism and ableism makes navigating my chronic health conditions feel impossible.

Real Talk

7 Things I Wish People Would Stop Saying About Migraine… And What to Say Instead

Migraine is stigmatized and so misunderstood. Sometimes, even well-meaning advice can be hurtful.

Real Talk

Creating a Space for the Migraine Community to Share Stories

The Talking Head Pain podcast is a way for me to share my story and amplify the voices of others.

Real Talk

How I’m Making Peace with the Never-Ending Pandemic

Those of us living with a chronic condition are used to navigating an unknown future.

Real Talk

4 Tips for Dealing with Hanger When You Live with Chronic Migraine 

“Hanger” is a term to describe the anger you may feel when you are hungry. When I find myself faced with a migraine attack and feeling hangry, here's what I do to cope.

Real Talk

My Experience with the COVID-19 Vaccine and Chronic Migraine

My fears about the vaccine triggering a migraine attack didn't come true, and I can't wait to hug my parents again soon.

Real Talk

Migraine Sucks. So Does ADHD. Here’s How to Deal When You Have Both

Migraine sucks. So does ADHD. Here’s how to deal when you have both.

Real Talk

I Am a Gay Man with Migraine, Here’s Why I Share My Story

Many people in the LGBTQ+ and migraine communities live in pain in silence. Sharing our stories is an important step in making our experiences visible.

Real Talk

5 Things I Wish People Knew About Migraine

While I’ve lived with migraine since my early teens, I haven't always understood the complexity of it. Here are five things I wish people understood about living with migraine.

Real Talk

I Was Diagnosed with Chronic Migraine After 2 Concussions. Now I’m Finding My New Normal

After two concussions, CarmenRose Fiallo started having frequent head pain. Three years later, she was finally diagnosed with chronic migraine. She opens up about the grief that accompanies a new diagnosis and the long process of coming to terms with a new way of life.

Real Talk

My Migraine Isn’t ‘Just a Headache,’ and My Experience of COVID-19 Wasn’t ‘Just a Bad Cold’

I found similarities between how people respond to migraine and COVID-19. It’s important to remember how our language affects others.

Real Talk

6 Things I Wish People Understood About Migraine

The common frustration for those with migraine disorders is that we live with an invisible illness.

Real Talk

Managing Migraine in the Spotlight, Kristin Chenoweth Shares Her Story

Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth opens up about living with chronic migraine and why she believes it's important to speak up.

Real Talk

Living with Undiagnosed Chronic Pain Is Hard, But Please Don’t Give Up

When you live with undiagnosed pain, self-advocacy, hope, and resilience are key.

Real Talk

What I Learned About Chronic Illness Coaches While Seeking Support for a New Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease left me feeling overwhelmed and alone. It was challenging to find the social and emotional support I needed.

Real Talk

How I’ve Coped with Chronic Illness Throwing My Life Plans Out of Orbit

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition, like MS, can throw your life plans off course. Grieving the losses and finding ways to move forward is a process.

Real Talk

How Living with Chronic Illness Has Helped Improve My Relationship with My Body

Whether you live with a chronic illness or not, living in a body is a complex experience.

Real Talk

What I’ve Learned By Being Open About Migraine in Public

Choosing to be unapologetically open about my life with migraine has helped me connect with others, prioritize my own health, and show up as my whole self.

Real Talk

Why Do I Always Feel Like I’m Exaggerating My Chronic Migraine Symptoms?

It's time to stop searching for validation from others and find it within myself.

Real Talk

How I Balance Advocacy and Privacy Living with a Chronic Condition

Some days, sharing about my life with MS feels useful and authentic. Other times, I'd rather keep the details to myself.

Real Talk

How Fatigue Changed My Mindset as a Disability Activist

Hustle culture and the pandemic made me hit a breaking point. I was exhausted, but being an activist made me want to fight on. Now, I live by a different mantra.

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How Chronic Illness Affects More Than Just Your Physical Health

The nonphysical effects of living with a chronic condition are often ignored or underestimated. We need to change that. These are nine ways that living with a chronic condition has affected my life and strategies I've found to help me cope.

Real Talk

Having a Chronic Illness Helped Me Prepare for the Uncertainty of the Pandemic

Managing ulcerative colitis means accepting the unpredictability of life. That skill has become invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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How Virtual Care Has Changed My Chronic Illness Treatment

The option of virtual care used to be a dream for managing my chronic illness. It took a pandemic for that dream to come true.

Real Talk

Advocating for Yourself: How to Be Taken Seriously When You Live with Migraine

Migraine is so much more than “just a bad headache.” Here‘s how I speak up when my experiences are being minimized.

Real Talk

Ableist Language in Pop Culture and How It Affects People with Chronic Illness

Ableism and ableist language are all too common, especially in pop culture. Learn how to recognize this language and ways to be more mindful of the words you choose.

Real Talk

We Need to Talk About the Way the Media Portrays Chronically Ill People

Stereotypes and stigma still outweigh authentic portrayals of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We have the power to change that.

Real Talk

Oppression as a Migraine Trigger: Navigating Chronic Illness in a Fat, Brown, Queer, Immigrant Woman’s Body

Here's how I navigate chronic illness in a fat, brown, queer, immigrant woman's body.

Real Talk

Sex, Communication, and Chronic Pain

How the kink community helped me confront unsafe patterns and foster empowering sexual connections.

Real Talk

5 Lessons from the Pandemic That Promote Inclusivity

We can continue to learn from the pandemic and encourage inclusivity in our everyday practices.

Real Talk

Talking with Friends About Money Can Be Awkward When Your Condition Limits How Much You Work

Being asked to chip in for food or gifts can be stressful, especially if a chronic illness restricts the hours you can work. These tips can help navigate awkward conversations with friends.

Real Talk

The Mental Toll of Disability Is Inflating — We Have to Do Something

The weight of living in a world that doesn’t consider disabled people’s needs is piling on. Something has to change.

Real Talk

Why I Advocate: Alexes’ Migraine Story

Alexes Griffin helps unite the Migraine Healthline community while offering friendship, hope, and support.

Real Talk

How I Face the Stigma of Living with Migraine as a Man

Chronic migraine disproportionately affects women, occurring 3 times more than in men.

Real Talk

My Journey Through Infertility and Pregnancy with Chronic Migraine

Living with chronic vestibular migraine has taught me that I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I could be.

Real Talk

We Need to Talk About Ableism and COVID-19

The issues that disabled and chronic condition communities face as a result of the pandemic are being ignored too easily.