Migraine

Inside a World of Invisible Pain

By: Maria Konnikova

Narrated by: Maria Konnikova

Length: 1 hr and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestseller (The Biggest Buff, The Confidence Game, Mastermind) and New Yorker writer Maria Konnikova delves into the mysterious ailment that she and 39 million others suffer from in the U.S. alone: Migraine, a disease that is still little understood, yet debilitating to its sufferers. Konnikova takes a clear-eyed look at migraine’s history, diving into current theories and more recent approaches - and offers a deeply personal account of what it’s like to experience migraine, usually with little warning and always to a level that is devastating to a degree. 

Eighteen percent of women are thought to suffer from migraine, and Konnikova thinks that it’s not a coincidence that the ailment has not gotten the medical investigation that it deserves. It is unfortunately far too common to see medical data gaps where a predominantly female patient population is concerned.

Informative and entertaining, Migraine is an Audible Original for those who suffer from migraine and those with sufferers in their lives - which would amount to just about everyone.

©2021 Maria Konnikova (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Someone articulating what I feel

I never write reviews, but I have to for this one. Is it a scientific research journal? No. Does it give you lots of advice on how to manage your migraines? No. But as a migraine sufferer for 30 years, I can tell you that I don't need those things anymore. I needed validation for my experience. Recently, I got a new primary care doctor. I went to see him after he told me that he would not renew my prescription for a pain medication. Like the author, I've tried many preventive, rescue and pain medications over the years and some work for a time, most don't. What I realized in the visit is that I knew more about migraines than my physician did; he questioned whether I was even having migraines. I am also seeing a neurologist who has been giving me Botox but I just found out that they've been giving me well-under the recommended dosage! The author's description of "just powering through" is exactly what I have done; I call myself "a high functioning migraineur" like an alcoholic. This book gave me the affirmation that I needed to advocate more for myself, to come prepared not with a diary of migraines but with a description of what one feels like. There is a woman on Instagram who takes selfies when she has migraines. You can see it in her eyes. I think the reason doctors don't see it is because they aren't looking.

excellent information

I'm 61 years old and have suffered from migraines since the age of 10. I found this book very, very helpful and informative.
I enjoyed learning about the history of migraines and the evolution of treatments and pharmaceuticals to help treat us.
I can so relate to the episodes of migraine attacks, except for one, that the author experienced.
this is well written, I recommend it highly.

Gee thanks for the reminder?...

Basically it really reminded me why i hate migraines so much instead of talking to an herbalist or friend i was listening to someone else talk about it. idk maybe since i've never tried this approach my migraines will go away because i listened to this book? idk i wasn't at all impressed actually.

an illness nobody understands

This was an amazing excerpt on how i feel 3x a week. I wish there was more research and science dedicated to solving this mysterious pain that can't quite be summed up in words. Unfortunately the older you get, the better you get at learning to function the best you can with chronic migraine.

I couldn’t believe it!

Anna told my life story. It’s as if we were the same person going through the exact same experiences. I have suffered from chronic migraine headaches 3-4 per week) for almost 40 years and experienced everything she said. Thank god for CGRPs and the right dose of Imitrex (I am male and the side effects of 100mg were tolerable but now I know it was even too much for me). I will recommend this book to every fellow migraine sufferer I meet. Thank you Anna!

Thanks

Thanks for the book. So sad that there is not enough attention to migraine 😞

Excellent overview of life with migraine

From the early origins of the disease to where we are now, Maria covers the history of migraine. She goes deeper, discussing treatments over time. And she gives us glimpses into her personal experience with migraine. To date I’ve found this to be the most compressive and informative book on migraine I’ve read (listened to). I recommend this book for those living with migraine, for those who live with those who live with migraine (and want a better understanding) and for those treating people who live with migraine.

very informative

It took me a while to listen because who wants to hear about migraine when they're suffering from it ? I'm glad I finally did because I feel validated in knowing that she has experienced similar symptoms to mine, as well as negative interactions with doctors. She mentioned treatments that I was not aware of. I feel more empowered to speak with my doctor and ask for the latest treatments.

A great Read for All, Migraine or no.

As a 34 year old man who has had frequent to chronic headaches peppered with migraines all my life, I greatly appreciate the information and perspective in this book. It really captures the struggle to describe the variety of ways a migraine can manifest, can cripple a day or days, as well as the variety of severities.
Sometimes, bed, medicine, toe curling pain and just trying to sleep it off is the only option. Other times, you can “function”, for a day, days, a week or longer with head pain that’s just bad enough to make you hate life, but you still have to provide, so you work, as much as possible.
Good story that helps sufferers and the lucky ones better understand the scope of this issue.
To Maria Konnikova, Thank you! 👍🏼👍🏼

Love

I feel as if I could have wrote this. Maria took my thoughts Feelings and frustration and put them down in the words I could never express. Her research is so on point I learned more about this illness that has effected my life for decades. I really need this to come out in a physical format so I can share it and highlight the things spoke to my soul.