In this episode of Talking Head Pain, Joe Coe welcomes Izac Ross, Founder of the Haven Headache & Migraine Center and a patient advocate. They delve into Izac's lifelong journey with migraine, beginning with his childhood diagnosis and the challenges of dealing with the condition through various stages of life.

Izac discusses his experiences with a range of treatments, highlighting the transformative effects of newer therapies like CGRP inhibitors and Botox. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of not settling for subpar treatment, advocating for oneself in medical settings, and managing a career while coping with chronic migraine.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:33: Izac describes the migraine he experienced the weekend prior to the recording

02:30: Izac highlights the social challenges and masking involved with invisible disabilities like migraine

03:19: Izac shares his early diagnosis at age 2, the rarity of pediatric migraine diagnoses at that time, and the challenges he faced

05:19: Izac and Joe discuss Izac's pursuit of “migraine freedom” and his experience with treatment advancements, including Botox and CGRP inhibitors

09:06: Izac emphasizes the importance of advocating for proper treatment and support

11:15: Izac discusses the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and empowering others in a leadership role

13:59: Joe and Izac discuss the necessity of overperforming to compensate for the debilitating symptoms of migraine

15:31: Izac shares the importance of early disclosure of his condition to employers and the role of managers in providing reasonable accommodations

16:59: Izac explains the motivation and goals behind the creation of the Haven Headache & Migraine Center, emphasizing access to quality care and crisis management

19:50: Izac concludes by inviting listeners to check out the Haven Headache & Migraine Center online, discussing their clinical team, and plans for expansion

For more information go to https://www.havenheadache.com/

You can also find Izac on Instagram with the handle @gaywithaheadache

Contact Our Hosts:

Joe Coe, Director, Therapeutic Area Growth and Integration at GHLF: jcoe@ghlf.org

Sarah Shaw, Senior Manager of BIPOC Community Outreach at GHLF: sshaw@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

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