Free Resource for People Living With Migraine—Migraine Patient Guidelines

A new publication for people living with migraine, Migraine Patient Guidelines from The Global Healthy Living Foundation, is available for free download to assist people living with migraine. These guidelines explain—in clearly written and nonstigmatizing language—best practices for communication and collaboration with health care providers and for self-advocacy. In addition to explaining different migraine medication options, including integrative medicine therapies, the guide puts out a call for people living with migraine to “raise their hand and get involved.” 

Beginning with a powerful patient charter that reflects putting the patient experience at the heart of all things related to migraine, the guideline continues with descriptions of migraine symptoms, types, and triggers. Next the diagnostic process and treatment options are covered in a detailed yet simple manner. A section on Living With Migraine covers stigma, mental health, managing migraine in the workplace, and how family and friends can be affected by a person’s migraines before moving on to a final section on Advocacy. 

The Guidelines were written by a team of patients, advocates, and clinicians and reviewed by The National Headache Foundation, Dr. William B. Young, MD, FAHS, FAAN of the Headache Center of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA (who has also contributed to Practical Neurology) and the well-known author of  the blog TheMigraineDiva.com, Jaime Sanders.

“Our Migraine Patient Guidelines are the newest in our series of educational resources that help people living with chronic disease understand our diagnosis and feel empowered to make informed decisions about our treatment,” said Joseph Coe, director of education and digital strategy for the Global Healthy Living Foundation and CreakyJoints. “We welcome the opportunity to support Michael’s Tumbler and Tipsy show and announce the availability of this resource to the community because we believe that education and awareness around invisible and chronic diseases should happen in as many venues as possible.”