A Guided Tour of Hell: In the Words of Migraine Sufferers

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes estimates that over 45 million Americans suffer chronic, recurring headaches. 50 billion dollars are lost every year to absenteeism and medical expenses caused by headaches. Migraine sufferers miss more than 257 million days of work each year. The statistics are impressive, and a little frightening. More frightening is the fact that behind the numbers are human beings in pain. Human beings who suffer from a a disabling illness that we have barely begun to understand. Who are these people, these human beings behind the statistics? What are their hopes, fears, frustrations, and dreams? What are their lives like? What do they face each day in their battle of pain? How do they cope? In this book, you will find the answers to those questions, and others. In their own words, migraine sufferers, sometimes called Migraineurs, will tell you of their lives. They will let you look into their lives and catch a glimpse of hell. You will find out how they feel about having their pain dismissed as "just a headache." Hopefully, you will learn. Maybe, just maybe, by learning about the human side of migraines, we will find a way, if not to cure Migraineurs, to at least comfort them. Maybe we can offer them a hand to pull them out of the dark isolation imposed on them by a society that doesn't understand, or worse, doesn't care. Maybe, just maybe, we can give migraine sufferers the respect, dignity and peace that they, like all human beings, deserve. Just maybe.