‘I have a life again’: Joanne’s migraine story

Migraine’s were dominating Joanne’s life – until she found a treatment that changed everything.

Joanne Acampora

‘Anti-CGRP treatment has been an absolute game-changer for me. It has had a huge impact on my migraine. The severity of my attacks have reduced significantly and the frequency as well.’

My migraines started after my breast cancer treatment in my forties. I think it was hormonal because I was put on a treatment for forced menopause, and when later I stopped the treatment and my body went through the natural cycle of menopause, it got much worse.

Initially it was not so bad, but by the end of my forties, it was so severe. I would be in excruciating pain three to four days in a week with severity as bad as seven to eight out of ten. All I could do was just stay in bed all day.

There were days when I would be in so much pain that I would want to go to the accident and emergency department but my body would just not be able to move.

I had trained as an actress but was eventually dropped by my agent since I couldn’t be relied on to make it to castings.

I also worked as young people’s counsellor and I just struggled every day to be able to do my job. Finally, I had to leave the job I loved because my migraine made it impossible to carry on.

My social and personal life was affected too. You just can’t make plans with friends or family, you can’t go out to do what everyone else can, like the cinema or theatre. Your life is controlled by a condition no-one seems to understand.

The anxiety, the fear of getting an attack controlled me. My quality of life got worse and worse, which made me depressed.

But then I discovered anti-CGRPs.

Anti-CGRP treatment has been an absolute game-changer for me. It has had a huge impact on my migraine. The severity of my attacks have reduced significantly and the frequency as well.

It’s like I have a life again and can actually do things, spend time with friends and family. I am not on edge all the time, worried if I might get another attack. Finally, I feel in control.

To find out if anti-CGRP medication could help you, book a consultation with a headache specialist through the National Migraine Centre today.