‘It’s very underestimated.’ Migraine disorder is a debilitating condition, but newer treatment options can help.
Nearly 40 million Americans struggle with migraine, a disorder characterized by severe headaches often coupled with fatigue, sensitivity to light or sound, and upset stomach.
Aviation mechanic Baudelaire Fleurant falls into the 2% of the general population diagnosed with chronic migraine, meaning they have more than 14 headache days per month and at least eight migraines per month. While migraine disorder ranges in symptoms, severity, and frequency from one person to the next, it’s often a debilitating condition and is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S.
Almost daily migraine attacks were getting in the way of Fleurant’s work and personal life, and he struggled to find the right treatment. Last year, he connected with Neurologist Abby Metzler, MD, who specializes in treating chronic migraine through the M Health Fairview Headache Care Program.
Together, they developed an individualized care plan that includes both preventative measures and options for managing breakthrough migraine attacks.
Find customized headache solutions, specialized care, and the latest treatments through the M Health Fairview Headache Care Program.
A journey to understanding – and treatment
Fleurant has lived with migraine pain for most of his adult life. He started getting severe headaches once a week in 2005. Over time, the pain became more frequent. Migraine disorder can be genetic, and attacks can come on spontaneously or in response to triggers such as stress, sleep changes, weather, brain injury, and more. Many people have multiple triggers.
“It crept up on me, and I didn’t fully realize what was going on,” said Fleurant. “I started having to take more and more pills just to keep up with daily life.”
Fleurant was diagnosed with migraine disorder in 2010, but that was just the start of a long road to finding treatment that fit his lifestyle and made a difference in his pain. He tried different medications, but nothing stuck. His migraine attacks became more frequent, and the constant pain made Fleurant more irritable and less able to enjoy life.
In 2021, he made a New Year’s resolution — he was going to find help for his disorder. This came at an important time in his life. Fleurant also serves in the U.S. Air Force and was taking professional development courses on public speaking, hoping to help others in the military through motivational speaking.
“Several times, I had to leave class early. I couldn’t finish it,” said Fleurant. “Those are moments I can’t gain back. I want to help others, but I can’t help anybody if I’m not taking care of myself.”
Emerging treatments offer more options
Fortunately, migraine treatment has come a long way — even in the last five years — and the M Health Fairview Headache Care Program offers many emerging treatments to patients.
These include a new group of acute migraine medications that’s an alternative to triptans, a common type which some people are unable to tolerate due to high blood pressure or other side effects.
The program also features many preventive options, including self-administered monthly monoclonal antibody injections. Botox, another option, has been shown in clinical trials to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks in people with chronic migraine.
“Sometimes with chronic migraine, multiple approaches are needed to optimize treatment,” said Metzler. “These treatments are separated into preventive treatments to reduce headache frequency, severity, or duration, and acute treatments to use when a migraine attack occurs.”
Fleurant has started injectable treatments, which he says has reduced the severity of his migraine attacks. He also has multiple prescription medications in his arsenal for when he does feel a migraine coming on.
“While I still get migraines, they’re weaker,” said Fleurant. “I can stop them in their tracks a lot earlier.”
Additional support through physical therapy and personal meditation practice have helped Fleurant become more aware of his body, including physical migraine triggers and early warning signs. Diet changes to incorporate more fruits and vegetables, a healthy sleep routine, and bringing earplugs along to noisy events have helped minimize some of Fleurant’s migraine triggers. Eye drops and specialized glasses prescribed by Fleurant’s optometrist have also helped ease some of his symptoms.
For a disorder that makes it easy to feel powerless, these holistic therapies and ongoing treatment through our Headache Care Program have given him a sense of control.
Fleurant and Metzler are also looking into the unique triggers of his disorder, and he was recently diagnosed with occipital neuralgia, a separate condition that can be associated with chronic migraine. He receives specialized treatment through our Headache Care Program to try and prevent the attacks triggered by occipital neuralgia.
