Migraine

Inside a World of Invisible Pain

By: Maria Konnikova

Narrated by: Maria Konnikova

New York Times bestseller (The Biggest Buff, The Confidence Game, Mastermind) and New Yorker writer Maria Konnikova delves into the mysterious ailment that she and 39 million others suffer from in the U.S. alone: Migraine, a disease that is still little understood, yet debilitating to its sufferers. Konnikova takes a clear-eyed look at migraine’s history, diving into current theories and more recent approaches - and offers a deeply personal account of what it’s like to experience migraine, usually with little warning and always to a level that is devastating to a degree.

Eighteen percent of women are thought to suffer from migraine, and Konnikova thinks that it’s not a coincidence that the ailment has not gotten the medical investigation that it deserves. It is unfortunately far too common to see medical data gaps where a predominantly female patient population is concerned.

Informative and entertaining, Migraine is an Audible Original for those who suffer from migraine and those with sufferers in their lives - which would amount to just about everyone.

©2021 Maria Konnikova (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

Someone articulating what I feel

I never write reviews, but I have to for this one. Is it a scientific research journal? No. Does it give you lots of advice on how to manage your migraines? No. But as a migraine sufferer for 30 years, I can tell you that I don't need those things anymore. I needed validation for my experience. Recently, I got a new primary care doctor. I went to see him after he told me that he would not renew my prescription for a pain medication. Like the author, I've tried many preventive, rescue and pain medications over the years and some work for a time, most don't. What I realized in the visit is that I knew more about migraines than my physician did; he questioned whether I was even having migraines. I am also seeing a neurologist who has been giving me Botox but I just found out that they've been giving me well-under the recommended dosage! The author's description of "just powering through" is exactly what I have done; I call myself "a high functioning migraineur" like an alcoholic. This book gave me the affirmation that I needed to advocate more for myself, to come prepared not with a diary of migraines but with a description of what one feels like. There is a woman on Instagram who takes selfies when she has migraines. You can see it in her eyes. I think the reason doctors don't see it is because they aren't looking.

Great insight

I would recommend this book at anybody who feels isolated by migraines. I personally do not suffer from migraines but chronic headaches. If I were to talk to Maria I would highly encourage her to explore Brain Energy By Dr. Christopher Palmer as it puts forth a new theory regarding mental health, dementia and host of other issues. I can’t help but feel that migraine is probably related even though migraines are not discussed within the book.

excellent information

I'm 61 years old and have suffered from migraines since the age of 10. I found this book very, very helpful and informative.
I enjoyed learning about the history of migraines and the evolution of treatments and pharmaceuticals to help treat us.
I can so relate to the episodes of migraine attacks, except for one, that the author experienced.
this is well written, I recommend it highly.

Gee thanks for the reminder?...

Basically it really reminded me why i hate migraines so much instead of talking to an herbalist or friend i was listening to someone else talk about it. idk maybe since i've never tried this approach my migraines will go away because i listened to this book? idk i wasn't at all impressed actually.

an illness nobody understands

This was an amazing excerpt on how i feel 3x a week. I wish there was more research and science dedicated to solving this mysterious pain that can't quite be summed up in words. Unfortunately the older you get, the better you get at learning to function the best you can with chronic migraine.