Real Talk

Real Talk

An Open Letter: The 2 Words Not to Say to Someone with Chronic Illness

This open letter explains that the words “Feel better” can sting when said to a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) or another chronic illness. This phrase does not acknowledge the condition’s permanence or often invisible symptoms and can leave the person you’re trying to help feeling worse.

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What I Wish I’d Known About Migraine Before Chasing a Solution to My Neck Pain

I spent countless hours and plenty of money trying to treat my neck pain that I thought was contributing to my migraine, until I learned something that surprised me.

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Shop Small and Spoonie-Owned: Here’s Where to Start

Discover the resilience and creativity behind these incredible businesses run by individuals living with chronic illnesses.

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A Guide to Planning Your I Dos (Minus the Migraine)

From popping the question to tying the knot, these tips from professionals will help you manage wedding planning with migraine while avoiding the traps of triggers.

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When the Holidays Aren’t Joyful

Financial burdens, the stress of travel, the inability to enjoy many holiday foods, and other factors all conspire to make the holidays a time when it's easy to give in to depression.

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Smut, Spice, and Self-Love: Reclaiming My Sex Life with Chronic Illness

Chronic illness symptoms can sometimes interfere with your sex life. Romance literature, or smut, is one method that has helped me rekindle the spark.

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Living with Chronic Illness? Artificial Intelligence May Be Your New Ally

Artificial intelligence could help to make healthcare more equitable and inclusive. Read on to discover what this could mean for chronic illness care.

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5 Tips to Cope with an Injury While Managing Chronic Illness

It's a job to manage chronic illness, and getting injured can add to the task. Here's how to ease the mental load.

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Your Story, Your Rules: Choosing How Much You Share

I was once an open book about my chronic illness on social media. But then I felt like I wanted to close that chapter for good. Here's why I now share my stories in moderation.

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When an Invisible Illness Turns Visible: The Challenges and Surprises of Being Seen

I've previously advocated for my invisible illness to be seen. As my symptoms have progressed and become more visible, I've sometimes found myself longing for it to be invisible again. Here's how I've navigated this change.

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I Went All In on Alkaline Products to Go Acid-Free ... Here’s What Happened

I was influenced by social media to try alkaline supplements. After a trip (or two) to the hospital, and several surgeries later, I've learned the hard way about the dangers of misinformation.

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Cracking the Code on Supplements: How to Spot the Best and Avoid the Rest

Buzzy marketing can make herbs and supplements seem enticing, but do you really need them? Here's what to look out for.

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Food Sensitivity Testing: The Fictions Behind the Fad

Food sensitivity testing is making the rounds, with companies suggesting their test results can help you select a diet to treat your chronic condition. But is there truth to the headlines? Here's what you should know.

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Dietary Changes Weren't the Magical Answer for My Migraine Pain

While elimination diets may help some people eliminate symptoms, they aren't a magic bullet for a complex condition like migraine.

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Truth or Hype? How to Spot Health Misinformation

False health claims are out there, but you can sharpen your spidey sense so you don't fall for the fictions.

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Facing My Fears: What I Learned When the ‘Natural Cures’ Didn’t Work

I’m the type of person who fell for the promises of natural things curing my condition. I tried “cures” advertised on the internet because I was terrified of starting medication. Here’s what I learned.

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4 Absurd Migraine Remedies NOT to Try at Home

Social media is full of nonsense, but none so absurd as when it comes to silly videos claiming to 'cure' migraine for good.

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9 Things I Took for Granted Before Chronic Illness

When you’re healthy, you don’t think twice about enjoying a pain-free day or spontaneously staying over at a friend’s house. But with chronic illness, these simple pleasures become symbols of freedom — things you once took for granted and never thought you’d lose.

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The Psychology of Misinformation: Why We Buy into BS

The internet means everything is at our fingertips, even misinformation. Here's why it spreads, plus how to protect yourself and your community.

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Medications Can Be a Hard Pill to Swallow Amidst Pressures to Heal Naturally

Pressures to “go the natural route” can feel overwhelming when living with chronic illness. Here’s why this can be dangerous.

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Does Exercise Trigger Migraine Attacks? 15 Tips for a Pain-Free Workout

Exercise can help you manage migraine symptoms, but there are important things to consider so your workout doesn't trigger and attack.

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Am I Overidentifying with My Chronic Illness?

My illness is not my identity. Here's how I'm working to decouple them.

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Dreams and Wanderings: The Connection Between Migraine and Sleep Disorders

Sleepwalking, sleeptalking, and acting out your dreams may be related to migraine. Here's how to manage.

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The Link Between Migraine and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

A spike in heart rate when sitting or standing up may indicate a condition that's linked to migraine. Here's what to know.

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It Happened to Me: A HIPAA Violation

HIPAA should protect your health information. Here's my experience of a HIPAA violation while receiving home healthcare.

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Why Being a ‘Good Patient’ Could Be Harmful to Your Health

Good patient syndrome can be a response to trauma. Those of us with chronic illnesses may exhibit people-pleasing behaviors to stay on doctors’ good sides, but that can ultimately endanger our health.

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Parenting with Migraine: How to Get the Support You and Your Kids Need

Migraine can impact family life, but these tips can help you stay connected.

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Love, Connection, and Chronic Illness: A Dating App Designed for Us

Dating with chronic illness can involve uncomfortable conversations. This app can make it easier.

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How to Find Control When It Feels Like Your Chronic Illness Makes All the Rules

It can easily feel like chronic illness makes all the rules. Here’s how I found control.

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Figuring Out Life with Multiple Chronic Illnesses: How I Did It

Take it from me, pacing yourself is key.

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Neurodiversity and Migraine: Is There a Link?

ADHD, autism, and migraine may have more in common than previously thought.

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This Neurologist Knows What It’s Like to Live with Migraine: What She’s Doing About It

Headache specialist Dr. Sara Crystal lives with migraine. Here's how she's improving care for all.

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The Honest Realities of Chronic Illness We Don’t Often Discuss

Here's how I've found ways to share unspoken realities in ways that feel right for me.

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6 Things No One Talks About When It Comes to Chronic Migraine

There are physical to symptoms to migraine, and then there's everything that goes with it.

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Meet Your Favorite Celebs Who Know What It’s Like to Experience Migraine

From tennis pros to pop stars, some celebs you may not expect experience migraine attacks.

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10 Ways to Find Support When You Live Alone with Chronic Illness

Living alone with a condition can be challenging, but there are people who want to help.

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How Mainstream Brands Are Making Furniture Accessible for All

From beauty to fashion, industries have begun to make their products more inclusive. But what about furniture?

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How to Adapt to Life with an Incurable Condition

When we accept the painful parts of life, it can become more beautiful.

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These Are the Invisible Costs of Migraine That Your Friends May Not See

Migraine costs you time, money, and (often) quality of life.

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When the Fairy Tale Ends: Divorce with a Chronic Illness

Divorce is difficult under the best of circumstances. Having a chronic illness complicates matters further. Be sure to consider all the legal, financial, social, and other implications before you proceed.

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Here’s How to Get the Migraine Support You Need If You’re Admitted to the Emergency Room

Here’s how to advocate for yourself during a migraine attack.

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Do Orgasms Help Migraine Episodes?

Orgasms may help relieve migraine symptoms. Find out what that means and whether sometimes the opposite might be true.

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5 Promises I Made to Myself and How They’ve Changed

Some promises helped, but most had to change for me to live well with rheumatoid arthritis. Here's why and what they mean to me now.

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6 Ways You Can Advocate for Migraine Awareness in “Real Life”

Advocating for migraine awareness is important but it can feel intimidating to start speaking up. You don't need to have a platform or a large following to make a change. Here are steps you can take in your day-to-day life to help speak up about migraine and reduce stigma.

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How to Respond to Chronic Illness Comments During the Holidays

These funny or serious responses can help combat well-intentioned yet sometimes misguided comments.

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Migraine Comorbidities: Three Advocates Share Their Stories

Some conditions occur more frequently in people with migraine. Author India Kushner spoke to three people who live with migraine alongside other conditions to learn about their experiences.

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The Truth About Chronic Illness and Fatigue

Fatigue is common in those living with chronic illnesses. But this symptom is often treated as an afterthought. Here's what you should know and what might help.

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Ambassador Leah Preps for the Unpredictable

Meet Leah, an ambassador with Bezzy Migraine, and read her biggest advice for anyone newly diagnosed with migraine.

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What Twitter’s Downfall Means for Chronic Condition Communities

The chronic condition community on Twitter has changed my life. I'm worried about what will happen without it.

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Will Standing in Water Stop My Migraine Symptoms?

People on TikTok are standing in water for migraine relief. We're breaking down where this trend originated and what the science says about this strategy for migraine relief.

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The Exhausting Trial and Error of Trying to Find Migraine Relief

The journey to finding a migraine management plan that works for you can be discouraging and upsetting. Here's everything I've tried so far since being diagnosed with chronic migraine.

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Debunking the Top 5 Migraine Myths

Migraine is a neurological condition that is often misunderstood. Here are five myths writer Amy Mowbray has come across while living with migraine and why they aren't true.

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As Someone with a Chronic Illness, Not Replying to Texts Doesn’t Mean I’m Not Thinking of You

Living with migraine sometimes makes me worry about being perceived as a flaky friend. Here’s how I prioritize my health and my relationships at the same time.

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Feeling Unseen and Unheard: Is This Medical Gaslighting or Something Else?

Not feeling fully supported in healthcare settings can be common. It's important to know why you might be feeling this way — whether from medical gaslighting or from limited medical resources — and what you can do about it.

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How Living with Migraine Has Taught Me to Embrace Disappointment

Canceling plans due to migraine can be upsetting, especially when it means letting others down. Here's how one writer with chronic migraine replaced her feelings of guilt with self-compassion.

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Am I Oversharing? 8 Tips for Navigating Social Media with a Chronic Illness

There are no perfect answers for how much to share and how much to hold back, but there are guidelines that might help you determine the right approach for you.

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Headache on the Hill: Why Migraine Advocacy Is So Important

Catherine Lanser attended the annual "Headache on the Hill" advocacy event in Washington, DC. She joined other advocates to speak with representatives about how the government can better support people in the United States living with migraine.

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What It’s Like Being Chronically Ill in the Time of Wellness

Unsolicited medical advice is exhausting — and sometimes even plain rude. The wellness industry needs to wake up to the realities of living with a chronic illness.

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We Need to Stop Saying “Migraines” —Here’s What to Say Instead

Migraine is a condition is often minimized and stigmatized. Language shifts that seem small can have a big impact. Removing the “s” helps recognize the complexity of migraine.

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How Fatigue Changed My Mindset as a Disability Activist

Hustle culture and the pandemic made me hit a breaking point. I was exhausted, but being an activist made me want to fight on. Now, I live by a different mantra.

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4 Tips for Dealing with Hanger When You Live with Chronic Migraine 

“Hanger” is a term to describe the anger you may feel when you are hungry. When I find myself faced with a migraine attack and feeling hangry, here's what I do to cope.

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How Chronic Illness Affects More Than Just Your Physical Health

The nonphysical effects of living with a chronic condition are often ignored or underestimated. We need to change that. These are nine ways that living with a chronic condition has affected my life and strategies I've found to help me cope.

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Ableist Language in Pop Culture and How It Affects People with Chronic Illness

Ableism and ableist language are all too common, especially in pop culture. Learn how to recognize this language and ways to be more mindful of the words you choose.

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I Was Diagnosed with Chronic Migraine After 2 Concussions. Now I’m Finding My New Normal

After two concussions, CarmenRose Fiallo started having frequent head pain. Three years later, she was finally diagnosed with chronic migraine. She opens up about the grief that accompanies a new diagnosis and the long process of coming to terms with a new way of life.

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7 Things I Struggle to Do with Chronic Migraine

I've learned a lot about how to best manage my migraine symptoms over the years but there are still tasks I find challenging.

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We Need to Talk About the Way the Media Portrays Chronically Ill People

Stereotypes and stigma still outweigh authentic portrayals of people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We have the power to change that.

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The Diversity of Migraine: No Two People Experience the Condition the Same

Migraine triggers and symptoms vary significantly from person to person. Migraine treatments that work for one person may not work for the next.

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Managing Migraine in the Spotlight, Kristin Chenoweth Shares Her Story

Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth opens up about living with chronic migraine and why she believes it's important to speak up.

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Creating a Space for the Migraine Community to Share Stories

The Talking Head Pain podcast is a way for me to share my story and amplify the voices of others.

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I Have a Chronic Condition. Here’s Why I Hate New Year’s Resolutions

The unpredictability of living with a chronic condition can make it hard to stick with your plans. One writer shares why this year, she's saving herself the pressure and avoiding unrealistic resolutions.

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9 Ways Acute Illness Is Thought Of Differently Than Chronic Illness 

Living with chronic illness has made me aware of the many ways that society views chronic illness differently than they view acute illness.

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Talking with Friends About Money Can Be Awkward When Your Condition Limits How Much You Work

Being asked to chip in for food or gifts can be stressful, especially if a chronic illness restricts the hours you can work. These tips can help navigate awkward conversations with friends.

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Advocating for Yourself: How to Be Taken Seriously When You Live with Migraine

Migraine is so much more than “just a bad headache.” Here‘s how I speak up when my experiences are being minimized.

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The Way We Treat the Undiagnosed Needs to Change

Being undiagnosed is an under-acknowledged stage of living with chronic physical or mental symptoms.

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I Am a Gay Man with Migraine, Here’s Why I Share My Story

Many people in the LGBTQ+ and migraine communities live in pain in silence. Sharing our stories is an important step in making our experiences visible.

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You Don’t Know the Full Story: Judging Me for How I Manage My Health Doesn’t Help

The intersection of racism and ableism makes navigating my chronic health conditions feel impossible.

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5 Lessons from the Pandemic That Promote Inclusivity

We can continue to learn from the pandemic and encourage inclusivity in our everyday practices.

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My Journey to Becoming a Chronic Illness Advocate on Social Media

Writer Nia G. discusses her journey to becoming a social media advocate after her chronic illness diagnoses.

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What the Overturning of Roe v. Wade Means for the Chronically Ill and Disabled Communities

The court’s decision affects all Americans, but disabled, chronically ill, and disadvantaged people will be disproportionately affected. They face healthcare inequities, poverty, and more.

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Migraine Sucks. So Does ADHD. Here’s How to Deal When You Have Both

Migraine sucks. So does ADHD. Here’s how to deal when you have both.

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Recognizing Signs of Medical Trauma When You Live with a Chronic Condition

Medical trauma is real but sometimes it can be hard to recognize. If you live with a chronic condition it is especially important to be aware of how traumatic medical scenarios can have lasting effects. If you have experienced medical trauma, it is important to know you are not alone.

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What I’ve Learned About Self-Advocacy When Living with a Chronic Condition

When living with a chronic condition or disability, finding and using your voice is a must.

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Why Do I Always Feel Like I’m Exaggerating My Chronic Migraine Symptoms?

It's time to stop searching for validation from others and find it within myself.

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5 Things I Wish People Knew About Migraine

While I’ve lived with migraine since my early teens, I haven't always understood the complexity of it. Here are five things I wish people understood about living with migraine.

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My Migraine Isn’t ‘Just a Headache,’ and My Experience of COVID-19 Wasn’t ‘Just a Bad Cold’

I found similarities between how people respond to migraine and COVID-19. It’s important to remember how our language affects others.

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We Need to Talk About Ableism and COVID-19

The issues that disabled and chronic condition communities face as a result of the pandemic are being ignored too easily.

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7 Things I Wish People Would Stop Saying About Migraine… And What to Say Instead

Migraine is stigmatized and so misunderstood. Sometimes, even well-meaning advice can be hurtful.

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How I’m Making Peace with the Never-Ending Pandemic

Those of us living with a chronic condition are used to navigating an unknown future.

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What I Learned About Chronic Illness Coaches While Seeking Support for a New Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease left me feeling overwhelmed and alone. It was challenging to find the social and emotional support I needed.

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Medical Gaslighting Is Real, and It May Have Happened to You

A patient’s word should be believed. You shouldn't need to fight to advocate for your health when you're feeling your worst.

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Sex, Communication, and Chronic Pain

How the kink community helped me confront unsafe patterns and foster empowering sexual connections.

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How I Balance Advocacy and Privacy Living with a Chronic Condition

Some days, sharing about my life with MS feels useful and authentic. Other times, I'd rather keep the details to myself.

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Oppression as a Migraine Trigger: Navigating Chronic Illness in a Fat, Brown, Queer, Immigrant Woman’s Body

Here's how I navigate chronic illness in a fat, brown, queer, immigrant woman's body.

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What I’ve Learned By Being Open About Migraine in Public

Choosing to be unapologetically open about my life with migraine has helped me connect with others, prioritize my own health, and show up as my whole self.

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How I’ve Coped with Chronic Illness Throwing My Life Plans Out of Orbit

Being diagnosed with a chronic condition, like MS, can throw your life plans off course. Grieving the losses and finding ways to move forward is a process.

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A Flare Does Not Mean You’ve Done Something “Wrong”

When you live with chronic pain, you can’t stop the weather, but you can learn to adjust your sails.

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Living with Undiagnosed Chronic Pain Is Hard, But Please Don’t Give Up

When you live with undiagnosed pain, self-advocacy, hope, and resilience are key.

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My Journey Through Infertility and Pregnancy with Chronic Migraine

Living with chronic vestibular migraine has taught me that I’m so much stronger than I ever thought I could be.

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My Experience with the COVID-19 Vaccine and Chronic Migraine

My fears about the vaccine triggering a migraine attack didn't come true, and I can't wait to hug my parents again soon.

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The Mental Toll of Disability Is Inflating — We Have to Do Something

The weight of living in a world that doesn’t consider disabled people’s needs is piling on. Something has to change.

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Working from Bed Isn’t Lazy — It’s Accessible

As a disabled person, working from bed makes it possible for me to have a job.

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How Virtual Care Has Changed My Chronic Illness Treatment

The option of virtual care used to be a dream for managing my chronic illness. It took a pandemic for that dream to come true.

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How Living with Chronic Illness Has Helped Improve My Relationship with My Body

Whether you live with a chronic illness or not, living in a body is a complex experience.

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Having a Chronic Illness Helped Me Prepare for the Uncertainty of the Pandemic

Managing ulcerative colitis means accepting the unpredictability of life. That skill has become invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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How I Face the Stigma of Living with Migraine as a Man

Chronic migraine disproportionately affects women, occurring 3 times more than in men.

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Why I Advocate: Alexes’ Migraine Story

Alexes Griffin helps unite the Migraine Healthline community while offering friendship, hope, and support.

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6 Things I Wish People Understood About Migraine

The common frustration for those with migraine disorders is that we live with an invisible illness.