Migraine can have an effect on anybody, no matter intercourse. Whereas it’s extra frequent in ladies, it’s understood that the situation impacts round one in ten males.
Our 2021 survey of over 350 males discovered that:
- 75% mentioned migraine has impacted their basic well being
- 82% mentioned migraine has impacted their social life
- 71% mentioned migraine has impacted their household life
- 84% mentioned migraine has impacted their work life.
We don’t have a tendency to listen to as a lot about males’s experiences in discussions of the situation. Some males who entry our Assist Companies point out fighting misconceptions that migraine is a ‘ladies’s situation’, and point out feeling reluctant to speak about the way it impacts them.
Right here 4 males, Thomas, Dom, Haider and Ray, inform us about their expertise of migraine and the way it has affected their careers, socials lives, relationships and households.
Thomas’ expertise
“Though I’ve lived with migraine for many of my life, the whole lot modified after an assault in 2014 the place I fully blacked out, waking 20 minutes later with blinding head ache. Since then, migraine has actually taken over my life.
With the beginning of an assault, I typically get a visible aura that I describe as just like the old style horror motion pictures the place the pink mist descends from the perimeters throughout the display screen, apart from me it’s purple. Then comes the top ache, which comes up throughout my head. It seems like my head is in a vice that retains squeezing, till it seems like my head goes to pop. The ache will get to the purpose the place I’m rocking backwards and forwards on the ground, respiration as if I’m in labour, and headbutting the ground to attempt to distract from the ache of it. My speech may be slurred and my steadiness thrown off. Typically I simply need to cry with the ache, though crying can generally make the ache worse.
For 4 years I suppose I handled it like a ‘typical man’, in different phrases, I simply acquired on with it and wouldn’t discuss it. However my dad introduced me up saying ‘don’t be fearful of something’, together with ache, and I realised it didn’t make me extra of a person to cover that I used to be in ache. Finally I began counselling, which has been so useful.
‘I feel males must lose this stigma of hiding ache’
In 2022, issues acquired so dangerous that I attempted to take my very own life. I used to be so low, and I simply felt that I couldn’t cope anymore. I struggled even to confess to my GP and counsellor that issues had gotten so dangerous, however as soon as I did it was like a weight had been lifted.
I feel males must lose this stigma of hiding ache. We additionally want to alter this ‘only a headache’ factor that appears to associate with migraine. I’ve even had GPs say issues to that impact! In my expertise it’s higher to speak about it than preserve it inside. My recommendation to different males coping with migraine can be to talk to somebody intimately, allow them to understand how you’re feeling, in case your temper is low.
Speaking to others makes such a distinction. I really tried to arrange a gaggle the place I dwell for individuals residing with migraine however sadly just one particular person confirmed up. I don’t know whether or not it’s that individuals, and notably males, simply don’t need to discuss having migraine. It’s why I wished to share my story, so possibly others can see it and really feel much less alone.”
Learn extra of Thomas’ story right here.
Dom’s expertise
“For over 17 years now, I’ve lived with a uncommon sort of migraine situation that impacts a lot of my each day life. My state of affairs is uncommon as a result of I don’t get complications, and I don’t get assaults of signs, however they’re ever-present on a type of spectrum.
The signs I do get may be very troublesome to take care of; dizziness, a sense of swaying or unsteadiness and feeling light-headed. I’ve everlasting visible aura, shiny flashes in my line of sight that by no means go away.
On the point out of migraine, even healthcare employees’ minds instantly appear to go to ‘head ache’ and ‘ache administration’, and I’ve to elucidate that for me that’s not how the situation manifests. I have a look at this in two methods – firstly I’m grateful to not expertise head ache, I think about it should be terrible to be in ache like that, and I’m blessed that I’m not. However then the second is that it may be very isolating. Migraine will not be a nicely understood situation anyway, however to have signs that aren’t those generally related, means I really feel even much less understood.
‘In psychological well being, there may be loads of speak of conventional perceptions of masculinity and stigma, and I feel there is perhaps related reluctance for males to speak about migraine’
I work for a psychological well being charity, so I’ve an understanding of the connection between psychological and bodily well being. I additionally know males don’t report psychological well being points as a lot. In psychological well being, there may be loads of speak of conventional perceptions of masculinity and stigma, and I feel there is perhaps related reluctance for males to speak about migraine. I think about loads of males really feel they’ll be seen as complaining about ‘only a headache’. Possibly males are simply extra reluctant to lift well being considerations typically.”
Learn extra of Dom’s story right here.
Haider’s expertise
For round 18 years now, I’ve been residing with migraine. Beginning after I was leaving faculty and going off to school, I’d expertise loads of ache alongside the left facet of my head and generally it could be on the best facet too. My father additionally lived with migraine for about 20 years, and recognised among the signs.
It impacts my eyes, my steadiness, impacts my each day life and might generally trigger me to vomit. There have been instances when signs have been so extreme that I’ve needed to go to hospital. Migraine means fixed medical appointments and I’ve seen so many docs through the years.
Work is a vital side of life for me, and I’ve all the time approached it with an ‘if anybody can do it, I can do it’ perspective. I actually get pleasure from serving to individuals, and I feel it’s in my nature to push by, it’s like I’ve no idea of failure.
One side of migraine I battle with is my very own mindset – I don’t need to be seen as ‘weak’ in any approach, or as much less dependable. I actually do push by to the purpose of close to collapse, generally falling down on the mattress with a head that feels as if it has a 3kg weight on it.
I do consider strongly in residing nicely, having a constructive mindset and serving to others. It’s why I made a decision to share my story; if it helps one other particular person, will probably be price it.
Learn extra of Haider’s story right here.
Ray’s expertise
I’m a father of two younger youngsters, and I’ve had a migraine assault come on whereas taking care of them earlier than which is a really intense expertise. I bear in mind on one event I began to expertise aura signs whereas bathing the kids. I couldn’t see them correctly, and I feel I simply went into autopilot, simply going by the motions till my sight returned. In a state of affairs like that, you may’t simply retreat right into a darkish, quiet room! It’s troublesome to elucidate to children, particularly when the signs are momentary and also you don’t know when they’ll subsequent begin up. The prospect of an assault approaching once more whereas I’m taking care of the kids does fear me, while you’re liable for youngsters you do really feel you may’t let your guard down.
Migraine may be actually scary, particularly when it first occurs. It will possibly really feel like your life is over, and you’ll lose loads of confidence. It will possibly actually get you down, particularly if you happen to expertise common assaults. On the constructive facet, I’ve discovered a method to take care of it and be much less fearful. I’ve my methods now that work for me, and now I simply see it as part of who I’m.”
Higher understanding and consciousness of migraine in males is vital to decreasing stigma of the situation. In the event you’d wish to study extra, you may atone for our Managing Your Migraine: Migraine in Males session.
In the event you’re a person residing with migraine, we’re right here for you. In the event you want info or assist on any side of migraine, our helpline is on the market on 0808 802 0066 or you will get in contact with us on-line.