Migraine Realities

Send a text
Our guests today are participating on behalf of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Participants have been compensated for their time and appearance. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.
In this episode of Migraine Realities, pediatric and adult neurologist Dr. Jennifer McVige of DENT Neurologic Institute joins Lindsay Mang, a parent advocate, to talk about what pediatric migraine truly looks like and why early, informed care can make such a difference. They discuss how migraine often begins in childhood or adolescence and why careful listening to both children and their families plays a central role in diagnosis and long-term care. Dr. McVige also explains how pediatric migraine can present differently from adult migraine and how treatment decisions evolve as children grow.
Lindsay shares her family’s experience navigating migraine care for her son and what changed after starting AJOVY, a preventive treatment recently approved for episodic migraine in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17. The conversation reflects on how preventive treatment may help reduce migraine frequency and support day-to-day functioning, allowing kids to stay more fully engaged in their lives. This episode offers clear clinical perspective, real-world experience, and measured hope for families exploring evidence-based options in pediatric migraine care.

Send a text
College is tough enough, but for Ben Estes, migraine, daily pain and his transition process made it even tougher. This is a raw and candid glimpse into his daily challenges and victories.

Send a text
What does it mean to decide to have children when you live with migraine? Kelly Amspacher and her daughter, Shelby Amspacher, bring both sides of the migraine-and-motherhood experience to the mic. With honesty and humor, they share what they’ve learned about empathy, flexibility, and making the most of good days. It’s a testament to how openness and adaptability can carry families through any challenge.

Send a text
What does it mean to rebuild your life when chronic illness topples everything you once held steady? Sara Batchelder and I share our experiences of living with chronic migraine, the grief of losing old versions of ourselves, and the surprising gratitude we’ve found along the way. With Jenga as a powerful metaphor, Sara offers insight into the daily decisions, trade-offs, and small triumphs that come with life in a body that doesn’t always cooperate.
In this episode:
The Jenga of chronic illness: what falls, what stays
Living with loss while still finding peace
Letting go of expectations (and why that’s not giving up)
The mental and emotional weight of invisible illness
The power of community
Creating a life that works with migraine
Resources mentioned:
Headache on the Hill  https://allianceforheadacheadvocacy.org/headache-on-the-hill/
Miles for Migraine  https://www.milesformigraine.org/
Headache Centers of Excellence  https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/programs/headaches/
Clusterbusters  https://clusterbusters.org/

Send a text
In this episode, Kim talks about what it’s really like when you’re not just dealing with your own migraine - you’re also trying to help your kid through it. She shares how hard it was to be taken seriously, the fight to get her child the care they needed, and what it’s like to be a parent in advocacy mode while living with chronic pain herself. It’s an honest and emotional conversation about parenting, pushing for answers, and finding strength in the middle of it all.
Kim opens up about:
When her child started showing signs of migraine
The frustration of not being believed by doctors
What it took to get school to take it seriously
Living with migraine while parenting through it
The strength it takes to keep pushing for answers
This episode is for every parent who’s ever had to fight twice as hard—for their child and themselves.

Resources mentioned: 
Pediatric, Teen & Young Adult Migraine & Headache Disorders Parent Support
https://www.facebook.com/groups/pediatricmigraineandheadachedisorders