Sponsored: Migraine in the Workplace

Recently, I was invited to meet fellow migraine patient Nicole Lapin to talk about migraine in the workplace. Nicole, a career coach, TV anchor, and New York Times bestselling author, has partnered with Amgen on their mission to challenge public misconceptions, start new conversations, and make the world a more migraine-friendly place.

Nicole’s Migraine Story

To the outside world, Nicole has always looked like the picture of poise and professionalism. But behind the scenes of her TV appearances, Nicole found that long days under hot, bright studio lights occasionally triggered her migraine symptoms — and even left her hiding in wardrobe closets for some relief.
“I remember one time when I was reporting on a major breaking news story that required me to be on air for hours,” Nicole recalled. “I was experiencing a migraine day, though, so I would sneak off during any breaks to the dark confines of the wardrobe room to rest.” Through offering tips, Nicole wants to inspire others who might have more time at work now that they have more migraine-free days.

My Experience with Migraine

Nicole’s story really hit close to home, and it’s so wonderful that she’s using her platform to share her experiences, as I’m sure there are plenty of other people who can also relate! Since starting Aimovig ®(erenumab-aooe), a migraine preventive treatment for adults proven to reduce monthly migraine days, I have had more migraine-free days – and more time to devote to pursuing my goals at work. Attendance is often a concern with migraine. (1) Since being on Aimovig, I have had fewer days missed due to migraine.

People may react to medications differently and should discuss their options and medical history with their healthcare provider (HCP) in order to make the best decision for themselves.

APPROVED USE

Aimovig ® is indicated for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use Aimovig ® if you are allergic to erenumab-aooe or any ingredients in Aimovig ®. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Aimovig ® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including rash or swelling, can happen after receiving Aimovig ®. This can happen within hours to days after using Aimovig ®. Call your HCP or get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
• Constipation with serious complications. Severe constipation can happen after receiving Aimovig ®. In some cases, people have been hospitalized or needed surgery. Contact your HCP if you have severe constipation. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure or worsening of high blood
  pressure can happen after receiving Aimovig®. Contact your healthcare
  provider if you have an increase in blood pressure.

Stress heavily affects my migraine disease. I typically avoid stressful situations because of my migraine worsens. I have had to deal with stress at work and it has been impossible to avoid. Having fewer migraine days allows me to focus on stress relief vs. migraine relief and has given me a bit of balance during the chaos. There will be ups and downs in life but having fewer migraine days has allowed those downs to not fully impact my life negatively. Feeling better helps me focus on the ups more and feel less affected by the downs.

Dealing With Migraine in the Workplace

Nicole shared her advice on how she manages her busy career and migraine. Her story offers helpful advice for others and encourages people to start having these types of conversations so we can challenge public misconceptions. Nicole’s tips really resonated with me. I took her tips back with me and have applied them to my own life, and want to share them with you all here:

Set goals

Not all goals have to be life-changing. Setting both small and large goals can be helpful. Each day will provide opportunities for goals at work. Deciding what your goals are in advance will help you prep for them and provide clear, measurable outcomes.
I have always been good at time management due to the debilitating nature of my migraine. I learned very early on, in my migraine journey, not to procrastinate because time is very precious. As a teacher, I often do a day of teaching and an evening of prepping and planning. With less days of migraine at work, I have been able to prep more quickly. The less time it takes me to prepare and plan for my day, the more
time I have for self-care. The more time I have for self-care the better I feel and the cycle continues.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
The most common side effects of Aimovig ® are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site and constipation. Please see additional Important Safety Information below.

Start networking

You’ve probably heard this before, but making new contacts in your industry is critical, whether you’re a restaurant server or a CEO. You never know where new relationships will lead you and your career. Migraine can be misunderstood and social interactions can often be overwhelming.(1-3) I am now able to socialize more and find myself interacting with more people. I have always been social at work and love the people I work with, but am now talking more to strangers. With fewer migraine days I’m more likely to do things like strike up a conversation in a grocery store.

Overall

My experience speaking with Nicole was insightful and gave me new energy surrounding my career. Her glamorous TV career compared to my preschool teaching job is night and day. Our migraine stories are different as well. What we do have in common is that we are both women juggling a world of migraine, career, finances, social life, and family. We can all learn from each other and start conversations for a
more migraine friendly place.

To read more about migraine in the workplace, including tips for talking to your boss, head to www.KnowMigraineMission.com.
*This post is part of a collaboration between myself and Amgen. I have been compensated for my time.

APPROVED USE

Aimovig® (erenumab-aooe) is a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Who should not use Aimovig ®? Do not use Aimovig ® if you are allergic to erenumab-aooe or any ingredients in Aimovig ®.
Before starting Aimovig ®, tell your healthcare provider (HCP) about all your medical conditions, including if you are allergic to rubber or latex, pregnant or plan to become pregnant, breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your HCP about all the medicines you take, including any prescription over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

What are the possible side effects of Aimovig ®?
Aimovig ® may cause serious side effects, including:

• Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions, including rash or swelling, can happen after receiving Aimovig ®. This can happen within hours to days after using Aimovig ®. Call your HCP or get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction: swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat, or trouble breathing.
• Constipation with serious complications. Severe constipation can happen after receiving Aimovig ®. In some cases, people have been hospitalized or needed surgery. Contact your HCP if you have severe constipation.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure or worsening of high blood
  pressure can happen after receiving Aimovig®. Contact your healthcare
  provider if you have an increase in blood pressure.

The most common side effects of Aimovig ® are pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site and constipation.
These are not all of the possible side effects of Aimovig ®. Call your HCP for medical advice about side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Click here for full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information.

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