Migraine's Underrated Pain—The Barriers to Treatment

Migraine is a debilitating neurological disorder impacting over a billion people worldwide. At Pfizer, we’re dedicated to understanding the causes of migraine. With that goal in mind, we’ve put together a series of articles exploring different aspects of migraine management.

In our first post, we looked at the current state of migraine care, reflecting on what’s working and where there’s room to improve. Then we examined some of the challenges that can prevent people from accessing the prescribed treatment they need.

In today’s third entry, we are calling for meaningful changes that could benefit those living with migraine.

Imagine battling a debilitating, painful condition and still having to fight for the treatments your doctor prescribed. This is the reality for millions living with migraine, a condition that ranks as the second leading cause of disability worldwide and the number one cause of disability for young womenⁱ. Yet despite this, migraine is often brushed aside, leaving many without access to the care they desperately need.

To bring more attention to these challenges, we partnered with four incredible women who live with migraine—actress Kat Dennings, professional ballet dancer Alicia Mae Holloway, foster parent Laura, and lifestyle influencer Torri Ann Webb. They shared their experiences to shed light on migraine as an invisible disease, the barriers to accessing treatment, and the urgent need for change.

The Invisible Struggle

One of the most frustrating aspects of migraine is how invisible it can be to others. As Alicia Mae Holloway explains, “Few realize just how many people are affected by migraine because it can be an invisible illness that people often push through despite their pain. Anyone like me, who is living with migraine, knows that migraine attacks can be severely debilitating.”

This “invisible” nature of migraine means that many people are left navigating their symptoms alone, often while balancing work, family, and personal commitments. Laura, who juggles being a foster parent alongside managing her migraine, shares: “I’ve always tried to do what I need to do to reduce migraine attacks, but since becoming a parent and adding on the responsibilities of fostering, it became even more important for me to seek out better treatment. It’s been a long journey of testing and trying so many things along with my doctor.”

Stigma and Barriers to Access

On top of the physical toll, many people with migraine face significant barriers when trying to access the treatments they need. One major hurdle is step therapy—a process where patients are required to try and fail on other medications before being allowed access to the treatment their healthcare provider originally prescribed. This often leads to unnecessary delays in care and can prolong the suffering of those already dealing with severe pain. As Torri Ann Webb shares, “Many people live with migraine, but everyone experiences it differently. For me, my migraine attacks are intensely debilitating. At times this left me feeling completely hopeless as the wait for care was so drawn out.”

In addition to these barriers, people with migraine frequently face stigma and misunderstanding from both healthcare providers and loved ones. Some healthcare professionals may dismiss migraine symptoms, while friends and family might underestimate the severity of the condition. In fact, 63% of people with migraine report feeling disrespected by friends or family who downplay their pain, and 78% experience emotional or mental burdens tied to the lack of understanding around their condition.*

Fighting for Change

From struggling to access the treatments they need to facing stigma and judgment, these personal experiences reflect the many challenges people with migraine encounter when seeking care. Now more than ever, improving migraine care access is critical to help everyone with migraine get the support they deserve.

It’s time to make a difference—sign the open letter to show your support for migraine care reform: https://www.migraineblackout.com/ahda-letter

*In an online survey conducted from July 16-31, 2024, among n=1,000 U.S. adults 18 years of age and older who are living with migraine, all qualified respondents were screened to ensure they experience a migraine attack at least 2 days per month. All respondents in the sample are currently employed, and an oversample of women (n=693) and chronic migraine sufferers (n=299 who experience a migraine attack at least 15 days per month) was included in this survey sample.

ⁱ https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-020-01208-0