Help Doug raise money

In September of 2019, my life changed overnight.
I suddenly developed the worst headache of my life. The pain was so severe that I ended up in the emergency room unable to lift my head, extremely nauseous, with intense throbbing pain in my neck and back. Doctors performed an emergency lumbar puncture to rule out meningitis, but every scan and test came back “normal.”
At the time, nobody realized that would be the beginning of a medical journey that would completely change my life.

Over the years, I’ve endured countless ER visits, hospital admissions, treatments, medications, procedures, and specialist appointments searching for answers and relief.
Eventually, I was diagnosed with intractable migraine without aura with status migrainosus, a severe migraine attack lasting longer than 72 hours that does not respond to normal migraine treatments.

As my journey continued, I was also diagnosed with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), a condition involving increased pressure around the brain.
Recent testing showed significant pressure changes and narrowing in my venous system related to possible Eagle syndrome and intracranial pressure issues, and there’s still a possibility I may eventually need left transverse sinus stenting.

One thing I wish more people understood is that migraine is so much more than “just a headache.”
These conditions affect every part of your life physically, mentally, and emotionally.

After years of searching for answers, I am incredibly thankful to Jefferson Headache Center for helping me find some relief through inpatient ketamine infusions.
Those treatments have helped bring my pain to a more tolerable level and given me hope during some of the hardest years of my life.

As the admin of Chronic Migraine Warriors, I’m passionate about improving the lives of people impacted by migraine and headache disorders through support, awareness, and advocacy.
Through this journey, one thing became clear to me: nobody battling these invisible diseases should ever feel alone.

That’s a huge reason why supporting Miles for Migraine means so much to me.

This year, I’ll be participating in the Philadelphia Walk/Run/Relax at the Navy Yard to help raise awareness, support migraine research, and fund fellowship training so others living with migraine disease can hopefully get the answers and care they deserve too.
If you’re able to donate, share this fundraiser, or help spread awareness, it would truly mean the world to me.
Thank you for helping me turn years of pain into awareness, advocacy, and hope for others fighting these invisible diseases. 💜