The podcast was developed in response to research undertaken by Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland which showed the serious impact migraine has on quality of life, with 53 per cent of people living with migraine in Ireland experiencing exhaustion and 30 per cent feeling depressed and sad as a result of their condition. 1
Key to the series is sharing the stories from people with lived experience of migraine, to highlight the real impact the disease has on their quality of life.
Hosted by Debbie Hutchinson, who lives with migraine, it includes some well-known guests, including Irish football legend Tony Cascarino, Virgin Media TV presenter and businesswoman Anna Daly and former Miss Ireland and social media influencer Aoife Walsh, who discuss their experience of living with migraine along with leading healthcare professionals with an interest in migraine.
The Beyond Migraine podcast provides easy to access advice, support and information, giving the opportunity for people living with migraine to hear first-hand from others like them living with the condition. Episodes one to three are available now, with further episodes dropping every Monday. If you are living with migraine, tune in to the series here to find out more each week.
Each episode deals with a different topic relating to insights into the lived experience of people living with migraine that were revealed in Teva’s survey. The final three episodes of the podcast series covers topics such as migraine triggers, how to manage migraine in the workplace, and how to cope with an unexpected migraine.
Episode 4: Understanding Migraine Triggers
Former Miss Ireland Aoife Walsh, and Ireland AM’s Dr Sinead Beirne, will examine what can trigger a migraine attack and how these can be managed.
Episode 5: Migraine and the Workplace
41 per cent of people said that migraine has impacted their career, with 24 per cent saying they've felt the need to hide their condition from colleagues or their boss.1 The Wonky Spatula author Nicola Halloran, alongside clinical nurse specialist Esther Tomkins, will be discussing working with migraine and how to manage stressful periods in life.
Episode 5: How to cope with an Unexpected Migraine
Patrick Little, former CEO of the Migraine Association of Ireland, and Dr Martin Ruttledge, consultant neurologist at the Hermitage Clinic, will be chatting with Ciara O’Rourke, a Dublin nurse who lives with migraine, to go through some practical tips and advice on what to do during the onset of an unexpected migraine attack.
Dr Martin Ruttledge, consultant neurologist at the Hermitage Clinic said: “Migraine is the third most common disease in the world and ranked as the seventh most disabling non-fatal medical condition among all diseases, and second most disabling non-fatal medical condition in females by the WHO (World Health Organisation) due to the personal and societal burden of pain, disability, damaged quality of life and financial cost. The Beyond Migraine podcast addresses a lot of these challenges and provides both clinical advice and real-life stories from others with practical advice and tips on management strategies that can be employed. Anyone living with migraine should tune in to find out more. There are preventative treatments available for people living with migraine, and patients should always seek advice from their healthcare professional if they have any questions or concerns.”
Debbie Hutchinson, Beyond Migraine host, who lives with migraine, said: “I have lived with migraine for over 17 years. I recognise the impact that the disease has on my own quality of life. Hearing real-life stories from others coping and living with migraine, coupled with advice from healthcare professionals on how to better manage migraine, is central to the Beyond Migraine podcast series. I believe it will be a lifeline for those who have just been diagnosed or are living with migraine.”
Episodes are available now on migraine.ie and all major platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with further episodes dropping every Monday. To join the conversation, use the hashtag #BeyondMigraine.
For information on migraine support and services available in Ireland, visit migraine.ie and to see the results of the Beyond Migraine survey of Irish people living with migraine, visit teva.ie/patients/beyond-migraine/
People living with migraine can also check out Life Effects. Life Effects is an initiative shaped by patients, for patients. It explores the latest science and thinking around your condition, it contains tips and patients share stories about the reality of living with chronic conditions. Find out more about migraine on lifeeffects.teva/eu/migraine.
This article is part of a sponsored series linked to each Beyond Migraine podcast episode brought to you by the Migraine Association of Ireland and Teva Pharmaceuticals Ireland.
The Beyond Migraine podcast is supported by funding from Teva pharmaceuticals Ireland. Speakers have received an honorarium for their contribution to the podcast.
1 Beyond Migraine: The Real You Research by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Research conducted by Empathy Research. Prepared October 2020. This survey was carried out among 265 Irish Migraineurs.