A HELPING HAND
If you suffer from migraine or headache disorders , the pain can affect more than just your head — it can also hit your wallet . Over time , the cost of prescription drugs adds up , creating a huge burden for the uninsured and underinsured .
Patient assistance programs ( PAPs ) are services designed to help low-income individuals and families who can ’ t afford their medication . Because many headache clinics don ’ t accept Medicaid or Medicare , PAPs are a good way to minimize cost and get some help .
Nearly all of the major pharmaceutical companies , including Abbott , AstraZeneca , GlaxoSmithKline , Merck and Pfizer , provide specific programs for their most popular drugs . But each program is different , and eligibility requirements vary .
If you need help paying for prescription drugs , visit the following NHF links :
NON-PROFIT PROGRAMS www . headaches . org / education / Tools _ for- Sufferers / Patient _ Assistance _ Programs
PHARMACEUTICAL-SPONSORED PROGRAMS www . headaches . org / education / Tools _ for _ Sufferers / Patient _ Assistance _ Programs- Sponsored
Rewrite History
One of the most complicated aspects of dealing with chronic migraine is navigating social situations . Just because your sister is having her wedding or your child is celebrating a birthday doesn ’ t mean you won ’ t have a migraine . That adds up to a lot of missed moments — and a lot of regrets .
To raise awareness about chronic migraine and its debilitating impact , the NHF is partnering with HealthyWomen , a website that focuses on women ’ s health , and Allergan Inc . to launch the Rewrite Your Day campaign . As a nod to the 15 or more headache days a month experienced by people with chronic migraine , 15 people will win the opportunity to have a special moment they missed “ rewritten ” by celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss .
The cornerstone of the campaign is www . Rewrite YourDay . com , a website on which people with chronic migraine can learn more about their condition and find a wealth of resources to help treat and prevent it . Visitors also can use the site to share stories of special moments they missed due to chronic migraine and detail how they would rewrite those days if given the chance . Weiss and an independent panel of health advocates will review the submissions and choose the winners . Approximately 3.2 million Americans suffer from chronic migraine . If you think you have chronic migraine , you should seek advice from a board-certified neurologist or headache specialist who is qualified to evaluate , diagnose and manage the condition . www . headwisemag . org | National Headache Foundation 47