In France, the impact of migraine is still underestimated. However, this neurological disease is very debilitating. This October 13, experts want to recall the consequences of this headache on the lives of patients.
- In France, migraine affects 11 million people.
- As part of a study conducted by the association La Voix des Migraineux, 70% of patients declared having lost more than 21 days of productivity over the last three months.
- Patients spend on average between €133.7 and €150 per quarter not covered by social security for the management of their pathology.
“Some say they have a migraine and drink water to make it go away. They advise people with migraines to do the same. This shows how the disease is still not taken seriously,” deplores Dr. Jérôme Mawet, neurologist at Lariboisière Hospital. During a press conference, organized by the Pfizer laboratory and the patients’ association La Voix des Migraineux on October 13, doctors and experts pointed out that migraine is not yet sufficiently recognized in France.
Migraine: “It’s like being hit in the head with a hammer”
Proof : “60% of adults questioned as part of our survey, conducted by OpinionWay among 1,004 people, think that one to five million French people suffer from migraine. When in reality, 11 million patients are affected “, according to Jérôme Bancarel, director of the “Inflammation and Immunology” and “Internal Medicine” department at Pfizer France. According to this same survey, 54% of respondents underestimate the impact of this neurological pathology on the daily lives of patients.
However, the accumulation of attacks, which can last up to seven days, can have significant repercussions on patients’ lives. “The pain is sometimes so intense, it’s like being hit with a hammer to the head. When you have a migraine attack, bending down, moving, being in a bright room and in the noise aggravates the pain. We are in survival. And even after the crisis, recovery time is necessary, because the fatigue and aches remain intense.”explains Sabine Debremaeker, founder and president of the association La Voix des Migraineux.
“To calm the crisis, some employees go to the toilet and others take refuge in their car”
The most mentioned consequences are those linked to professional life. According to a study carried out by the association on 741 patients, 70% of people with migraine say they have lost more than 21 days of productivity over the last three months. When driving to work, one in three patients put themselves in danger in the event of a seizure.
“Once you arrive at the workplace, certain factors can trigger or aggravate the crisis. Among them, we obviously find noise, light but also the perfume of colleagues. Problem: patients do not have a place where “They can isolate themselves. To calm the crisis, some employees go to the toilet and others take refuge in their car.” explains the president. She adds that one in two employees with migraine takes too many medications to be able to perform their tasks.
The repetition of migraine attacks also harms the social and personal lives of patients. “For 15 days, patients miss family activities, such as meals with family, or outings with friends. Migraine kills moments of life.”
Patients “spend on average between €133.7 and €150 per quarter not covered by social security”
This neurological disease also generates significant costs for people suffering from migraine. “Excess fees, alternative medicine, cost of transport to go to medical appointments… They spend on average between €133.7 and €150 per quarter not covered by social security for the management of their pathology. This is added to the days of work missed since 55.6% of patients missed at least one day of work during the last trimester. specifies Sabine Debremaeker. In addition, as part of the association’s investigation, 94 adults with this neurological disease lost their jobs. Among them, 38 people had no income and were dependent on their loved ones. “A very difficult situation.”
How to live better with a migraine on a daily basis?
In order to limit the impact of attacks on their lives, people who have been diagnosed with migraine must adapt their daily lives. They are recommended to:
- Set up a migraine calendar (note the frequency of attacks, monitor medication consumption, identify triggers or new symptoms)
- Have a survival kit in your bag (a bottle of water, prescription or medication, blindfold, earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, heating pad)
- Take care of their health in general (learn to manage stress, get enough sleep, eat healthily, practice regular physical activity)
