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Migraine affects approximately 10 million French people, to varying degrees, and can lead, in its most severe form, to nausea and reduced mobility. Recognized as disabling by the WHO, it nevertheless remains underestimated by some doctors.
“Because of my migraines, all my energy went into work”. For ten years, Morgane, 31, has suffered from chronic migraine. Migraine attacks appear 15 days a month for at least three consecutive months. Disabled in her work and in her private life, Morgane multiplies hospitalizations. “My employer did not give me all the recovery days that I should have had”, testifies the young woman. Tired, she resigns and turns to a “flexible contract”which allows her to work from home, at her own pace and to follow a basic treatment.
In France, it is estimated that there are approximately 10 million migraine sufferers, to varying degrees. Migraine is ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) among the twenty diseases with the greatest societal impact.
A disease still little mentioned
“Only 20% of patients have a follow-up”, regrets Dr. Christian Lucas, head of the Chronic Pain Structure department for the Salengro branch of the Lille University Hospital. According to him, during the first consultation, some health professionals may lack empathy and discourage patients. “Among the old doctors, there is a lack in the initial training. For example, in the questions concerning the antecedents, the migraine is rarely approached”adds the neurologist.
The diagnosis can be made by a general practitioner. After a few clinical examinations, the healthcare professional asks about the number and location of the migraines. If a headache causes throbbing pain on one side of the skull, the intensity of which impedes mobility and causes side effects, the patient is probably migraine. The combination of two previously mentioned symptoms should alert the patient.
An evil that “rotts life”
Migraine is a disease that “rots life”, warns Dr. Lucas. There are two types of migraines: migraine without aura, the most common which accounts for 85% of cases, and migraine with aura. The latter is accompanied by visual disturbances, such as the appearance of black spots.
Among migraineurs, 40% suffer from chronic migraines, ie more than 15 days per month, including 8 consecutive days. Some chronic migraine sufferers can even suffer from headaches up to 25 days a month. The remaining 60% suffer from episodic migraines, the peak of which is between the ages of 20 and 45.
“We did not choose to be migraineurs”, indicates Dr. Lucas who recalls that its origin may be genetic. Some headaches originate in the production of CGRP, a molecule responsible for pain. During a crisis, it is produced in high quality by the patient’s body.
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Insufficient support
Over time, treatments are developed to prevent and treat seizures. These anti-CGRP are taken once a month and injected subcutaneously. In 23 countries of the European Union, this treatment is reimbursed if the patient suffers at least eight days of migraine per month and, depending on the country, if two to three fundamental treatments have failed. Its price is around 150 euros. “France is behind in the management of migraine”regrets Dr Lucas who specifies that this treatment is not reimbursed.