Terri, Living with Chronic Migraines & CRPS Advocate

I have been having migraines since I was in high school, and I am now 55. For many years, they weren’t very bad and I could handle them with over-the-counter medication. About 20 years ago, however, they became more severe.

Around 10–15 years ago, I began taking preventive medication as well as medication to manage active migraines. Sometimes I wake up already in pain, and other times my migraines are triggered by things like fragrance or smoke.

In 2014, I also went to the doctor for knee pain that we thought was a meniscus tear. The doctor discovered a fractured femur, along with arthritis in both knees. I consider myself blessed that I do not experience knee pain every day and do not need to use a cane daily, even though I probably should. I am also not currently on medication for that pain.

In addition to managing my own health challenges, I am an administrator of a CRPS support page. My best friend lives with CRPS, and while I know my pain is not the same as hers, I have been an active advocate for awareness since her diagnosis. We also run a nonprofit focused on increasing awareness of this disease, and I am a strong supporter of the CRPS community.