Enrica’s journey with migraine

Meet Enrica

Enrica is a wife and mother of two, living in Italy, where she balances family life and her love of travel with her role as a member of the Medical Affairs team at Organon. Living with severe migraine has led her to make several career shifts over the years – her dream of being a theater actress was too demanding on her physical health, while her work as a clinical psychologist was too taxing emotionally. Enrica eventually found her place at Organon, a global healthcare company whose mission is to improve the health of women throughout their lives, where she helps to further a culture of openness and understanding around health challenges.

Early Days with Migraine

Enrica’s migraine attacks began as a little girl, presenting primarily as abdominal pain and frequent vomiting. She also experienced nausea, fatigue, musculoskeletal pain and cognitive issues, as well as sensitivity to light, sound, smells and even touch. While her mother believed something serious was at play, others were skeptical. The constant doubt impacted Enrica’s self-esteem, leaving her feeling misunderstood and causing her to hide her suffering from many in her life.

It wasn’t until she was 24 that she received a diagnosis from a specialist after her family doctor suggested migraine as a possible cause.

Losing Trust, Gaining Confidence and Taking Action

Following her diagnosis, different treatments failed to provide relief, despite doctors insisting that they should be working. This left Enrica feeling dismissed, unheard and isolated, eroding her trust in the medical system. Her mental health was also greatly impacted – she suffered from depression, anxiety and even panic attacks.  

The turning point came when she realized that education gave her the power to ask for what she needed. She began learning about clinical studies, new therapies and alternative treatments. As she grew more confident in asking for what she needed, doctors began to listen.

Enrica’s determination only strengthened when she became a mother. She wanted to take control of her health so that her children didn’t see her trapped in anger, depression and fear for the future. Enrica became a strong advocate for her health, which finally led her to a new treatment program that helped her gain control of the condition, migraine, and improve her quality of life.

Discovering the Larger Impact

Through her research and talking to others, Enrica also learned that women are three times as likely as men to experience migraine*. This discovery struck a personal chord when she realized that her mother and two aunts had also suffered from migraine for years but were never formally diagnosed. It became clear to her that many women’s experiences with this condition are overlooked or dismissed, much like her own had been.

Surrounded by support

At Organon, Enrica feels “safe” sharing her story with managers and with colleagues. When a migraine attack hits, Enrica tells her team it’s a “migraine day” and they know now what to expect. Her colleagues offer support, and even share a laugh when her migraine causes her to mix up words, creating a sense of camaraderie and understanding.

Her husband and family have been great sources of comfort, as have advocacy communities and online communities. Within these patient communities, Enrica felt free from the stigma she often faced, allowing her to share her story openly and learn from others impacted by migraine.

Today, Enrica has transformed her struggles into a source of strength. She shares her story to not only empower herself but inspire others facing similar challenges. Her journey is a testament to the power of resilience and advocacy in overcoming obstacles and making a difference.

*Sex and gender differences in migraines: a narrative review. U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine (NIH/NLM). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9176156/. Published June 8, 2022. Accessed August 26, 2024.