Synopsis

There are 29.5 million people in the United States who have migraine headaches and only half of them know it. Of those who are aware, many find themselves dissatisfied with the treatment they receive from friends, family members, and medical professionals as they receive little empathy for their debilitating ailment.

This documentary is about the lives of 13 people with a myriad of dramatic and engaging stories to tell. They relate their frustrations, disappointments and triumphs in dealing with this misunderstood and often misdiagnosed disorder. The stories these people tell are striking not only in their differences, but also in their surprising similarities.

In addition to the interviews, Life and Migraine looks into the life of a fictional woman who experiences the difficulties of those who have severe headaches. The fictional story is interwoven throughout the documentary and provides a framework from which to present the interviews.

As they reflect on their years of seeking relief and understanding, many important realizations are made on-screen as they begin to piece together their narrative. One hopes that hearing their stories will encourage understanding and empathy from others while empowering headache patients to demand the correct treatment.