In this episode of Talking Head Pain, Sarah is joined by Avi, who lives with migraine and other chronic illnesses. Through his migraine journey, Avi shares with us the difficulty he and his family encountered trying to get diagnosed. Avi also breaks down the challenges he faces navigating the health care system as a trans man and non-binary person. He shares his experiences of being misgendered and deadnamed (when a transgender person is referred by their birth name after transitioning) in doctors’ offices, highlighting the need for greater gender-affirming care.

Among the highlights in this episode:

01:17: Sarah kicks off the episode by asking Avi what word he would use to describe his migraine attacks

01:58: Avi discuses the symptoms he experiences such as photophobia, aura, and nausea which people often don't associate with migraine attacks

02:43: Avi expresses the challenges and hopelessness his family faced when seeking medical help

03:12: Sarah discusses the difficulties of getting care when living with an invisible illness, especially for marginalized communities

04:34: Avi talks about his experiences as a trans man and non-binary person living with migraine attacks, and the challenges of navigating the health care system

05:38: Avi and Sarah delve into how testosterone affected Avi's migraine and the intersections of health care, gender, and chronic illness

08:00: Avi emphasizes the need for proper representation and training in health care settings, sharing personal experiences of bias

10:54: Sarah and Avi discuss the importance of representation in health care settings and how clinics can better support LGBTQIA+ patients

16:31: Sarah addresses the mental health aspects of living with chronic illnesses, emphasizing the importance of community

19:34: Sarah stresses the importance of representation and expresses hope for breaking generational boundaries

Contact Our Hosts:

Joe Coe, Director, Therapeutic Area Growth and Integration at GHLF: jcoe@ghlf.org

Sarah Shaw, Senior Manager of BIPOC Community Outreach at GHLF: sshaw@ghlf.org

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