Heads Up

In this inspiring episode of Heads Up podcast, our host Dr Katy Munro is joined by Amy Mowbray and Lily Earle, two women who transformed their lives after years of living with chronic migraine and debilitating symptoms. Together, they share their personal recovery journeys and discuss how brain training, pain reprocessing therapy, somatic tracking and self-compassion helped them break free from cycles of fear, sensitisation and disability. Amy and Lily explain how understanding the brain-body connection changed their relationship with pain, reduced anxiety around migraine attacks and helped them regain confidence, independence and joy. They also offer practical insights into techniques that listeners can explore for themselves. This conversation is filled with hope, compassion and evidence-informed discussion, reminding anyone living with chronic migraine that recovery is possible. Disclaimer: The Heads Up podcast is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. The National Migraine Centre is not responsible for the views of those featured on this podcast and does not endorse, approve, or certify their recommendations or opinions, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. No material within this podcast is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information provided in this podcast. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information expressed in this podcast, this website or from any of the sources of information to which we may link. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that the National Migraine Centre makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this podcast. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them.

Spotlight Series | Heads Up Podcast What happens when cluster headache and pregnancy collide? In this episode, Daisy joins our host Dr Katy Munro to talk honestly about managing attacks during pregnancy and with a toddler, navigating medication decisions, and the importance of specialist support for anyone planning a family. For more information visit: National Migraine Centre: www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk OUCH UK: www.ouchuk.org https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-cluster/ Heads Up Episode on Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: https://headsup.libsyn.com/headaches-during-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding *Disclaimer* This podcast episode contains discussions about cluster headaches, including topics that may touch upon sensitive subjects such as mental health and suicide. While we strive to provide informative and supportive content, we acknowledge that these discussions may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we urge you to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. For emergency call 999 helpline immediately. Your mental health and well-being are important, and help is available. Listener discretion is advised. The Heads Up podcast is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. The National Migraine Centre is not responsible for the views of those featured on this podcast and does not endorse, approve, or certify their recommendations or opinions, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. No material within this podcast is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information provided in this podcast. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information expressed in this podcast, this website or from any of the sources of information to which we may link. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that the National Migraine Centre makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this podcast. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them.

Spotlight Series | Heads Up Podcast Isobel West has lived with cluster headache since the age of fifteen. Misdiagnosed for years and left to advocate for herself, she eventually found her way to the correct diagnosis at twenty-one. Now she is channeling that experience into a PhD at Kings College London, investigating the brain mechanisms behind the condition through studying human post-mortem brain tissue donated by individuals who lived with cluster headache and generously donated their brains to research, in collaboration with King's College London. In this episode, she joins our host, Dr Katy Munro, to talk about what it means to be both a patient and a researcher, why diagnosis takes so long, and what her work could one day mean for others living with cluster headaches. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-cluster/ https://ouchuk.org/advice-line *The reference to the study Isobel quoted is here: Frederiksen HH, Lund NL, Barloese MC, Petersen AS, Jensen RH (2020) Diagnostic delay of cluster headache: A cohort study from the Danish Cluster Headache Survey. Cephalalgia 40(1):49–56. 10.1177/0333102419863030. DD of 18.8 years in age of onset below 20 yrs DD of 5.4 years in age of onset 20-40 yrs DD of 2.1 years after 40 yrs.* *Disclaimer* This podcast episode contains discussions about cluster headaches, including topics that may touch upon sensitive subjects such as mental health and suicide. While we strive to provide informative and supportive content, we acknowledge that these discussions may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we urge you to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. For emergency call 999 helpline immediately. Your mental health and well-being are important, and help is available. Listener discretion is advised. The Heads Up podcast is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. The National Migraine Centre is not responsible for the views of those featured on this podcast and does not endorse, approve, or certify their recommendations or opinions, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. No material within this podcast is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information provided in this podcast. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information expressed in this podcast, this website or from any of the sources of information to which we may link. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that the National Migraine Centre makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this podcast. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them.

Spotlight Series | Heads Up Podcast Frederick was eleven when diagnosed with cluster headache. Now seventeen and heading to university, they join our host Dr Katy Munro alongside their mum Rachael, OUCH's Officer for Children and Young People, to talk about growing up with one of the most painful conditions known to medicine, sharing tips on how they manage and information about support for families. For more information visit the links below: www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk https://ouchuk.org/advice-line https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-cluster/ *Disclaimer* This podcast episode contains discussions about cluster headaches, including topics that may touch upon sensitive subjects such as mental health and suicide. While we strive to provide informative and supportive content, we acknowledge that these discussions may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we urge you to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. For emergency call 999 helpline immediately. Your mental health and well-being are important, and help is available. Listener discretion is advised. The Heads Up podcast is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. The National Migraine Centre is not responsible for the views of those featured on this podcast and does not endorse, approve, or certify their recommendations or opinions, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. No material within this podcast is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information provided in this podcast. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information expressed in this podcast, this website or from any of the sources of information to which we may link. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that the National Migraine Centre makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this podcast. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them.

Spotlight Series | Heads Up Podcast Cluster headache has been called the most painful condition known to medicine. Comedian and actor Chris Addison, known for The Thick of It and In the Loop, knows that firsthand. In this episode, he joins our host Dr Katy Munro, Senior GP Headache Specialist at the National Migraine Centre, to share his experience of living with cluster headache. This is the first of seven Spotlight episodes launching on Cluster Headache Awareness Day, exploring every dimension of the condition, from childhood and pregnancy to the science of what happens in the brain during an attack. Specialist support and effective treatment is available. For more information visit the links below: www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk www.ouchuk.org https://clusterbusters.org/ https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/headache-cluster/ OUCH Summer Conference is in Birmingham on June 14th https://ouchuk.org/civicrm/event/info?id=41 *Disclaimer* This podcast episode contains discussions about cluster headaches, including topics that may touch upon sensitive subjects such as mental health and suicide. While we strive to provide informative and supportive content, we acknowledge that these discussions may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we urge you to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. For emergency call 999 helpline immediately. Your mental health and well-being are important, and help is available. Listener discretion is advised. The Heads Up podcast is provided for general information only. It is not intended to amount to medical advice on which you should rely or to advocate or recommend the purchase of any product or to endorse or guarantee the credentials or appropriateness of any health care provider. The National Migraine Centre is not responsible for the views of those featured on this podcast and does not endorse, approve, or certify their recommendations or opinions, and information from this podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. No material within this podcast is intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information provided in this podcast. Do not begin a new medical regimen, or ignore the advice of a medical professional, as a result of information expressed in this podcast, this website or from any of the sources of information to which we may link. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that the National Migraine Centre makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this podcast. Any hyperlinks or references are provided for your convenience & information only. We have no control over third party websites and accept no legal responsibility for any content, material or information contained in them.

Join headache specialist Dr Katy Munro for part two of this discussion exploring the connections between endometriosis, adenomyosis, and migraine. In this episode, Dr Munro speaks with patient advocate and campaigner Victoria Hardy, who shares her personal journey of living with these conditions. Her story offers an honest account of the challenges of diagnosis, the impact on daily life, and the importance of being heard and believed within the healthcare system. Together, they consider practical strategies for managing symptoms, the value of integrated care, and the crucial role of awareness and advocacy in improving the experiences of those affected by these often-overlooked conditions. Connect with Victoria: @ginge_unhinged For further support and reliable information, visit: Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org Endometriosis Southcoast: https://endometriosissouthcoast.com/ Endometriosis Foundation UK: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/ National Migraine Centre: https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk

Join Dr Katy Munro, senior GP headache specialist and host of Heads Up, as she welcomes Dr Salwa Kamourieh, consultant neurologist at University College London Hospitals. In this episode, they review the latest advances in neuromodulation treatments for migraine, both non-invasive and invasive including Cefaly, STMS, Nerivio and other innovative devices. Dr Munro and Dr Kamourieh unpack the evidence on efficacy, practicalities for usage, key patient groups, and the costs and accessibility of these treatments across the NHS and private sector. They also offer insights on best practice for cluster headache and paediatric patients. For listeners interested in exploring device options, the National Migraine Centre currently offers a 15% discount on the Cefaly Enhanced device via this link: https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/news/could-a-device-be-part-of-your-migraine-treatment-plan/ Heads Up is produced by the National Migraine Centre, the UK charity dedicated to improving headache care. If you appreciate our work, please consider supporting us with a donation here. Useful links: Cefaly: https://bhr.co.uk/ Nerivio: https://www.nerivio.co.uk/ sTMS Mini: https://eneura.com/about-stms-mini-uk/

In this first episode of series six of Heads Up podcast, our host Dr Katy Munro is joined by nutritionist Emma Ellice-Flint, a qualified nutritionist with a special interest in migraine and women's health. Together, they explore the complex relationship between migraine, gut health, and diet—covering everything from common food triggers to allergies, nutritional myths, and practical advice for making confident choices around food. This episode is brought to you by the National Migraine Centre, a charity providing expert care for people with migraine and headache. If you find the podcast helpful, please consider making a small donation to help us keep it going. Donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/national-migraine-centre Learn more about Emma Ellice-Flint's work at https://emmasnutrition.com/about/ Dr Katy Munro is also the author of Managing Your Migraine, a practical guide to understanding and living with migraine. Available here

Heads Up – Series 5 Finale Episode In this extended and festive final episode, Dr Katy Munro, GP and Headache Specialist, explores the crucial role pharmacists play in the migraine and headache treatment journey. First Half: Our host Dr Katy Munro is joined by experienced prescribing pharmacists David Kelly and Nadeem Shah from North England. They share their insights into supporting people with migraine and headaches, what patients need to know before approaching a pharmacist, and how pharmacists can be a vital first point of contact. Second half: Dr David Watson, GP Headache Specialist in Aberdeen, and pharmacist Abigail Duthie lead a pharmacy project in Scotland. It highlights the public education campaign. This project was in collaboration with the Migraine Trust & the NHS Grampian.This discussion is tailored to pharmacists, highlighting their essential role in diagnosis and treatment cycles for migraine and headache care. As we wrap up Series 5, we wish you a wonderful festive season and look forward to returning with Series 6 in the new year. If you'd like to support the podcast, please consider making a small donation https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/headsup and leaving a review on your favourite podcast platform. Thank you for listening and supporting Heads Up!

In this episode, Headache Specialist Dr Katy Munro speaks with Dr Helen Read, a former NHS Consultant Psychiatrist and ADHD specialist with over 30 years of experience. Dr Read shares her professional insights from years in the NHS and her recent journey with her own ADHD diagnosis. As a mother of two sons with ADHD and autism, she brings a deeply personal perspective to the challenges of navigating both ADHD and migraine. This is part one of our ADHD series—join us next week for a powerful patient experience in part two! If you enjoyed this episode, please review us on Apple Podcasts and share it with friends and family. WE ARE A CHARITY Please help us keep going in the following ways: Please donate to help us continue to release new episodes: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/headsup

It's the Cluster Headache Awareness Day, and Heads Up Podacst is back with a new episode. Tune in to this latest episode where our host Headache Specialist Dr Katy Munro, sits down with consultant neurologist and headache expert Dr Nick Silver from the Walton Centre UK. In this informative discussion, Dr Silver sheds light on the often misunderstood condition of cluster headaches. Delving into the nuances that differentiate them from migraine, they explore topics such as diagnosis, the profound impact these headaches have on individuals, and the prevalence within the population.Get valuable insights into effective acute and preventive treatments and management strategies for cluster headaches, empowering those who suffer and their loved ones with knowledge and hope. As a special bonus, don't miss our exclusive bonus track where you'll hear from someone who suffers from Cluster Headache. They share their personal journey, offering a poignant glimpse into the real-life impact of this disease. It's the voice of somone living with cluster headaches, giving a firsthand understanding of the challenges they face. For further resources and support, visit: - Ouch UK - Providing support and advocacy for those affected by cluster headaches. - The Brain Charity- Offering guidance and assistance to individuals living with neurological conditions. Don't miss Dr Silver's enlightening talk from the OUCH Summer conference: Link and his comprehensive overview of migraine booklet: Migraine Booklet **Disclaimer:** This podcast episode contains discussions about cluster headaches, including topics that may touch upon sensitive subjects such as mental health and suicide. While we strive to provide informative and supportive content, we acknowledge that these discussions may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues or experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, we urge you to seek support from a qualified healthcare professional or your GP. For emergency call 999 helpline immediately. Your mental health and well-being are important, and help is available. Listener discretion is advised.

Delve into the intricate world of migraine science with Dr Katy Munro, Headache Specialist, and her esteemed guest, Dr Phil Holland, Reader in Neuroscience at King's College London. In this episode 'Migraine Science: What's Happening in the Brain? they embark on a fascinating journey through the complexities of migraine brain chemistry and pathways. From exploring the intersections of migraine with other pain areas like facial pain, neck, and shoulders, to busting common myths linking migraine with dementia, this episode delves deep into the cutting-edge treatments on the horizon. Tune in as they unravel the mysteries of the migraine brain and pave the way for new insights and advancements in understanding and treating this debilitating condition. If you have any questions/comments or any topics you would like us to cover in our future episodes email: info@nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk. WE ARE A CHARITY Please help us keep going in the following ways: Please donate to help us continue to release new episodes: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/headsup

Join us on this special episode of the Heads Up Podcast as we mark Migraine Awareness Week. In a heartfelt tribute to those who battle migraines, we spotlight three remarkable women and their journeys of resilience. Tune in and lend your support to #MigraineVoices, because together, we can shed light on the silent pain that so many endure. Visit the National Migraine Centre's website and learn more about the life changing anti-CGRP treatments available. Book an appointment to see a headache specialist.