165: Not a headache it’s a migraine. A raw rant exposes what this chronic pain really feels like

In Episode 165, Roula takes listeners on a raw, candid journey into her decades‑long battle with migraines. It isn’t just a headache—it’s a debilitating condition that has stolen weeks of her life. She explains how her migraine began just as her husband left for Greece, ruining the solitude she had been looking forward to. Rosie listens empathetically as Roula vents about friends and co‑workers who casually compare migraines to headaches; she bluntly tells them to “shut the f*** up” because a migraine’s aura, tunnel‑vision sensations and crushing pain are worlds apart. Roula describes experiencing an aura where she feels like she’s in a tunnel, followed by excruciating pain on one side of her head, eye and jaw—no medicine works, not even morphine. She confesses that only smoking a joint brings relief, but stigma and family obligations make it hard to access. Rosie encourages her to talk with her husband about keeping a small stash. They discuss boundary‑setting, how employers often lack understanding, and the frustration of performing through pain. Roula invites listeners who suffer from migraines to share their stories and tips, and asks the “headache crowd” to offer real empathy instead of belittling comments.  Highlights & TimestampsSetting the scene (00:01–01:02) – Roula wears a Lenny Kravitz T‑shirt and sunglasses, jokes about looking cool, and shares excitement over having the house to herself while her husband vacations in Greece.Migraine crash (01:02–02:31) – The day before he leaves, Roula’s migraine hits and lasts for days; she expresses anger at people who equate migraines with headaches and explains how paralyzing they are.Life lost to migraines (02:31–04:26) – She recounts missing weeks of her life due to migraines, forcing herself to smile and function while “dying inside” because no one allows her to rest.Boundary setting & workplace ignorance (04:26–05:41) – Rosie asks if Roula sets boundaries now; Roula explains that employers expect her to return quickly despite migraines lasting up to a week.Aura and symptom description (06:23–07:17) – Roula describes her aura as a tunnel‑like sensation; she feels off as if she’s on LSD and then pain travels from the back of her head to her eye and jaw.Ineffective medication & cannabis relief (07:46–10:13) – She notes migraine medicines often cause headaches or hallucinations; only cannabis helps, but it’s inconvenient to acquire.Research and solidarity (10:13–13:02) – Roula explains that even strong painkillers and Botox don’t work, and that science still doesn’t know why migraines happen. She invites fellow sufferers to share their experiences and potential remedies, and Rosie encourages people to offer real support.If you suffer from migraines or know someone who does, share your experiences and any relief strategies you’ve found. Don’t trivialise the pain—help spread migraine awareness by leaving a reviewmigraine awareness, difference between migraine and headache, migraine aura, chronic pain, women’s health, pain management, cannabis for migraine relief, empathy and boundaries)Check out episode 11, where we referenced botox to it: 11: Botox - Is it For Vanity or Wellbeing--------------------☕️ Buy us a coffee!🎙️ Send us a voice message🛍️ Buy some Rosie and Roula merch!--------------------⭐️ Leave us a review▶️ Follow us on Instagram and TikTok🎞️ Subscribe to our YouTube channel--------------------🎧 Check out Roula's podcast🎧 Check out Rosie's podcast