(BPT) - Stephanie, 38, was on the phone with her grandmother as she sat in traffic making her way from her day job as an administrative assistant to her evening waitressing shift. Suddenly, she felt the urge to drive to the side of the highway and throw up all over the road. She was experiencing symptoms of yet another migraine attack - symptoms she has suffered with since the age of 7.
Her grandmother, still on the phone, begged Stephanie to turn her car around and go home to rest, but Stephanie couldn't afford to miss work.
Migraine is a disabling neurological disease that affects more than 39 million Americans and can cause debilitating symptoms including throbbing and pulsating pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and sound, as well as nausea and vomiting.
'There was a time when my migraine attacks were so bad that I vomited constantly because of the excruciating pain. I had a grayish hue to my skin and a grayish hue to my life,' said Stephanie. 'But I work two jobs to help support my family, so I had to push through it as best I could.'
She also often missed family events, going out with friends and was no longer able to attend her yoga classes because of her migraine attacks.
Life got remarkably better for Stephanie once she had more certainty about what she was dealing with - migraine. Diagnosis in hand, she partnered with her neurologist to find a treatment and lifestyle program that has helped her experience more migraine-free days.
'Once I received my diagnosis, I realized how essential it was for me to take care of my body and relieve the stress and anxiety I felt because of migraine,' said Stephanie. 'But first, I needed to find a treatment that would work for me.'
After not feeling satisfied in her treatment journey, Stephanie decided to look for a new option to help manage her migraine disease more effectively. She asked her neurologist about VYEPTI® (eptinezumab-jjmr), a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
'My neurologist was very supportive and had seen success with other patients trying it,' said Stephanie.
Since her first infusion with VYEPTI, Stephanie has had a decrease in monthly migraine days. In patients with 4 or more migraine days a month, VYEPTI has been proven to reduce monthly migraine days over months 1-3 compared to placebo. Individual results may vary.
Do not receive VYEPTI if you are allergic to eptinezumab-jjmr or any of the ingredients in VYEPTI. See additional Important Safety Information for VYEPTI below.
With more migraine-free days, Stephanie has reconnected with her love of yoga and exercise. With her doctor's approval, she now practices yoga more regularly. This consistent practice has allowed her to ease back into her other favorite workouts in a sustainable way, despite the unpredictability of migraine. She also has learned what poses tend to help when she feels the onset of a migraine attack. For her, poses like the tree pose have been invaluable tools she can use to reconnect her body and mind to help navigate the pain. Please note, individual experiences may vary. Consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise routine.
These days, Stephanie is enjoying her physical and mental strength through her traditional and aerial yoga practice and participation in a friend's dance class. 'There was a time when I wouldn't have been able to take her class. With more migraine-free days, I can be more active, which has made it easier for me to navigate the tough days and enjoy the good days.'
For more VYEPTI patient stories and to watch expert-led mind and body practices for people with migraine, including yoga, sound bath and supportive self-care, visit VYEPTI.com.
APPROVED USE
VYEPTI is a prescription medicine used for the preventive treatment of migraine in adults.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not receive VYEPTI if you have a known allergy to eptinezumab-jjmr or its ingredients.
VYEPTI may cause allergic reactions. Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction: rash; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; if you have trouble breathing; hives; or redness in your face.
Before starting VYEPTI, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including any prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
The most common side effects of VYEPTI include stuffy nose and scratchy throat, and allergic reactions.
These are not all the possible side effects of VYEPTI. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For more information, please see the Prescribing Information and Patient Information or go to vyepti.com.
