Revered Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon is a rare athlete willing to admit how debilitating a migraine episode is. Most athletes say they push through it, fueling the public’s perception that a migraine is “just a headache” — and that migraineurs are whiners. Papelbon said:
“They don’t go away,” he said. “You can usually feel the effects of them the day after, the aftereffects. But it’s hereditary, they don’t go away.
It’s just something that I’m going to have to deal with. It’s not just a headache, it takes over your whole body. People that don’t get them, they don’t really understand them.”
Papelbon later says that he is able to push through a migraine — only after he has taken the migraine abortive Imitrex. It seems like a small thing, but “tough guys” admitting the agony of migraine helps spread the word that it is a serious disorder.
I am a HUGE Red Sox Fan and I never knew this. I love Papelbon anyway but, this makes me love him MORE! To achieve what he has and deal with migraines is amazing…it’s not a quiet life.
Considering how good he’s been for the last few years – his achievements look even more impressive given his migraines.
you know, jonny damon has them, too. he now plays for my team, the Yanks. Are you a Boston fan??
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I didn’t know that. I’m only a Boston fan if they’re playing the Yankees. 🙂 I don’t watch much American League baseball, but am rooting for the Rays in the playoffs.
I have not seen many athletes discussing health problems in such a way before. Thanks for sharing about the red sox pitcher.