Lady Gaga on Overcoming Adversity
- Lady Gaga has been featured in Pfizer’s new TV advertisement for its migraine treatment Nurtec ODT (rimegepant).
- The 38-year-old singer-songwriter and actress has praised the migraine medication Nurtec ODT for helping her amid her migraine struggles, saying in the new commercial, “Nothing dims my light like a migraine. With Nurtec ODT, I found relief. To those with migraine, I see you.”
- According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) a migraine is “a type of headache characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head.”
- Gaga is no stranger to opening up about health struggles — and fans are impressed to hear how resilient she was dealing with years of painful migraines. Her story is also a testament to how important it is to advocate for your health when you know something is up.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter and actress has praised the migraine medication Nurtec ODT, a quick dissolving medicine intended for acute and preventative migraine treatment, for helping her amid her migraine struggles, saying in the new commercial, released this week, “If you’re, like me, one of the millions suffering from pain caused by migraine, Nurtec ODT may help.”
Read MoreIn the video commercial, Gaga, who partnered with Pfizer in 2023, is seen on set of a photoshoot, getting her hair and makeup ready, saying, “Nothing dims my light like a migraine. With Nurtec ODT, I found relief. To those with migraine, I see you.”View this post on Instagram
“It’s time we all shine. Talk to a healthcare provider about Nurtec ODT from Pfizer.”
Speaking to Nurtec ODT for the marketing campaign, Gaga said, “I was diagnosed with migraine when I was 14. My experience with migraine was debilitating. I would miss school, and be in bed for days with tremendous pain in my head, behind my eyes, and all throughout my face. I couldn’t read or have any lights on, and I needed to be alone in a quiet room for hours that could lead to days until the pain subsided. I was always frustrated getting them because I didn’t want to get behind in school or miss rehearsals for after school musicals.
The singer went onto explain that her migraines changed and became more frequent as she got older and began dealing with other health issues as well.
View this post on Instagram
“I even found that my migraines would be so distracting it would cause stress, which would make everything worse for me. I woke up several days a week with a headache that would not go away. It was a never-ending cycle. I can’t tell you how many primary care doctors visits I’ve cried through when they ask me how I’ve been feeling,” she added.
More Stories About Resilience
As for her Nurtec success story, Gaga said, “When I tried Nurtec for the first time I’ll never forget wishing I had found it sooner. My migraine was gone quickly, and I was so glad I found relief. I wondered if other people could have the same experience I have.
Although Gaga is promoting the migraine medicine, it’s important to speak with your doctor on what types of medication are right for you. You should also read the important safety information offered by Nurtec ODT, which warns the medication should not be taken if you’re allergic to the medicine or its ingredients.
It appears Gaga is doing well amid her ongoing migraine treatment, as she recently took to social media to share a celebratory birthday post.
Gaga turned 38 last month, and to commemorate turning another year older. “Today has been so special—I can’t remember a time I was so happy on my bday. I am in love with my best friend, my family and friends are loving and kind and healthy.
“I feel like my heart is bursting with gratitude for my own health and MUSIC—I am writing some of my best music in as long as I can remember, our movie ‘Joker 2: Folie à Deux’ is coming out soon —AND seeing messages from all over the world from little monsters—artists—publications that love my work it means so much to me.”
View this post on Instagram
She concluded, “Thank you thank you thank you for loving me the way you do and for having such a real love for my songs—I’ve been writing pop songs since I was a little girl I can’t believe I still get to do what I love.
“This year will be an important and meaningful year for us I know. Music changes people lives I’m so honored I get to be a part of that in this life.”
WATCH: Defining and Building Resilience
Understanding Migraines
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) a migraine is “a type of headache characterized by recurrent attacks of moderate to severe throbbing and pulsating pain on one side of the head,” which is “caused by the activation of nerve fibers within the wall of brain blood vessels traveling inside the meninges (three layers of membranes protecting the brain and spinal cord).”
Per the institute, migraine attacks left untreated may last from four to 72 hours.
Common symptoms of migraines include:
- Increased sensitivity to light, noise, and odors
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Routine physical activity, movement, coughing or sneezing can also worsen headache pain
“Migraines occur most frequently in the morning, especially upon waking. Some people have migraines at predictable times, such as before menstruation or on weekends following a stressful week of work,” the institute explains.
“Many people feel exhausted or weak following a migraine but are usually symptom-free between attacks.”
As for treatment of migraines, the NINDS says it works toward relieving symptoms and preventing future attacks.
If quick steps like napping, putting an ice pack on one’s forehead, drinking more fluids, or having some caffeine, don’t help, patients may turn to drug therapy which is often split into acute and preventative therapy.
“Acute or ‘abortive’ medications are taken as soon as symptoms occur to relieve pain and restore function. Preventive treatment involves taking medicines daily to reduce the severity of future attacks or keep them from happening,” the institute explains.
“Headache drug use should be monitored by a physician, since some drugs may cause side effects.”
There are various types of medication that exist for combatting migraines, but as for Nurtec ODT, the medication Lady Gaga has credited for helping her feel better, studies have show it can treat migraine attacks and to prevent episodic migraine in adults, Nurtec ODT says on its website.
Helpful Tips to Get Better Answers Regarding Your Health
Advocating for your health is key for you to receive the best possible care. By being present, asking lots of questions, and getting several different medical opinions, you will be better positioned to push for a correct diagnosis and get the best possible treatment to address your symptoms.
Over the years, SurvivorNet has shared many stories from cancer survivors and medical experts alike for practical guidance needed to best advocate for yourself.
Watch: How to advocate for yourself.
Below is a list of a few things you can do to advocate for your health.
- “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” Breast cancer survivor Jenny Saldana urges people to continue speaking up if they feel like their concerns aren’t being taken seriously.
- “Get knowledge.” Colon cancer survivor Evelyn Reyes-Beato says people should come to appointments prepared with questions and make physicians “earn that copay.”
- “The truth is you have to be in tune with your body, and you realize that you are not the statistic.” Dr. Zuri Murrell, director of the Cedars-Sinai Colorectal Cancer Center, encourages patients to stand up for themselves because they might not “fit into” the mold of healthcare guidelines. He also says patients should always leave appointments with a plan.
“[Medical] guidelines, especially in this country, are meant to take care and do the right thing for the largest number of people, but it’s also with the littlest use of resources,” Dr. Murrell said. He adds since everyone does not neatly fit into a box, patients must extract more concrete answers related to their condition from doctors.
“It’s important for you to actually educate yourself and be your own health care advocate. You should lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan, Dr. Murrell continued.
Dr. Steven Rosenberg is the National Cancer Institute Chief of Surgery, and he previously told SurvivorNet about the advantages of getting input from multiple doctors.
“If I had any advice for you following a cancer diagnosis, it would be, first, to seek out multiple opinions as to the best care. Because finding a doctor who is up to the latest information is important,” Dr. Rosenberg said.
WATCH: The value of a second opinion.
Lady Gaga on Her Mental Heath
We’re happy to see Lady Gaga doing what she needs to do regarding her health and combatting her migraines. The singer also experienced loneliness during her career, something she told Los Angeles Times in an earlier interview.
“It’s very lonely being a performer. There’s a certain loneliness that I feel, anyway — that I’m the only one who does what I do. So, it feels like no one understands,” Gaga said.
Over time, she learned to cope, embrace her alone time, and use it productively. “I’m actually really interested in living more of a life of solitude,” she later told Wallpaper Magazine.
As she coped with the stress of being a young music star, she also worked to keep her mental health in check. Although she openly preaches mental wellness today, her journey experienced challenges. She struggled with depression and anxiety – something millions of Americans can relate to.
“I curated my life to be an expression of my pain. This is how I overcame my depression: by creating somebody that I felt was stronger than me. But…nothing was able to fix how I was genetically made. I was born this way. No matter how much success you have, no matter how many opportunities, fame, fortune—no matter how many people accept you, to your face, the person that really needs to accept you is you,” she said before an audience at Yale University in 2015.
Gaga admitted she took medication for anxiety and depression. The emotional toll the mental disorders took on her even caused her to consider quitting her music career. However, she started realizing the root causes of her downed feelings rested in putting others’ demands before her own.
In addition to taking more control of her life and cutting out things that contributed to her anxiety, she also turned to therapy, made music, and started acting to help her cope.
WATCH: Managing your mental health amid a health challenge.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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