• Actor Kat Dennings is opening up about her journey living with migraine headaches.
• She is speaking out to spread awareness and advocate for treatment reform.
• Dennings hopes others living with migraine attacks will join her in advocating for change.

Since she was 12 years old, Marvel and “2 Broke Girls” actor Kat Dennings has lived with migraine headaches.

Sometimes the pain she experienced was so intense and frightening that she slept near her mom.

“She actually had a cot in her closet that she would pull out when I had an attack,” Dennings told Healthline. “When she first took me to the doctor, we were told I would grow out of it, but news flash — I didn’t.”

In her 20s, Dennings finally connected with a doctor who officially diagnosed her with migraine.

She is one of over 40 million Americans (85% of who are female) who live with chronic migraine headaches.

To raise awareness about the seriousness of migraine headaches, Dennings is participating in the Migraine Blackout campaign by going dark for several days on social media.

In October, Dennings archived all posts on her Instagram account and has refrained from posting on any other forms of social media for five consecutive days as a symbolic stance to raise awareness of the toll migraine attacks can have on a person living with the condition.

She also hopes to rally the migraine community to push for care reform.

Pfizer and advocacy organizations, including the American Headache Society, National Headache Foundation, Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy, and The Headache & Migraine Policy Forum, are leading the campaign.

“The program is focused on some of the systematic issues that those with migraine face when trying to access treatment,” said Dennings. “We’re providing resources to help people navigate challenges when working with their insurance companies or in getting the treatments that they are prescribed while also advocating for step therapy reform.”

Step therapy requires people with migraine and other chronic diseases to try and fail insurer-preferred treatments before advancing to another therapy.

Patient advocacy groups, including the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy and the Headache and Migraine Policy Reform, support step therapy reform. This aims to eliminate step therapy and help alleviate treatment delays so people can access treatments sooner.

“This push for federal change…is one of the most powerful ways we can spark change for people with migraine,” Dennings said.

To join in on her efforts, you can electronically sign an open letter that will be sent to your congressional representation asking them to support step therapy reform and emphasizing the urgency of improved patient access to migraine care.

“I’m an example of how long it can take to find the right doctor and treatment, so I know a lot of people may be frustrated that they can’t find help,” said Dennings. “I hope to help rally people to advocate for better access to care. I think we can help bring real change and increase access to medications for many people impacted by migraine.”

Below, Dennings shared more with Healthline about living with migraine headaches and speaking out for all those with the condition.

How debilitating are migraine headaches?

Dennings: I cancel personal plans all the time due to my migraine attacks, and that’s the worst because I feel like the ultimate flake. But the truth is, when I have a migraine, I struggle to do anything. That is why I blacked out my social content as part of the Migraine Blackout campaign. I’ve pushed through my pain for years, but this is my way of saying, “I’m done.” By going dark on social media, I’m showing that, really, people with migraine should check out and take care of themselves but also get the care that works for them.

Has a migraine attack ever interfered with your work?

I have never and would never cancel work because of my migraine attacks. I’ve always pushed through the pain because I don’t want to let people down and wasn’t sure if people would understand if I took time off because of it. But that says something, doesn’t it? There was a part of me that felt like having a migraine attack wasn’t a legitimate reason to rest up.

How have you learned to manage migraine headaches over the years?

When things are bad, my go-to solution is lying in a dark room with ice on my neck. Sometimes I’ll use this migraine helmet that helps apply pressure to my head, or I drink a cold slushy. It doesn’t get rid of the pain, but it helps. But the thing with migraine is that it affects everyone differently, so what works for me might not be right for someone else. If you’re experiencing migraine you should talk to your doctor to see what treatment approach is right for you.

Have you had to go through any obstacles to get treatment?

Unfortunately, there were many times where I sought medical help and was met with a sort of “well, being a woman is tough.” And as a woman, you feel like you are being a nuisance and that your experience is not legitimate, or someone thinks you are exaggerating. My current doctor is great, but it was hard to find him. It’s a lot of trial and error and asking friends and family who they go to. I’m glad I was able to find someone I like, but it’s a tedious journey.

How have you advocated for yourself when it comes to living with migraine headaches?

It’s sometimes hard to advocate for yourself, and I have to remind myself to speak up and be honest about what I’m feeling and what treatments are or aren’t working. Raising awareness about the real burden of migraine and helping improve access to care is why I wanted to join Migraine Blackout.

Many people don’t know about step therapy, it is a requirement by some states where people with migraine have to try three medicines without sufficient relief before getting to a newer one, even if your doctor prescribes the newer option. I am advocating for step therapy reform, and believe it is one of the most powerful ways we can spark change for people with migraine—and people can do that by signing the open letter at migraineblackout.com.

What do you think people misunderstand most about living with migraine headaches?

Everyone’s migraine pain is different. I have a friend whose migraines are so bad she has to go to the ER. But just because I don’t experience that doesn’t mean mine aren’t valid and painful. Having a migraine isn’t just an excuse to bail on plans—it’s a legitimate disease and should be taken seriously. It’s hard enough to navigate the world when you’re living with migraine, and the stigma just adds onto that.