Introducing Krista
Krista Craig serves as the National Sustainability Director with the Mood Disorders Society of Canada, where she helps lead initiatives that support people living with mental health challenges across the country. It’s meaningful, high-impact work, and like many in helping professions, Krista carries her own health journey alongside the responsibility of supporting others.
Behind her leadership role is someone who deeply understands what it means to live with chronic illness.
Living with Complex, Co-Existing Conditions
Krista lives with Chronic Migraine, anxiety disorder, Stage 4 TMJ (a severe jaw disorder), and fibromyalgia. With multiple overlapping conditions, getting clear answers wasn’t simple. Her chronic migraine diagnosis took time, partly because symptoms can blur together when several conditions coexist.
Today, her most persistent symptom is headache, which is often triggered by stress and disrupted sleep. When she recently began tracking her migraine days, the results were sobering: headaches affect her 20 to 25 days each month.
Living with that level of pain is exhausting. It takes a toll both physically and emotionally. Yet, like so many people with invisible illnesses, Krista continues to show up- for her work, her family, and herself.
The Challenge of Accessing Treatment
Krista has tried numerous prescription medications in search of relief, but none proved effective enough to continue long term. Beyond finding the right treatment, simply accessing medication has been a challenge.
Each migraine medication required a Drug Preauthorization through her benefits provider- a time-consuming and often stressful process. At times, the strain of navigating paperwork and approvals felt like it worsened her symptoms.
She also recognizes that she is fortunate to have a drug plan. Many migraine medications are expensive and out of reach for those without coverage. For Krista, this raises larger concerns about equity and access to care for people living with chronic conditions.
Managing Migraine While Managing Life
Krista’s work is demanding and often screen-heavy. She admits that when she’s focused, she can sit at her computer for hours without taking a break, something she knows isn’t ideal for migraine management.
Working from home offers flexibility. When she feels symptoms building, she can step away, rest, or reset before things escalate. That autonomy has made a meaningful difference.
Of all the treatments she has tried, Botox has provided the most relief. She also incorporates regular massage therapy with a registered massage therapist (RMT). Just as important, she fiercely protects her sleep and personal time. Knowing that stress and tension are major triggers, Krista has learned to set firm boundaries and walk away from conflict when necessary.
Protecting her energy is not selfish- it’s essential.
There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
One of Krista’s greatest sources of strength is her supportive husband, who understands when she needs to rest and when she may need encouragement to keep going. Living with chronic migraine is not something she navigates alone.
Krista hopes others living with migraine find what works best for them and feel empowered to advocate for their needs. Wellness is not one-size-fits-all. Every journey is different, and every person deserves care that recognizes their unique experience.
For those living with migraine, and for the loved ones who support them, a healthier, more pain-free life isn’t too much to ask. It’s something worth pursuing, one step at a time.
