Robert Shapiro

doctor, advocate; tweets my own; retweet ≠ endorsement; tweet content ≠ medical advice;

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

Now big headaches have messy footprints.
@nytimes fail.

[Jason J. Sico, MD, FAHS, FAHA, FAAN, FACP, FANA @JSico_MD]

s National Director of the VHA Headache Centers of Excellence, I’m proud to share our latest podcast on transforming #Migraine care for #Veterans. 🛡️

Key Pearls:
✅ Migraine is a complex neurological disease
✅ HCoE offers a multidisciplinary "whole health" approach
✅ Early intervention is key

Watch: https://t.co/iLymHPInUD

@DeptVetAffairs @AANpublic @AHSHeadache @YaleMed #VHA #Neurology #Headache #MedTwitter #VAHealth

[Jason J. Sico, MD, FAHS, FAHA, FAAN, FACP, FANA @JSico_MD]

Advancing Neurological Care for Those Who Served: The AAN’s New Position on VA Brain Injury 🧠🛡️

I am incredibly proud to have served as the lead author for the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) new position statement regarding Brain Injury within the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system.

As a neurologist and National Director of the Headache Centers of Excellence in the VHA, I am deeply passionate about ensuring that our Veterans receive the highest quality neurological care. Brain injury is often an "invisible wound," but its impact on the lives of our heroes and their families is profound. This statement serves as a roadmap for advocacy, research, and clinical excellence to meet their unique needs.

Key Highlights of the Position Statement:

🏥 Specialized Access: We advocate for guaranteed access to board-certified neurologists and interdisciplinary teams for all Veterans suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its complex sequelae.

🤯 Comorbidity Management: A dedicated focus on managing the "polytrauma triad," including the integration of care for post-traumatic headache, post-traumatic epilepsy, and sleep disorders.

🔥 Toxic Exposure Awareness: Formal recognition of the neurological risks associated with military exposures, including blast injuries and toxic substances from open burn pits.

🔬 Research Funding: A call for sustained federal investment in VA-led research to develop innovative diagnostics and treatments for chronic brain health conditions.

🤝 Strengthening Partnerships: Enhancing the collaboration between the AAN, the VA, and community providers to ensure no Veteran falls through the cracks of the healthcare system.

It was an honor to collaborate with a dedicated team of experts to bring this vision to life. Special thanks to my co-authors and the AAN Advocacy team: @NajibUmer | @RashmiHalker | @SarahNelsonMD | @JustinJordanMD | @AyubNeishay | @AANAdvocacy
Together, we are committed to moving the needle for Veteran brain health and ensuring those who served our country receive the world-class care they deserve.
#AAN #AmericanHeadacheSociety #AES #Veterans #TBI #BrainInjury #BurnPits #Neurology #VHA #Neurologist #BrainHealth #VeteranCare #NeurologyAdvocacy #HeadacheExcellence #EpilepsyAwareness

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

To all those misunderstood by your doctors, I wish you liberation from your pain in the new year.

Richard Siken puts words to your fury.

[Richard Siken @richardsiken]

"My primary care physician is not a neurologist. He doesn’t understand the difference between sadness and damage. I do not like this man." https://t.co/3lBJXdsnAM

[Tom Zeller Jr. @tomzellerjr]

Amen.

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

Thank you, @tomzellerjr !! for the terrific @sciencefriday interview and your book with the deepest and most balanced reporting yet on the nearly intractable institutional neglect of #migraine and #headache disorders.

https://t.co/ivltuGfnEg

[Tom Zeller Jr. @tomzellerjr]

Humbled to see "The Headache" receive such expansive and thoughtful coverage in the @NewYorker. Many thanks to Jerome Groopman—a staff writer, physician, and migraineur himself—for the deeply insightful read.

https://t.co/Flgwpxrmp8

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

Marathon Monday in Boston

[Chronic Pain Champions @PainChampions]

I'm honored to be part of this new Peace Talks Radio episode led by @annasvandine.

The episode also includes segments from @headachedoc, Dr. Deb Nelson, and @QuanaMadison.

It will air nationally in the USA on 70+ stations.

https://t.co/EaZSPc98kD

#ChronicPain #pain #spoonie

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

Thank you, @annasvandine, for inviting me to join the discussion of chronic #pain for Peace Talks Radio.

A Path to Peace with Chronic Pain

https://t.co/l0pN8Jd8uA

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

In a cohort of previously deployed military personnel, a dose-dependent association existed between open burn pit exposure and medically diagnosed #headache and #migraine.

@JSico_MD

https://t.co/cP013vGG23

[Nina Riggins, MD, PhD, FAAN, FAHS, UCNS Diplomate @NinaRiggins]

#HOH2025 ⁦@AHDAorg⁩ ⁦@headacheMD⁩ ⁦@EhrlichNP⁩ ⁦@miles4migraine⁩ ⁦@ahsheadache⁩ #AANAdvocacy ⁦@AANmember⁩ ⁦@WNGtweets⁩ ⁦@headachedoc⁩ ⁦@williambyoung59⁩ 🧠💜

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

Nearly half (45%) of people with active #migraine have hesitated to seek care for it.

Factors most associated with hesitating include tendency to hide migraine, perceived #stigma towards it, and experiencing greater migraine burden.
https://t.co/qjNDwg9mTl

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

#Stigmatizing attitudes towards #migraine, among people without migraine, are magnified by increased contact with people with migraine, and are most severely expressed among people who used to experience migraine.
https://t.co/Unnuob9Bvv

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

@AHDAorg Thank you, @AHDAorg!!
So honored and grateful to have my name associated with such a worthy initiative!!!

[Headache Journal @HeadacheJournal]

Open Access:
Results from the OVERCOME study identifies never being on #migraine prevention & also the presence of #depression as risk factors for migraine progression
https://t.co/kQZQiziDA9
@DawnBuse @headachedoc @SaitAshina @ranicholson

[Nina Riggins, MD, PhD, FAAN, FAHS, UCNS Diplomate @NinaRiggins]

⁦@headachedoc⁩ Dr Sacco ⁦@NoheadachesNoah⁩ ⁦@WNGtweets⁩ #NOH25 #AANAdvocacy ⁦@AANmember⁩ 🧠 ⁦@ahsheadache⁩ ⁦@AHDAorg⁩ ⁦@miles4migraine⁩

[Headache Journal @HeadacheJournal]

Open Access:
A new validated tool to measure #migraine-related #stigma may be useful to understand determinants of perceived migraine-related stigma & test interventions to help reduce it
https://t.co/7s5mOpGh2s
@SengElizabeth @headachedoc @DawnBuse @SaitAshina @ranicholson et al

[AHDA/THA @AHDAorg]

🎉 Advocacy win! Thanks to our collective advocacy, the Dept. of Education now affirms students with migraine are protected under Section 504 & IDEA! Together, we’re driving real change. 💜

📖 DOE Guidance: https://t.co/Q7rqhvkgrZ

#MigraineAdvocacy #HeadacheOnTheHill

[Robert Shapiro @headachedoc]

This is a HUGE win for kids impaired by #migraine in school!!!

It’s also another example of the power of the collective advocacy of #Headache on the Hill!!

Thank you, HOH advocates!! Your efforts truly make a difference.

@AHDAorg

https://t.co/zOoh4PYzM2