WHITEFISH BAY, Wis. — John Felden has a daily step goal of 20,000 steps. He’s been able to accomplish that without pain from a migraine this past year. 

“It feels great,” said Felden. “I don’t have to worry. I can walk without any pain pounding on my head. It’s amazing what I can do now.”

For the past decade, he’s suffered from migraines.

“It was only a few headaches a month,” said Felden. “Then it turned to 20 headaches a month. Then it turned into daily headaches.”

Felden said he met with several neurologists but was still unable to find the right treatment. 

“My boss, who suffers from headaches herself, told me to keep trying different neurologist until you’ve found the right one,” said Felden. “She was right. I found the right one in Dr. Holdridge.” 

Dr. Ashley Holdridge is a neurologist at Aurora Health Care. She was able to find the right medication for Felden.

“This medication blocks a chemical CGRP and prevents the transmission of chemical signals that go on to dilate the blood vessels and activate the pain pathways,” said Holdridge. 

On top of that, Felden takes what he calls a rescue medication for when he feels a migraine attack coming on. 

“Over 120 days without taking any rescue medicine,” said Felden.

He said Holdridge has changed his life. 

The medication and Holdrige played a key role in his recovery. Yet, he said he knows without advocating for himself, he wouldn’t be in this position.