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Migraine Awareness Month (USA)

James — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:21:36 +0000

Next month in the USA is Migraine Awareness Month! The idea has been founded and promoted by the National Headache Foundation.

If you’re in the USA and you’d like to help the NHF continue its efforts to "encourage employers, insurers, health care providers, government agencies, and even family members to recognize migraine and other headache disorders as a serious neurobiological disease", you can donate just $5 and get a cool Migraine Awareness Ribbon (who doesn’t want a cool Migraine Awareness Ribbon?!)!

How do you get it? Simply zip over to this page right now, and look for the $5 for 2012 Migraine Awareness button. I’m sure you can take it from there!

And make sure you tell everyone what your new cool ribbon means (yes, even something small like that can make a big difference!)!

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Migraine Awareness Month (USA)

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Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS Awareness: Migraine and Chronic Headache Big Issues

James — Sat, 12 May 2012 15:52:22 +0000

Today is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Actually, it’s also Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (otherwise known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) Awareness Day.

Both Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS are nasty relatives of migraine. Fibromyalgia in particular is a well-known comorbid condition with migraine. How exactly these interact is a complicated issue.

We do know that chronic headache and/or migraine conditions are very common in patients with fibromyalgia. There are also many treatments common to both.

If you can get a proper diagnosis of ME/CFS and/or Fibromyalgia, your doctor may be able to help you get treatments that are more likely to help with migraine as well. If your doctor can have a more full knowledge of your medical history, she has a better chance of finding treatments that work.

Here is a little more information:

Is Migraine a "Symptom" of Fibromyalgia?
Insomnia is not "normal" (read Nikki’s comment below)
Delayed Food Allergies – One Specialist Speaks Out (videos) – Can food impact migraine and fibromyalgia symptoms?

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS Awareness: Migraine and Chronic Headache Big Issues

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From Current Studies: What Migraine Treatments Work?

James — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:03:06 +0000

New guidelines have just come out based on the evidence we currently have for migraine treatment. We’ll talk about some of the guidelines in a moment, but first there are some key things to remember.

Caution: Dangerous Waters Ahead!

These guidelines were created by checking out the studies that have been published to date. This means that we do or do not have high quality studies that show successful treatment using [whatever medication or supplement]. If we don’t have enough quality studies, the item will be lower on the list.

We should also note that the guidelines are talking about what works in general, NOT what works for you or what is best for you. Some treatments high on the list are also high in side effects. Or they may be dangerous for certain people. Or they may not work well for your particular type of migraine. Do not take this as a list of what to try first. Something lower on the list may be something far better for you that something on the top.

This list also doesn’t address combo-treatments, such as MigreLief (with magnesium, feverfew and riboflavin).

The list does help doctors prioritize what to consider. If you’ve tried a number of things and haven’t tried something high on the list, it may be time to ask your doctor about it.

Highest rated treatments

Here are some of the highest rated treatments for migraine. There are four categories:

Over-the-counter: Petasites (butterbur) (such as Petadolex)
Triptans: frovatriptan (especially recommended for menstrual migraine)
Antiepileptics: divalproex sodium, sodium valproate, topiramate
beta-blockers: metoprolol, propranolol, timolol

Lowest rated treatments

These are the items that had a negative rating, meaning that they’re not recommended at this time: Lamotrigine, Clomipramine, Acebutolol, Clonazepam, Nabumetone, Oxcarbazepine, Telmisartan, montelukast.

Everything in-between

Of course, just because something isn’t on the top of the list doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent, helpful treatment for many people. For example, very close to the top were well-recognized treatments such as amitriptyline, zolmitriptan, feverfew, naproxen sodium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and magnesium.

It should also be noted that Botox migraine treatment was not a part of these studies.

For some of the medications that are being used today, check out Migraine Medications: So many choices.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

From Current Studies: What Migraine Treatments Work?

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Coming Up: NYC Marathon and the Migraine Research Foundation

James — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:48:19 +0000

This just in from the Migraine Research Foundation:

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Coming Up: NYC Marathon and the Migraine Research Foundation

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Lily’s Mom Review: Follow-up from Dr. Messina

James — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 01:45:43 +0000

After I posted the review of Lily’s Mom last month, I received an email by the writer, producer, and director – Dr. Edmund Messina. I thought you might like to hear his comments on my review:

James

Nicely written review.

One comment: The "natural therapist" actually was a real story that a patient told me. It was a neurologist who she had seen in Texas… I get to hear a lot of stories in my line of work and, as you already know, there are lots of people who like to take advantage of people suffering with painful conditions. Incidentally, all of the scenes in the movie were based on real-life experiences told to me by migraine people.

Keep up the good work.

Ed Messina

As you may recall, I had mentioned that the "natural therapist" was so far out there that he’s going to need a telescope to see reality.

My point was not that this person could not exist. Do I believe Dr. Messina’s patient? You bet. (But… he was a neurologist? Seriously?!)

My point was more that, since this is the moment in the movie for alternative therapy, maybe we should remember that there are many good alternative health practitioners out there.

Of course, you can’t cover the good and the bad and every aspect in one movie. And it’s very important to remember as a migraineur that there’s some crazy stuff out there. And it’s good for us all to remember the terrible things that many migraineurs have to go through – beyond the symptoms of their disease.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Lily’s Mom Review: Follow-up from Dr. Messina

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Time to Vote – For a Christmas Card!

James — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:14:47 +0000

You might remember from my post in January Fight Migraine by … designing a Christmas card? that the Migraine Trust was looking for Christmas card designs to sell for the 2012 season – to raise funds to fight migraine!

Well, the entries are in! And now it’s your chance to vote. You can mention your favourite on Twitter, or else Like your favourite on Facebook.

Here are the entries – Christmas card competition

The winning card will be sold in the online shop starting this coming September. I’m sure you have some people you’d like to send a card to – right?

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Time to Vote – For a Christmas Card!

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Child with Migraine? The Migraine Trust Needs You!

James — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:14:40 +0000

Are you a parent or a care-giver of a child (11 and under) with migraine? Live in the UK? Then The Migraine Trust is asking for your help!

Would you take a few minutes to fill out a questionnaire related to children and migraine? It’s actually a two-parter – part to be filled out by you, and part by your child (yes, you can help!).

It’s an online questionnaire mainly asking briefly how migraine impacts life and how you would feel about getting together with others to discuss the issues and look for solutions.

This from The Migraine Trust:

Research has shown that migraine can have a detrimental effect on the lives of children and young people. Migraine can, for example, impact upon self-esteem, school attendance, education, making friends and taking part in activities. In order to address this The Migraine Trust wishes to support children and young people, their parents and carers.

We have put together a short questionnaire to help us determine what support is required, the demand for such support and how best it should be structured. We invite parents and carers of young migraine sufferers to complete the first part of the questionnaire, and children and young people who suffer from migraine to complete part two. If you have more than one child or young person we’d really appreciate it if each young sufferer could contribute their thoughts by completing a new survey.

For more information and to fill out the form, check out the Migraine in children and young people consultation page.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Child with Migraine? The Migraine Trust Needs You!

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Riddell Football Helmets: Are They Really Safe?

James — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:46:05 +0000

Back in 2005 we were talking about the concussion suffered by a wearer of a Riddell helmet – right after the helmets had been specifically promoted before the game. Bad timing, to say the least (as if there’s ever a good time for a concussion!)!

Since 2002, the Riddell Revolution helmets have were promoted as having Revolution Concussion Reduction Technology – and since then the helmets have gained a good reputation. But is that reputation deserved?

A study in the journal Neurosurgery suggested that the helmets resulted in a 31% decrease in concussions – pretty significant. But even at the time, one of the co-authors of the study questioned the value of the results.

In January, US Senator Tom Udall called for an investigation into the safety of the helments. Udall expressed concern that Riddell’s advertising may violate the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Seattle based Hagens Berman is now investigating the claims, and is asking for help from anyone who feels they may have been misled by the comapny’s advertising.

Increased attention has been given to sports injury in recent years. Health professionals are beginning to realize that concussions (brain injury) often turn into long term health issues, often very serious ones. There is special concern with children, which is one reason why the Riddell situation is getting the attention it is.

For more information:

New York Times: Senator Calls for Helmet Safety Investigation
Hagens Berman: Hagens Berman Investigates Riddell Football Helmets Over Concussion Claims
Head sports trauma: The Basics You Need to Know

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Riddell Football Helmets: Are They Really Safe?

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US Study to Investigate Nasal Carbon Dioxide for Migraine

James — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:31:10 +0000

Back in 2005 we talked about an experimental treatment for migraine involving CO2. The treatment does not involve inhaling carbon dioxide (so don’t do it!), but instead a special concentration of C02 is forced in one nostril and out the other.

This new study will involve 450 patients throughout the USA. The drug will be administered for 10 seconds into each nostril, with the option of having up to three doses over time.

If successful, this could be a quick abortive migraine treatment that could help some who haven’t been helped by other treatments, hopefully with few if any side effects.

The researchers hope to complete the study in September of 2013. If you’d like to keep an eye on the latest news, check out the clinical trial page here.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

US Study to Investigate Nasal Carbon Dioxide for Migraine

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Very important – CO2 Migraine Treatment

Coming Migraine Treatment: Lasmiditan

James — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:03:20 +0000

Lasmiditan is a new drug that is being investigated for the treatment of migraine attacks. It’s in a new class of drugs known as ditans, which are serotonin receptor agonists that selectively bind to the 5-HT1F receptor.

Lasmiditan has been the subject of numerous studies already. The advantage of Lasmiditan is that it doesn’t seem to constrict blood vessels, and there have been no reports of cardiovascular effects or chest symptoms. This is very important because of the increased risk that migrainuers already have for heart issues and stroke. Those in particular who can’t take triptan drugs may find relief with Lasmiditan.

Like the very popular triptan class of drugs, Lasmiditan would be taken for a specific migraine attack.

Recent trials showed significant improvement in migraine patients over a placebo. Over 60% of headaches were reduced to nothing or almost nothing within 2 hours. Sensitivity to light and sound were also significantly reduced. Interestingly, nausea was also reduced, but this took more time.

The company that is testing Lasmiditan, CoLucid, is planning trials throughout 2012, 2013 and 2014, hoping to have a product ready for 2014. Already, a recent survey in the USA suggested that 10% or neurologists would prescribe Lasmiditan. As you might imagine, the financial experts are keeping an eye on statistics like these, in the highly competitive world of migraine medication.

This is what CoLucid has to say about the drug:

Lasmiditan is a first-in-class Neurally Acting Anti-Migraine Agent (NAAMA) designed to deliver efficacy in migraine without the vasoconstrictor activity associated with previous generations of migraine therapies. Lasmiditan is a member of a novel chemical class called "ditans" and, unlike triptans, penetrates the central nervous system (CNS) and selectively targets 5-HT1F receptors expressed in the trigeminal pathway. Lasmiditan does not interact with vasoconstrictor 5-HT1B/1D receptors activated by triptans.

From the Headache and Migraine News Blog

Coming Migraine Treatment: Lasmiditan