neurostimulator

5 June 2020

Try Nerivio in June with this Rebate

Nerivio, the smartphone controlled migraine device, is now available in the United States. And, for the month of June, in support of Migraine & Headache Awareness Month (MHAM), Theranica (the makers of the device) are offering a special rebate:

Theranica wishes to support the community of people living with migraine by offering a special Migraine Awareness Month $50 rebate on all new prescriptions of Nerivio dispensed during the month of June2020. The rebate will be granted to all newly prescribed patients, regardless of their health insurance program.
Theranica Nerivio Rebate Program Terms and Conditions

We’ve been watching Nerivio for a long time, so it will be great to hear about some of your experiences. If you’re not familiar with it, this device is used when a migraine attack hits. It’s non-invasive, non-drug, placed on your arm, and “remote-controlled” via your phone.

The rebate is only available for June prescriptions, but you do have until the end of the year to claim it. Visit the Nerivio site here for more information.

26 September 2019

New Smartphone Controlled Migraine Device Almost Here

James News, Treatments 0

So, are you ready to fight migraine by “remote control”? Some people may have that chance within the next few weeks.

The device is called Nerivio Migra, a neuromodulation device, which stimulates nerves to fight migraine pain (read more details here – A “Smart” Non-Drug Arm Patch to Fight Migraine). It’s actually a patch which is attached to the upper arm.

Nerivio Migra is an abortive, meaning it is used when an attack hits, unlike some other devices that are used to prevent attacks. Back in the spring, the FDA approved the device for the United States, and the company (Theranica) is planning to have a limited release this year, with a wider release in 2020.

Trials are continuing to attempt to evaluate the value of the device for adolescents (if you’re in the USA, watch this Nerivio trial page and you might be able to participate).

As the product is closer to market, there is more information on Nerivio Migra, such as the instructional video below. For more information, be sure to visit the Theranica website.

7 August 2013

A New Neurostimulation Device to fight Cluster Headache (and Migraine?)

James Discoveries & Stats, Treatments 0

Cluster headache researchers have been interested in treatments focused on the sphenopalatine ganglion for the past few years. The sphenopalatine ganglion is a nerve center which seems to be key in the symptoms of cluster.

In the past, this ganglion has been targeted by drugs which basically keep the area from feeling pain. Other treatments actually aim to destroy it.

These methods have brought relief to some, though not all sufferers.

Now there are ongoing tests of a device to stimulate the sphenopalatine ganglion using a small implanted device. The device may be controlled by the patient, and so used on demand.

This is in some ways preferable to strong drugs or an irreversible surgery. But, of course, although minimally invasive it’s still surgery.

But with the severe limitations of treatment for cluster, this is one to watch. It’s a treatment that’s still very new, and still being studied. But so far, the results are good.

Even patients who have been rather unsuccessfully treated in the past for cluster found that this treatment was a big help, significantly lowering their pain and increasing their quality of life. Although it doesn’t seem to work for everyone, the fact that it’s helping a significant number and that it is a treatment that will likely be improved with study is very encouraging.

Some researchers have wondered if the same treatment would work for migraine. A small study suggested that it may help some migraineurs as well, which could be good news for those who have not yet found good treatment.

For more information, read:

Neurostimulation for Primary Headache Disorders

Stimulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) for cluster headache treatment. Pathway CH-1: A randomized, sham-controlled study.

Electrical stimulator for cluster headaches.

A remote-controlled device to stop severe headache pain

21 July 2010

Deep Brain Stimulation is helping Chronic Cluster Patients

James Treatments 4

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a treatment that is showing great promise when it comes to treating cluster. Unfortunately, many people know very little about it.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Cluster Headache

DBS is probably most well known as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease, though it’s used for a variety of conditions, including cluster headache.

Though much of the mechanism of cluster remains a mystery, we do know that the posterior hypothalamus is involved. The posterior hypothalamus is part of the hypothalamus part of your brain, located just above the brain stem. Like migraine, there is likely a complex web of reactions going on that impact cluster. However, the posterior hypothalamus seems to be a key part of the process.

So what would happen if we could stimulate this part of the brain directly?

DBS uses a battery operated device known as a neurostimulator. This small device is surgically implanted. It’s then able to target the posterior hypothalamus and deliver electric stimulation.

The neurostimulator itself is not in contact with the target area. Instead, a lead/electrode wire is placed in the target area. Then an extension connects the lead to the neurostimulator itself. Multiple leads may be implanted in target areas.

Once the system is in place, it can be adjusted without further surgery.

Who is this treatment for? The best candidate for deep brain stimulation is someone with chronic cluster headache. In fact, it’s been suggested that even stricter criteria be used: patients who are the best candidates are ones who have attacks almost every day. Also, these patients are usually not helped by the standard drug treatments.

Recently, researchers have started investigating the uses of DBS in other parts of the brain, such as the midbrain tegmentum. We may find that some patients respond better to stimulation in one area, and others improve with stimulation in another area.

The good and the bad of deep brain stimulation for cluster…

The good news is that the surgery is generally safe. However, that does come with a word of caution. It’s important to have an expert team perform the surgery – if possible, someone with experience with DBS for cluster, since there are unique challenges for cluster patients. The patient needs to be monitored to avoid problems such as bleeding and infection and issues with wire placement. Usually these are not major problems, and treatment can be continued. But you do need an expert who knows how to deal with them.

It’s also important to realize that improvement is not immediate. Usually several weeks of stimulation are required before there is a real change.

The other challenge with DBS is that it’s still relatively new. Yes, we have about 10 years of experience using it for cluster. But chronic cluster is so rare that we’re still only talking about a few dozen patients. More studies need to be done to understand how best to use DBS.

DBS seems to help about 60% of chronic cluster patients. The good news is that those 60% end up almost pain-free. And this is without drugs, which means a lower overall cost as well.

For more details on the use of DBS for cluster, read: Deep brain stimulation in trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. (2010 overview) and DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION TREATMENT FOR CLUSTER HEADACHE (more in-depth overview from 2005).

Also check out Cluster or Migraine: What’s the Difference?