phonophobia

16 November 2017

Yes, Fibromyalgia and Migraine are Strongly Linked

Another study has confirmed the link between fibromyalgia and migraine, with some interesting side notes.

The study was actually comparing chronic migraine (CM) and chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) with fibromyalgia, to see which were more connected. There was a connection with both – over a quarter of the patients with CTTH also had fibromyalgia. But for CM, over 2/3 had fibromyalgia!

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Migraine Some patients are so focused on one condition that they don’t take the time to consider the other. It’s very important to realize that you may be struggling with more than one condition, requiring more than one treatment. (For more, see Is Migraine a â€œSymptomâ€ of Fibromyalgia?)

CM patients with fibromyalgia also experienced “increased frequency of photophobia, phonophobia, anxiety, depression, and insomnia”. Another reason why both conditions need to be taken seriously. This connection was not seen in the patients with CTTH.

Strictly on the fibromyalgia side, the fibro tended to have a higher impact on life if the patient also had chronic migraine.

It is very helpful to talk to your doctor if you think you may be dealing with more than one condition. There may be excellent treatments that can help with both. The more you know, the more you can choose the right treatment for you.

For more on this study, read: Fibromyalgia Among Patients With Chronic Migraine and Chronic Tension-Type Headache

10 August 2015

The Migraine Brain: Very “Connected”

James Discoveries & Stats 7

A fascinating study was released this past spring in the journal Neurology which gives us new insight into the way the “migraine brain” works.

Migraine - a connected brain Although migraine has been around for millennia, it’s only recently that we’ve started to uncover the progress of migraine attacks through the brain, and understand some of the mysteries of the way the body transmits messages of pain.

This study used imaging technology to look into the cerebral cortex and to measure “connections” within the brain. Comparisons were made between migraine patients and control subjects.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is a neuroimaging technique that is commonly used to measure brain activity. The researchers were looking at a specific part of the cerebral cortex known as the anterior insula (AI). The AI is a part of the brain that measures and responds to stimulus that we take in via our senses.

Surprisingly, researchers found that there were unusual connections in the brain of the migraine patients. Their brains had more connections to the input of stimuli with auditory and visual centres, as well as pain centres. Essentially, there seems to be a way to “see” the extra sensitivity that many migraine patients have to light and sound.

Even more fascinating, these connections were detected when the patients were not having a migraine attack (examinations were done more than three days after and more than three days before an attack).

These images could explain why migraine patients are bothered by noises and light – even in between attacks. Would there be even stronger connections during an attack? This study, of course, doesn’t tell us.

Study author Dr. Amy R. Tso explains some of the benefits of the study, and some next steps:

Clinically, in general with migraine therapies, we only have medications that target the whole disorder … If you identify an imaging marker, then you could use the presence or absence of that to track whether patients are responding to therapeutics. …

An obvious next step is to find out if this is a marker for migraine particularly or if this is just a marker of this sensitivity, and whether it exists across all headaches that share the sensitivity.

It would be fascinating to be able to target certain aspects of migraine in the brain itself. It would also be helpful to be able to “measure” the effectiveness of treatment, even before the next migraine attack.

Dr. Tso was also interested in the connection between migraine and anxiety disorders. Many people (not all) with migraine also have an anxiety disorders – disorders with seem to have similar “connections” in the brain. This study may help us understand the connection between migraine disease and anxiety disorder, and lead to treatments that could fight both.

For more information:

The anterior insula shows heightened interictal intrinsic connectivity in migraine without aura (study abstract)
Light and Sound Sensitivity in Migraine Explained? (Medscape)

26 August 2013

A Migraine Attack: Light – Noise – and more

James Discoveries & Stats 5

What bothers you MOST during a Migraine Attack?

In a recent internet survey, we compared four things . . .

46% said Light

Photophobia – the most common of the four. Studies say about 80% of migraine patients are sensitive to light during some attacks. This is also a common symptom between attacks (interictal).

33% said Noise

Phonophobia – also very common, with around 76% experiencing the symptom at some time. Patients also seem to be more sensitive to sound between attacks than the general population (interictal).

18% said Smells

Osmophobia. Between 25 and 40% may experience this symptom, related to hyperosmia (a heightened sense of smell).

3% said Things Touching Me

This could relate to a number of issues. Cutaneous Allodynia is when skin is sensitive/painful when touched. Haptephobia is a fear of being touched.

Additional notes

These are not the most common symptoms – things like pain and nausea would have to be included. However, they are common.

Percentages vary from study to study, but our survey tended to confirm more or less what studies say. One interesting symptom we didn’t include is taste abnormality, where the sense of taste is affected.

For more information, here are some sources you can check out:

1 July 2013

10 Triptan Facts You Need to Know Now

James Information, Medications 12

Triptans are abortive drugs commonly prescribed for migraine. Common triptans include eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova, Migard) and sumatriptan (Imitrex, Imigran).

Should you take them? What facts will help you find the best one? Here are 10 facts you need to know to make an informed decision.

Triptans are not “pain killers”: Triptan medications are used to simply stop pain, although they can do that too. Their use is much more complex, targeting various symptoms of migraine, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Triptans are not all the same: When one triptan doesn’t work for you, it’s likely that another will. Some work faster than others. Some may cause side effects, when others will not. Some interact with certain drugs, some work better for certain types of migraine.
Don’t just rely on triptans: Triptans are better used as a part of a full treatment plan. Talk with your doctor and other health professionals about lifestyle and other treatments. Your doctor may recommend taking something else with a triptan, such as an NSAID (ie ibuprofen).
Triptans and heart conditions: Because of the way triptans act on blood vessels, there have been concerns about taking triptans if you are at higher than normal risk for heart conditions. Although some researchers have had concerns about triptans causing heart problems, other studies have questioned this. You’ll need to evaluate the risks with your doctor, particularly if you have high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, heart disease, or a risk of stroke or heart attack. Other risk factors include smoking and diabetes.
Triptans will likely help: Triptans do not help everyone, and you may need to try different triptans and different ways of taking them before you find the one that works. In 2004, a panel of headache experts suggested that triptans would probably help 4 out of 5 patients. Again, triptans should be used as a part of a full treatment plan.
Triptan side effects: Generally, triptans don’t cause significant side effects. You may be concerned if you’re feeling pain or pressure in the chest, jaw, or other parts of your body. This probably is nothing to worry about and is not related to heart problems. However, you should tell your doctor right away so she can check it out.
Triptans and other drugs: Be sure to stick to the prescribed dosage and tell your doctor about any other medications you may be taking. There is particular danger with certain antidepressants, which when taken with a triptan may cause serotonin syndrome. Also dangerous can be ergot based drugs, drugs for fungal infections, and some others.
Triptans long term: All patients should be cautious if they’re taking triptans over a long period of time more than twice a month. As mentioned above, there are concerns about heart conditions. You should see a specialist regularly if you’re taking triptans regularly, and also have your eyes checked on a regular basis.
Brand names vs generic: You can take either a brand name or generic triptan, but remember one may help while another may not. This could be because of delivery technology or small differences in dosage.
Triptans may be worth it: Because of the success rate of triptan medications, and questions about previous concerns, many specialists are re-evaluating triptans and prescribing them more often. Triptans may be prescribed for children with migraine, and migraine during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor and get a second opinion if you’re not sure.

More about triptans and migraine here.

2 June 2011

1% Thursday: Quiet (without sore ears)

James Tips 0

Phonophobia. That’s what many migraine sufferers have. Basically, it means that noise bothers you. Sometimes that’s the slightest noise. Sometimes it’s all the time, and not just during a migraine attack.

At night, ear plugs are a great option. But sometimes they slip out of your ears. Sometimes they hurt your ears. Sometimes they just don’t cut out enough noise.

If noise bothers you, and you need to sleep… if you have a noisy house and you need to sleep during the day (for example, when you’re sick with a migraine attack)… if you have a spouse that snores… it may be time to invest in some serious quality ear plugs.

The Westone Model 40 Custom-Fit High Noise Multi-Purpose Ear Plugs are just that. These babies are custom made to fit your ears.

That’s right, you actually get a special kit, and you take an impression of your ears, and send it back to them. The ear plugs are then made specifically for you. You can even pick the colour so it goes with your lovely eyes. 😉

Here’s what one customer said:

I’ve gone from store bought foam earplugs to these custom earplugs. Wow, what a difference. The best thing about them is that they don’t hurt like the foam ones since they’re made to fit my ears. I’m not having any headaches, I’m getting a good night’s sleep and best of all, I don’t hear my husband’s snoring or loud breathing! …They’re very comfortable and I can’t recommend them enough. I wish I’d bought these 10+ years ago!

Incidentally, I’m not affiliated with or getting paid by this company. I just think this may be a big help to many of you who desperately need sleep and have written off ear plugs because you’ve only tried the cheap store bought kind.

There are certain things that are worth the money – and this may be it for many of you. The Custom-Fit High Noise Multi-Purpose Ear Plugs ear plugs are here, and for a few dollars less you can also try the Custom-Fit Maximum Sleep Ear Plugs.

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better. Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge. Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!