James

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Posts by James Cottrill:

15 May 2009

Migraine without Headache: More common than we think?

In the past, migraine without headache has been considered pretty rare. But it may be more common than we think. Part of the reason is that many people experience migraine attacks with and without headache at different times. I know – I’ve had migraine without headache, and migraine with headache both.

Regardless, the statistics we usually see put the number at about 3% of migraineurs, or about 0.5% to 1% of the general population. (More on migraine statistics)

The International Headache Society lists migraine without headache as typical aura without headache, under the subset of Migraine with aura. Previously this was typically called "silent migraine", but been confused with a host of other names like occular migraine, visual migraine, eye migraine, and so on.

But the typical aura without headache covers more than just visual aura. Visual auras might include seeing flashing lights, or zigzags, or partial blindness, for example. But there could be other symptoms instead, such as numbness, or feeling pins and needles. These can be particularly tricky to diagnose.

Diagnosing migraine without headache

Often migraine without headache occurs later in life. Part of the reason is that some people who get migraine attacks with aura and headache lose the headache over time, or start getting headaches that aren’t so "migraine-like".

Sometimes these symptoms look a lot like other issues, such as transient ischaemic attack (a "mini-stroke"). It’s important to rule out other causes (especially if you’re over 40) before you get a diagnosis of "migraine".

Doctors will want to know what type of aura you’re experiencing, and they’ll be especially interested in how long the aura lasts. If it’s lasting less than 5 minutes, or more than an hour, that could be an extra indication of another problem.

If you suspect that you may have migraine without headache, pay special attention to the aura symptoms so you can give your doctor accurate information.

12 May 2009

Finding Support: May 2009 Headache and Migraine Blog Carnival

James Resources 2

On a personal note – it’s been an amazing journey. After all these years being involved in support of those with migraine and headache disorders, and even more years with my own symptoms, the people I’ve met have been amazing. Both family and friends who have been there over the long haul, as well as new friends.

Some are simply dealing with their own symptoms day by day. Others are also heavily involved in supporting others. Some have stopped by once to comment on a certain topic. Others I’ve come across many times, and talked to via email and in forums and other in person.

People – they can be amazing! You know who you are – thank you for your support of me, and of so many others!

Support is of course the topic of this month’s Headache and Migraine Blog Carnival, and you can read all the posts by checking out the links over at Somebody Heal Me, which is not only the blog of a chronic migraineur, but another person who has provided support to many people. Way to go, Diana! 🙂

Together – we will see change for the better.

11 May 2009

Telcagepant – gone for good?

James News 4

The developers of one of the up-and-coming migraine drugs, Telcagepant, announced late last month that it was going to delay taking the drug to the FDA. It looks like the drug could be shelved – but will it be?

Financially, telcagepant was to be one of Merck’s new key drugs. But we’re talking about big money here – the potential to make a lot, or lose a lot, so no one seems to be sure what will happen next.

What happened? The trial involved taking telcagepant on a daily basis as a migraine preventative. Some of the patients experienced a problem – they started developing high levels of liver enzymes (transaminases). So the trial was scrapped.

But telcagepant isn’t just being investigated for preventative use, but also as an abortive. So now it looks like Merck will go ahead with trials in hopes that telcagepant can be used to stop a migraine attack once it starts. Obviously, doses were different and less frequent (only during attacks) when used as an abortive.

Still, do expect a delay. At this point Merck says nothing will be submitted to the FDA this year.

Whether or not the drug successfully continues to the market, it does represent a trajectory of research that is going on to find more scientifically current ways to treat migraine. This is not the only new drug on the horizon.

The original Merck report on telcagepant. To learn more about telcagepant, read What Everyone should know about Telcagepant – the coming Migraine Drug

8 May 2009

The Unexpected Stress-Killer

James Discoveries & Stats, Tips 2

Though there’s some debate over just what role stress plays in headache and migraine, we all know that we don’t want too much of it. And when we’re down and out and in dealing with headache and other symptoms, we usually want to keep our stress to a minimum.

Researchers in the UK at the University of Sussex recently completed a study to find out what were the best stress-killers of them all, especially considering the common ones. You know, going for a walk, going for a coffee, reading a book, listening to music, etc.

I have to admit, I couldn’t have predicted the results.

I won’t keep you in suspense any longer. The greatest stress-buster was … reading!

That’s right, it lowered heart rates, eased muscle tension. It beat out every other tested method of lowering stress. Incredible!

Here’s a comparison of the results:

Here are my top tips to get you killing stress via the written word:

Carry a book with you. Read in lines, while waiting in the parking lot, at a break at work…
Have two or three different books handy. Sometimes you feel like one thing when you’re sick, another when you’re feeling better.
Try something that will allow you to escape a little when reading right before bed, some kind of fiction is great.
Reading before bed is a great way to relax. It relaxes you far better than focusing on a bright screen (which says "WAKE UP! WAKE UP!")
Buy a Kindle 2. I know, it’s expensive. But it’s amazing. Sometimes I wonder if a migraineur developed it. It’s incredibly easy on the eyes, you can change the size of the font so it’s comfortable, and even get the thing to read to you if you want to close your eyes! Plus there are thousands of free books you can read on it once you own it. The video doesn’t do it justice, but check it out here.

via Health Alert — Read to Save Your Life and Reading ‘can help reduce stress’

7 May 2009

Have a slight headache? Might be migraine

James Information 1

One of the common myths I hear about migraine is that an attack is always something incredibly painful. Well, maybe a lot more people know today that a migraine does not always mean a headache. But if there is a headache, people think it has to be a severe one.

We have to be careful of our terminology. "Migraine is not just a bad headache" is true – but sometimes it’s not a headache, and sometimes it’s a mild headache. "Migraine is more than a bad headache" may be less accurate … sometimes there’s no bad headache at all.

Don’t get me wrong – migraine headache pain can be VERY severe. I’ve had attacks when I’ve been writhing on the floor with groans of agony. So let’s in no way minimize how bad a migraine attack can be.

But when I hear "I’ve got a headache… not as bad as a migraine though…" I get a little concerned.

Yes, your slight headache could be migraine.

Now occasional slight pain is no reason to panic, spend thousands on brain scans and go through the rounds of risky medication. Oh, you should mention it to your doctor if it’s something new. But just calling something "migraine" doesn’t mean you need to take drastic measures. Some people simply do not have severe symptoms.

On the other hand, a lot of people suffer through years of headaches that could be treated, all because they think they’re "just headaches", and don’t recognize them as migraine attacks.

If you’ve been visiting for a while, you should realize that our knowledge of migraine has gone far beyond the "take two aspirin" phase. Migraine is still wrapped in mystery, to be sure, and we have a long way to go. But there are treatments available now that we had no concept of 20 years ago.

I should note there is some disagreement over just how many headaches out there should be attributed to migraine. Some suggest most are actually migraine. Others say that migraine is something more specific. Regardless, my point here is that all migraine attacks are not severe.

If headache pain is disrupting your life, don’t just put up with it. Don’t assume it’s "just a headache". It may be migraine, and there may be good treatments that you haven’t even considered that could greatly improve your quality of life.

That’s right, your "slight headache" could be migraine.