Discoveries & Stats

10 November 2011

Botox and Quality of Life: Does it really help?

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications, Treatments 6

Of course there is no treatment that helps everyone, but another study (published in Neurology) has shown that Botox treatment for migraine does help some – and help them in real ways.

You see, some treatments and medications can really cut down on the number of migraine attacks someone has, and yet not really be worth it – because of the side effects. So this study set out to check on patients’ "health-related quality of life". Overall, is their health really better?

1,384 patients were involved in the analysis using a migraine related quality of life questionnaire and the Headache Impact Test (HIT). Compared to a placebo, the quality of life of migraine patients was significantly improved while taking Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA).

Now, this study was funded by the makers of Botox, which is not unusual, but important to note. The company has certainly had its ups and downs when it comes to this migraine treatment.

However, this does support other studies and the testimonials of specialists who are treating patients. And the study was carefully done by well known experts in the field. Botox certainly seems to be a real help to some, and yet there are still important questions about who will benefit most from treatment and how treatment should be done. And in spite of the evidence, many insurance companies are still reluctant to cover a treatment which tends to be expensive.

Hopefully studies like this will provide them with the evidence they’re looking for.

The study can be found here: OnabotulinumtoxinA improves quality of life and reduces impact of chronic migraine
via: Botox improves quality of life

13 September 2011

Cluster Headache and Sleep: is sodium oxybate the answer?

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications, News 1

A new study in Neurology suggests that sodium oxybate may be one of the future drugs for cluster headache sufferers.

We’ve long known about the connection between sleep disorders and cluster. But typical medication for sleep has not been the miracle solution for cluster. But sodium oxybate may be the exception to the rule.

Sodium oxybate is a type of drug known as a central nervous system depressant. It’s used to help prevent daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy (a sleep disorder – read about narcolepsy here). Though we don’t know exactly how it works, it does help with sleep patterns.

The four patients in this long term study responded very well to the drug – their cluster attacks during the night drastically decreased and were less intense when they came. Obviously, patients also slept better!

The results are very positive, and there’s great hope that this will help many other cluster patients. Though the study was small, it must be remembered that this is a rare condition and, again, the results were very promising in all four patients.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about this option, and only get the drug from recognized sources, where it is pure and properly labelled.

via: New drug for cluster headaches

9 September 2011

Want to fight Migraine? Just Show Up.

James Discoveries & Stats, News, Tips 2

A surprising new study in the journal Pain turns up an unexpected and simple way to predict which patients will respond to treatment.

It’s always a mystery why some patients respond well to a certain treatment, while others do not. The bottom line at the moment is that migraine is a complex disease, and every patient is very different (yes, we’re complex too!).

This study evaluated patients who were somewhat or very disabled due to a headache disorder. The researchers studied a variety of factors to find out why some patients improved a lot and others not-so-much.

Was it social support? Type of headache? Race?

Nope. The one thing that made the difference – that predicted whether or not someone would improve – was simply whether or not they actually attended the three follow-up appointments.

That’s right. Patients who didn’t go to their follow-up appointments didn’t tend to improve as much. That’s it.

So please, don’t go to a "bare minimum" of appointments. Follow things through. Listen to your doctor. You may be surprised what a difference it makes.

via Showing up is half the battle â€“ predictor of improvement of headache disability

6 September 2011

Feverfew and Ginger Combo for Migraine

James Discoveries & Stats, Treatments 1

There is growing interest in a feverfew/ginger combination in the treatment of migraine. A study last month from the American Headache Society further confirmed that feverfew and ginger may help some patients when an attack hits.

The supplement used was LipiGesic-M, a sub-lingual supplement to be taken when a migraine attack begins. It contains feverfew (pyrethrum parthenium) and ginger.

Feverfew is a well researched migraine fighter. It’s often given as a preventative, and has been very helpful to many migraineurs. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, and may have other mechanisms we’re just starting to understand. Read more about feverfew here.

Ginger is also well known in the fight against migraine, particularly helping to fight nausea.

The suggestion has been that this combo is best for those who have a mild headache phase early in the migraine attack. Patients in this study, then, took the LipiGesic-M early on. 32% were pain free at the 2 hour point, and a total of 63% were either pain free or only had a mild headache two hours after taking the supplement.

This may turn out to be a good option for many people who can catch an attack early. There were very few side effects, the most commonly reported being nausea or numbness in the tongue. (If you think it’s odd that this would cause nausea for some and fight it for others, think of all the headache medications that list "headache" as a possible side effect!)

As with anything, check with a doctor who knows your medical history before you try something new. Find out more on the LipiGesic-M site.

For a summary of the study, see A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual Feverfew and Ginger (LipiGesic(TM) M) in the Treatment of Migraine.

22 August 2011

Ibuprofen and Potassium Deficiency

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications 2

Can too much ibuprofen (in products such as Advil) cause potassium deficiency? A new study suggests that it can, but only at very high doses.

Potassium deficiency (hypokalemia) is a condition that can be life threatening. MedlinePlus has this to say about the condition:

A deficiency of potassium (hypokalemia) can happen in people with certain diseases or as a result of taking diuretics (water pills) for the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure. Additionally, many medications — such as diuretics, laxatives, and steroids — can cause a loss of potassium, which occasionally may be very severe. You should have your blood levels of potassium checked from time to time if you take any of these medicines. Diuretics are probably the most common cause of hypokalemia.

Based on research at three hospitals in Australia, the series in the Medical Journal of Australia found four patients with potassium deficiency who were long term regular users of ibuprofen. Lead researcher Dr Jennifer Ng expressed concern that ibuprofen alone or with codeine can become toxic.

But before you panic, you need to realize these patients were on very high doses of ibuprofen. One patient, according to this article, was taking "fewer than 10 tablets per day". One woman was taking 50 tablets per day

These are very high doses, and these patients should have been under a doctor’s constant care, including regular tests.

Be sure to check out this ibuprofen dosage information here.

For the average headache sufferer, any kind of regular ibuprofen consumption can be dangerous. The earliest danger is rebound headache, or medication overuse headache. You can soon find that, with regular ibuprofen, the occasional headache turns into regular chronic headache (as Kerrie reminded us here).

If you have regular headaches, please don’t just keep popping over-the-counter medication. See your doctor. Even taking over-the-counter medication a few times a month may cause more problems than it solves.

And if you’re taking even higher doses of ibuprofen, remember there can be more dangers than just potassium deficiency.