Headache and Migraine News

16 October 2010

Breaking News: Botox approval from FDA

Yesterday the FDA in the United States officially approved Botox for use with chronic migraine patients. This follows a similar approval in Britain for Botox this past summer.

This is a continuation of an up-and-down roller-coaster ride for the controversial treatment. Read more in the New York Times article: Botox Shots Approved for Migraine.

This from the FDA:

To treat chronic migraines, Botox is given approximately every 12 weeks as multiple injections around the head and neck to try to dull future headache symptoms. Botox has not been shown to work for the treatment of migraine headaches that occur 14 days or less per month, or for other forms of headache. It is important that patients discuss with their physician whether Botox is appropriate for them.

The most common adverse reactions reported by patients being treated for chronic migraine were neck pain and headache.

OnabotulinumtoxinA, marketed as Botox and Botox Cosmetic, has a boxed warning that says the effects of the botulinum toxin may spread from the area of injection to other areas of the body, causing symptoms similar to those of botulism. Those symptoms include swallowing and breathing difficulties that can be life-threatening. There has not been a confirmed serious case of spread of toxin effect when Botox has been used at the recommended dose to treat chronic migraine, severe underarm sweating, blepharospasm, or strabismus, or when Botox Cosmetic has been used at the recommended dose to improve frown lines.

Side effects have been rare with Botox treatment, but you are wise to find someone experienced giving Botox injections for migraine, referred by a doctor who knows your medical history.

More on an overview of Botox for Migraine, and a little more detail about what a Botox treatment is like.

Check out more about Botox in these posts.

15 October 2010

8 Things I Find Helpful (related to Migraine)

James Tips 5

I wasn’t exactly sure what to title this post, but I decided to sit down and think of 8 of the most useful things I have used either to prevent an attack or to survive an attack (migraine, that is).

I don’t usually post personal things like this – partly because I’m aware that everyone is so different. I especially hesitate to promote medications or supplements based on my experience – I’d rather have scientific data to draw from.

However, these 8 things may have wider appeal.

I’m not listing life style things or schedule changes or those kinds of tips – only specific items I’ve used a lot. I’m sure you have items that have helped you – leave a comment and let’s make the list bigger!

Flax seed silk eye pillow: It blocks out the light, blocks out unpleasant smells, and cools my face around my eyes. I use one like this eye pillow from Celestial Dreams, though mine has a strap (which I don’t think I’ve ever used). More on eye pillows here.
Buckwheat Pillow: Yes, I sleep with one every night. Similar to the benefits of the eye pillow, but it also helps support my neck and doesn’t feel like it’s "smothering" me. More about buckwheat pillows here.
Oatmeal: I was always told oatmeal will "stick to your ribs". The truth is, oatmeal provides great long lasting slow-release energy. A bowl at night may help you feel better in the morning, and a bowl in the morning will help you last longer throughout the day.
Klean Kanteen: Pure, cool water always available, to keep me hydrated or to take medication with on time. Read more about why I love mine here.
MP3 Player: I still have the old iriver clix, which is a beauty but hard to find. However, many of you already have an MP3 player built into a cell phone or you have an iPod or many of the other players. It’s always handy and I can listen to it when I really can’t do anything else. Here are some more thoughts.
Dehydrator: This is still a fairly new one for me, but I really have appreciated the dried fruit and fruit leather that is so easy to make, and then so easy to carry with you. Travelling, it’s fantastic to have a quick healthy snack always on hand. After a fair amount of research I settled on this one.
Sunglasses: I wrote this post before actually getting my new pair of sunglasses. Now that I’ve had the new pair for a while, I wonder why I waited so long. They are amazing. I settled on a pair of Smith Optics polarized sunglasses. The difference is truly amazing, and has saved me a lot of discomfort.
Migraine/Headache Diary: Having a record of what medication I’ve taken when, and what my symptoms have been, has been invaluable. For a diary to download and print, and instructions on how to use it, see this migraine diary article.

What about you? What odd or ordinary things have you found helpful?

14 October 2010

1% Thursday: Get to know the ICHD-II

James Resources, Tips 1

The International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) from the International Headache Society is an attempt to standardize the way we talk about various headache disorders.

Look at it this way – it’s a way for people all around the world to speak the "same language".

For example, let’s say I find a great treatment for retinal migraine. I want to share it with the world, so I tell everyone,"Eat jelly doughnuts! They’ll cure you of retinal migraine!"

Unfortunately, some people speak a different language. What I call migraine without aura they call retinal migraine. So everyone starts eating jelly doughnuts for migraine without aura, but it doesn’t help – it makes things worse.

We need a common language, so we can share treatments, understand diagnosis, talk about symptoms. Of course researchers can question these classifications – but they can’t discuss them intelligently unless they have a common base to work from.

When it comes to research, the ICHD II also helps us have clear, consistent, valuable results. Sadly, a recent study of the past few years found that studies only had about 64% compliance with the ICHD II standards. That makes the studies confusing at best and useless at worst.

So this week I challenge you to at least start to understand the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-II). Have your doctor show you which type of headache or migraine you have, and understand why you have that and nothing else.

This will:

Help promote the use of this tool worldwide
Help you understand your type of headache or migraine
Enable you to better discuss symptoms and treatments with others
Help you find people who really do have the same type of headache as you
It may help you discover that you have something different than what you thought, or perhaps more than one type of headache. Check the guide then talk to your doctor!

Start now. For the online version, see the International Classification of Headache Disorders II website. Currently, you can directly download the whole guide. Right click this link and download it to your desktop (pdf, 780KB)

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!

12 October 2010

Migraine and Hobbies: Carnival

James Resources 0

Prepare to be shocked: I actually posted something on topic for this month’s Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival. The theme was How have your hobbies helped you cope with your headache disorder? And… you guessed it – my post on Migraine and Hobbies was submitted (creative title too, don’t you think?) 🙂

But there’s lots more to check out. This month there were a huge number of entries, which you can check out here.

It’s interesting to see what people wrote. Some people’s hobbies are directly related to migraine. Some people just can’t stick to one thing. Some people are skeptical about the benefits of hobbies. Others are all for them! And my favourite post title – We need distraction!

Well, that’s just a sampling. More links here!

If you haven’t already, go back to the post on hobbies and share your thoughts.

7 October 2010

1% Thursday: Straight and Tall

James Resources, Tips 1

It’s a vicious circle. When you’re in pain, you may tense your muscles and crouch or slouch or lie in odd positions. The muscle strain and bad posture may cause more muscle problems, that may trigger headaches and migraine attacks.

On the other hand, having good posture may lead to less pain, more energy, and even better digestion! Hey, it will even make you look more attractive!

Just being aware of a few simple ways to improve your posture can make a huge difference. Here are some quick suggestions, a simple one first:

Watch the Mayo Clinic Posture Slideshow. It will help you understand how the back and neck work, and how you can easily start to improve posture. It’s just 8 slides long.
If you want more in-depth help with posture and muscle strength, I recommend (sadly) out-of-print book The Posture Prescription if you can find it (read my review here). It will help you make better postures and stronger muscles a way of life instead of an exercise program.
Consider seeing a physiotherapist. There are different specialties in physiotherapy – look for someone who can help you specifically with posture and movement. (Obviously this is much more of a time commitment than a typical 1% Thursday suggestion, but it can make a huge difference.)

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!