National Headache Foundation

20 January 2012

Live Chat on Cluster Headache! 24 January 2012

The National Headache Foundation (US) will be hosting a chat session focused on cluster headache this coming Tuesday. You need to sign up to be involved, because the number of participants will be limited.

Special guest will be Dr. Frederick G. Freitag, Medical Director of Baylor University Medical Center’s Comprehensive Headache Center in Dallas, TX. The Headache Center has specialized in a wide variety of headache disorders. Dr. Freitag has been heavily involved in the American Headache Society and is on the board of directors of the National Headache Foundation.

The NHF site adds:

Over the past nearly 30 years, Dr. Freitag has been involved treating headache patients from across the U.S. He has lectured widely to colleagues and the public on headache diagnosis and treatment; led numerous clinical research initiatives; mentored students, residents and fellows in the art and science of headache medicine; and, published widely in peer-reviewed literature as well as contributed to some of the most important textbooks in headache.

The chat will take place on the Tuesday, the 24th of January 2012 at 9:30pm EST. To be a part of the chat, you need to email in a request – more details at the NHF Chat Room page.

This would be a great opportunity for cluster patients and their family and friends to ask questions about the cutting edge of cluster headache treatment. If you do sign up, please come back here to let us know how it went!

13 December 2011

Enter to Win – A Day Lost to Migraine!

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You’re all ready to enjoy that special day – and then Cousin Mig arrives. You know what I’m talking about – a migraine attack when you least want it. A very special day, lost.

Well, 15 chronic migraine sufferers in the USA will have a chance to win a recreation of that moment they missed.

(Note: I know, I’ve been promising a contest that’s a little more global – but this isn’t my contest – I’m just reporting it! Don’t shoot the messenger!)

To enter, you must confirm that you have chronic migraine and share your story. This musy be a story you’re willing to share publicly.

And no, recreating your special day is not about going out to McDonalds. The prize, worth several hundred dollars, will be a day coordinated by Beverly Hills celebrity event planner Mindy Weiss. She has coordinated events for people such as Hilary Duff and Mike Comer, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Kimberly Williams and Brad Paisley, Jennifer Lopez and Brooke Shields.

So yeah, you can expect a pretty special day.

One question I haven’t been able to answer yet – what if this next special day is interrupted by Cousin Mig?

Well, I’m afraid that’s the reality of life. However, the good news is that you will have a hand in coordinating the event – so you and Mindy can do everything possible to make sure it’s a special day where migraine is clearly not invited.

This is what Mindy herself has to say about the contest:

I feel incredibly blessed to be able to make my living helping people celebrate their most special moments. Whether it’s seeing a bride walk down the aisle or watching a couple mark their wedding anniversary, there is nothing that brings me more joy than watching these special moments being made. I recently learned that people with Chronic Migraine live half the month or more with headaches and often miss once-in-a lifetime moments with their loved ones. In my opinion, this is just devastating!

This is why I am honored to be a part of the Rewrite Your Day campaign to help educate people about Chronic Migraine. I’ve partnered with the National Headache Foundation, HealthyWomen and Allergan on this important initiative. Together, we will give 15 eligible people living with Chronic Migraine the opportunity to have a special moment they’ve lost to their condition rewritten by me and my team of lifestyle experts. These 15 special events represent the 15 days or more that people with Chronic Migraine live in pain with headaches.

For more information and to enter the contest, click the graphic below:

Before you go, though, tell us – what day did you miss that you would love to rewrite?

12 March 2011

St. Louis Event: Bridging the Gap Between Patient & Clinician

James News, Resources 0

Coming up in St. Louis, MO, USA on the 26th of March 2011 – a special event for patients with migraine and headache, and the health care providers who work with them. The theme is Bridging the Gap Between Patient & Clinician. You’re going to want to consider attending if you’re in the area…

For Health Professionals

You’ll be meeting in the morning, from 8am to 12pm (registration starts at 7am). A breakfast is included. Some of the topics that will be covered:

What treatments are available for our patients?
How can we diagnose more effectively?
What are some of the latest ways to understand migraine?
Time to discuss case reviews

For the registration fee and more information about registration, please visit the official page at the National Headache Foundation.

For Patients

You are invited to the afternoon sessions, which run from 12:30pm to 5pm. You will have the opportunity to interact with other headache or migraine sufferers, to interact with health professionals, to hear about the latest headache and migraine research, and learn new ways to take control of your treatment.

Registration is $20 for you and a Guest, but the first 200 registrants will attend free. You can register by phone or email, but remember that space is limited – don’t wait!

For more information, visit the official page for patients at the National Headache Foundation.

The event will be held at the Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel – and remember, it’s only 2 weeks away:

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12 February 2011

Augusta, Georgia – Fighting the Battle Against Migraine & Headaches

James News, Resources 0

We’re only three weeks away from an exciting free event in Augusta, Georgia, USA (close to the South Carolina border). Put on by the National Headache Foundation, it’s the first of several free Headache Awareness events in the USA. The events are free, but you must phone in to register and space is limited. The number is 1-800-843-2256.

Event for Patients

Here’s what the NHF has to say about the patient event, which is from 12:30pm to 5pm on the 5th of March 2011: Free Patient Education Event for Veterans & Individuals Suffering from Migraine and Chronic Headaches related to Traumatic Brain Injury & Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

Not only will you be able to listen to national experts on migraine and headache, there will also be times that are interactive, where you can discuss your experiences and ask questions. You’ll also learn about what resources are available to you, and you’ll even get one for free – a one year membership to the NHF. I’d say it’s worth the drive, even if you don’t live right in the area!

Again, this event is geared especially to those who are dealing with migraine or headache related to traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, including but not limited to war veterans.

For more information on the patient sessions, visit the Regional Headache Awareness Conference page.

Event for Health Professionals

On the same day, March 5th 2011, there will be an event especially to help health professionals. Encourage your doctor to go in the morning – 7:30am to 12pm (note: there’s currently a discrepancy on the NHF materials – some say 7:00am). Once again, the theme is especially focused on treating war veterans, however there will be a lot of general information that will apply to a wider audience. Learn about the latest diagnostic techniques, interact with headache experts, and learn about treating patients with headache and migraine related to traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Breakfast is provided.

For more information, go to the Regional Headache Awareness Conference page.

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4 February 2011

War Veterans and Migraine

James News, Resources 0

Soldiers with migraine. It may not be a new problem, but it’s a problem that is slowly being recognized.

Sadly, the chronic headaches and migraine in veterans is an issue that is still little understood. We do know that the problem is a large one. Many soldiers in particular who have been exposed to blasts and head injuries of various kinds are dealing with serious pain even after the injury has "healed".

It has been estimated among soldiers from the USA that 1 in 5 or more returning from Iraq have migraine.

In the United States the problem has caught the attention of the National Headache Foundation. They’ve set up a special area on their website focused on providing resources for war veterans. Partnering with other organizations, they’re introducing veterans to quality products, such as SootheAway, links to specific associations that can provide help, such as The Brain Injury Association of America, and more.

War veterans can also become members of the National Headache Foundation for one year for free.

It’s good to see organizations like the National Headache Foundation providing resources for special groups like this, that are at high risk of headache and migraine.

I would love to know of other countries that are providing some kind of specific help to war veterans. If you’re aware of similar programs in your country, leave a comment! Or, if you wish there were, you might also want to leave a comment!