Headache & Migraine News Blog

MT 100, an oral migraine drug from Pozen, was been approved in the UK on Monday (28 Nov).  The drug contains naproxen sodium and metoclopramide.  Naproxen sodium is familiar to migraineurs, it reduces pain and inflammation, and is often used for migraine brought on by hormonal changes.  Metoclopramide has been used to reduce pain and decrease nausea (it's worked well for children with migraine).  It also enhances the effect of naproxen sodium by accelerating it's absorption.

Pozen gave up on MT 100 in the USA when the FDA expressed concerns that it may cause tardive dyskinesia, a rare disorder of the nervous system.  Pozen argues that the drug is meant to be used intermittently, so the danger is minimal.

Pozen will be looking for distributors for the UK and various other countries.

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One scary ride
December 5, 2005 8:12 am

Now that's one "ride" I really don't want to try.  As a part of Topamax's Mind Over Migraine campaign, they'll be setting up an exhibit at the Southern Women's Show in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.  Part of the exhibit will be the "migraine simulator".  That's right, you (it won't be me) can sit in this little device and get a glimpse of what it might be like to have a migraine attack.

How real is the ride?  I don't know - I can't imagine a realistic simulator would be legal!  After the migraine attack I had yesterday, I don't think real attacks should be legal either.  But the difference is, the migraine simulator comes with this label:

Please feel free to exit at any time if you become physically uncomfortable.

Hmmmm...we wouldn't want to actually become physically uncomfortable, would we?  Can we get one of those labels for a real migraine attack?  I'd love to be able to switch it off at the first sign of discomfort...

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Having a craving?
December 7, 2005 9:16 pm

Cravings.  Many of us know what that's all about.  And for the migraineur, the cravings may actually be related to the migraine.

The tricky thing is that the very thing you're craving may also be causing the migraine.

You may have seen lists like these before, but Colleen Huber, naturopathic medical student, has compiled a list of cravings.  Not just cravings, but a little interpretation of those cravings - what your body may actually be asking for.  I know, I know - you were hoping for a bag of chips.  But did you know that your body may actually be asking for calcium?  Calcium that you can get from those dark leafy greens?

What?  Why would I eat a salad when I want chips?  Well, the obvious reasons aside, it may be that the salad will satisfy the craving even better than the chips.  You'll feel better after you've eaten, and you'll be fighting that migraine instead of giving it a helping hand.

Take this list with a grain of salt (heh heh), but I think it's a great reminder that every food choice is an important one.

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See the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator
December 13, 2005 2:24 pm

We talked back in January about the research being done on the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (TMS) for migraine in Canada and the USA.  The device was created in Ohio, USA.  You can read my original post if you'd like to know more about how the device and how it works.

I'm coming back to the topic because there are now some good news articles and pictures and video of the device and how it's used.  There's nothing like seeing something for yourself, so here are a couple sites to check out:

Press release from the Ohio State University Medical Center, including video in Windows Media Format

Photo, article and video from abc (there's a commercial on the video first, don't let it throw you)

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Coffee and blood pressure
December 14, 2005 8:05 am

The debate over coffee and caffeine continues.  Many headache sufferers know that caffeine can both cause and cure a headache.  It may depend on the time, the situation, or the person.

When it comes to coffee, more evidence has been brewed that it may cause problems - in some people.  In May of 2005 the American Journal of Hypertension published an article about blood pressure changes in people who drink coffee.  Now, when people who aren't used to drinking coffee have a cup, it generally increases blood pressure, which may make you more prone to headache and migraine issues.  But now the research is telling us that about half of the people who regularly drink coffee still have the same problem.  In other words, they never develop a tolerance.

So if you've just been trying to keep a steady drip of coffee in your diet, you may want to reconsider, and try quitting for a month or two.  See if it makes any difference in your symptoms.  You might be surprised.

For a summary of the research, visit RealAge.com.  Read this article for more on headache and caffeine.

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Combining therapies in children
December 19, 2005 9:48 am

In a way, a news story like this is stating the obvious.  Still, it's worth remembering every once in a while that treating migraine is not usually just a matter of finding that magic pill.

Dr. Marielle A. Kabbouche and her colleagues at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center decided to track the progress of children with migraine over the course of 5 years.  94% of the children improved.  They had less than 40% the attacks that they used to have.  Dr Kabbouche credits this to an approach that combines therapies.  This means lifestyle changes and medication in most cases, and often biofeedback, which is an excellent tool for child migraine.

But of course, you knew that.  Not only for children - all of us need to try to attack those migraine attacks in various ways.  It's easy to forget, though - migraine is a complicated thing.  We make a lifestyle change - maybe start munching on a new food, and we wonder why our migraine drugs aren't as effective.  This study is just another reminder that we need to stay focused on migraine treatment that involves the whole person, and various approaches at the same time.

Read more about child migraine here, or read the news story I mentioned above.

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Unexpected food headaches
December 23, 2005 8:36 am

You start getting a headache, and soon you feel like you're aching all over.  It must be a touch of the flu.  But in reality, it's not - it's food poisoning.

There's no worse way to end off the year than with a headache you easily could have avoided.  Here are some of the food related illnesses that feature a headache among their symptoms:

Campylobacteriosis - The most common cause is eating undercooked poultry.  Be sure that your meat is thoroughly cooked, and wash everything that touches the raw meat with a mild bleach solution.  Turkey, for example, should reach a temperature of 170F (70C).

Botulism - This can hit you after you eat low acid foods and honey.  First, don't feed any honey to a child under one year of age.  Second, watch out for canned foods like corn, green beans, mushrooms, etc.  If the can is past the due date, or bulging, throw it out.  Be cautious of home canned goods - boil them for at least ten minutes before eating.

Listeriosis - This one can strike up to three months after you at the contaminated food, making it hard to diagnose.  It can be very serious, especially in pregnant women.  Be sure not to leave things in the refrigerator for too long - this bacterium can even grow in the cool temperature.  Again, cook things thoroughly, and be sure to wash vegetables before eating them.  Be cautious of soft cheeses and anything made of unpasteurised milk, especially if you are pregnant.

Read more about these and other foodborne illnesses.

The University of Nebraska has a priceless site called Cook It Quick with a plethora of cooking tips.  Check out their Food Safety Checklist For "Planned-over" Foods, tips for cooking meats - Pass the Taste Test … Use a Thermometer!, and storage tips in Forgotten in the Fridge.

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Recent posts from other bloggers
December 29, 2005 9:08 am

We've been having some trouble with some of the feeds in the Migraine and Headache Blogs page.  Sometimes a feed isn't read properly, so I'm continuing to experiment with ways to make the aggregated feed better.  I don't want you to miss some of the great blogs and posts that are out there.

So here are a few of the posts from recent days that you might find helpful:

First, from A ClusterHead's Life, struggling with being dependent on others, and the challenges of trying to get disability help in Canada (though the story could be from many countries worldwide!)

From The Daily Headache, Migraine & Job Productivity and Worries

From the Headaches/Migraine Blog, a report on the recent news story of medical fraud on the internet involving migraine

Over at Through the Eyes of a Migraine, read some quotes from migraineurs about the things that make matters worse during an attack.

Check out My Migraine Battle: On The Forefront for A Visit From the Migraine Fairy - tips on what to do if you need to go to the Emergency Room

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