Headache & Migraine News Blog

Recently I've had a little experience with migraine at the hospital.  I've gained a whole new empathy and understanding for those who go to emergency with a migraine, and I've done a lot of new thinking on the pros and cons of the situation.

Upon reflection, here's one thing which stood out.  Certainly there were times when I felt like a lab rat being experimented on.  "Let's see if this works", "Let's see if that works".  Any migraineur who has been to the doctor more than once probably knows the feeling.

As a matter of fact, to my surprise at one time I found myself trying to put the brakes on the amount of drugs they were giving me.  I actually had to ask when they had last given me drugs, and I suggested that perhaps I could wait a few more minutes before they pumped the next experiment into my blood stream (I know many of you have had the opposite experience, but stay with me here).

So here's one thing the experience taught me, and you can tell me if you agree.  It often takes two things to relieve a migraine attack.  First, a migraine drug or painkiller can be helpful.  Second, sleep.  In particular, deep sleep.

Now you'll often hear that part of the migraine cycle is deep sleep.  But you may have also heard that deep sleep is itself a migraine antidote (see for example this article on migraine in children).  If you take a drug and can't get to sleep, the symptoms may stubbornly hang on.  If you get to sleep without the drugs, (sometimes) the migraine symptoms are still there when you wake up.

So this was the problem at the hospital.  The constant monitoring.  Every few minutes, you're asked to rate your pain, you're asked how your stomach is, your blood pressure is taken, whatever.  So you never reach that deep sleep, and the new drugs keep coming because the pain isn't disappearing fast enough.  May I humbly suggest to health workers with migraine patients that they try a natural therapy - a little sleep.  1.5-2 hours, or even less, may be all it takes to move you from getting worse or staying the same to improving.  You may find this works at home too - if you wake up with a migraine attack, try taking your abortive drugs (perhaps with a little juice for blood sugar) and then getting another 1-2 hours of sleep.

It's time for your comments.  Is it just me, or is this an ingredient that's being forgotten?

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You're the Top!
February 3, 2006 7:55 am

In the last edition of HeadWay, I just had to thank you all for making this site what it is today, by visiting, leaving comments and feedback, and mentioning Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com on your own sites.  Well, this past week we got a little more recognition.

This site is hosted by SiteBuildIt!.  SBI! has been great because it's not just a host - if you're passionate about something and can express yourself somewhat, they can take you the rest of the way.  You don't need to know all that "Geek-speak" that you used to need to build a site.  The tools and guidance they give is so great that 62% of the sites build with SBI! are in the top 3% of all sites on the 'net (measured by traffic).  And the nice thing for a migraineur is that the site keeps going when I can't!  :)

Thanks to you, this site has been well in the top 1% for some time.  SBI! lists sites in the top 1%, but since there are now hundreds, only a few of them are now on their "results" page.  And guess what folks?  We made it!

And you're not just any website visitors.  You've given ideas, suggestions, and good feedback when you see something you like.  It's your ideas that will keep this site growing in the way that helps you fight migraine and headaches.  Thanks!

You'll see this site about half-way down in the Health & Medicine section.

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Migraine and epilepsy in children
February 4, 2006 8:30 am

Epilepsy drugs have been used for migraine for a long time.  We know there's a connection, though we don't know exactly what it is.  But recently, another more startling link was made by researchers in the USA and Iceland.

The researchers interviewed children who had recently had their first unprovoked seizure, and had been recently diagnosed with epilepsy.  They wanted to find out which of the children had had at least a couple of migraine-like attacks (usually we use 5 or more to actually get a solid diagnosis).  They also interviewed children who did not have seizures.

The result?  It seems that children with migraine are 3.7 times more likely to develop epilepsy.  But only children who get migraine with aura.  Children with migraine but no aura didn't have a noticeably increased risk.

This study is important for more than one reason.  For one thing, it proves once again that there is a solid link between the two diseases, and perhaps directs us toward new ways to understand that link.

Second, it once again shows that migraine with aura is something unique.  Now, often you'll hear about studies that specify migraine with aura, simply because that's the only type of migraine they studied.  So maybe the difference isn't as big as it may sound at first.  Still, more and more studies are coming out that show a difference between the two types of migraine (for example, read about the study on brain lesions and migraine, second article on the page).  Of course, many people (myself included) experience both.  But better classification of types may lead to more specific treatment, and explain why that miracle drug doesn't work for you.

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Ginger for Mary Ann's migraine
February 6, 2006 6:41 pm

Truly, this website has some of the best visitors in cyberspace, and the ezine HeadWay has some of the best readers.  In January's issue we talked about nausea, and many of you visited the HeadWay MailRoom with great feedback.  And you very graciously pointed out a glaring omission in my article - the use of ginger for nausea.  You didn't call me names and demand an apology, instead you shared your experiences and some of the practical ways you've used ginger to make that migraine attack more bearable.  For example, Faith from the USA suggested Preggy Pops (available in the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia and wherever amazon.com ships).  Don't worry, guys - you can buy Queasy Pops - doesn't that sound more masculine?

To rub sea salt in my wound, I picked up the TIME magazine a few days ago which commented on a new study showing that ginger helped with post-operative nausea.  I don't know how I missed it.  You must think I've been on a desert island all this time.

Anyway, you may have noticed a new page here - I've dedicated a whole article to the problem of nausea in migraine (and cluster and tension headache too).  Perhaps to redeem myself, I wrote a lot about ginger, but there's lots more there.  This one is close to my heart, since I've had to deal with the worst of this symptom during migraine attacks.

So if you find yourself marooned with nausea, take the three minute migraine nausea tour.  You don't have to be a millionaire to find solutions.

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New migraine documentary
February 7, 2006 9:08 am

A new documentary is out about the impact of migraine on people's lives.  One of the people who worked on the film, Marni Holmes, stopped by the blog here and left this comment:

We have just released a self-help documentary called Life and Migraine. It is a good resource for people who suffer from chronic headache or people who don't to help understand the condition. Check out Kerrie's review at The Daily Headache and check out the site!

Thanks, Marni!  Now I've only seen the trailer, not the movie itself.  It's only available in the USA at the moment, but it should be released internationally soon.  Purchasing info is here.

The documentary follows a fictional character through a migraine attack, and also includes interviews with 13 migraineurs, both men and women.  That's great because, as the movie website points out, The stories these people tell are striking not only in their differences, but also in their surprising similarities.  And both those points are important to understand.

From what I've seen so far it looks great.  It looks like it makes a lot of great points, one of these being that many many people are either misdiagnosed or have never bothered to be diagnosed, and so are living with symptoms that they might be able to do something about.

The documentary has two versions - 27 minutes and 55 minutes.  The shorter one might be the way to go if you want to show a non-migraineur friend.

You can read the World Headache Alliance review, and the review mentioned above at The Daily Headache.  View the trailer of Life and Migraine here.

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Poll - how many doctors?
February 10, 2006 8:54 am

It's time to see the results of our latest poll!  The question was, How many different doctors/dentists/practitioners have you see about your headaches/migraines?



As you can see, 55% of us have seen 6 or more health professionals, and only 5% have stuck to just one.

For the 2.5% who haven't seen anyone, remember that in many cases something can be done about your pain.  Also, in many cases a simple headache can be doing a lot more damage to you than you realize.  There's growing evidence that migraine itself causes cumulative damage.  So it's very important to see a doctor as soon as possible.

The results of this poll are probably pretty common.  It's not a bad thing to see more than one doctor or specialist - in fact, getting another opinion from a different perspective may be the key to solving your problem.  But it is important to make sure these professionals have accurate information, and it's all the more powerful if they work together as a team.

If you're looking for some excellent advice on tracking down solutions and using a team of professionals to help you do it, try What's Wrong with Me? The Frustrated Patient's Guide to Getting an Accurate Diagnosis by Lynn M. Dannheisser and Dr Jerry M. Rosenbaum.  It will give you an idea how to get doctors working for you, instead of using the hit-and-miss method when you need help.

Check out our latest poll, part way down the main Headache and Migraine News page.  Thanks for your votes!

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Trexima - new drug coming soon
February 11, 2006 3:32 am

There's a new migraine drug that will probably appear on the market in the next few months, currently called Trexima.  In October, the FDA accepted the drug from GlaxoSmithKline and POZEN Inc. for review.

Strictly speaking, it's not 100% new - it's actually a combination of two drugs that are already on the market.  The first is sumatriptan succinate, commonly sold as Imitrex and Imigran.  This is of course one of the Triptan class of drugs, used for migraine and cluster.  Triptans bind certain serotonin receptors, and counteract inflammation.

The other is naproxen sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), commonly sold as Aleve.  Naproxen sodium works well to reduce pain and inflammation.

So why would you care if you've seen these drugs before?  First, according to Dr Seymour Diamond (founder of the Diamond Headache Clinic), Trexima tends to work a little faster and also better than either drug alone.  It also uses RT Technology, a new method for getting the drug into your system quickly.  Robin Gaitens, a spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline said that Trexima "demonstrated superiority over the individual components" and helped with common symptoms of migraine such as nausea and light/sound sensitivity.  Clinical trials demonstrated that at the two hour point Trexima was more effective that either of the other drugs it's made up of.

Gaitens is optimistic about the drug because it attacks multiple mechanisms that are involved in a migraine attack.  There's really nothing else quite like it currently available.

Watch for more drugs like this to start coming down the pipeline.  Sumatriptan is a logical place to start in a combination drug of this sort, but there are many other types of triptans now that may work better in the end.

For more on Trexima, check this press release from GlaxoSmithKline or this article from United Press International.

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Chasteberry for PMS
February 14, 2006 1:02 pm

Here's a quick note from the Mayo Clinic HealthQuest newsletter.  Dr. Brent Bauer writes about Chasteberry, a supplement that has been used for centuries for women's hormone-related problems.  The question is, is there really any evidence that chasteberry is a help?

According to Dr Bauer, the answer is "yes".  There have indeed been clinical trials for the treatment of PMS, and chasteberry did help with some symptoms.  Some of the key symptoms it seemed to help include - headache!  It was also a help with depression and irritability, breast pain or tenderness, constipation and swelling.

Now, please note that this is a very mild treatment, better if taken over a period of time.  If you're dealing with a raging migraine, you might want to look somewhere else.  But if you're bothered by a mild PMS headache, this might be the thing to try.  Look for a good standardized formula, such as Nature's Herbs Chasteberry Power, available in capsules from Vitacost.  This supplement should not be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and you should be sure to check with a doctor who knows what other drugs and supplements you're taking.  However, chasteberry is generally well tolerated.

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Indian Head Massage (Champissage)
February 18, 2006 7:56 am

It's all the rage in the UK, and it may even be in your city in Canada or the USA.  It claims to help with anything from headache to hair loss, and it only takes 20 minutes out of your day.  What is it?  It's Indian Head Massage, otherwise known as Champissage.

There are a number of slightly different treatments that go under the name of Indian Head Massage.  But, in the 1970s massage therapist Narendra Mehta from Bombay India formalized the treatment while working in London.  Champi means simply "head massage", but the head massage is combined with massage of the shoulders and back.  In its simplest form, however, the Indian Head Massage can just involve the head and not even any oil (although it's recommended), making it very un-invasive and easy to do over a lunch hour.

Mr. Mehta's version of the head massage is tied to the Hindu belief in energy centres in the body.  Those of us who don't accept the Hindu belief system may have trouble with a treatment based on these concepts.  However, head massage itself is a helpful technique, based as well on simply the power of touch and the same muscle-relaxing techniques of any massage.

For those who easily get tense around the head, jaw and face, and who prefer a quick, less invasive massage, a basic head massage may be something to try.  See this article for one person's experience with Indian Head Massage.

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The migraine lick test
February 21, 2006 8:29 am

It's widely believed that the sooner you know a migraine is coming, the better you can head it off.  Some people's attacks start with an aura of some kind - seeing zig zags or simply feeling "not right".  Others can tell a migraine is coming when they see the barometer rise or drop.  But Professor Philip Lamey, Professor of Oral Medicine at the School of Dentistry in Belfast, believes he can predict whether or not you're going to get a migraine today with 100% accuracy.  100%.  Or at least 94%, which is what the trials say so far.

The test is simple.  When you get up in the morning, you lick a special slide, or place a saliva sample on the testing device.  If the slide turns blue, or the device lights up, a migraine is coming, and you can ambush it before it has a chance to strike.

How does the lick test work?  It tests for a protein called cystatin.  Migraine sufferers seem to have high levels of it.  You often have higher levels when you clench your teeth at night - clenching could itself trigger a migraine.  Lamey has also developed a mouthpiece to help with the clenching aspect.  Cystatin has been used to measure other things, such as kidney function.

Professor Lamey is talking to drug companies about providing the test in a kit, and there are two possible forms being tested.

If you think the information sounds a little vague at this point, you're not alone.  For example, I would assume he's not saying all migraines come from clenching your teeth.  Why then is this chemical produced in such high levels in all migraineurs?  If such a kit would really be effective, hopefully more information will be released soon.

Though I think Lamey is a little optimistic to think it could keep anyone from ever having a migraine again, it would give us another edge - a very important edge, and a good chance to stop an attack before it starts.  For more, check out this article on the migraine lick test from MyDNA.com.

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The Migraine Quiz (lower key)
February 21, 2006 7:30 pm

The Migraine Quiz is... still here!  After introducing the quiz the first time, one visitor pointed out that the introduction was itself rather migraine-inducing.  So, I asked my friend Alan to tone things down a bit, and he did!  So if you saw it before you'll notice that it's a bit less psychedelic.  Thanks for the feeback!

For those of you who haven't looked at it before, check out the migraine quiz!  Many of you have mentioned to me that you're looking for ways to help friends and family understand.  This may be a fun conversation starter, and it will give your friends a good introduction to, shall we say, the complexities of migraine.  You're welcome to use the button below on your own website, or link to the page in your emails.  Just click the button to go to the Migraine Quiz now!

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Pain relief in SnowWorld
February 23, 2006 6:02 pm

The other night my wife called me over to see a news story about SnowWorld.  SnowWorld is a kind of virtual reality computer game, where you move through an icy world, throwing snow balls at things like penguins and snowmen.  Are you excited yet?  Well, you should be.  The research relating to this game may be another breakthrough in the understanding of pain.

It's been studied before - if you can get your mind off your pain, it helps.  That doesn't mean your headache is all in your head, but a distraction is indeed therapeutic.  However, a recent study showed that a virtual reality world not only changes how you perceive pain, it actually changes the way the brain registers the pain signals in the first place.

This study actually tracked brain activity, but it supports earlier survey based studies.  Patients in this study filled out a survey as well, and it turned out that there was a 35% drop in time thinking about the pain, and a 36% decrease in the "unpleasantness" of the pain.

The use of virtual reality, where the patient puts on a helmet allowing her to see the virtual world, has been helpful for pain (like burn treatment - hence the cold environment) and even for phobias.  It may continue to develop to help people with severe head pain, but perhaps more important is what we're learning about how the brain interprets pain signals.

David Patterson and Hunter Hoffman created SnowWorld, and you can learn more and see what it all looks like in Virtual Pain Relief.  A new version of SnowWorld called "SuperSnowWorld" is now in the works.

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Two new bronze medals
February 24, 2006 8:32 am

No, it's not the Olympics.  Two new bronze medals have been awarded at the Reader's Choice Awards.  Thanks for your feedback!

First, in the category of General Migraine or headache books is Heal Your Headache: The 1-2-3 Program for Taking Charge of Your Pain by Dr David Buchholz of the John Hopkins University School of Medicine.  The book is based on various ways to accomplish three basic steps for fighting headache - avoiding the "quick fix", reducing triggers and raising your threshold (for example using preventative medication).

The other bronze is awarded in the category of Specific migraine and headache topics.  The book is The Magnesium Solution For Migraine Headaches: The Complete Guide To Using Magnesium To Prevent And Treat Migraines And Cluster Headaches Naturally, by Dr J S Cohen.  This very short book (only 64 pages) with the looooong title details how magnesium works in the body and how it can be used to prevent migraine and clusters.

Has your influence been felt?  If you have a favourite book, drop by the Reader's Choice Awards page and leave your opinion.  It counts!

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Food intolerance
February 27, 2006 11:24 am

The common wisdom when it comes to finding your food triggers is to try eliminating one or two from your diet, one at a time.  But with so many possible triggers, and some so hard to eliminate, this can be a challenging prospect.  What if you could get a simple test that immediately identified which foods were triggering a migraine attack?

A recent trial investigated intolerance testing, which identifies the presence of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in the blood.  This test has not received huge support from the medical community, because there's little evidence that it's a reliable test.

However, in the recent trial of 61 people with moderate to severe migraines, according to the test most patients had one intolerance or another.  When changes were made in people's diets as a result, 80% said there was some improvement.  Over 60% tried reintroducing the problems foods, only to find their migraine attacks returned.

What foods were people intolerant to?  It may surprise you.  The most common was cow's milk, followed by yeast, egg white, egg yolk, wheat, gluten and corn.  Imagine trying to cut some of these things out of your diet for a few weeks - not so easy.

This was a pilot study - better trials need to be done.  You can read more about the study in the article An appetite for migraine?, or check out an overview of allergy and intolerance tests at WebMD.

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Healthy whole grain recipe
February 28, 2006 9:18 pm

Before all the triggers and migraine fighting foods and health supplements and vitamins, perhaps the best thing you can do to avoid headache and migraine is to eat a healthy, well balanced diet.  Sure, but how do you do that?  Well, try to keep your focus on foods as close to the source and unprocessed as possible.  Keep the meats to a minimum.  And eat everything in moderation.

When so many migraineurs also deal with stomach problems, it's all the more important to make sure your diet is healthy.  One thing that's been a real help to me is making sure I get some decent healthy whole grains in my diet every morning (uh oh - is this starting to sound like a cereal commercial?).  I use a granola recipe that is packed with migraine and headache fighting foods, including oatmeal and olive oil.  I shared this recipe with HeadWay subscribers, and I thought I'd share it with the rest of you as well.  All the details are in the recipe itself, which is in pdf format.  Right click to download the Multigrain Granola recipe!

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