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As a medical professional and a headache specialist, from me you will get information on new treatments or a "hot topic" in headaches.
You will also get patient scenerios, how they were managed and you can ask the expert your own questions by clicking the button on the nav bar.
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Aug 7, 2010, Having A Migraine Toolbox
When it comes to managing migraine headache symptoms it is really important to have a migraine headache toolbox.
A recent survey by the National Headache Foundation shows that 3 out of 4 migraines (a whopping 75%!) said that "their current medication doesn't work fast enough to get them back to their life when a migraine strikes suddenly or upon waking." The survey involved 500 migraineurs between the ages of 25-45 years old.
-51% are unhappy with their current medication.-54% said their oral medication is not useful for an attack.-The most desired attribute wanted for medication is "the fastest relief possible regardless of form"
According to Dr. Cady ( a well known migraine researcher) "What people need in order to manage their migraine is a tool box."
What this means is tailoring your medications and supplements to the type of migraine you have. If it is fast acting, you need an injectable, perhaps Sumavel the needle free injectable of DHE subcutaneous injectable. At the onset of the migraine it should be combined with a form of naprosyn if you can tolerate this and something for nausea taken ALL together.
Personally, I also advise many patients who are on magnesium to also take an extra dose (200-400mg) of magnesium with all of the previously mentioned medications. By hitting the migraine with everything, you have the greatest chance of getting it under control fast!
Mary Kay
Jul 12, 2010, Botox For Migraine Headache Approved In UK
Allergan, the makers of Botox have received approval to market Botox for migraine headaches and tension headaches in the UK.
Many studies over the last few years have demonstrated that Botox injections are very effective in preventing migraines and chronic tension type headaches.
Allergan has applied to the US FDA for the same type of approval and has said that they hope to receive it by September of 2010. The US FDA has slowed it's application approvals in recent years back from the faster approval in the 1990's when HIV drugs where approved quickly due to the extreme need for the medications.
The dose of Botox used to treat headaches is about 1/2 the dose used in other medical conditions such as severe muscle spasms seen in cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.
I am using Botox on a daily basis to treat my severe headache patients and have seen about a 60-75% response rate where the headaches reduce in pain and/or frequency.
Talk to your headache provider about this and if they can't do Botox for you, consider finding a neurologist who can. Many insurance companies are now covering Botox for headache treatment, so it is worth a try.
Good luck!Mary Kay
Jun 28, 2010, Headache Journal News
Hi,My most recent newsletter concerning migraines and headaches talks about the new Headache Journal this past month.
The entire journal was devoted to nerve blocks and injections to help headaches.
The link is to my newsletter, perhaps you will find something to help your headaches.
Mary Kay
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Jun 17, 2010, Management Of Food Sensitivities
Management of food sensitivities can be done! FREE download ebook on allergy and food sensitivity. Maintained by a headache specialist.
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Jun 2, 2010, Hemiplegic Migraine Compazine Treatment
We have a 16 year old daughter with severe hemiplegic migraines. 60 minutes from onset of an acute attack she has had all of the following symptoms at
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Apr 25, 2010, Reglan Side Effects Cause: Of Reglan Lawsuit
Reglan side effects can be permanent depending on use. Can this be the cause of a reglan lawsuit?
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Apr 25, 2010, Daily Headaches For 12 Years
Hi, I have been getting bad headaches for almost 12 years now. I got hit in the side of my head with a baseball and it left a dent in my head for quite
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Apr 21, 2010, Headache That Burns
I have told my drs when my blood pressure goes up to 125/80 and heart rate drop to the 60&50 my head burns and feel like like someone is tighten a rope
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Apr 21, 2010, Recurring Headaches
I am hoping you can help, I have been getting headaches almost everyday for the last three months or so, they are usually in the front of my forehead when
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Apr 17, 2010, Thunderclap Headache
I am a migraine sufferer to begin with. I have recently been under tremendous stress with horrible family news and the stress has increased the migraines.
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Apr 17, 2010, Migraine Medication During Pregnancy
I suffer from severe headache but I am not pregnant what type of medication(s) would you recommend that would be safe and not harmful to my pregnancy and
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Apr 15, 2010, Vitamin D Side Effects: Related To Vitamin D Dosage?
Vitamin D side effects may be related to vitamin D dosage. Maintained by a medical professional.
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Apr 13, 2010, Mini Stroke Warning Signs
Hi, I have been having these headaches that sometimes come with a lot of tiredness. Occasionally I feel like my right eye gets blurry too. I am really
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Apr 11, 2010, What Does Vitamin D Do?
What does vitamin D do? Causes of Vitamin D deficiency can be environmental. Maintained by a medical professional.
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Apr 8, 2010, Reoccuring Headache
Over the last 3 months I have been getting a headache just above right eye near my temple. The headache last between 1-2 days and improves with heat (ie
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Apr 6, 2010, Different Types Of Headaches
Hi, I have had my headache for the last 2 years.I go to bed with it and I wake up with it every single day. It hurts soo soo much and soo soo bad that
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Mar 27, 2010, Causes Of Migraine Headaches
I am a 39 yr old female with chronic migraines. Onset at age 24 y/o. I have had MRI's and CT scans that were unremarkable. The 4 neurologists I have seen
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Mar 26, 2010, Chiroflow Pillow
The chiroflow pillow is a great headache pillow. Especially if you have migraine, headache or neck pain from cervical fusions. Maintained by a headache specialist so ask the expert.
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Mar 21, 2010, Headache And Dizziness
I'm 56 yrs old female. I've had headaches since I was about 15. I've had migraines a few times. Lately, I get a dizzy, light-headedness, followed by
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Mar 14, 2010, Mini Stroke Warning Signs
I'm a 29 year old female who has been diagnosed with complex migraines. That was 6 years ago. I have had tests for stroke on two occasions and they came
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Mar 12, 2010, Neck Shoulder Back Pain
Hi, I have a headache almost everyday. Some days I feel dizzy and my head feels very heavy. At night I experience horrible ear pain,both ears are affected.What
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Mar 11, 2010, Depression Warning Signs: What Are The Signs Of Clinical Depression
If you know the depression warning signs you might be able to head off symptoms of severe depression. Maintained by a medical professional.
Mar 10, 2010, Headache Back Of Head
Hi, I have been having a headache at the back of my head. It usually starts in the mornings but can happen also at work. I work in a nursing home and
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Mar 9, 2010, What Causes Headaches
For the past couple of weeks, I've had headaches daily. These headaches do not last all day they just seem to come and go as short-lasting pains to the
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Mar 9, 2010, Sinus Headache Symptoms
My name is Nina, 28, working mother of 2 kids.I have had headaches everyday for at least 3 years. At first I was prescribed anti-biotic, which helped
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Mar 8, 2010, Migraine Triggers
Migraine triggers range from stress, depression and anxiety to food and hormone changes. Maintained by a headache specialist.
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Mar 7, 2010, Vitamin D Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin D deficiency symptoms can be caused by not eating foods with Vitamin D. Maintained by a medical professional.
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Mar 4, 2010, Vitamin B12 Benefits
Vitamin B12 benefits range from maintaining memory to helping combate fatique. Maintained by a headache specialist in neurology.
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Feb 27, 2010, Pain In Back Of Head
I have been having a pain in the upper left side of my head for over six months. I went to the doctor and they had me get two trigger shots. That has not
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Feb 25, 2010, Occipital Nerve Blocks For Chronic Headaches
Below is a copy of my recent newsletter about occipital nerve blocks and the occipital stimulator.
I have some exciting newer news about treatment of migraines and cluster headaches.
As we start to approach the spring months, cluster headaches will start to arise and those with chronic cluster headaches will suffer even more. Many times I will treat with starting verapamil once or twice day dosing, plus steroid for a week or two to break the headaches.
But what happens when nothing works?
The feeling at the present time, is that if a patient has failed on numerous medications and even botox for migraine headache then that person should consider occipital nerve blocks or stimulators.
The first step is an occipital nerve block. So what is that? Well it is similar to other nerve blocks. A small amount of steroid is mixed with a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, and injected around the nerve.
The occipital nerves run up the back of your head, just under the skin. The method is important as blocking these nerves has been shown in headache research over the last few years, to feedback into the brain and dampen headache pain.
If you are currently under a neurologist's care, this is an easy procedure that can be done in the office. You might want to discuss this with your doctor on the next visit.
So what does the nerve block have to do with the occipital stimulator? If you respond to the block, but then it wears off and the headaches return, you might be a good candidate for a stimulator.
First of all, start with your neurologist and ask for the nerve block. Then start talking to your doctor about the procedure. Be proactive and find out if he or she knows about any pain management doctors in your area doing the stimulators.
Don't just wait! You can always call a few pain management doctor offices and ask yourself if they are doing this.
Metronics and Boston Scientific are VERY hands on with these devices. They contact patients and walk them through alot of the necessary forms and procedure aspects. Many times the technical specialist for the company is in the OR during the procedure (with your permission). They also have a list of doctors in your area doing the prodcedure.
The official names for these devices are neurostimulators as they over stimulate nerves to deaden pain when used in the spine and can feedback to the brain for headaches.
Here is the Medtronics site neurostimulator information.
Here is the Boston Scientific site neurostimulator information.
Good luck, and remember there are always new research methods being developed for headache.
Mary Kay
Feb 24, 2010, Headache Back Of Head
I get headaches almost everyday in the back of my head and it's from like anywhere between where my neck meets my head to where my eyes would be if they
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Feb 24, 2010, Constant Headaches
(these constant headaches are) daily, unexplained headaches that are debilitating and getting worse. what is it and how can i make it go away? I've had
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Feb 22, 2010, Post Traumatic Headache
I have a friend that had a car accident a month later headaches started and she was feeling weak loss of appetite and weakness and she was even blacking
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Feb 20, 2010, Causes Of Migraine Headaches
my doctor says that i have blood vessels that have narrowed and i am not getting enough blood to my brain. i also have occipital neuralgia and arthritis
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Feb 16, 2010, TMJ Symptoms Causing Headache
can these headaches be brought on by tmj? ..cause my pain starts in the jaw area and go's to the neck and top of my head area ..i have sleep apena and
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Feb 16, 2010, Vitamin B12 Injections: Vitamin B12 Shots
Vitamin B12 injections, or vitamin B12 shots, are one option to start getting vitamin B12 benefits. Maintained by a medical professional in neurology.
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Feb 14, 2010, Valentine Headaches
How to avoid Valentine headaches..are you and your valentine stressed out over your headaches?
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Feb 13, 2010, Chronic Daily Headaches Migraines
I have been suffering from headaches since childhood. I am 44 now and they are much worse. Last year I went 15 days out of the year without a headache.
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Feb 10, 2010, Odd Headaches
Hello, I am trying to figure out what kind of headache I keep on having so that I can treat it accordingly. Everyone I have talked to doesn't know what
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Feb 8, 2010, Head Pain
hi i am having headache that last any where from 20 min to hours,some times days of off an on headaches. Sometime it starts in my eye or all over. My head
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Feb 7, 2010, Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms present as neurological symptoms and if severe can cause brain and nerve damage. Maintained by a headache specialist in neurology.
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Feb 4, 2010, What Does Vitamin B12 Do?
What does vitamin b12 do? Signs of vitamin b12 deficiency can include headache, migraines, numbness, tingling and memory loss. Maintained by a headache specialist in neurology.
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Feb 4, 2010, Vitamin Deficiency Symptoms
Vitamin deficiency symptoms can range from physical to emotional. For example, vitamin D overdosage can be as bad as vitamin D deficiency. Maintained by a headache specialist in neurology.
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Feb 3, 2010, Child Migraine Everyday
My 9 year old daughter has a headache almost everyday. I took her to the doctor today he thinks she has migraines. I am very worried; the headache is mostly
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Jan 31, 2010, Headache
i always have headache and i always need a pain killer for it, its getting too much now. how can it be stopped? Answer: Hi Ralph, Without more information
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Jan 29, 2010, Intractable Migraines
I've had migraines since I was about 4 years old (I called them eye-aches)and would have severe nausea with them. I'm now 54 years old and am getting
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Jan 29, 2010, Migraine lasting over a month
Hi, my name is Janice and I am 21 years old with new onset headache. It started Dec 25,2009 and continues to this day (Jan 28,2010) I went to the emergency
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Jan 24, 2010, Headache In Children
my 12 year old son has headache everyday...he has had blood test for lupas and varios others with all normal return, including eyes check.... any
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Jan 24, 2010, Severe Headache
I have suffered from headache with crawling feeling feeling on the left side of my head for many years. Now the pain has gone to the top of my head
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Jan 23, 2010, Daily Headache Over A Year
My name is Mary, 30 yr old mother of three. In 12/2008 I began having daily almost constant headaches ranging in pain from 1-10. Mainly left sided,
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