Some interesting info from the latest Headache journal(American “Headache…The Journal of Head and Face Pain”…
First, tho, visit our YouTube channel(“headache migraine cluster”), by googling(or, better, go to Youtube and search) Refractory Chronic Migraine Youtube We have 4 videos up, more to follow(on chronic refractory headache, and now on personality disorders….the audio/video is getting much better)…
Interesting editorial about “vagus nerve stimulation” for cluster headache..not very effective….vagus nerve stimulation, used also for epilepsy and depression, has not been terrific for headache…
There was a nice piece for spouses/family “Your Loved One Has Migraines”…not enough has been written for, and about, the family members(and for those with severe, debilitating chronic headache, the caretaker..spouse, mom etc…)
An article about long-term safety of migraine preventives(antidepressants, Botox, anticonvulsants etc)….we try and “cycle” people off of meds here and there, not leave people on certain ones forever…most drugs are pretty safe long-term, but have possible risks(say, with the anticonvulsants(Topamax, Depakote, etc), they can decrease absorption of Vitamin D and calcium; so, people on these should be on D(1000 or 2000 units daily) and make sure they have an adequate intake of calcium(usually you can get that naturally)….
There was a study of the skin patch of sumatriptan(it was called Zecuity, from Teva) in adolescents; this unfortunately was removed from the market, due to some serious skin reactions….
There was a comment section on acupuncture for headache..mentioning, correctly, that most acupuncture studies have failed to show benefit over “sham, or placebo” acupuncture…but needles are somewhat invasive, and they have a fairly high placebo response..the ? is: is the placebo response enough to justify doing a procedure??….probably, if it is safe and effective, using the placebo response is ethical and may be warranted(for instance, doing a form of acupuncture, even if you know it is probably the placebo response)….
Never give up text paper is pinned on cork.