Kelli's Migraine Daily

Migraines and Food Triggers - Plus Enter to Win a FREE Giveaway

I'm excited to announce that I'll be working with Excedrin Migraine again during 2013 as a Blog Ambassador.  I hope through this relationship with Excedrin Migraine that I will be able help myself, and all of you, with the seemingly endless quest to find new ideas for managing and eliminating our migraines. I know Excedrin Migraine and their team are excited about their OTC product (now fully back in stores), their new My Triggers app, and the information they have prepared for us in the coming year.

Did you know that March is "National Nutrition Month?"  In honor of that fact, our topic for this post is nutrition, and more specifically "food triggers." 
First, I'll talk a little about my own triggers, and then registered dietitian Keri Gans will offer valuable information about potential migraine trigger foods that every sufferer should know.  We also have a fantastic free giveaway to announce... two of my readers will win a great nutrition/healthy eating related package.

I've written about food triggers in the past and have managed to root out a few of my own triggers, including raw onions in any capacity, and wine or milk chocolate if I drink or eat too much of either.  MSG, a common trigger for many, is also a no-no for me.  It's been awhile since I've carefully tested my food for triggers, so I'm using the Excedrin Migraine My Triggers App to help me keep track of my eating and watch more closely to see if there are foods I'm unaware of that might be causing me issues.  I've really been struggling this winter (usually a good time for my migraines with the cold and barometric pressure), and am hoping I can uncover some unknown triggers. 

Registered dietitian Keri Gans generously offered up some valuable information about potential migraine trigger foods that every sufferer should know::

• There are many foods and drinks that can trigger migraines, like citrus fruits, nuts, and foods that contain MSG. It’s important for folks to determine which foods are potential migraine triggers for them. By tracking their triggers, people can avoid them in the future, to help prevent or minimizing migraine attacks.
• Tyramine: Tyramine is a substance found naturally in some foods, like aged cheese and red wine. It’s formed from the breakdown of protein as foods age. A good rule of thumb is that the longer a high-protein food ages, the higher the tyramine content. Some common foods that contain tyramine include: aged cheeses, red wine, alcoholic beverages and some processed meats. 
• Alcohol: Alcohol increases blood flow to your brain, which can cause migraines and headaches. Red wine, beer, whiskey and champagne are the most common culprits.  
• Other potential migraine triggers include: artificial sweeteners (such as aspartame), chocolate, citrus fruits, coffee or tea, tannins, (like red-skinned apples or pears) caffeinated soda, foods that contain MSG, and nuts or nut butters.
• ALSO: there are some good foods for the brain we should try to add into our diet when possible: There is emerging science that suggests foods rich in magnesium, such as kale and broccoli, support healthy brain function. Try swapping kale for romaine in your salad at lunch to increase your magnesium intake.

I hope having a few of those tips from Keri will inspire you to take a quick look at your daily diet and make sure you've assessed whether any of the food you're eating could be a culprit in your migraine struggles.  Using the new My Triggers app is a great way to keep track... I love the app and use it every day. You can read my review of the app here.

ENTER TO WIN OUR GIVEAWAY
provided by Excedrin Migraine:
Two lucky readers will win this nutrition/healthy eating package. 

Veggie Peeler – This innovative fruit and vegetable peeler features a patented, built-in chamber that retains peels during use. Scraps are held in the durable, thermo-plastic chamber, eliminating messy peelings and clogged sinks. The double sided stainless steel blade allows for both right and left handed use.
Harold Import Company Avo Saver – Avo Saver is easy to use and will reduce a cut avocado’s exposure to air, greatly slowing the destructive oxidization process.
Dressing Emulsifier – The Emulstir is an innovative way to mix up and store delicious salad dressings. It’s very easy to use; simply remove the top of the Emulstir, fill with oil, vinegar and herb replace lid and squeeze the handle to blend.
Emson Two Tier Microwave Steamer Food Cooker – This microwave steamer retains more vitamins & nutrients than other means of cooking vegetables, perfect for healthy cooking. It allows you to cook/steam two dishes at once, fits in most microwave ovens and is dishwasher safe.

Disclaimer: I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, three giveaways were provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

Migraine and Epilepsy could share a "genetic link"

I've read several articles about the link between epilepsy and migraine before... and it seems the research is continuing.  This new study was featured on my local news tonight.  I am going to check more fully to see if any of our "close" family has epilepsy (I'm not sure what "close" means - would that be cousins, 2nd cousins... or how far do you go?).  I don't believe so... but it will be an interesting qwest for further info.  I took Tomapax for a few months years ago, but had some unpleasant side effects and stopped.  Maybe I will look into it again as these articles connecting epilepsy and migraine keep coming.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20908903

Epilepsy and migraine 'could have shared genetic link'

A strong family history of seizures could increase the chances of having severe migraines, says a study in Epilepsia journal.

Scientists from Columbia University, New York, analysed 500 families containing two or more close relatives with epilepsy.

Their findings could mean that genes exist that cause both epilepsy and migraine.

Read more...

Review: Excedrin Migraine My Triggers App - Giveaway Winners Announced!

In my last post... I talked about how we all know we should track out migraines daily to help understand our patterns and triggers, as well as help our doctors with the most detailed information possible.  I talked about how I stopped tracking a while ago, because the frequency and severity of my migraines, and then looking at the details, seemingly made me feel more depressed at the time. 

I realized that it wasn't helping me to stop tracking.  I reconsidered and have been tracking my migraines daily for more than a month now.  I have to say, I feel more in control, and actually happier knowing exactly where I stand with my disease.  I'll talk about this in more detail below as I review the app I've been using to do my daily tracking.

As a part of the Excedrin Migraine Ambassador Program, I've been testing out their new My Migraine Triggers app, which focuses on comprehensive tracking of your migraines and the corresponding triggers. 

I have to say that I am SO pleased to report that the My Migraine Triggers app is a VERY well done app. 

I tend to be quite skeptical when it comes to migraine related products in general... and when asked to be a part of the Excedrin Migraine Blog Ambassador program... I was a little hesitant to agree.  I was truly worried that the app would be something slapped together by a marketing team who had no clue what migraineurs really needed.

I had no need to worry!

I was so thrilled when I got the app and used it for the first time.  I had actually scoped out developing an app of my own and was very excited to see that this app follows the same process I would have used... asks you questions, then expands on your answer, provides open spaces for notes, super easy flow and data entry, and EXCELLENT reporting!  The app is easy to use, has everything you need to be very detailed in your tracking, and the reporting features is the real gem.

I had a tough time sticking with it in the beginning because I was going through a really difficult period... and having migraines almost every day (for the first 17 days, I only had 15 with no headache... this is the type of thing that depresses me to look at).  BUT... I'm glad I persisted... because for the past 2 weeks, I have had an excellent run and had several 5-6 day runs with no headache (or only a very mild one I could knock out with my OTC Excedrin Migraine - yea!).  So, by sticking with it... I now not only have all the detail of tracking the period when I was having migraines almost every day... but also can see that I had nice stretches of time with very manageable pain.  So... I'm glad I'm not ignoring it... and can now use these metrics to see how I can improve those numbers!

Here are some detailed screen captures of my actual report from the time I was testing.  These came from the PDF I was able to email myself!

Potential Triggers: 
This is great because while I have a few things in there I can't control, I will certainly be testing giving up caffeinated soda and see if that helps when I'm having a rough stretch (knowing that I'll have headaches when I kick the caffeine of course!). 

Trigger Exposure:
Symptom Frequency: 
These things were a little clearer to me, but I was surprised that I didn't tick off sensitivity to light as often as I thought.

Pain Location: 
There is definitely an unusual stat here.  I never used to have head pain on the right side... but lately, I have been having a lot more one sided headaches on the right side... they are not typical migraine though... I think they are triggered by other things - maybe allergy, not enough sleep, etc.  I will specifically be watching this.
Pain Level: 
I'm VERY pleased with this stat.  While I did have a very bad stretch of pain when I started tracking... I was happy to see that I never felt that I needed to rate most as severe (i.e. they did respond to my standard cocktail of treatment (sumatriptan, naproxen, hydrocodone, ice pack, sleep)).  I honestly think I'd prefer to have more frequent, less severe headaches... because the really bad ones make me sick for days at a time (i.e. debilitated)... while the moderate migraines still allow me to be productive part of the day.

Diary:
This is my favorite... where you can really see the day to day detail you've noted.  I think this will be invaluable for doctor's visits!


If you'd like to try the My Migraine Triggers app it's now publicly available for iPhone and iPad.

You can download it for FREE on iTunes

Learn more at the Excedrin Migraine Center or on the Facebook Page.

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you have even a moment to comment to this post... I would love to hear from you about how you track your migraines and whether you are using the My Migraine Triggers app... what do you think?

EXCEDRIN MIGRAINE RELIEF KIT - WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Thank you for reading and taking the time to  enter for a chance to win the Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit! The winners are:

Amy Appleton of Phoenix, AZ
Carolyn Connor of Rialto, CA

Disclaimer: I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, one iPod Touch to test the app was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

Tracking Our Migraines - Why Don't We? Plus, Enter for a chance to win the Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit!

We've all been told how helpful it is to track our migraines.  So why don't we? 

Is there anything we can do to make it a daily ritual we consider a positive, helpful tool instead of another chore in our already busy lives?

I was recently asked to be a part of the Excedrin Migraine Ambassador Program.  As part of that program, I've been able to test out their new Migraine app, which focuses on comprehensive tracking of your migraines and the corresponding triggers.  In the information Excedrin provided, one of the statistics they provided really intrigued me.

"According to a new survey, an overwhelming majority (93%) of women who suffer from migraines say they want a better understanding of their migraine triggers, yet only 11% say they currently track potential migraine triggers regularly."

When I read that, I believed immediately that I had personal insight into why so many people don't track their migraines.  I think it's likely the same reason I tend to fall out of the tracking habit...

IT'S DEPRESSING!  

I've had migraines since I was 18... I'm now 43.  It just occurred to me that I hit the 25 year mark with no real cure or long term relief.  Looking at the reality of how this disease affects my life negatively can make me really sad at times.  I don't naturally tend to focus on the many positive things you gain from tracking.  I can, at times, focus on the single negative that comes with it.  The big negative for me is actually being able to see very clearly the "stats" showing how debilitating my migraines really are and how much of my life they consume.

For more than a year now... I haven't been tracking my migraines.  I thought I needed a break from looking so closely at it and just wanted to see if attempting to "ignore" it and only focus on enjoying the times when I do feel well would make things better (maybe even make the migraines better - less stress for example).  I haven't blogged as much this year as I did in the past either. 

I just recently started to track my migraines again with the new My Migraine Triggers app from Excedrin Migraine.  And as I expected... it's been a bit depressing to find that in the time since I started tracking (13 days), I've only had 2 days with no headache at all (not all were full migraine attacks, but I tracked all head pain). 

But, it's been eye-opening as well...

I found out that... tracking or no tracking... blogging or less blogging... my migraines are still as frequent and debilitating as they've always been.  My strategy of "ignoring" or just living and trying not to pay attention to my migraines is definitely not getting me any closer to finding out how to stop them.  I know from life experience that knowledge is the only thing that really gets us to any answers.  My lack of tracking, while possibly  a relief emotionally, only hurts my chances of finding my own triggers AND makes it more difficult to accurately report the state of my disease when getting help from professionals.

So, with the help of the My Migraine Triggers app... I am going to be tracking on a daily basis and recording as much detail as I can consistently. I'm loving the app so far, but will post again on December 16th with my full review of the app... and how it's helping me track my triggers.

If you'd like to try the My Migraine Triggers app it's now publicly available for iPhone and iPad.  Excedrin Migraine teamed up with a neurologist to create this easy-to-use and convenient migraine tracking tool.

This app will allow you to:

• Keep track of your everyday activities, such as exercise, stress and eating habits to help identify your potential migraine triggers
• Chart out daily log information into customizable reports to easily understand which activities, foods and beverages are associated with the onset of your headaches
• Print or email your log and results to share with your doctor to better diagnose and treat your migraines

And the more you use it, the more it helps. Since migraines can set-in up to 48 hours after being exposed to a trigger, it is important to record potential triggers whether or not a migraine has started.

You can download it for FREE on iTunes

Learn more at the Excedrin Migraine Center or on the Facebook Page. 

You can also watch the demo video below to learn more:

I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you have even a moment to comment to this post... I would love to hear from you about how you track your migraines and whether you think this new app would help you.

• How you currently track your migraines and triggers
• What methods do you use?
• Do these methods and tools work?
• Are you able to share the data with their doctors?
• Have you tried the My Migraine Triggers app... what do you think?

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN EXCEDRIN MIGRAINE RELIEF KIT!

As a thank you for reading and taking the time to comment (submitting a comment is not required)... I'd love to have you enter for a chance to win the Excedrin Migraine Relief Kit! The kit includes some items that will help you manage some common migraine triggers (i.e. irregular sleep habits, loud noises, and stress): 

• Sleep Mask
• Noise cancelling ear buds
• Branded Stress Balls
• Herbal Compress
• Branded Water bottle

ENTER BELOW:
(One entry per day. Giveaway starts November 28, 2012 at 7:00 am EST and ends December 15, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST. Winners will be drawn at random on December 16, 2012 and contacted via email. Winners names will also be included in a blog post on December 16, 2012.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I am a paid Excedrin® Migraine blog ambassador. Along with compensation, one iPod Touch to test the app was provided by Novartis Consumer Health, Inc., the makers of Excedrin® Migraine; my journey for a migraine-free experience is my own.

How Do I Vent My Migraine Frustrations?

Great question for this month's Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.

"Venting About Migraine Disease: How do you vent your frustrations about living with migraine disease in a way that's helpful to your healing, both emotionally and physically?"

I really had to think about this one... do I bother venting anymore after all the years I've been dealing with migraines?  I definitely talk about them... to my parents, friends, but it seems like more of an "updating" than really venting.  When I really think about it... I think I have two main ways that I vent... one probably healthy... one definitely unhealthy.

HEALTHY:  I cry.  When I've had a migraine for multiple days in a row... especially the type that go away for a decent period (12 hours or so) after medication and then rebound back even worse... I eventually just break down and cry for awhile. (Wow, it makes me tear up thinking about it... it's depressing!)  It happens alot when my body is aching from laying down too long trying to rid myself of the migraine... or when I'm up in the middle of the night because I can't sleep well because the pain keeps me awake or I'm having bad/unsettling dreams (I tend to have bad dreams when I have a migraine, I did some research and found out that other migraineurs have this as well).  I cry and feel sorry for myself for awhile, and then I honestly feel better.  Sometimes I think it's okay to just be down and feel sorry for myself.  I let myself feel bad and then I remember what a great life I have and that there are so many people who are dealing with this just like I am... and I feel better.

UNHEALTHY:  I eat.  When I've had a multi-day migraine and am feeling depressed, I tend to eat unhealthy food (processed, sugar, caffeine) in the down-cycle.  I.e. I've been suffering for a good day, then have a period of feeling better in there... I eat pizza/coke or other things that are not giving me the type of nutrition I need.  I feel like this is a way of venting because it #1 makes me feel like I'm getting a reward for my suffering, and #2 makes me feel good for the moment... the carb/sugar high, the awesome taste of pizza, etc.  This type of venting is a terrible cycle though, as I know eating food lacking in nutrition is not helping my migraines, and could be making them worse.  It's an emotional crutch, but is a potential trigger at the same time.  Definitely an unhealthy way to vent and it's contributed significantly to my difficulty losing excess weight throughout my life.

Those are the two main ways I think I vent my frustration over my migraines. I'll be interested to hear how my fellow migraineurs vent in this month's Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.

Kelli  :)

Wall Street Journal article - focusing on brain chemical CGRP

My Mom was nice enough to clip this article from the Wall Street Journal for me and pass it on.  Interesting stuff...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444320704577567352444742524.html

Hopefully the research will continue.

Kelli  :)

Hamster Migraine? Plus, update after a long, hot summer.

I had to laugh when I saw this photo... I can't even remember where I saw it, but it so cutely illustrates how I feel when my head hurts.  Poor hamster.

For the most part, all has been well... but it's been a long, hot summer here in the midwest.  I spent a LOT of time inside, and the few times I really tried to push myself and be out in the heat for any extended time, I paid for it. 

I played a round of golf in 95 plus degree horrible humidity and was sick for a couple days after.  I just wanted to push and see if I could do it... or if my coping skills during and after had gotten better. 

I feel like I did pretty well being out in it for maybe the first 2.5 hours are so, but then it got bad.  The tightness and nausea started in and then I started getting dizzy.  I quit playing on about hole 12, but still stayed with my group and just rode along for the rest, trying to keep myself in the shade.  I made it through, but it was really the aftereffect that did me in.  I made it home from the course without throwing up, but then heaved my guts out (sorry TMI).  My poor 13-year old nephew was with me golfing and at the house... he's used to my migraines but said it freaked him out a little to see me get that sick. I had to sit still up in my cool, dark bedroom for about a half and hour before I felt steady enough to get in the shower. The shower felt good by that point and I started to feel a little more in control of myself.  It took another hour or so before my stomach was settled enough to get some medicine down.  I was able to get it down and get my ice packs on and then be a bit more composed.  My nephew is awesome and he just played his Xbox for a bit while I rested and then my Dad came and got him to stay out at their house with his sister for the night... so I had overnight to recouperate.  It really took me all of the following day and evening to get back to feeling somewhat normal.  Some of that was just consequences of the heat, and I think even non-migraineurs feel that (my Dad said he wasn't quite right for a while after that round... it was just brutally hot). We all drank a ton of water and made sure we were safe, etc... but it was just rough.

I'm still glad I pushed myself and just tried to see if I could do it... and what the consequences would be.  Result: no voluntary above 90 degree outings for me again.  That was the worst migraine I've had in years and it was scary. It's like getting a horrible flu and you feel like you have no control of yourself.  I had the uncontrollable vomiting and felt like I might pass out.  I feel like after 25 years of these migraines, I have a super high tolerance for the pain and symptoms... and am definitely not one to exaggerate them.  So, for me, I will continue to be really careful, and will limit my exposure to stuff that has the potential to cause this suffering.  Do I get bummed because it limits what I can do... absolutely.  But, there's a ton I can do, and I will choose to focus on that good stuff.  :)

Hope you all are well.

No more migraines,
Kelli  :)

True Migraine Confessions: Embarassing Stories

Love this latest topic from Diana Lee's Somebody Heal Me Migraine Blog Carnival.

"True Migraine Confessions: In honor of Migraine Awareness Month, give us your most personal, embarrassing or secret stories of living with migraine disease. Be as open as you dare."

I had to laugh, as I thought this was just a fantastic topic.  And... it shows my age (42 now) that I really don't get embarrassed about my migraines anymore.  I walk around outside with my ice wrap on... and my neighbors see me driving away from the house with the wrap on.  I figure I know I look goofy, but by wearing it, it makes it so much more possible for me to be outside in the heat, or to drive (helps with the motion sickness) when I have a migraine.  I get some funny looks at the intersections, but I just smile and keep singing along to the radio (another thing I used to be a little embarrassed to do at the stoplight). 

I do have a few embarrassing stories though, that I look back on and am a little horrified... all having to do with the uncontrollable nausea and vomiting!

When I was younger, I worked in the music industry as an artist manager and executive producer of independent records.  I had finished an a very long weekend at a recording studio in Chicago and was driving back to the band's home base in Lawrence, Kansas.  I was on the interstate with all of the original 2" master tapes in my trunk (very sensitive to temperatures - cold and hot).  I tried so hard to make it home (I was only a few hours away), but ended up having to speed into a rest stop and run to the bathroom covering my mouth with both hands so I wouldn't throw up everywhere.  I made it... but it was a close one.  In an incredible turn of luck, the group I'd been recording with happened into that same rest stop minutes later and saw my car.  I was able to transfer the master tapes to their car and ended up staying in the motel next door for a day and a half until my migraine was gone.  At the time, if felt a little humiliating and embarrassing that I couldn't make it only a few more hours home.  But, luck was on my side not having to worry about the tapes and being able to take care of myself.

About 5 years later... I'd had plans to go to a riverboat casino with some close friends.  It hadn't occurred to me that the smells of being on the water, in combination with the chain smokers at the casino (smoking was still allowed back then) would trigger a level 10 migraine.  I did everything I could to try and keep myself together, but on the ride home with my friends, I had to have them pull over on the side of the interstate so I could be sick.  They are the most wonderful friends but just couldn't understand what was happening to me as I hadn't been drinking and to them, I looked well.  The embarrassment was just in having to pull over on the side of the interstate and put my friends in danger... but better that then throwing up in their car... right?

Similar stories as I got older... from being with my real estate agent looking for a new house and getting so sick I threw up in the bushes at one of the prospective houses and had to stop the house tour for the day... to riding on the MARTA in Atlanta with my parents and just praying I could make it to the airport without getting sick. 

After all of these years, and these stories of either being sick or almost getting sick... I have learned a very valuable lesson.  BRING A BARF BAG!   I used to laugh about the "barf bags" (as we called them then) when I was a little kid on the airplane, but now every time I fly, I take the airsick bag and toss it in my purse, so I have one with me.  Hey... it can't hurt to be prepared considering my past experiences!

Hope you've enjoyed this gross post!  Nice to be old enough that it's not embarrassing anymore... but it sure used to be!!

No more migraines,
Kelli  :)

Plastic Surgery for Migraines? Nerve Decompression Surgery

I find this fascinating and very hopeful for a lot of migraineurs with chronic daily debilitating migraines... who are at the place they need to do something a bit more agressive to deal with their disease.  

Great video from Good Morning America about a female patient and a corresponding article below the video about a male patient who's also seen positive results after surgery.  

Plastic Surgery for Migraines? Nerve Decompression Surgery

Great information on the surgery... as well as an excellent point made by Cathy Glaser of the Migraine Research Foundation on page 2.  She notes that this is not something someone newly diagnosed with migraine would be advised to consider.  This is a more extreme treatment option and does come with sets of complications you'd need to be fully aware of before proceeding.  That said though... this could be lifechanging for many if it proves to be effective in the coming years.

Hope all of you, my fellow migraineurs, are doing well.

Best, Kelli  :)

Missing Midrin?

Thank you to John Voliva for sending me the following article.  I've received numerous questions from readers asking if I knew why Midrin was discontinued and so difficult to find.  The solution John presents below just never even occured to me... so I thank him on behalf of everyone who has been frustrated by the lack of Midrin supply!

Missing Midrin?

Solution available through pharmaceutical compounding

By John Voliva, RPh

For migraine sufferers, finding a medicine that offers real relief can be a challenge. Many sufferers came to rely heavily on the popular drug Midrin before it was discontinued in 2009 (and then generic versions were pulled from the market in late 2010). Regional shortages of Midrin continue, with sporadic or limited availability, at best.  For sufferers of migraines or tension-type headaches, this unavailability has posed a significant problem, as Midrin had been the best medication they had found to treat their symptoms.  For those sufferers that also had risk factors for stroke or other cardiovascular issues, it was one of the only migraine medications considered safe for them. Since then, former Midrin-users have been forced to turn to other drugs or remedies to cope with their pain. What if they could get Midrin back?

Many are unaware that there is a solution to the Midrin shortage through pharmaceutical compounding. Compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications, and effectively returns to the roots of pharmacy, where pharmacies make, by hand, medicines that doctors prescribe. Through the years, modern technology and research have allowed more pharmacists to customize medications to address very specific needs not met by major manufacturers.

The active ingredients that were used in Midrin (acetaminophen, dichloralphenazone, and isometheptene mucate) are still available.  While pharmaceutical companies are unable to produce Midrin or a generic without clinical trials and applications for FDA approval, compounding pharmacies – which are regulated by state boards – can compound an equivalent prescription medication.  Following a precise formula, these pharmacists use the same active ingredients, in the same concentrations, to provide patients another option in treating their migraines.

There are thousands of compounding pharmacists practicing all over the United States and Canada, with the tools and ingredients needed to create a Midrin equivalent.   To find one, patients and doctors can go to www.findacompounder.com.  Entering a zip code at that site will yield a list of compounding pharmacies within a given radius, as well as information on what to look for in finding a good compounder.

John Voliva is a pharmacist and serves as social community manager at Professional Compounding Centers of America (PCCA). He has more than a decade of experience owning a compounding-only pharmacy, and has worked hand-in-hand with hospitals, physicians and patients to help solve problems stemming from drug shortages. PCCA has a membership of more than 3,900 independent community pharmacists, and provides them with chemical ingredients, equipment, devices, training and education, among other resources. For more: http://www.pccarx.com/

Acupuncture supported by AHS (American Headache Society)

I found this press release from the AHS very interesting.  Any of you that have read my blog over the years know that I am a huge proponent of acupuncture and have had excellent results from my acupuncture treatment in the past.  But... I had a totally different experience when going to a "sham" acupuncturist (i.e. a chiropractor with very little training) as opposed to a truly certified acupuncturist (trained in Chinese Medicine, licensed, etc.)  I had absolutely no benefit whatsoever from initial treatments I had with a chiropractor who claimed to be "trained" in acupuncture.  She told me the needles were only inserted less than 1/2"... and that they would "pop out" when it was time to remove them.  I only learned later, from a real acupunturist, that this is bunk.  When I found an acupuncturist who had years of training in Chinese Medicine and was licensed... the experience was VASTLY different and I had almost immediate results.  My migraines never completely went away, but they lessened in intensity and frequency.

I'm hopeful that the study below is actually correct and people can get benefit from ANY type of acupuncture... but honestly, I'm skeptical.  I certainly wanted to post it though and make sure the info gets out there.  

If you're unsure what to look for when looking for a "licensed" "certified" acupuncturist... here is part of the bio of my acupuncturist Donna Huber.

"Donna Huber is a Diplomate of Acupuncture (Dipl.Ac.) and Diplomate of Chinese Herbal Medicine (Dipl.C.H.) certified through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM.org). She received her four-year Master of Science in Chinese Medicine in 2002 while living in Santa Fe, NM. Donna also completed a clinical internship in China at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. She is a Licensed Acupuncturist (L.Ac.) in the state of Nebraska."

---

AMERICAN HEADACHE SOCIETY SUPPORTS THE USE OF ACUPUNCTURE IN MIGRAINE TREATMENT

Both Traditional Acupuncture and “Sham” Acupuncture Provide Relief  

Mt. Royal, NJ (February 1, 2012) – When it comes to treating migraine, so-called “sham” acupuncture (where needles are inserted only to a superficial depth in the skin and not in specific sites) and traditional acupuncture where needles are inserted in specific sites, both are effective, according to the American Headache Society (AHS).

Citing publicity surrounding a recent Canadian study comparing the effectiveness of the two types of acupuncture, David W. Dodick, MD, AHS president, said both types of acupuncture, particularly when electrical stimulation is involved, may work to release endorphins that are important in controlling signals of pain and inflammation.

“How much of a benefit sham acupuncture can have on the release of these chemicals is unclear,” he said. “This suggests the benefits of treatment may not depend on the exact technique of acupuncture and needle positioning.”

There is ample evidence supporting the value of acupuncture in migraine treatment, Dr. Dodick noted, including four studies that compared acupuncture to standard migraine preventive medications. Acupuncture was found to be at least as effective and produced fewer side effects.  Further, he noted that a randomized clinical trial study published in November comparing acupuncture to topiramate in chronic migraine prevention showed that acupuncture was more effective than topiramate. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant often used in epilepsy.  

Dr. Dodick said that needle positioning may be less relevant than acupuncturists believe, and acupuncture should be offered to patients as part of their options for migraine management.  “Further, the long-lasting effects of acupuncture, given that subjects continued to experience a reduction in migraine frequency two months after treatment, is also noteworthy and not a point to be ignored,” he said.

“Along with biofeedback training, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes, acupuncture provides some migraine sufferers with a safe, non-pharmacologic treatment choice, and one that can also be used during pregnancy,” Dr. Dodick said.

The AHS estimates that about 36 million Americans -- 18% of women and 6% of men -- suffer from migraine, more than have asthma or diabetes combined.  Migraine is characterized by pulsating or throbbing headache pain which can be moderate to severe in intensity. Its severity can be extremely disabling for sufferers, painful enough to cause work loss and absence from activities with family and friends.  Migraine costs the United States more than $20 billion each year. Costs are attributed to direct medical expenses (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect expenses (e.g. missed work, lost productivity).  (www.americanheadachesociety.org)

Migraine & Headache graphic from Mount Sinai

Click on the graphic to display it larger.

Included here with permission.
Clicking on the graphic will take you to the Mount Sinai page.

Source: Mount Sinai Medical Center

Botox for Migraines - Update

I blogged back in 2004 about Botox for Migraines.  My original post is here:

http://www.migrainedaily.com/2004/10/botox_for_migra.html

I had planned to try it, but upon some research I found that the manufacturer tested on animals in a particularly cruel way and I just couldn't stomach supporting that product, even if it might help my migraines. (Note: There's no way to be perfect here... most medicine (or specific ingredient in that medicine) has been tested on animals at some point... but it's an important issue to me, so I try to at least know what's happened and make an informed decision and do try to stay away from any product I don't absolutely need that has been tested on animals.)

I just read from the HSUS today that Allergan is changing its testing practices...

"On Friday, Botox manufacturer Allergan announced that the company has developed—and received federal approval for—a new procedure that avoids using animals in testing this product. The company expects the new method to reduce animal use in Botox testing by 95 percent within three years, as it secures regulatory approvals outside the United States."

Read the entire article here:

http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2011/06/botox-testing-victory.html

Very good news for the animals and also for migraineurs who may have abandoned any testing with Botox because of this policy.  I will be looking into it again in a few years as a treatment for my migraines and may even have a few of these lines on my face (that seem to be getting deeper by the day) taken care of as well.  :)

Best, Kelli  :)

Reporter Serene Branson - Complex Migraine

Were you all as fascinated as I was to find that reporter Serene Branson's on-air confusion and garbled speech was due to a complex migraine.  When I saw the clip on the news that night I also thought immediately that she'd had "stoke-like" symptoms, but even as much as I think about migraine... it just didn't pop into my head immediately.  I've personally never experienced that type of severe aura.  I've definitely had issues of "cloudiness" and not being able to think as quickly as normal... but nothing to that degree.  Fascinating... and I felt so relieved for her to hear that it was a migraine aura and NOT a stroke.

Sounds like she has had migraines for some time, was experiencing a "normal" migraine at the time, and has family history.  But, she didn't think that those severe symptoms were from the migraine either.  What an eye-opener for the entire country to have seen that... hopefully it's educated a lot of non-migraineurs to the fact that migraine is a brain disease... and things happen to us that are WAY beyond our control.  

Click on the image at right to watch an interview with Serene Branson and learn more about complex migraines. 

EDIT Feb. 23, 2011:  I just found another interview with Serene where she says she never had a migraine before and only after her episode learned of the family history... so my statements above are based on the Today Show interview, but for accuracy, here is another interview where the info is different.  I edited here only because I think it's even more fascinating if she never had migraines before... goes to show that they really CAN come on at any time in life and with little to no warning (or warning that you might notice). 

You can also find more information about complex migraines at the resources below:

http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/question-answer-27079-63.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_2182428_manage-complex-migraine.html 

No more migraines,
Kelli  :)

Product Review: SootheAway Thermal Therapy System

My simple review:
Excellent - A+ product!
Details below.

Click here to see the SootheAway Product Demo

I was recently contacted by the makers of SootheAway and asked if I would be willing to try their new product and provide my feedback.

"SootheAway is a new heating and cooling device for migraines a surgeon here in the Cleveland area has developed. We are passionate about informing migraine sufferers of this treatment, and we would love to offer you a free unit to try!!!"

Of course, anyone that is doing anything to help migraineurs, I am more than happy to participate and give my feedback. The company sent me a trial unit. As I write this, the unit is in process of being returned to the company after my 2-month-long trial. I have not been compensated for this review.

Click here to read the FULL REVIEW...

Medi-Temp Migraine COLD/HOT Wrap - Free Shipping Offer

UPDATE 1/23/12:  My affiliate link and promotion code no longer seem to be working. I do still highly recommend these wraps and use mine constantly!  You can pick them up at Amazon.com for $15-16 (same as the main Medi-Temp website) and if you have Amazon Prime OR something else to put in your order to get the free shipping with $25 minimum offer, you can get free shipping. :)

Hi all,

I've just been invited to join the Medi-Temp affiliate program as one of their first migraine affiliates.  YEA!  They're offering free shipping on all Medi-Temp orders of more than $20 by using my code DCKELLI when you check out.

You all know how much I love their products, especially the head wrap.  The price is so inexpensive for this wrap ($15.95) that you won't quite make the $20... but you can make another small purchase of the Multi-Compress ($5.95) and be at $21.90 OR you can get the Micro-Pillow I also love ($19.99) and be well over the $20 requirement.  It's a really nice sized compress (not quite the size of a sheet of paper), and it stays cold for a long time.

You should also know that in Medi-Temp's Terms and Conditions, they offer an unconditional 30-day money back guarantee.  So, there is no risk to you to try the product.

I use my head wrap any time I have a headache and can't lay down.  It wraps and closes with velco and stays put... so you can sit upright, walk around, do your normal activities, etc.  I have even been seen driving with mine on when I have to go somewhere and have a migraine.  The cold helps me with both the migraine pain and with the motion sickness that also comes with the migraine for me. 

I like to freeze my wrap... but here's a little tip I've found helpful over the years.  If it's frozen and you put it on the normal way... blue side out... it can almost be too cold on your skin.  So, I start out with the blue side in... it gives just a little more barrier between the frozen insert and your skin.  Then when it's no longer frozen, I'll flip it and get all the rest of the cold with the blue side out.  You can also use it blue side out and just put a paper towel in between your forehead and the pad... but for me, it's just easier to flip it and then flip it again.  

I know I seem like I'm plugging these products a lot this month... but they truly have been a godsend for me over the years, so if they might help you, I really want to encourage you to try them. 

Best, Kelli  :)

Dealing With Heat Triggered Migraines

This time of year is always rough for me.  The temperature and changing barometric pressure always seem to trigger more migraines than usual. This year has been no exception.  These are a few things I do to try and cope.

1.  Stay IN or OUT!  

I find I have even more trouble when I go from cool air conditioning to the heat and back and forth.  If I'm going to be outside, I stay outside.  If I don't need to go out, I don't.  This may not be terribly practical in for most people, but during the summer months when it's either severely hot or humid, or storming, I stick to the air conditioning as much as I can.  If I have something I need to do outside, I try to really stay outside until the activity is done.  I.e. I went to our awesome Henry Doorly Zoo here in Omaha over the 4th.  I started out with a migraine, but took my meds and an ice pack for the ride there and it was almost gone by the time I got out of the car.  I could feel the twinge of it still, but once my body adjusted to the heat, I was pretty much okay for the entire time and tried to stay outside and not go in and out (some of the exhibits were inside, but I only went to a couple and only for a few minutes).  Once I got back into the car and the air conditioning blasted, the migraine came straight back and I was ill for most of the rest of the day... but at least I got to participate in the activity until it was done.  I've had this happen when I work in the yard too.  I'll be okay until I'm done, but if I come inside to the cold immediately, I seem to end up with a migraine... so I've been trying to hang in the shade/garage until my body cools off before I come in.  It seems to help some.

2.  Ice packs! 

Any of you who've read my posts before know that I'm all about the ice packs... I love them.  My Mom recently found these awesome reusable ice cubes that I'm now in love with.  They're called Cubies (there are a couple other brands that look to be similar - Icy Cools, White Ice - see them on Amazon), and they're great.  I took a bag of them (40 pieces each) and double bagged them in ziplocks... so it's just like having a full ice bag, but without the hassle of filling up the bag and dropping ice cubes everywhere.  It stays cold for me for 6-8 hours and when it's warm you just pop the entire setup back into the freezer.  The benefits is that it's like the super simple gel packs, but doesn't freeze up as one big hard block.  It's pliable so you can lay on it and your head sinks right in.  I use double pillow cases to wrap it because it's usually too cold, and that's perfect.

I also use the awesome products from Medi-Temp - I use their headache wrap constantly on days when I need to be more mobile or sit up at my desk.  They recently sent me a new product to try called the Micro Pillow and I use that when I lay down quite often as well.  

There is another breakthrough cooling/heating product I'm going to blog about soon as well called Sootheaway.  The company sent me a unit to test and I'm impressed with it.  It's a different idea than using traditional ice packs, and I think it's cool.  More coming soon. 

3.  For On The Go! 

You know that product "Head On" with the annoying commercials.  They have a version for migraines and I dig it.  It's basically a large chapstick like tube with the product inside so you can rub it on your temples and forehead - wherever it hurts.  This works for me when the headache is still mild... just gives as much of a cooling sensation as it can and it has the menthol smell, which for me is a cold smell.

I also keep my trusty Origins Peace of Mind peppermint aromatherapy with me.  The peppermint has such a cold smell that it's almost like having cold there for me.  If you haven't smelled it... it's great.  It also helps me when I'm around strong smells like cigarette smoke or exhaust, etc. 

No more migraines,
Kelli  :)

Disclosure Notice:  Any products I'm recommending above are only recommended because they have worked for me, or I personally like them.  I am an Amazon affiliate and if you click on the link for the ice cube products, I make a small commission if you purchase a product. I will not receive any type of compensation if you purchase any of the other products.  Medi-Temp was kind enough to send me a product thanking me for my previous positive comments about their products on this blog.  Sootheaway sent their unit for me to test, but I will be returning the unit when my evaluation period is over. EDIT 7/19/10 - Medi-Temp has asked me to join their affiliate program, so I will get a small percentage of each sale if you click on my affiliate link on this site.  They've also offered free shipping on any order over $20 - see the banner at the top of this page.

Migraine Clinical Trials

This is a great place to check to see what's going on in migraine research... both from the pharmaceutical side... and from the lifestyle side.  Interesting stuff and a good place to find new things to try.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=migraine

Kelli : )

Headache Causes – Migraine Headache Causes and Relief - Goodhousekeeping.com

I was interviewed a while back for this article, and it is now out in the June issue of Good Housekeeping.  I thought the author did some great research.  It just opens with a little bit of my story, and then she goes into pages of researched info.  I thought the article turned out to be very helpful and wanted to share it with you all.

A tiny twinge tells Kelli Smith, 40, that The Headache is coming. "I feel pressure behind my left eye. Then my pulse starts pounding in my left temple. It feels like a bruise if I touch it," she says. "I get nauseous. The pain becomes so sharp I have to lie down in a dark room."  Read more...

via www.goodhousekeeping.com

Aspirin for Migraines - does it work for us?

From the LA Times blog "Booster Shots"
Don't dismiss aspirin for those migraines
April 14, 2010 | 11:49 am

Aspirin may seem too old-fashioned to be effective against headaches as severe as migraines, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

In a review of previous studies, researchers at the Cochrane Library found that 1,000 milligrams of good old-fashioned salicylic acid works fairly well at easing migraine pain.

Read full blog post...

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Note:  It threw me when I read the word "acid" associated with aspirin - I hadn't realized until I looked it up that aspirin is a derivative of salicylic acid.  It sounds bad doesn't it?  I supposed like anything, even something as benign seeming as aspirin needs to be taken with caution and you should check with your doctor before taking it regularly.

I had ruled out taking anything like aspirin years ago... maybe I'll give it another try and see if it might help.

Kelli  :)