Three Latest Migraine Treatments

June is Migraine Awareness Month!

I must apologise for being MIA the past few months. I have a good excuse, kind of! I moved interstate and it took its toll in many ways! So please accept my humble apology for the long absence.

Plus I was waiting for inspiration to write something powerful and educational for us all.

Last year I sent 7 tips, one each day for migraine awareness month: timing is everything, develop a pain management strategy, don’t live in denial, take an appreciation break on migraine free days, learn to meditate, we are not our migraines, and building our resilience muscle.

This year I’d like to mention three of the latest treatment methods for easing your migraine and headache pain. If you get tension headaches, then these treatments are for you too.

And I will send 5 days of inspiration – starting today:

Three Latest Migraine Treatments

They have allowed two prescription devices to help relieve headaches in individuals who don’t tolerate drug treatments (and their side effects) well. Michael Hoffmann, a biomedical engineer with the FDA says “patients have been looking for alternative migraine treatments” that don’t have the side effects like medications. Both of these devices have proven in clinical studies to have minimal risks and side effects when used as directed.

1. The Cerena Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator. It is “the first medical device granted marketing by FDA to relieve pain caused by migraine headaches that are preceded by an aura.” The Cerena (sounds like a new beer) is to be used as soon as the pain begins. You use both hands to hold the device against the back of the head and then press a button to release short “(less than one second)” magnetic pulses. This “stimulates the brain’s occipital cortex (the back part of the brain that processes visual information). Transcranial Magnetic Stimulator (TMS) technology, used in the Cerena device, has been studied for quite some time but has only recently been authorized for specific clinical uses” says Hoffman.

2. The Cefaly is the first transcutaneous (passing through the skin) electrical nerve stimulation device also known as a TENS machine. You may have heard that term used more frequently. This is to be used between attacks more as a preventive strategy or treatment for migraines. The Cefaly can be used every day for 20 minutes. If you’d like to read more details click here.

“It’s important to note that medical devices have some limitations as well, and that the safety and efficacy of Cefaly and Cerena have not been established in pregnant women.”

Another thing I thought was worth mentioning is this new ish sumatriptan delivery system:

3. The Zecuity Patch is a patch has been approved for migraine sufferers. It uses a microprocessor to deliver sumatriptan through your skin (using a patch).

Neurologist Eric Bastings, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Neurology at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), reminds us of the practical measures available for migraine prevention:

“There are two basic kinds of medications for migraine: abortive medications (also called acute medications) that treat migraines after they begin, and preventive medications that help keep migraines from developing in the first place.”

This Zecuity patch is actually powered with a battery! It is about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide, and it wraps around your arm or thigh much like an ace bandage. Dr. Bastings says “it uses an electrical current to move the drug through the skin over the course of four hours. A small battery and computer chip regulate the charge to make sure the patient gets the right dosage.” So this is good news for those of us who get debilitating migraines so fast that we can’t even swallow a pill before it hits. It is also great alternative to nasal sprays and injections.

Update: June 2016 the Zecuity patch has been recalled. Please stop using it if you have one and Google the recall for instructions. It has been burning peoples skin.

Time to Count Our Blessings

Migraines remain under treated, and under rated by most people. They are still stigmatized and misunderstood.

Most days it feels like I/we still have a long way to go when it comes to understanding and treating migraine and headache disorders effectively. But then I remind myself that we've also come a very long way. My mother never had the chance at Botox, or using a triptan, which I now rely on. We must stay positive in order to persevere and soldier on! Our topic next month is perseverance.

Question: Have you tried any of these devices? I would love to hear your results. Just reply to this email.

Building resilience all starts with having a plan. A solid pain management plan. This is my pillar of strength.

Build Your Own Migraine Tool Kit - Here is our article with eleven steps on exactly how to do it yourself! It has all the forms you need to print out and step by step instructions to navigate your way through effective chronic pain management.

Remember that your contribution will help others too! We are not in this alone, even though it feels like it most of the time. Our stories and input can help each other.

For example, I heard about Naramig from a Shiatsu patient of mine, not my doctor or any of the specialists I had seen! Two years after triptans came on the market. Two years of needless suffering.

This is a safe place to share your challenges and tell your story to people who truly understand what you are going through. Share your art to inspire us all in our time of need.

Find solutions with new treatment ideas specific to migraine disease, and get some professional health advice from others that walk this path. Just click on the links underlined above if you would like more details.

We Love to Hear From You

Please click here if you have anything you want to share with us this month in our Facebook comments box.

Did you know that I offer telephone counseling around the world via Skype video or via telephone?

That's right, from the privacy and comfort of your own home you can get professional counseling from me. I am not sure if you know this about me, I have a Masters Degree in Counseling and Applied Psychotherapy (MCAP). I have been counseling people for over 16 years. I would love to be of service where I can.

I have an online booking system to make it easy to schedule a session over different time zones. So, you can contact me anytime on-line, book in 24/7, and we will talk as soon as possible.

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And before I forget!