Will I take preventives all my life?
When should I consider a preventive treatment for migraine? First and foremost, YOU are the one who should make this decision, based on your personal situation. There is no official absolute rule. Your physician or health care provider can discuss options with you. Clues that…
Long term risks of migraine preventives
Are there risks associated with migraine preventives on the long term? It is not rare to stop migraine preventives after a trial. 80% of people with Chronic Migraine have stopped the preventive medications they were trying at 1 year. Lack of effectiveness and side effects…
I have been told there is «nothing else to do»…now what?
Are there people with migraine who just don’t get better despite appropriate treatment? Every disease has severe forms. In every disease, there are people who do not respond to treatments. People with cancer still die if the treatments do not work. People with refractory migraine…
Natural supplements for migraine
Different nutraceuticals and supplements have been studied for migraine prevention. These products are often perceived as safer and «more natural». Overall, supplements are active substances and should be managed exactly like medications. A few comments can be made on supplements. There are multiple brands of…
List of migraine preventives: classes and mechanism of action
«What’s the best preventive for migraine»? Sadly, there is no answer to this question. Many different approaches exist, and it is not possible to predict which one will work for one person in particular. For each option, there are people who do not improve (non-responders),…
How to try a preventive – Top Questions and Answers
Preventive medications are taken daily for several months in order to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines. Should you try one? Here are some common questions and answers about migraine preventives! How do I know if I need a preventive medication? There is no…
Going to the Emergency Department
Going to the emergency department is usually a difficult experience. This may be the worst place on earth for a person with migraine (apart from a death metal concert). Strong lights, noises, smells. Uncomfortable chairs. Long wait times. A migraine attack might not be a…
Options to treat the migraine attack the Ultimate Table and Key Tips
Key Concepts for acute treatment: Goal is return to function or at least decrease in symptoms Try different options with your health care provider Record results on your diary Treat early, it will increase your success rate Combine NSAID + triptan if severe attacks If…
The fascinating history of triptans
Did you know that the triptans are the grand-children of a fungus? That’s right. The story of the triptans starts with a fungus that grows on the rye plant. This fungus, claviceps purpurea, attaches to the rye and forms a shape that resembles the paw…
Top Ten Facts of treating the migraine attack
The migraine attack is a chemical and electrical storm in the brain Many zones of the brain are active during an attack. We now have scientific evidence that the pain of the migraine comes from pain nerves of the meninges. The aura is caused by…
The Combination Principle
Your migraine attacks just won’t break with one medication? Try two! Some migraine attacks are difficult to treat. The migraine attack is a chemical and electrical storm in the brain that leads to pain and a wide variety of accompanying symptoms (See this post). The…
The Treating Early Principle
My doctor prescribed me medications to treat my migraine attacks…but they don’t work! Sounds familiar? You may be treating too late. I have been told to wait until my pain is really severe to take my meds. Isn’t that the right thing to do? No,…
