'The Body Broken': Story of Woman With Unrelenting Headache (Sound Familiar?)

The Monday New York Times reviewed an intriguing book written by a woman who has had a headache since 2006.

Twenty-two years after a seemingly miraculous full recovery from breaking her neck in a car accident, Lynne Greenberg was struck with a severe headache that has not gone away since.

In her memoir, The Body Broken, Greenberg chronicles her experience with unrelenting pain, the seemingly never-ending process of trying to find someone who can help her, trying treatment after treatment and having no success, dependence on the medication that is supposed to help and the effects on her family and marriage.

Her story sounds like something we could all easily relate to and may find inspiration in.

You can buy the book at Amazon.com by following this link:

The Body Broken: A Memoir

You can read more about Greenberg in this Saint Louis Beacon article:

Pain Never Ends - Neither Does Life's Passion

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Specific Indoor Exercise Program May Help Migraineurs

A study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain has sparked another round of headlines proclaiming that exercise is a solution for migraine suffers.

Exercise Reduces Migraine Suffering, Study Finds

As is so often true, this headline is misleading. It is overly simplistic to state that any exercise would help any migraineur.

The research in this study was conducted on a specific program of indoor cycling designed to improve oxygen intake without worsening study the participants' migraines. The researchers found that while participating in this specific program the patients' migraines did not become worse and that they experienced fewer migraines in the last month of the study. Participants also experienced fewer days of headache per month, reduced headache intensity and used less treatment medication.

A co-author of the study said the optimal level of exercise for migraineurs remains unclear, but the exercise program used in this study warrants further examination as a possible method of helping prevent migraine attacks.

For now it's probably safe to assume that your best bet for exercising as a migraineur is to consider your triggers and do what you can to minimize them. If exertion is a trigger, stick to low impact exercise, such as walking or swimming. If becoming overheated is a trigger, exercising indoors can help you keep yourself cool. You should also be sure to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Announcing April 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Entries for the April 2009 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival are due by the end of the day on Friday, April 10th.

There is no theme for April. Just submit your favorite post from the past month.

Posts may be submitted through the form on the carnival website or directly to me by e-mail.

The April carnival will be posted on Monday, April 13th at right here at Somebody Heal Me.

For more information about the carnival visit this link: Headache & Migraine Blog Carnival.

Please let me know if you'd like to be added to the e-mail list for the carnival, if you're interested in hosting a future edition or if you have suggestions for future themes.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Brain Differences in People with Family History of Depression

Researchers have detected a difference in the brains of people with a family history of depression.

They believe depression may be passed down between generations by a thinning of the gray matter in the right cerebral hemisphere. The gray matter in this area was 28% less thick in people with a family history of depression than in those without one whether the person had actually experienced a depressive episode.

Other research has determined the right hemisphere is the center of social and emotional information and processing. The researchers speculate an impairment in this region may predispose these individuals to the development of depression and anxiety.

No one is sure whether this brain trait is a risk factor for developing depression, a sign an individual will develop depression or something else entirely.

These findings are especially important for people who mistakenly think depression is nothing more than weakness or fragility. We don't blame people for other brain abnormalities that give them challenges, and we've got to learn to do the same for mental health issues. The more we learn about these conditions, the more we learn how similar they can be to other diseases.

Sources:
Inherited Depression Risk Linked to Brain Structure Abnormalities
Study Links Depression to Thinning of Brain's Cortex

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

March 2009 Pain Blog Carnival Posted

The March Pain Blog Carnival is posted at the How to Cope with Pain Blog.

March Pain Blog Carnival

Please go check out this month's selection of posts on issues related to pain management when you have a chance.

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Periactin is Like a Sleeping Pill

I've been taking the antihistamine Periactin for a week now, and I'm having trouble getting used to it.

I'm supposed to move up to taking 4 mg of it four times a day, but on only two doses a day I can barely stay awake. I'm still hoping my body will adjust, but so far I'm finding it hard to function even when I'm feeling relatively good.

I'm scheduled to get the occipital nerve blocks on Thursday (tomorrow). I hope the procedure will be helpful.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Have You Considered Being in a Clinical Trial?

If you've tried many different options for your migraines and still can't get a handle on prevention or treatment, it may be worthwhile to consider participation in a clinical trial.

Clinical trials are the method by which potential treatments for specific health conditions are tested on people.

Not only can clinical trials provide you with the opportunity to try treatments that are otherwise unavailable, but you will receive the medication or treatment for free and may even be financially compensated for your participation.

So far it hasn't worked out for me to participate in any trials in my area. There aren't nearly as many trials in this area as there are in more densely populated areas. I'm always keeping my eyes and ears open, though.

Here are links to a few good articles on the subject:

Clinical Trials: What are they? How do they work?
Clinical Trials: A Chance to Try Evolving Therapies
Understanding Clinical Trials

I also recommend checking out the ClinicalTrials.gov website, which is maintained by the National Institutes of Health. It is a good resource for obtaining more information about clinical trials generally and finding trials in your area. You can search by health condition, geographic region or other categories.

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MMC Video Demonstrates Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

While looking around the My Migraine Connection website recently I noticed a section of videos about migraine-related topics. I'm not sure if they're new or not, but they're new to me and definitely worth sharing with all of you.

One of the videos that caught my interest is about transcranial magnetic stimulation.

I have written before about transcranial magnetic stimulation, a treatment in development as an alternative to medication for ending migraine attacks.

This video shows how the device works and how it helps one migraine sufferer who is using it.

Migraine Zapper

Related Posts:
FDA Approved NeuroStar TMS Therapy for Depression
AHS Meeting News: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Research to Be Presented
Migraine News Roundup 33
Migraine News Roundup 27
Migraine News Roundup 2

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Migraine Prevention: What We're Trying Now

My appointment with my local neuro on Monday went very well.

I'm starting Depakote and Periactin for prevention. I've been on Depakote before, but my idea is that perhaps combining more than one preventative will lead to good results. Dr. C thought it sounded like a good idea, so we're moving forward with it.

I'm also being referred to an anesthesiologist for occipital nerve blocks.

Occipital nerve blocks are injections of a steroid or anesthetic into the occipital nerves, which are located in the back of the head right above the neck on the left and right sides of the head.

At best it is only a temporary solution, but the treatments can be repeated if they work.

Sources:
Occipital Nerve Block
Occipital Nerve Block for Migraine Headache

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Dependence Scale Useful in Predicting Medication Overuse Headache

A scale used to determine drug dependency can be useful in detecting medication overuse headache among chronic headache patients, according to research performed in Norway.

The Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) is a questionnaire used to assess a person's level of dependence on opioids (synthetic pain medications that mimic naturally occurring substances the body creates in response to stress or pain).

A study of 405 people with primary chronic headache disorders found that SDS scores were significantly higher in patients with medication overuse headache than those without.

The study subjects were classified as follows: 95% had chronic tension-type headache; 4% had chronic migraine; and less than 1% had some other primary chronic headache disorder.

Medication overuse headache (also sometimes referred to as rebound headache) results from excessive use of treatment medications, which leads to more frequent headaches with a very specific set of characteristics.

These headaches tend to shift back and forth between resembling tension-type headaches and migraines.

The SDS can be completed in less than a minute and only contains 5 questions. It could provide an easy way for care providers to assess a patient's risk for medication overuse headache.

Avoiding medication overuse headache is extremely important because patients rarely respond to preventative medications while they are experiencing it.

Sources:
WHO: Severity of Dependence Scale
The Severity of Dependence Scale Detects People With Medication Overuse Headache. The Akershus Study of Chronic Headache.
Medication Overuse Headache: When the Remedy Backfires



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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Buy the Migraine Expressions Book & Support the NHF

Have you ordered the Migraine Expressions book for your home library?

If you've been waiting to get your copy or have a family member or friend in mind who would love to receive one, consider buying it now in support of the National Headache Foundation.

$5 of your $27.50 purchase will be donated to the National Headache Foundation in support of their education and advocacy efforts.

Visit this link to make your purchase:

Purchase Migraine Expressions & Support the NHF

Related Posts:
Review: Migraine Expressions
Finally Ordered My Migraine Expressions Book

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

2009 Putting Our Heads Together Poetry Contest - Call for Entries

The time has come for the annual Putting Our Heads Together Poetry Contest.

If you've ever longed for a way to share your feelings about living with migraine disease, consider giving this a try.

Submissions are due by Friday, April 17, 2009.

Visit the following link for more information:

Enter Our Migraine and Headache Poetry Contest

You can see the winners of the 2007 and 2008 contests by visiting these links:

2007 Putting Our Heads Together Poetry Contest Winners
2008 Puting Our Heads Together Poetry Contest Winners

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Walking on the Medical Treatment Treadmill

I'm a bit at a loss for what to do for migraine preventatives right now.

My local neurologist wants me to try an antihistamine medication called Pitozifen for prevention, but it is not on the market in the US. He gave me a prescription I can have filled in Canada, but I'm a bit at a loss for how to find a reputable store to use that will do mail order and ship to the US.

If I can't sort that situation out, I'd rather just try a similar medication called Periactin that I *think* I can readily get in the US. Or perhaps try something more common that I have never tried such as Verapamil or Trileptal.

I have an appointment with my local neuro on Monday, so maybe we can sort this out then.

I just want to get better and I'm tired of being on this medical treatment treadmill.

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Pregnant Migraineurs at Increased Risk for Stroke

Although the overall risk is still low, pregnant women who experience migraines are at an increased risk of stroke compared to other women according to research published in the online edition of the British Medical Journal.

Researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., studied the records of more than 18 million women who were pregnant between 2000 and 2003. Women who had experienced migraines were 15 times more likely to have a stroke before or during pregnancy.

What's more, the statistic held true even when researchers excluded women who had a condition known as preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure and other vascular complications during pregnancy.

Pregnant women who experienced migraines were eight times more likely to have high blood pressure and slightly more likely to experience heart attack and diabetes.

The study's lead researcher said she believes pregnant women who experience migraines should be carefully examined for other stroke risk factors.

Sources:
Migraines 'Raise Pregnancy Risk'
Migraines During Pregnancy May Be Linked to Stroke

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Research Shows Warmer Weather is a Migraine Trigger

Warmer temperatures are associated with an increase in emergency room visits for headaches according to research published in the March issue of the journal Neurology.

The study measured weather and air pollution conditions right before the ER visits and at other times during the same month. Researchers found than an increase of 5 degrees Celsius lead to an 8 percent increase in severe headache attacks.

The reason why warmer weather leads to more migraine attacks is not yet clear.

Lower barometric pressure was also associated with an increase in ER visits, but is not as strong a factor as warmer temperatures.

Warm weather, humidity and sun exposure are my oldest triggers. When I got migraines as a child (I started having them around age 6), something like 8 in 10 of them were caused by heat exposure.

The study's authors noted that migraineurs can use this information in their lives by paying close attention to weather forecasts. Knowing what to expect can help migraineurs plan ahead by preparing to face the coming trigger (such as double checking to make sure you bring your treatment medications with you) and by minimizing other triggers that can be controlled.

Sources:
Warm Weather Could Cause Migraines, Study Finds
Vital Signs - More Headaches in Warmer Weather

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Creating a Migraine-Friendly Environment: March 2009 Headache Blog Carnival

Welcome to the March 2009 Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival.

The Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival has been created to provide both headache patients and people who blog about headaches with opportunities to share ideas on topics of particular interest and importance to us.

For the March 2009 carnival I solicited submissions on the topic of "Advice for Creating a Migraine-Friendly Living Environment" I also welcomed entries of general interest to headache and migraine sufferers.

Please continue reading for this month's collection of posts.

Megan Oltman presents a wonderfully thoughtful and creative entry Creating a Migraine-Friendly Home Environment posted at Free My Brain From Migraine Pain.

Jasmine presents a personal entry full of sage tried-and-true advice called Jasmine's Cove posted at her blog of the same name, Jasmine's Cove.

Teri Robert discusses ways to make your home a refuge in Make Your Home Friendly During a Migraine posted at My Migraine Connection.

I have prepared an entry on this month's topic called Coping with a Migraine: My Three Step Approach posted here at Somebody Heal Me.

We also have two excellent submissions outside this month's theme.

James Cottrill presents A Sleep Apnea Mystery Solved? posted at the Headache and Migraine News Blog.

Rosalind Joffe presents No One Ever Said Working With Chronic Illness is Easy posted at Working with Chronic Illness.

Submit your blog article to the April 2009 edition of the Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival using our carnival submission form or by e-mailing your submissions to me directly.

The April 2009 carnival won't have a traditional theme. Instead I ask that you please submit your favorite post of the month.

Entries are due by midnight on Friday, April 10, and the carnival will be posted right here at Somebody Heal Me on Monday, April 13.

Past posts can be found on our Headache Blog Carnival information page.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Write Your Rep in Support of Headache Research Funding

Hopefully you signed up for the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy (AHDA) e-mail alerts so you already know the time has arrived to write our Congressional representatives in support of increased funding for headache disorders research in the 2009 federal budget.

But just in case you forgot, here's your reminder. It will take you no more than a few seconds to follow this link and fire off an e-mail in support of this important cause. Don't forget to ask your family and friends to do the same.

AHDA Action Alert

Related Posts:
Support Funding for Headache & Migraine Disorders Research
Act Today to Support Headache Research Funding
Reminder: Act to Support Headache Research Funding
Take Action for Headache Research Funding: Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

Last Call: March 09 Headache Blog Carnival

Announcing last call for submissions to the March 2009 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival on the theme of "Advice for Creating a Migraine-Friendly Living Environment."

Submissions are due by the end of the day today, Friday, March 6th.

Posts may be submitted through the form on the carnival website or directly to me by e-mail.

The carnival will be posted on Monday, March 9th right here at Somebody Heal Me.

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Droperidol & Ketamine Lollipops

By and large I've had good luck with all the medications I've tried for migraine prevention and treatment over the past six years. A few of them have given me very bad side effects, but most didn't. Unfortunately I had an extremely bad experience with one of the drugs I tried by IV while visiting my specialist this week.

I was given an anti-nausea drug called Droperidol for the first time on Monday afternoon. I had a bad reaction. I was completely incoherent, I couldn't stay still and I was totally uncooperative with the staff. In a nutshell, I was the complete opposite of my usual self.

I'm only now starting to feel like I've returned to normal. I'm still tired and shaky, but I'm calm and not quite as unsteady on my feet.

My bad reaction to Droperidol kind of derailed my appointment. Fortunately, they were able to try me on DHE on Tuesday and we found out that it works well for treatment of my migraine attacks. I now have it on hand to inject when I need to.

I am going to take a small dose of the muscle relaxer Zanaflex a few times a day instead of just at bedtime. Hopefully having a steady stream of it in my system will help with prevention.

The other new development is that I am trying out Ketamine in lollipop form instead of the nasal spray. So far I'm not overly thrilled with it. It's not as convenient as the nasal spray and it's far messier. But it may work better. It's too soon to tell.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.

News: Vets Experiencing Headaches After Head Trauma

According to the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), soldiers returning from combat zones with head trauma are frequently experiencing headaches.

Headaches After Brain Injury Common Among Returning Vets

Almost 98% of soldiers in the study experienced headaches after mild head trauma. Three in 10 soldiers in the study experienced more than 15 days of headache a month.

The AAN recommends physicians treat these headaches to avoid the impaired functioning that often accompanies frequent headaches.

The results of the study will be presented at the AAN's April meeting.

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Content by Diana E. Lee.