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Archive for February, 2008

Biofeedback for Headaches & Migraines: Overruling My Personal Demons

Biofeedback is the most highly regarded non-drug treatment of headache disorders and migraine. The top results from Googling “biofeedback headache” are reputable mainstream organizations and publications. Research and anecdotal evidence back it up. And yet I’ve never tried it. Yep, I’ve tried nearly every other treatment under the sun, including three surgeries, and never tried [...]

Still Subscribed to The Daily Headache After the Redesign? Resubscribe or Subscribe for the First Time

Some news feeds broke in the transition to our new design. Please check your news feed reader to be sure you’re still subscribed. Not sure? You can resubscribe below. If you’ve never subscribed, why not try it out? Updates will come straight to your feed reader or e-mail. Sign up below. Subscribe to The Daily [...]

Making Peace With Pain: Accepting Migraine and Chronic Daily Headache in My Life

Accepting that I may have a migraine or headache every day for the rest of my life is the most effective treatment I’ve had. But how did I get here and what does acceptance mean, exactly? Time. I know, not an encouraging answer, but where I am now is worth all the time it took [...]

Welcome to The Daily Headache’s New Design

If you’re reading this post, you’ve found The Daily Headache’s new design! The site looks different, but the biggest change is the addition of an online support group and forum. Make sure to create your account and introduce yourself.

The Daily Headache’s New Design and Online Support Group and Forum Launch Tonight!

Starting tonight, you’ll see The Daily Headache’s new design — and our online support group and forum will open! We’re aiming for a smooth transition, but there may be some glitches in the next 24 hours. You might get a mix of the new and old designs as you navigate around, so please hang in [...]

Frequent Migraines + Cold, Dreary Weather = Hibernation

I’ve had intermittent bouts of inexplicable sadness since I returned to Seattle after Christmas. Always worried I’m going to slip into a clinical depression, Hart and I watch closely for warning signs. How I’ve felt just doesn’t fit the profile, but I’m rarely sad without reason unless I’m depressed. Could being cooped up in my [...]

Epilepsy Drug Trileptal Not an Effective Migraine Preventive

Anticonvulsant drug Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is not an effective migraine preventive even though preliminary data indicated it might be. In the 15-week study, 85 patients received Trileptal and 85 received a placebo. There was no difference in the number of migraine attacks for the two groups. Unlike other epilepsy drugs that are successful for migraine prevention, [...]

New York Times Migraine (and Chronic Daily Headache) Blog

Launched last week, the New York Times’ new migraine blog provides patient and expert perspectives on migraine and chronic daily headache. From the first two posts, it looks to be an excellent addition to the growing community of headache and migraine blogs. “Philosophical resignation” is how author and migraineur Siri Hustvedt describes her acceptance of [...]

A Reader’s Story: Living With New Daily Persistent Headache

Andy recently “celebrated” his third year anniversary of having a constant headache. He’s determined to keep it from defining who he is, which we all know is a constant struggle. I woke up with a headache on January 22, 2005 and it’s been there ever since. I also determined through my own research that it [...]

Self-Compassion: Life’s Easier When You’re Nice to Yourself

My massage therapist and I talked about self-compassion — and how little I have — for most of my last 90 minute massage. I wrote this post in 2005 and have improved some, but have a long way to go. (As evidenced by my evaluation of my progress toward self-compassion. Having Compassion. . . For [...]