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Traditional & “Sham” Acupuncture Both Effective for Migraine Relief

I don’t normally republish press releases without further investigation, but I’m going to today because 1) It is from the American Headache Society and quotes my headache specialist, whom I trust immensely; 2) It provides a novel, scientific perspective on why acupuncture may help migraine (the focus is on endorphins and the effect they have [...]

Migraine Research Foundation Announces Recipients of 2011 Grants

The Migraine Research Foundation, which raises funds to research the causes and mechanisms of migraine, improve treatments, and find a cure for this little-understood but debilitating illness, has announced the recipients of their 2011 grants. From the MRF: This year’s grantees will explore ground-breaking inquiries in the areas of chronic migraine treatment, genetic sequencing and [...]

Migraine Research Foundation Donations Doubled This Week

The Migraine Research Foundation raises funds to research the causes and mechanisms of migraine, improve treatments, and find a cure for this little-understood but debilitating illness. Until December 31, 2011, all donations will be matched dollar-for-dollar thanks to a generous anonymous donor. Because all of the foundation’s costs are underwritten, 100% of your donation will go [...]

Midrin Equivalent Now Available at Pharmacies

An equivalent to Midrin, which is made of the exact same ingredients as Midrin was, is now readily available. My pharmacist called to tell me the news and I had the pleasure of letting my headache specialist know. Teri Robert of Migraine.com found that Macoven Pharmaceuticals makes the Midrin equivalent currently available. If your pharmacist doesn’t [...]

Michele Bachmann: Raising the Question of The Impact of Migraine

You likely know by now that presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann has migraine. Whether her migraine episodes could impede her ability to run the country is one of the major questions now posed by news media. Let me repeat: Migraine, long dismissed as “just a headache,” is being treated as a serious threat to someone’s ability [...]

New Migraine Drug Telcagepant on Hold, Perhaps Permanently

Telcagepant, a migraine abortive with much success in clinical trials, is now on hold. It will not be submitted to the FDA for approval this year, as Merck previously announced. Originally studied for intermittent use, patients in an early trial to see if the drug could be used as a daily preventive developed high levels [...]

FDA Approves Generic Version of Migraine Preventive Drug Topamax (Topiramate)

The FDA has approved production of topiramate, the generic version of migraine preventive drug Topamax. It will be available in multiple strengths from 17 different manufacturers. This is great news for the many people who have found relief from migraines or headaches with Topamax. Except for the side effects, which many find intolerable, Topamax is [...]

Crossing Allergies Off the Migraine Trigger List & Adding Nasal Irrigation as a New Treatment

Of the 33 allergens tested for in a basic allergy panel, I’m allergic to nothing. I’m happy with the results, even though it means crossing yet another possibility off the list. I used to get discouraged when I hit a dead end. I’m not now; just glad to not have to deal with allergy shots. [...]

Headache & Migraine News Updates on The Daily Headache

I’m forever reading news I want to share with you, then don’t have the energy to write a post. News & Notes, now in the right sidebar, highlights important stories in the news and on blogs. Follow any of the links and you’ll see my comments on the story. I’ll still write in-depth posts sometimes, [...]

Generic Imitrex (Sumatriptan) Tablets & Injections Available in US

Tablet and injection versions of generic Imitrex (sumatriptan) are available in the US. Doses are 25mg, 50 mg, and 100mg tablets and 4mg and 6mg injections (kits or pre-filled syringes). Patients have reported prices between $35 and $200! Imitrex’s patent doesn’t actually expire until February; a reader suggested it might be less expensive then. The [...]