10/06/03
- Hospital Care Quality Differs Markedly by State
The quality of care at the nation's hospitals varies substantially from state to
state, according to the sixth annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America
Study, released on September 22. The study rates each of the nation's nearly
5,000 hospitals in 26 procedures and diagnoses.
10/03/03
- South Honored with 2003 EGA Award
Valerie South, R.N., has been awarded the 2003 Elizabeth Garret Anderson Award,
named for the first female physician and the first woman mayor in England. The
award is to recognize a woman whose work over time has made an extraordinary
contribution to relieving those affected by the burden of headache pain. Mrs.
South is recognized as a worldwide leading advocate for those with headache and
Migraine.
09/30/03
- WHAM and the XI Congress of the IHS
As the World Headache Alliance held their annual meeting and the XI Congress of
the International Headache Society was underway, great things were happening for
sufferers of headaches and Migraine. Lifting the Burden, the Global Campaign to
reduce the burden of headache worldwide was formally announced, and Valerie
South, the recipient of of the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Award, donated the
award funds to Lifting the Burden.
09/28/03
- Providers Ordered To Treat Pain
Do you ever leave the hospital or emergency room still in pain? Were you asked
to assess your level of pain? JCAHO, the Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, has Pain Management and
Assessment Standards for Hospitals. One standard states, "Patients have the right to
appropriate assessment and management of pain."
09/23/03
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex) Safe During Pregnancy?
GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of sumatriptan (Imitrex, Imigran) set up a
registry in 1996 to gather data regarding prenatal exposure to sumatriptan.
After seven years of gathering data, a report was recently presented at the 11th
Congress of the International Headache Society (IHS). Although not yet
conclusive, the results are encouraging.
09/16/03
- OxyContin: News and Thoughts
OxyContin is back in the news, and some would limit its availability, even for
those in pain. There
was a period of time when you couldn't watch a news broadcast or visit a news
website without hearing or reading something about the issues associated with
OxyContin®, it's abuse, and related issues. For many months, it
seemed that all the controversy had died down. Actually, that wasn't the case, but
it seemed to have lost it's charm in the media -- temporarily. Recently, it's
back in the news, and the news is mixed for legitimate patients with chronic
pain.
09/09/03
- New Migraine Abortive for Adolescents
Adolescents, ages 12-17, who suffer from Migraine disease and Cluster headaches
now have a new abortive tool in their arsenal as September 1 marked the launch
of a new abortive medication. Adult Migraineurs and cluster headache sufferers
have long benefited from the use of Imigran (aka Imitrex, sumatriptan) 20mg
Nasal Spray. Now Imigran 10mg Nasal Spray has been licensed for use by
adolescents, making it the first and only triptan class medication approved for
patients in this age range.
09/09/03
- An Option to Explore for Preventing Menstrual Migraine
Dr. Elizabeth Loder and Dr. David Biondi, noted headache and Migraine
specialists have outlined a safe, effective, and humane method for withdrawing
butalbital-containing medications from patients in a rebound headache cycle from
medication overuse.
09/02/03
- Butalbital Meds Rebound: Breaking the Cycle
Dr. Elizabeth Loder and Dr. David Biondi, noted headache and Migraine
specialists have outlined a safe, effective, and humane method for withdrawing
butalbital-containing medications from patients in a rebound headache cycle from
medication overuse.
08/17/03
- Report: Botox for Headache, Largest Study Yet
Botulinum toxin type A, brand name Botox®, is an effective preventative therapy
for headache and Migraine pain in chronic sufferers, according to the largest
study performed to date, presented at the 45th Annual Scientific Meeting of the
American Headache Society (AHS) in June.
08/8/03
- Preventing Dehydration, Preventing Headache and Migraine
We're always trying to identify headache and Migraine triggers in hopes of
avoiding as many of them as possible. Dehydration is a know trigger and perhaps
one of the easiest to avoid. Since summer heat increases the risk of
dehydration, this story and accompanying video are especially timely for all of
us!
08/4/03
- Breastfeeding and Head Pain Disorders
New mothers who experience migraine, tension headache, cluster headaches, and
other head pain disorders are often reluctant to take a medication to prevent or
abort their head pain because they are afraid the medication may pass from their
breastmilk to the baby. What medications are safe when breastfeeding?
07/29/03
- MAGNUM Joins Drive for National Pain Care Policy Act
We reported on the National Pain Care Policy Act
of 2003 and the urgent need for support of the Act in a May article. We're delighted to
report that MAGNUM, The National Migraine
Association has announced their position on and support for the Act as well.
Check out their position and drive for the Act and see how each of us can help.
07/28/03
- New Tool: Migraine Attack Profile (MAP)
The National Headache Foundation is the first to introduce a new tool to help
doctors match patients and drugs. The tool is the Migraine Attack Profile (MAP).
When utilized by Migraineurs, MAP helps provide doctors with valuable
information to help them work with Migraineurs to select preventive and abortive
medications.
07/21/03
- NHF Announces Migraine Masterpieces '03
From more than 400 entries,
the judges of the National Headache Foundation's (NHF) have
chosen four prize-winning entries and a total of 25 entries for exhibition in the
fourth Migraine Masterpieces national art contest and exhibition. The winners
were announced today in conjunction with the unveiling of the Chicago
exhibition, "My Life With Migraine." If you're in the Chicago area, you can view
the exhibition at the John Hancock Center at 875 North Michigan Avenue from July
22 to July 27.
07/20/03
- Neurontin: Good Medicine or Bad News?
There's been some controversy lately about Neurontin (gabapentin), a medication
that is being prescribed off-label for prevention of cluster headaches and
Migraine attacks. It's important to recognize what the controversy actually
entails and be able to separate it from the positive clinical information about
Neurontin.
07/14/03
- Teenager Dies from Acetaminophen Overdose
On June 24, 2003, 17-year-old Kellie Lynn McWilliams was suffering with pain
from a Migraine attack and turned to Tylenol for pain relief. In pain and
probably tired and groggy, Kellie took approximately 20 of the 500 mg
acetaminophen capsules. That translates to ingesting 10 grams of acetaminophen;
the maximum recommended within 24 hours is four grams. This led to her death.
How can we take meds safely to prevent such tragedies?
07/8/03
- Review: "The Mindbody Prescription"
Guest author Deborah Wirtel reviews this book by Dr. John Sarno. Is this book
helpful or harmful for those with headaches and Migraine?
07/8/03
- Buying Meds Online: Buyer Beware!
Online pharmacies are springing up all over the Internet. Our email is bombarded
with spam from these sites offering to sell brand name drugs without
prescriptions. When in pain, the temptation to order from these sites can be
strong, but these sites can be very dangerous. There is no way of knowing what
you'll get and taking meds without a prescription can be hazardous.
07/1/03
- Frova® for Menstrually Associated Migraine
Two studies presented at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society
showed that Frova (frovatriptan) is effective as a preventive medication for
menstrually Associated Migraine. Frova does not seem to induce rebound
headaches. It's efficacy is not affected by the use of oral contraceptives.
06/23/03
- Tips for Handling Migraine In the Workplace
Migraine can strike at any time, and two-thirds of Migraineurs "struggle through
it" to stay at work. Dr. Jan Lewis Brandes, a headache and Migraine specialist,
offers some tips for handling Migraine in the Workplace.
06/23/03
- Caution: Herbals + Migraine/Cluster Meds Could = Danger
Findings presented at the American Headache Society annual meeting indicate that
some herbal supplements can make Migraine medications ineffective or perhaps
toxic.
06/17/03
- Coral Calcium Supreme Claims Challenged
The Federal Trade Commission has charged the marketers of a dietary supplement
called Coral Calcium Supreme with making false and unsubstantiated claims about
the product's health benefits.
06/3/03
- Migraineurs Keep Working Despite Pain
A recent HarrisInteractive Poll shows that the majority of Migraineurs “tough
out” Migraines at work and that too many Migraineurs are still not getting the
best and most appropriate care.
05/27/03
- NHF Headache Awareness Week 2003
The National Headache Foundation has declared June 1 - 7, 2003 as National
Headache Awareness Week with the theme,
"Take Control of your Headaches. Take Control of your Life."
05/27/03
- Grand Central Terminal a Serenity Spa
In observance of National Headache Awareness Week, Grand Central Terminal will
be transformed into a Serenity Spa on June 2nd and 3rd. The event is an
educational effort being conducted by Pfizer to help raise awareness among
sufferers that they should talk to their doctors about Migraine-specific
medications that can relieve the pain and symptoms of Migraine.
05/20/03
- Doctors Teaching Doctors
The Primary Care
Network offers a conference entitled Achieving Success in the
Treatment of Headache. Led by a team of dedicated specialists, the
conference addresses the need for doctors to be better educated about headache
disorders.
05/13/03
- National Pain Care Policy Act of 2003
The National Pain Care Policy Act, which has been introduced in the House of
Representatives, would mandate many actions essential to ensuring proper
treatment for people in pain. Please help us get it passed!
05/6/03
- Chronic Daily Headache and Snoring
A study has shown that snoring is more prevalent in those with chronic daily
headaches than in those who experience occasional episodic headaches.
04/28/03
- Three Years and Still, You’re NOT Alone!
The judging is complete for our Third Annual "You're NOT Alone" poetry contest.
The judging is tougher each year. Here are the results — the winning poems and
all the poems entered this year.
04/21/03
- Topamax for Prevention: Proper Dosage and Taper
Topamax (topiramate), a medication originally developed for seizure control, has
been prescribed for several years now for prevention of cluster headaches and
Migraine attacks. Here's important information about how to best use this
medication.
04/15/03
- Let's Study Kids' Head Pain
Children's head pain can be so difficult, especially when they can't tell us
what's wrong. What to do? When to go to the doctor? Let's take a look at the
different types that affect children and teens.
04/8/03
- SARS: A Literal and Figurative Headache
An outbreak Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is suddenly presenting a
puzzling health crisis in several areas of the world. What is it? How is it
treated? We explore this illness.
03/24/03
- Ask the Clinician
Dr. John Claude Krusz, recognized expert in the fields of headache and Migraine
and pain management answers questions submitted by our readers. This is the
debut of this new feature.
03/17/03
- Third Annual "You're Not Alone" Poetry Contest
April is National Poetry Month. Once again we are sponsoring a poetry contest to
allow "headachers" and those who care about them an opportunity to creatively
express their thoughts and feelings and to share them. Submit now. The deadline
is April 11, 2003.
03/17/03
- More Stress Can = More Head Pain
In today’s world, many of us are experiencing increased stress and anxiety.
Stress can trigger tension headaches and make a Migraineur more susceptible to
their Migraine triggers. Here are some suggestions for reducing our stress and
anxiety.
03/10/03-
New FDA Standards for
Supplements
A proposed FDA regulation would help consumers get accurately labeled and
unadulterated dietary supplements by requiring CGMPs in their Manufacturing,
packing and holding. This action will also permit more informative research on
dietary supplements.
03/04/03-
BCBS Says Triptan Limit Was
an Error
In the case we’ve been following, BCBS of Florida now says that limiting Ms.
Brown’s triptans was “a mistake.” Is this truly a victory? Let’s explore the
case and decide.
03/04/03-
Migraine Aware Art at
Italian Institute
Migraine Awareness Art Exhibits raise public awareness while giving Migraineur
artists a forum to express themselves. Let’s take a look at the recent Exhibit
at the Italian Cultural Institute in Washington, D.C., organized by MAGNUM.
02/24/03-
NHF Art Contest: "My Life
With Migraine"
Entries are now
being accepted for the National Headache Foundation’s fourth Migraine
Masterpieces national art contest and exhibition, "My Life With Migraine.” The
contest allows Migraineurs to express their experiences through art.
02/10/03-
International Advocates
Meet Congress
International
health advocates in the field of headache disorders met in Washington, D.C.,
February 7 - 10. Education, easing the burden of head pain, and patient advocacy
groups were high on their agenda as they visited member of the U.S. Congress.
02/03/03-
BCBS Still Limiting,
Declined Response
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida had offered no resolution to the problems
faced by their subscribers whose access to triptans is being limited. Here's a
follow-up on the situation and what can be done to work toward a resolution for
all patients who suffer these limitations.
01/27/03-
Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Florida Limits Access To Meds
For many Migraineurs and ClusterHeads, the only medications that provide relief
are triptans. Without triptans, we endure days of pain and other symptoms,
resort to emergency room visits, or — in thankfully fewer cases — risk a stroke.
Yet too many insurance companies limit the quantity they will pay for regardless
of the prescription and the high insurance premiums patients have paid.
01/27/03 - New to
Our Site: Ask the Clinician
Dr. John Claude Krusz,
recognized expert in the fields of headache and Migraine treatment and pain
management will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Dr. Krusz will
answer the questions, and the answers will be posted on our site.
01/13/03
- Triptans: Overview and Profiles
In 1992, the FDA approved
the first of a class of medications that many Migraineurs call "miracle drugs."
That drug was sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Imigran®), the first
triptan. Here are both general information on triptans and detailed profiles of
each.
01/07/03
- Review: Heal Your Headache
This is a thought-provoking book. Dr. Buchholz makes some
excellent points, but readers should remember that he's writing about his
hypotheses rather than blindly accepting everything written in any book.
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