| They Said WHAT? "Whoops" from 2001 | |
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Headache disorders and Migraine Disease aren't always easy to treat. As "headachers," we know this, and we realize that sometimes we're given information and advice that's incorrect. During 2001, we heard and read some real doozies, so to start the new year, I'm going to share them with you and debunk them at the same time. Those of you who read our articles and visit our forums know that I often inject a bit of humor into serious subjects. For those of you who are new readers, please realize that humor is essential to dealing with head pain disorders, but I take these issues very seriously. Ready? Here we go.
#1
Whoops!: A neurologist told one of our forum
members that "Migraine isn't neurological."
Correction:
Hello? If Migraine isn't neurological, they why do we go to neurologists for
treatment? Obviously,
nobody was home in that doc's brain that day. Migraine is a true organic
neurological disease. Check out Migraines:
Myth & Reality on
the M.A.G.N.U.M. site. To join a discussion on this topic, click
HERE.
#2
Whoops: Another forum member was told us, "My problem right now lies
in my doctor's opinions. He examined me on Monday, and asked how long I'd had my
migraine. I told him since Saturday morning. He then informed me that migraines
don't last 3 days!?"
Correction: Yikes! Not only is this
one wrong, it's dangerously wrong. The International Headache Society has
established diagnostic criteria for headache disorders, including Migraine.
Their diagnostic criteria is universally accepted by doctors the world over.
Here's the answer to this one, directly from their documentation:
"1.6 Complications of migraine (code for previous migraine type plus the complication)
1.6.1 Status migrainousus
Description: Attack of migraine with headache lasting more than 72 hours despite treatment. Headache free intervals of less than 4 hours (sleep not included) may occur."1
Status migrainousus puts the Migraineur at increased risk of stroke and other complications. Anyone whose migraine attack meets the criteria above should seek immediate emergency care from their physician or a hospital emergency room. For more on this one, please see:
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Head Pain: NOT To Be Ignored!
"Better safe than sorry," could never be more true. More people died from Migrainous Stroke last year than were murdered by handguns. Don't take chances! -
Memorial to Abi,
Migrainous Stroke Victim
Abi Smith was a member of our "headache family." On November 12, at the age of 21, Abi lost her life to a migrainous stroke. Her last request of me was to educate people about Migraine to try to prevent this happening to others. Since education is a primary focus of MAGNUM, the National Migraine Association, I have made arrangements for donations to honor Abi.
#3
Whoops: If triptans (Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, Amerge, Axert) don't
work for you, then you aren't having a Migraine attack. One doctor said, "If
your headaches were migraines, the triptans should have worked like a charm."
Correction: Loud buzzer! The triptans
are wonderful, but they do not work for all Migraineurs. Triptans are effective
for 65 - 70% of Migraineurs. Whether triptans work or not cannot accurately
diagnose Migraine. To join a discussion on this topic, click
HERE.
#4
Whoops: A doctor informed one of our forum members, "Since Fioricet
or Fiorinal are the only medications that help your headaches or Migraines,
there's nothing I can do for you because Fioricet and Fiorinal have been
discontinued."
Correction: Get out the gong! Fioricet and
Fiorinal have not been discontinued. According to Novartis, the manufacturer,
it's a problem with getting adequate quantities of butalbital, one of the
ingredients in Fioricet and Fiorinal. Until the manufacturing issue is resolved,
the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) recommends substituting Esgic or Repan,
both of which contain the same ingredients as Fioricet (butalbital,
acetaminophen, and caffeine). Beyond the issue of Fioricet/Fiorinal is the issue
of the doctor simply giving up and sending the patient on her way with no help
or relief. In cases similar to this one, I'd recommend checking out this
article:
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Time for a New Doc?
There are times when it's something to consider. If your doctor is dispensing incorrect information, your communication with him/her isn't good, or if your treatment isn't progressing, it may be time.
#5
Whoops: "Sure, you can use triptans every day!"
Correction: Well, sure you can — IF
you want to put yourself into a rebound situation, but that's NOT
something you want. Triptans, as well as pain relievers, should only be used two
to three days a week to prevent rebound. Want to know more? Check out:
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Arghhhhh! Rebound Headaches!
You have a headache. Taking medications is one of the logical things to do. There is something to consider before you take that medication though -- the dreaded rebound headaches. They're caused by taking medications too often. Sometimes just taking a drug for two or three consecutive days can cause rebound. -
Fioricet and Fiorinal for Headaches/Migraine
Fioricet, Fiorinal, Fioricet with Codeine, and Fiorinal with Codeine are medications discussed quite frequently on our forums and in our chat room. These medications are both a source of relief to some and a source of problems to others. An article by Dr. Stephen Silberstein and Dr. Douglas McCrory in the December, 2001, issue of "Headache: the Journal of Head and Face Pain" provides a great deal of information, results of clinical trials, and the answers to many of our questions.
#6
Whoops: Here's another Whoops that can be dangerous. "If you're
taking anticonvulsant medications as a preventive for tension-type headache or
Migraine, rather than for seizures, it's safe to abruptly discontinue the
medication.
Correction: No, please! The
prescribing information for anticonvulsants all contain a statement similar to
this one:
- "Antiepileptic drugs, including TOPAMAX®, should be withdrawn gradually to minimize the potential of increased seizure frequency."2
#7
Whoops: A forum member reports: "I had such a severe migraine attack
that the constriction stopped the blood flow to my optic nerve in the left eye
and caused total blindness for 6-7 hours along with my mouth and left arm and
hand going numb. The emergency room doc basically told me that it was 'all in my
head.'"
Correction: Oh, no! The old
"It's-All-In-Your-Head" syndrome. You are the weakest link. Goodbye!
Migraine is not a psychological condition. Migraine has been proven to be a true
neurological disease.
#8
Whoops: "There's no effective preventive drug therapy for Cluster
Headaches," one neurologist told one of our members.
Correction: Oh, my! Get the hook, and
drag this one off the stage, too! There are several medications that have
been in use for prevention for quite some time now. They include Depakote,
Verapamil, Lithium Carbonate, Melatonin, Topamax, and Indomethacin. for more
up-to-date information, please see:
-
Exploding
Eye: Cluster Headaches
They've caused their victims to pace the floor in agony, unable to lie down; literally bang their heads against a wall; even, on rare occasions, to commit suicide to escape the pain. They're cluster headaches, and those who suffer from them are often called ClusterHeads.
#9
Whoops: People often have the impression that if a product is
"natural," it's safe for anyone to take.
Correction: Not! "Natural"
does not necessarily mean that a product is safe for everyone to take. We have
to remember that even "natural" supplements act as drugs in our systems. They
may not be safe if you have certain health problems or are taking certain
medications. Check out:
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5-HTP:
Check Before You Swallow
5-HTP is a potentially valuable dietary supplement that promotes the body's production of serotonin. It's important, however, to treat such supplements as you would any other drug.
#10
Whoops: All to often, it's said, "Kids' headaches are nothing to
worry about."
Correction: Not! Children's
headaches need to be take as seriously as an adults, perhaps even more
seriously. Even very young children can develop tension-type headaches, Cluster
Headaches, or Migraine Disease. In addition, head pain can be a symptom of other
illnesses, including meningitis. Always take a child's head pain seriously and
take him or her to the doctor. Take a look at:
-
Let's
Study Kids' Headaches
Children's headaches can be so difficult, especially when they can't tell us what's wrong. Let's take a look at the different types that affect children and teens.
Summary:
The treatment of Migraine Disease, Cluster Headaches, and other headache
disorders has made great progress in the last ten years, and continues
to progress.
Unfortunately, the old theories and myths are extremely slow dying off.
Former Surgeon General of the United States, C. Everett Koop, said,
"Knowledge is the best prescription." We all need to take that statement
to heart. We need to educate ourselves and become active participants on
our health care teams. If you read or are told something that doesn't
sound right, check it out!
1
International Headache Society, Classification
Guidelines.
http://www.i-h-s.org/ihsnew/frameset.htm
2
Topamax® Prescribing Information,
Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical.
http://www.ortho-mcneil.com/products/pi/pdfs/tpamax.pdf
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