Migraine

It has been suggested for quite some time that Migraines may be an independent risk factor for stroke, but some in the medical community had considered consistent data lacking. Studies have now shown white matter lesions on the brains of Migraineurs, lesions that may indicate that Migraine is indeed a progressive brain disease.

This is not reason to panic, but it is plenty of added reason to practice good Migraine disease management.

Learn more in Is Migraine a Progressive Brain Disease?

I get an MRI/MRA every year and the docs are very surprised that I don't have damage in my brain from my migraines. I was told that when people have migraines that cause stroke symptoms (vision loss, numbness, weakness, speech problems, etc.) many times these people have white spots on their brain due to the damage they cause. So I guess if people continue to get these damaged spots over the years... it could be considered progressive. Many older people who have had migraines for years, have spots all over their brains. Just my thought....

Hi Miriam,

"Many older people who have had migraines for years, have spots all over their brains." That's very interesting, can you give me a source on this information.

Good article, Teri. Anything that makes the medical community as a whole take this disease more seriously has to be a good thing.

Teri,

Thank you for sharing this information with us! It's very comforting to know we have you on our side, staying on top of the latest medical info about migraine!

I've been thinking about something since reading this, though...I certainly want to be the best patient I can be and work hard to properly manage my migraines according to my doctor's exact recommendations--ESPECIALLY if I am potentially doing additional damage to my body by letting the migraine get severe.

I know we're really supposed to do our best to follow our doctor's recommendations. I know we need to keep our migraine diary, look for triggers, take our preventives, and use our abortives at the earliest sign of migraine.

However, I find it VERY tough to take my abortive as recommended! The imitrex is very expensive for me! (I'm a chronic migraine with aura sufferer and I get daily or near daily mig without MOH.) I always try to make absolutely SURE it's migraine, and that it's becoming an increasingly severe migraine before taking my abortive! I can't afford to waste this precious medicine on "just a headache!"

I've written about this before, but it seems crazy to me that I can buy my rescue med (a pain med) for $5 for 10 pills, but my Imitrex injections (8) cost HUNDREDS!!! Something's gotta change so migraine sufferers can take the proper medications without worrying about hiding them away "just in case" the migraine is worse tomorrow...

Just ranting a little. I'll get off my now...

Luv ya Teri!

jenny

Time for me to get on my soapbox about the need for research.

From the article:

Dr. Fred Sheftell agrees:

"While I think well intentioned, the content of the article (ABC article) will serve more to frighten patients than to inform them... there is no evidence to support that the lesions are...diminished by acute or preventive medications...."

Yep. You read that correctly. Although we're knocking ourselves out to abort and prevent attacks, there isn't enough research out there to tell whether it helps the progression of the disease in the long run or not. Right now, all we can tell for sure is--whether or not it aborts and prevents attacks.

RESEARCH! WE NEED RESEARCH!!

And for that, of course, we need money. Enter the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy.

How I wish I would win the Publisher's Clearinghouse Ten Million Dollars (although I believe it's down to Seven Million now). I'd set the Alliance up.

Off the box for now.

You know what's really sad, MW? We have nearly 900 forum members here, YET fewer than 100 of them have subscribed to the mailing list for the AHDA -- the mailing list that will send out the call to action in a month or so when it will be SO critical for us all to go to the AHDA site and email our representatives in Washington. Truthfully, I'm very discouraged by that.

quote:

Originally posted by MedievalWriter:
Time for me to get on my soapbox about the need for research.

From the article:

Dr. Fred Sheftell agrees:

"While I think well intentioned, the content of the article (ABC article) will serve more to frighten patients than to inform them... there is no evidence to support that the lesions are...diminished by acute or preventive medications...."

Yep. You read that correctly. Although we're knocking ourselves out to abort and prevent attacks, there isn't enough research out there to tell whether it helps the progression of the disease in the long run or not. Right now, all we can tell for sure is--whether or not it aborts and prevents attacks.

RESEARCH! WE NEED RESEARCH!!

And for that, of course, we need money. Enter the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy.

How I wish I would win the Publisher's Clearinghouse Ten Million Dollars (although I believe it's down to Seven Million now). I'd set the Alliance up.

Off the box for now.

That is really sad.

Hello!!! forum members!!! Where are you and why have you not signed up for the emails????

Thanks for pointing that out Teri -

It is so super important that we all band together on this! It if for us!!!!!!!!

[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Teri Robert:
You know what's really sad, MW? We have nearly 900 forum members here, YET fewer than 100 of them have subscribed to the mailing list for the AHDA -- the mailing list that will send out the call to action in a month or so when it will be SO critical for us all to go to the AHDA site and email our representatives in Washington. Truthfully, I'm very discouraged by that.
[QUOTE]