A migraine drug that has been described as “life changing” by some patients will not be made available on the NHS outside of Scotland. Erenumab – also known by the name Aimovig – is one of the first bespoke migraine drugs in decades and has been described by doctors as a “huge deal”. But the […]
Headaches in general suck. But for people who deal with migraines, the discomfort can blow more typical, garden-variety head pain out of the water. Even though a lot of people use “migraine” and “headache” interchangeably, not all headaches would be classified as migraines. Migraines differ from person to person, but the pain associated with migraines […]
When you have a migraine, every minute can seem like an eternity. It would be really great if your brain would wrap up the whole thing ASAP, but migraines can unfortunately last for much longer than they should have any right to do. We had experts explain why this is, plus if there’s anything you […]
Plenty of factors can trigger a migraine. (Sadly, in-laws don’t make the list. But stress does. So … maybe?) If you’ve experienced migraines in the past, you’re probably aware of these triggers and how they make you feel. But if you haven’t ― or if you’re unsure whether you have ― understanding just how migraines […]
Some things in life are under your control, like what you wear when you know it’s going to rain all day. Others, like the forecast itself, aren’t. So, if you get migraines that seem connected to the weather, it can feel like you got seriously screwed in the health department. Any number of weather conditions […]
When a migraine strikes, it can feel like your brain has completely turned against you. Cue wearing sunglasses indoors, booking it in the opposite direction of any kind of noise, and possibly curling up into the fetal position until it’s all over. As you struggle through a migraine, you might wish you could snap your […]
It started out as a migraine. Then, for one hour, De Elizabeth lost her vision. “All of a sudden, I started seeing weird bright lights in the corner of my eyes, and after a few minutes, I couldn’t see anything on the page. Everything was white, and I also had a splitting headache,” said Elizabeth, […]
What is an ocular migraine? Is it a sign of something serious? Answers from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D. The term "ocular migraine" can be confusing. It generally means a headache that's accompanied by changes in vision. But the term is often used interchangeably to refer to two different conditions: migraine aura, which usually isn't serious, […]
My doctor prescribed an antidepressant for my migraines. Is this an appropriate migraine treatment? I don't have depression. Answers from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D. Certain antidepressants can help reduce the frequency and severity of some types of headaches, including migraines. You don't have to be depressed to benefit from these drugs. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as […]
I have chronic migraines and have had varying degrees of success with different treatments. Could occipital nerve stimulation help? Answers from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D. Occipital nerve stimulation is a surgical procedure that may be useful in the treatment of chronic and severe headache disorders, such as chronic migraines, that do not respond well to […]
What are the health risks associated with taking migraine medications and antidepressants at the same time? Answers from Jerry W. Swanson, M.D. Reports suggest that combining migraine medications called triptans with certain antidepressants—including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—may increase the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. […]
Overview A migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on just one side of the head. It's often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and can be so severe that the pain is disabling. Warning symptoms […]