Comments for Migraine Truth http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com Because I'm tired of misconceptions, misunderstandings, and outright lies! Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:06:46 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on About me & this blog by Dianne http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/about/#comment-511 Dianne Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:06:46 +0000 #comment-511 Wow, stumbled on to this website and feel like I found a home! You have connected the dots for me, pulling all the migraine info into a concise and specific format for me to read. Thanks for all the work. I am just another migraineur(I don't like that word at all) I'll stick with hemicraniac. Something good coming from migraines?! Dianne Wow, stumbled on to this website and feel like I found a home! You have connected the dots for me, pulling all the migraine info into a concise and specific format for me to read. Thanks for all the work. I am just another migraineur(I don’t like that word at all) I’ll stick with hemicraniac.

Something good coming from migraines?!

Dianne

]]> Comment on Women’s Health Institute of Texas by Krista Snuggs http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/womens-health-institute-of-texas/#comment-508 Krista Snuggs Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:57:17 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=11#comment-508 Thank you everyone for your comments. After reading the Dr.'s webpage, I too was disgusted by the salesy tactics. However, I am desperate enough that I almost ordered the book anyway. About 3 months ago I went 6 weeks without a headache (usually have 8 per month average) simply by constantly being mindful of how I was feeling and immediately stretching and relaxing when I found myself getting tense. I was surprised how many times I was getting tense and anxious everyday. I did a lot of deep breathing. After that miraculous 6 weeks I went back to my old habits and had the worst one I've ever had. I'm thinking I need to work on relaxing again! Hope this helps someone. Thank you everyone for your comments. After reading the Dr.’s webpage, I too was disgusted by the salesy tactics. However, I am desperate enough that I almost ordered the book anyway. About 3 months ago I went 6 weeks without a headache (usually have 8 per month average) simply by constantly being mindful of how I was feeling and immediately stretching and relaxing when I found myself getting tense. I was surprised how many times I was getting tense and anxious everyday. I did a lot of deep breathing. After that miraculous 6 weeks I went back to my old habits and had the worst one I’ve ever had. I’m thinking I need to work on relaxing again! Hope this helps someone.

]]> Comment on Accurate Migraine Info: How Important Is It? by renaissanceguy http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/08/10/accuracy_poll/#comment-505 renaissanceguy Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:51:13 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=198#comment-505 Misinformation about migraine can be very harmful. It is extremely important to have accurate information. People's health and possibly their lives are at stake. Keep up the good work! Misinformation about migraine can be very harmful. It is extremely important to have accurate information. People’s health and possibly their lives are at stake.

Keep up the good work!

]]> Comment on Headache-Adviser: When “Experts” Can Confuse by Mary Kay http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/headache-adviser/#comment-503 Mary Kay Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:57:25 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=285#comment-503 Hi Arabella, I totally agree..confusion abounds. Sometimes I will see someone and the incoming diagnosis is "complex migraines, rule out strokes". So you see, the doctor sending me the patient is using it and then the patient tells me that is what they have! You are clearly up on many terms used in the world of headaches but most people aren't..many have only a high school degree and if medical terminology is thrown at them they actually get a bit mad...so I am back to explaining in simpler terms. Round and round I go.. Mary Kay Hi Arabella,
I totally agree..confusion abounds. Sometimes I will see someone and the incoming diagnosis is “complex migraines, rule out strokes”. So you see, the doctor sending me the patient is using it and then the patient tells me that is what they have!

You are clearly up on many terms used in the world of headaches but most people aren’t..many have only a high school degree and if medical terminology is thrown at them they actually get a bit mad…so I am back to explaining in simpler terms.

Round and round I go..

Mary Kay

]]> Comment on Caffeine and Migraine by renaissanceguy http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/caffeine-and-migraine/#comment-502 renaissanceguy Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:21:39 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=27#comment-502 Caffeine seems to make absolutely no difference to the frequency or intensity of my migraine attacks. The only connection is that lack of sleep is one of my triggers, and caffeine can and does disrupt my sleep. During different periods of my life I have consumed a large amount of caffeine, no caffeine at all, and a very moderate amount of caffeine. It makes absolutely no difference. In fact, I think I feel better with a moderate caffeine intake. Other triggers that I have no proven to myself are peanuts and other legumes, bright lights, loud noises, changes in atmospheric pressure, and insufficient hydration. Caffeine is purely and simply NOT the only migraine trigger and NOT a trigger for everybody. Caffeine seems to make absolutely no difference to the frequency or intensity of my migraine attacks. The only connection is that lack of sleep is one of my triggers, and caffeine can and does disrupt my sleep.

During different periods of my life I have consumed a large amount of caffeine, no caffeine at all, and a very moderate amount of caffeine. It makes absolutely no difference. In fact, I think I feel better with a moderate caffeine intake.

Other triggers that I have no proven to myself are peanuts and other legumes, bright lights, loud noises, changes in atmospheric pressure, and insufficient hydration.

Caffeine is purely and simply NOT the only migraine trigger and NOT a trigger for everybody.

]]> Comment on Imitrex: NOT a Migraine Preventive by renaissanceguy http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/imitrex-preventive/#comment-501 renaissanceguy Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:26:10 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=291#comment-501 As you say, there is potential harm in people using Imitrex improperly. I'm glad that your website is here. As you say, there is potential harm in people using Imitrex improperly. I’m glad that your website is here.

]]> Comment on Women’s Health Institute of Texas by Leanne http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/womens-health-institute-of-texas/#comment-500 Leanne Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:27:00 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=11#comment-500 I ordered the soft copy book a month ago and am still waiting for it. Got the run around through a couple of emails and now am just not getting any response. Wouldn't waste my time with them again - very shonky if you ask me. I ordered the soft copy book a month ago and am still waiting for it. Got the run around through a couple of emails and now am just not getting any response.
Wouldn’t waste my time with them again – very shonky if you ask me.

]]> Comment on Headache-Adviser: When “Experts” Can Confuse by Arabella http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/headache-adviser/#comment-499 Arabella Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:15:01 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=285#comment-499 Hello, Mary Kay, I realize you are considered an expert, and even though you may not think so, I do respect that. That was part of my point. "Complex Migraine" is the more simp-[le term for hemiplegic Migraine by whose definition? That too is part of the confusion. In doing a web search, I found many, many references to "complex Migraine, and not one of them mentioned hemiplegic Migraine. Many of these were also from experts. From Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, on MSN Health and Fitness: "Some people suffer from what we call complex migraines. These are migraine headaches accompanied by neurological symptoms. The symptoms that can occur during an episode include: <ul> • Difficulty moving one side of the body • Slurred speech, difficulty finding words • Imbalance • Vision problems" </ul> From Dr. Robert H. Shmerling at Aetna's InteliHealth: "A "complex migraine" is one in which there are neurological symptoms such as weakness, loss of vision or difficulty speaking in addition to the headache. In fact, a complex migraine may be mistaken for a stroke." Before I wrote this article, I talked with two other experts who attended the IHC in Philadelphia in September. They both agreed that the inconsistent use of terms such as "complex Migraine" can be quite confusing to patients and that they prefer that their patients read sites that use diagnostic terminology from the ICHD-II. One of them stated that when a term such as "complex Migraine" IS used, they wouldn't have a problem with it if the ICHD-II diagnosis were there as well. That seems like a good solution to me -- using both the formal ICHD-II terms and the "more simple" terms. Best, Arabella Hello, Mary Kay,

I realize you are considered an expert, and even though you may not think so, I do respect that. That was part of my point.

“Complex Migraine” is the more simp-[le term for hemiplegic Migraine by whose definition? That too is part of the confusion. In doing a web search, I found many, many references to “complex Migraine, and not one of them mentioned hemiplegic Migraine. Many of these were also from experts.

From Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, on MSN Health and Fitness:
“Some people suffer from what we call complex migraines. These are migraine headaches accompanied by neurological symptoms. The symptoms that can occur during an episode include:

    • Difficulty moving one side of the body
    • Slurred speech, difficulty finding words
    • Imbalance
    • Vision problems”

From Dr. Robert H. Shmerling at Aetna’s InteliHealth:
“A “complex migraine” is one in which there are neurological symptoms such as weakness, loss of vision or difficulty speaking in addition to the headache. In fact, a complex migraine may be mistaken for a stroke.”

Before I wrote this article, I talked with two other experts who attended the IHC in Philadelphia in September. They both agreed that the inconsistent use of terms such as “complex Migraine” can be quite confusing to patients and that they prefer that their patients read sites that use diagnostic terminology from the ICHD-II. One of them stated that when a term such as “complex Migraine” IS used, they wouldn’t have a problem with it if the ICHD-II diagnosis were there as well. That seems like a good solution to me — using both the formal ICHD-II terms and the “more simple” terms.

Best,
Arabella

]]> Comment on Headache-Adviser: When “Experts” Can Confuse by Mary Kay http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/headache-adviser/#comment-498 Mary Kay Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:53:15 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=285#comment-498 Hello Arabella, Since I have linked to your site and posted favorably about the work you are doing, I am a bit confused as to why you should basically slam mine? I am considered an expert in my field among Physician Assistants. I have lectured nationally at PA conventions and have lectured numerous times regionally in my area. I have written headache protocols, do research BASED on the International Headache Society's classifications. I do not mean to confuse my readers, but rather explain headache types without using the headache classifications. This only serves to confuse many patients who are not well educated in medicine. I have found that using colloquial terminology makes it easier to understand. Just so you know "complex migraine" is the more simple term for hemiplegic migraine...but in the world of the internet that is the keyword more people search for. Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C Hello Arabella,
Since I have linked to your site and posted favorably about the work you are doing, I am a bit confused as to why you should basically slam mine?

I am considered an expert in my field among Physician Assistants. I have lectured nationally at PA conventions and have lectured numerous times regionally in my area.

I have written headache protocols, do research BASED on the International Headache Society’s classifications.

I do not mean to confuse my readers, but rather explain headache types without using the headache classifications. This only serves to confuse many patients who are not well educated in medicine. I have found that using colloquial terminology makes it easier to understand.

Just so you know “complex migraine” is the more simple term for hemiplegic migraine…but in the world of the internet that is the keyword more people search for.

Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C

]]> Comment on Imitrex: NOT a Migraine Preventive by Nicole http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/2009/11/14/imitrex-preventive/#comment-497 Nicole Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:13:14 +0000 http://migrainetruth.wordpress.com/?p=291#comment-497 What a joke! Could you imagine how many people would have a rebound headache if they took Imitrex everyday! Not to mention many insurances will not even allow you to get a daily dose of this medication. This lady seriously needed to do a small bit of research before she even thought about writing this article. Did you notice how comments were closed....ha! What a joke! Could you imagine how many people would have a rebound headache if they took Imitrex everyday! Not to mention many insurances will not even allow you to get a daily dose of this medication. This lady seriously needed to do a small bit of research before she even thought about writing this article. Did you notice how comments were closed….ha!

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