Migraine

Migraine – information & how to begin the programme

The medical definition of migraine states that migraine is a primary headache disorder manifesting as recurring attacks usually lasting for 4–72 hours. (This means that clients are sometimes told by GPs that it cannot possibly be migraine if it lasts for more than 72 hours. Nonsense!)

Migraine involves pain of moderate to severe intensity, often with nausea, sometimes vomiting, and/or sensitivity to light, sound, and often a number of other horrid symptoms.

The Resolution Magic description of migraine:

Migraine begins with a wave of neurological activity that travels along the nervous system.

A ‘wave of neurological activity’ consists of abnormally high pulses of electricity that are generated in the automatic part of the brain. These waves of neurological activity follow one or more nerves of the nervous system. Whatever lies at the end of these nerves is in for a shock – quite literally. Imagine what the reaction would be if an electrical wire carried a pulse of electricity to any part of your body.

The wave of neurological activity can affect many nerves simultaneously, or divert to run along a variety of nerves, causing symptoms in many different areas of the body.

In the case of migraine, typically it affects the nerves running to the head, liver and eyes. The head responds with pain, a searing headache. If the neurological wave affects the blood vessels around the brain, it can cause alternate dilation and contraction – a ‘pounding’ headache.

When these abnormally strong waves of neurological activity affect the liver, it causes a debilitating feeling of illness, a feeling of actually dying. It also causes nausea, vomiting and depletion of energy.

The wave often affects the sinuses, causing pain and congestion. When it affects the eyes, it causes light sensitivity, visual disturbances, and even partial blindness.

If it affects the labyrinth of ears it causes dizziness, and the neurological wave can also cause earache.

Any nerve in the body can be affected. It can also affect different areas of the body causing pain, such as the back, the neck, or the shoulders. It can divert to the abdomen causing the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome – diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating and abdominal pain.

When it is not actually causing a migraine attack, some migraine sufferers have a roaming neurological wave, that affects muscles, causing a stiff neck, sinusitis, aching back, neck and shoulders, sciatica, fibromyalgia, or neuralgia. The roaming neurological wave can also divert to another part of the body to cause a completely different condition, like IBS, interstitial cystitis or chronic indigestion.

Case Studies – a number of case studies can be found here

How to begin the Resolution Magic programme for migraine:

This is one of the longer projects for the Resolution Magic Programme. It may include every section of the book.

1. Retrain the habit of the nervous system.

2. Identify and work on any present-day anxiety, i.e. nervousness, anger, irritability, incessant worrying, procrastination or fears.

3. Identify and work on the effects of past experiences, especially those that involved fear, pain, or shock.

Begin by simply doing active sessions for ½ minute every 2-3 hours. This is the most important part of the programme – some people were able to reduce their migraine completely by this technique alone.

At first – there is no change. Keep a chart, put it beside your bed, and record it every night. After a number of weeks you may begin to see a light change in the intensity or duration of the attacks. If you are using the programme for monthly migraines, you will probably see a small reduction in each subsequent attack.

Whenever you have an attack, you will be in despair. You will believe that the programme will never work for you. Acknowledge this assumption. Say to yourself, ‘I know this programme may never work for me, but I will just do it anyway’. And then just keep going.

After a while you will see the gaps between attacks lengthening, but you will still despair whenever the next attack arrives.

All this will probably happen just as a result of the ‘Go Away’ sessions.

You are gradually reducing the random neurological waves that are instigating these attacks. (See ‘What is causing my symptoms’). However, if you are simultaneously winding up your neurology, your success will plateau. If you are winding up your nervous system as fast as you are calming it down, you are going to have quite a long battle! This is why there ar the other two parts to the programme.

You could be winding up your system if you have any unwanted feelings, like frustration, irritation, nervousness, over-sensitivity – where you over-analyse everything, or over-empathy where you become more upset than you should when you hear other people’s bad news.

You could be winding up your system if you have sensory over-sensitivity – light, sound, smell or touch sensitivity. The book gives advice on how to reduce these back to normal.

You could be suffering from the effects of your past experiences – even if you complete avoid ever remembering them. Those that can be very influential are traumatic experiences; dentistry, accidents, operations or childbirth. There are many examples in the book to illustrate how our past experiences affect us for the rest of our lives, even when we may believe that they have long been forgotten.

So, for you, dear migraine colleagues, please read all of the book, from cover to cover, or perhaps sign up for regular step-by-step telephone coaching.

Further Information:

The migraine aura
The wave of neurological activity often begins by causing a number of preliminary symptoms, sometimes as much as a day before the full migraine attack begins. It can take the form of an unusual feeling or a combination of one or more of visual, balance, smell, and taste disturbances.

Other signs of an impending migraine include symptoms that can occur during the main migraine attack, such as pins & needles or numbness down one arm and hand. More unusual symptoms such as tinnitus can occur.

Some people only ever experience the aura, and their migraine does not develop further. The Resolution Magic Programme is effective in reducing symptoms too.

Daily migraine & chronic daily headache
There are some people who get migraine almost every day, and the duration can be almost continual, with varying degrees of migraine present at any one time. Some people have a headache every day, interspersed with migraine attacks.

The medical profession makes a clear distinction between headache and migraine. When you reduce your symptoms of migraine on the programme, you will reduce your migraine headaches until they become ‘bad’ headaches, and then these, too reduce until they become mild headaches, and then they are gone. This demonstrates that the difference between a migraine headache and an ordinary headache is simple a matter of the degree of intensity of the neurological wave.

However, the simultaneous neurological activity along many different nerves, causing a number of distressing symptoms characterises a migraine attack.

Pain
One symptom of migraine cannot be over-stated. The pain of migraine has been described as being the worst possible. Many people have explained to me that they believe that they must be the only people to be experiencing such extreme pain. They can’t imagine that anything as bad as this could exist for other people – and not be making headline news. Many describe it as being much worse than having a baby, worse than the worst-ever toothache.

However, many people have much less headache pain, and are able to function despite it. There are even some people who have migraine, and do not experience any pain! It’s true! They simply have a selection of other symptoms, feeling like they’re dying, (yes, this is a symptom all on its own!), nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity etc.

After a migraine subsides, there is a feeling of bruising in the area that was affected by the pain. Most migraine sufferers feel washed out or ‘strange’ the following day. Some people still feel so ill during this recovery phase that that they have to stay at home.

For a full list of all of the symptoms and conditions that have been linked to migraine click here.

Migraine Facts:

Migraine without aura occurs in about 75% of cases (formerly called common migraine)

Migraine with aura occurs in about 20% of cases (formerly called classic migraine)

Medical terms for migraine:

You may have been subject to the most intense scrutiny to discover exactly what type of migraine you have, only to discover that it makes absolutely no difference to your prognosis – or your medication! I am not an advocate of clumping together a group of migraine symptoms and then giving them a special name, but sometimes it is reassuring when a term defines an illness, at least it means that your condition is recognised.

Terms include:

Childhood periodic syndromes like cyclical vomiting and abdominal migraine.

Retinal migraine, referring to migraine affecting the eyes.

Basilar Artery Migraine referring to the affect on the basilar artery.

Hemiplegic Migraine’ is characterised by weakness or even paralysis on one side of the body.

Familial or sporadic: There are two further classifications of migraine conditions; one is ‘familial’ and the other is ‘sporadic’. If you have another close family relative with the condition, you have the former, otherwise you have the latter. This seems pointless, but the researchers need to gather any information that might give a clue to finding solutions.

The way you are made, your physiology, will dictate many physical attributes. Physical attributes will quite often be ‘familial’ – that is to say, they will run in your family. Just as the tendency for you to have a good sense of smell or be a fast runner depends upon a certain physiology, so does the way your neurology creates and distributes neurological waves.

This explains why neurological wave syndrome does affect many members of the same family. Some ailments, like asthma, migraine or depression are known to run in families.

However, members of the same family may have different neurological wave symptoms. One may have migraine, another may have M.E, and another may have IBS. These may appear to be different illnesses, but according to the principles of Neurological Wave Syndrome, these are just abnormal neurological waves that are affecting different nerve pathways.

In more detail:

The Aura
Some people have an aura stage. Many do not. The aura signs begin before the main migraine attack. This early warning can occur several hours, to just a few moments, before an attack. Visual disturbance may start in one eye and may spread, perhaps affecting just one side of the visual field but in both eyes. Geometric visual patterns and even hallucinations may occur. Paraesthesiae (numbness or pins & needles) sometimes is experienced. Numbness can starts in the hand and move up the arm before involving the face, lips and tongue. Legs are sometimes affected. Sensitivity to light often begins at this stage. Some people even experience temporary blindness.

An aura can be a combination of one or more of visual, balance, smell, and taste disturbances. Some people only ever experience the aura, and their migraine does not develop further. The Resolution Magic Programme can also be effective in reducing symptoms of the aura. Many other unusual signs, such as tinnitus, (ringing or strange sounds in the ears) can occur.

The Migraine Attack
Neurologists have studied this condition for many years. It is known that a wave of neurological activity begins a cascade, releasing hormones in a certain order, triggering a sequence of events. At first there is a wave of distension across the meningal blood vessels. A hormone is then released to contract these dilated blood vessels. The blood vessels contract, but they contract too much, and a second wave of hormones is released to dilate the blood vessels again. There follows a long series of these alternate hormone releases, with the result that the blood vessels are dilating and contracting wildly, and the patient feels the terrible pain of the distension as a throbbing, pounding headache, far beyond the pain of a normal tension headache.

Some people don’t have a throbbing headache, they simply feel the scorching searing pain, and I believe that this is caused directly by the wave of neurological electricity as it discharges into the brain.

The patient then begins to feel nauseous. The medical profession believes that possibly the pain itself is the trigger for nausea or the crescendo of similar hormones triggering one to another. The patient feels sick, and then actually vomits. The medical profession also believes that a separate hormone is responsible for the action of vomiting, and some people feel very nauseous, but are never actually sick. Migraine attacks usually involve, simultaneously, the most excruciating pain in the head, nausea and vomiting, and sensitivity to bright light.

I believe that every symptom is caused by a wave of neurological electricity discharging into different parts of the body.

How common is migraine?
From medical information available on the internet, I have found the following facts :-

More women suffer migraine than men. Prevalence has been reported to be 5–25% in women and 2–10% in men, according to various studies.Migraine has been reported to be 50% more likely in people with a family history of migraine.

Migraine in Children:
Migraine often starts in childhood. Childhood periodic syndromes including cyclical vomiting and abdominal migraine are thought by many to be a precursor of migraine in later life.

Menstrual Migraine. Many women suffer migraine at just that ‘time of the month’. On the menopause, most of these women find their migraine is abating, but some unfortunate women find this is the time when migraine first begins. The Resolution Magic Programme works equally well for women who have menstruation or the menopause, as a trigger.

Triggers – Chocolate, Red Wine, & Cheese
I expect most of you who have had migraine for a while will be very familiar with triggers. Here is a list, with the top three in the title of this section. Part of the Resolution Programme deals with reducing your reaction to triggers, so that you can go back to doing many of those things again!

Tiredness
Hormones
Stress or even relaxation after periods of stress. Stress can include bright lights, loud noise, long distance travel and extremes of weather, or even a change in air pressure. Flying can be a problem for these people.
Anxiety or depression
Trauma to the head or neck
Alcohol
Citrus fruits
Missed meals
Sleep deprivation or excessive sleep
Oral contraceptives
Exams
Blood Pressure medication – vasodilators may precipitate or exacerbate the condition.
Bereavement. Shock. Trauma. Worry. Cold. Heat. Pollen – and many, many more.
Anything at all – the subconscious can link anything to any other thing, to make a sequence.

The Resolution Magic Programme aims to break the links in the migraine sequence at many different points, so that triggers no longer begin the sequence. In other words, previous triggers become harmless. Aim to add all of your triggers back into your life after your migraine attacks have stopped. You will find advice on re-introducing triggers in the book. Avoiding triggers works for a while, until the migraine finds new triggers! That is why it sometimes migraine is referred to as ‘The demon’.

Many people don’t know what triggers their migraine. Luckily, the Resolution Magic Programme works equally well, whether you know your triggers or not.

Migraine and Strokes

A stroke is the term used when someone has a disruption in the supply of blood to a part of the brain,. It can be caused when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, or it can be caused when a blood vessel becomes blocked by a blood clot or other material. Migraine can also cause a temporary interruption to the blood supply by constricting a blood vessel. This is called a TIA (Transcient Ischaemic Attack). Once the blood vessel is no longer affected by the neurological wave, everything returns to normal.

There have been clinical studies to try and discover if people are more at risk of having a major stroke if they suffer from migraine. Some studies have found a link, other studies have concluded there is none.

However, please click on this link to make sure that you can identify a stroke in any person at the earliest possible time, wherever, and whoever is involved. Click here.

Drugs used for migraine

Aspirin – the most commonly used worldwide. Three aspirin taken at the onset is the standard WHO (World Health Organisation) recommendation for migraine.

NSAIDs – Aspirin is classed as an ‘NSAID’ -(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug). Other Nsaids are Neurofen, and diclofenac (also known as Voltarol) and many more. They offer pain relief. These are slightly different in their action and some can be more effective in pain relief for some people. There are risks to health from any NSAIDs. Internal bleeding can occur where a small perforation in any part of the alimentary tract can remain open and allow continuous bleeding. This is due to interference with the clotting agent in blood. This type of incident is often referred to as a ‘G.I. bleed’ (Gastro-intestinal bleed). The statistics are that 1 in 12,000 nsaid takers result in death.

Class I & II drugs for pain relief: Codeine is a mild narcotic and it often causes constipation. Morphine and fentanyl are opioid narcotics – and they also cause constipation. These are used only in extreme cases, often when patients are admitted to hospital.

Migraleve – contains an anti-emetic (anti-nausea and sickness) plus analgesic.

Migramax – a combination drug – asprin with metaclopramide and lysine. Metaclopramide helps with gut motility which usually stops during a migraine attack. Often migraine sufferers vomit their medication intact even hours after they were taken because the oesophagus and the stomach cease all movements at the beginning of a migraine. Metaclopramide encourages this movement once again, and allows any medication to be properly absorbed.

The lysine added to this medication makes aspirin 200 x more soluble, so it passes through the wall of the stomach very quickly, and this gives the migraine a ‘hard hit’. Ideal for migraine! The equivalent of three aspirin is included in the dose.

Triptans (HT5 agonist)

Triptans are also referred to as HT5, (serotonin) agonists.

Many migraine sufferers do not ask their GP for medication. They simply take paracetamol and suffer! Others seek medical help, and they will be given triptans if their symptoms are especially severe, and the GP feels triptans are appropriate. GPs are reluctant to prescribe triptans in the UK because they are expensive, and must not be over-used because of potentially severe side-effects. Occasionally there are stroke-like side-effects. Some GPs feel that it is unwise to encourage their use, unless the benefits outweigh the risks.

The most frequently used triptans are Imigran, Maxalt ‘melt’, and Zomig

Triptan Examples - Generic name followed by brand names

sumatriptan succinate – Imigran, Imitrex
almotriptan malate – Axert
naratriptan hydrochloride – Naramig, Amerge
rizatriptan – Maxalt
zolmatriptan – Zomig
frovatriptan succinate – Frova
eletriptan hydrobromide – Relpax

Maxalt melt is designed to dissolve in your mouth. Sumatriptan (Imigran) is also available as an injection. Both sumatriptan and zolmitriptan are available as a nasal spray.

How Triptans Work
Triptans claim that they narrow (constrict) blood vessels in the brain and relieve swelling.
Triptans work best when they are taken as soon as the headache pounds in. However, they can still reduce headache pain and other symptoms when taken after the attack has begun. Clients may need to take more than one dose of a triptan if the migraine returns.

Side Effects of Triptans

Flushing
Tingling.
Drowsiness.
Dizziness.
Weakness.
A feeling of warmth or coldness.
Burning at the injection site (with the injected form of sumatriptan).
Bitter taste at the back of the throat (with sumatriptan and zolmitriptan nasal sprays).
Less common side effects can occur and may include an allergic reaction (a red, itching rash will appear or you may have trouble breathing). Some people may experience temporary chest pressure or tightness, although this is usually not dangerous.

Triptans should not be taken with other drugs such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or other migraine drugs such as ergotamines. If the client has risk factors for heart disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a smoker), triptans may not be advisable.

These drugs should not be taken if there are heart problems, uncontrolled high blood pressure, problems with liver function, or a history of transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or stroke.

Overuse of triptans can cause rebound headaches. These are almost like a continuance of the original migraine. Often migraine sufferers feel like they are getting two migraines with a day off in-between.

Beta-blockers
Normally used to lower blood pressure. Can’t be used for people with low blood pressure and shouldn’t be combined with some other hypertension drugs

Anti-Epilepsy Drugs, Tricyclics and other prophylactic drugs
A variety of other drugs are used in order to help reduce the incidence or severity of migraine. These are taken every day, rather than just when a migraine threatens.

Other ways to help migraine sufferers
Dental appliances have been found to help some people. Other complementary therapies that can also help migraine sufferers. Often it is a case of trial and error – there are people who have found their migraine has reduced or disappeared after acupuncture, homeopathy, reikie, and many other therapies.

Copper and magnetic bracelets also have been tried by some migraineurs.

Some people have found some changes in their lives have reduced or eliminated their migraine. Simply drinking more water had helped one person I met, and switching from tube lighting to standard lighting had helped another.

Intolerance to wheat may also be a factor for some people.

Many of the ways that people have found to alleviate their migraine has involved one or more factors; life-style changes, the menopause, dental appliances to reduce night-time teeth-clenching, medication to reduce blood-pressure, or avoidance of certain foods.

Migraine is a response that is triggered by something that may or may not be harmful. It may be triggered only when a particular combination of factors are present. It may switch from one to another trigger, or accumulate triggers to end up responding to anything and everything.

Conclusion: A habit of the nervous system

A habit like nail-biting, once created, becomes an automatic part of the nervous system.

Migraine can also be the result of a bad habit of the nervous system. It is as if the system has discovered a new way of behaving and it does not realise that it is no longer necessary. Furthermore, it is so willing to use the migraine sequence that it uses more and more situations to use as excuses to begin the sequence – so more and more things become triggers.

The Resolution Magic programme uniquely begins by a retraining process to eliminate the habit of the nervous system.

In addition, the programme also aims to reduce all of the factors that contribute to any individual case of migraine, including stress-reduction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and dietary considerations.

SIRET Number 802 713 412 00012

disclaimer: results may vary. Please consult your GP – Resolution Magic can work along-side regular medicine.

Disclaimer: The book does not, and cannot, provide individual medical advice, but rather is for general informational purposes only. My advice is not intended to be a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified professional who is aware of your medical history and has had an opportunity to examine you.