Our staff respond to many phone, email and other enquiries daily about the service we provide.

Every week we meet to collate these queries, discuss further, and as a team we consider, ‘How can we continue to improve the outcomes for our patients?’ Potential patients ask, ‘How can your clinic help me?, and

GPs ask, ‘Why should I refer my patient to your clinic?’

Today we try to answer these questions in our blog. As per TGA guidelines we are unable to mention the medication referred to as ‘injection therapy’

Q: What do you do at Migraine Specialist?

A: At Migraine Specialist we specialise in the management of Chronic Migraine. Each of our patients has had a unique migraine treatment journey, and we approach each individual case with this in mind.

Q: What is the goal of Migraine Specialist?

Chronic migraine is common, affecting approximately 3% of the population, yet it is our concern that awareness of the condition is low, and that a significant number of patients are not achieving an effective management strategy to improve their debilitating condition. Our goal is to increase awareness of the condition of chronic migraine, as well as to provide an approved treatment for sufferers.

Q What is a successful outcome for me, the patient?

A successful outcome for you, the patient, (and for us at migraine specialist!) is the effective treatment of chronic migraine, achieving remission back to the episodic form of the condition. For many patients with chronic migraine, this is the state they recall, at times several years prior, when relatively infrequent, treatable events were occurring.

Q I am a GP, and I’ve heard about injection therapy for chronic migraines, but I’m still not sure. Why should I refer my patients for this therapy?

 As medical specialists, we understand the scientific skepticism attached to any ‘new therapy’. It is worth noting however that this therapy has been the subject of several well conducted trials, as well as ongoing clinical reviews, with the following outcomes achieved:

  • It is effective for chronic migraine, with a 70% response rate after 3 injection cycles 1
  • A significant reduction in severe migraine events is seen in treatment responders, with a 90% reduction in emergency department visits 2
  • Significant improvements in Headache Related Quality of Life assessments can be achieved 3
  • The therapy is provided every 12 weeks, as opposed to requiring daily treatment compliance
  • It is well tolerated, with no definitive, serious adverse effects reported in chronic migraine

Note: Information of this site is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

References

  1. Percent of patients with chronic migraine who responded per ‘injection therapy’ treatment cycle, Silberstein et al PREEMPT JNNP; 86:996-1001
  2. Experience with ‘injection therapy’ with chronic refractory migraine: focus on severe attacks, Oterino etc et al, J Headache Pain 2011 Apr;12(2): 235-238
  3. ‘Injection therapy’ for Treatment of Chronic Migraine, Aurora et al, Headache 2011; 51(9);1358-1373