The Migraine Trust

Access to health information you can trust is so important. We're delighted to have our information page on migraine and menopause featured in Patient Information Forum (PIF)'s women's health resource collection!

You can check out our page here: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...

Managing Your Migraine (Complex migraine) - The Migraine Trust

Join us as Professor Fayyaz Ahmed covers complex migraine, the symptoms, treatment and management of these. This event will cover the rarer forms of migraines such as hemiplegic migraine and more!

Book you free place here: migrainetrust.org/events/manag...

You can find out more about medical devices for migraine on our information page: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...
Have you used any of these devices to help manage migraine? Let us know in the comments!

9. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘what are the possible downsides? The devices are not currently available on the NHS for the treatment of migraine but you can buy them privately. Some may need a prescription from a headache specialist or consultant. Migraine devices are not suitable for everyone. Generally, people with implanted medical devices (e.g. pacemakers) are advised not to use them.

Some devices should not be used by people with certain medical conditions, e.g. epilepsy or heart disease. It’s important to check with your doctor as to whether it is a suitable option for you & check the patient information on the manufacturer's own website before buying.

8. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘what are the benefits of migraine devices? Migraine devices can be used either instead of or alongside migraine medication, which opens up more options for treatment. The devices are all self-administered meaning you can operate them yourself without a healthcare professional. Most of the devices are easily portable, meaning you can access treatment on the go.

7. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Other devices, including TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machines for migraine. There are other devices available that some people find useful for migraine, including TENS machines. These are usually applied to the forehead. There is less published evidence on how well these devices work.’

6. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Remote electrical neuromodulation (Nerivio). A device that you wear on your upper arm. You control it through an app on your smartphone. The device delivers electrical pulses to the nerves in your arm. This triggers a natural pain response by your brain, which can help with migraine. Nerivio may help to both treat and prevent migraine attacks.’

5. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (STMS mini). A device that you place at the back of your head to deliver a brief magnetic pulse to your brain. This is believed to interrupt the brain activity linked to migraine. You can use STMS mini to help treat migraine attacks when they occur. It may also help prevent migraine attacks if you use it daily.’

4. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore). A handheld device that you apply to either side of your neck. It delivers a mild electrical stimulation to activate the vagus nerve in your neck. This blocks pain signals.’

3. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘External trigeminal nerve stimulation (Cefaly). A device that you apply to your forehead to treat or prevent migraine. It produces tiny electrical impulses, which stimulate a nerve that runs above your eyes. This is called the trigeminal nerve. This can help to reduce head pain associated with migraine.’ Cefaly may help to reduce migraine symptoms if you use it during an attack. It may also help to prevent migraine attacks if you use it daily.’

2. White and orange text on dark blue background reads ‘What are migraine devices, how do they work? Migraine devices are instruments or appliances that you use to help treat or prevent migraine. They act on the nervous system to try and block the pain signals transmitted by nerves during a migraine attack. There are a few different types available in the UK that work in slightly different ways.’ An orange graphic with an arrow that reads ‘learn more’.

Devices for migraine act on the nervous system to try and block the pain signals transmitted by nerves during a migraine attack. There are a few different types available in the UK that work in slightly different ways. Check out our graphics for more on the different devices 🧵

1. White and orange text on dark blue background with illustrated spotlight graphic reads ‘spotlight on…migraine devices’.

Today, we're shining the spotlight on migraine devices (sometimes called ‘neuromodulation devices’), that can be used to help treat or prevent migraine. Brand names for devices are included for information purposes & does not mean The Migraine Trust endorses a particular product.

The final counts are in and the grand total raised during last month’s March for Migraine challenge is… 🥁 £26,192! Here’s Head of Fundraising, Channon, with a special message for everyone who got involved! #MarchForMigraine #TeamMigraine

Managing Your Migraine (Current drug treatments and upcoming treatments) - The Migraine Trust

Join us on 15 May for our next Managing Your Migraine event where we will be looking at current drug treatments and upcoming treatments.

We will be joined by Dr Shazia Afridi, a consultant neurologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Book a place here migrainetrust.org/events/manag...

"My attendance and grades at school plummeted because of migraine but I'm glad I didn't give up" - The Migraine Trust Lily shares her story of migraine interrupting her education and career ambitions.

3/3 "Though it took me extra time to get here, I am so grateful. To other young people struggling with migraine I'd say: academic results don’t define you & sometimes taking a different approach can lead you to the same end goal” Check out Lily's story: migrainetrust.org/news/my-atte...

2/3 "My attendance and grades plummeted. There was that anxiety about needing to get good grades." Lily ended up taking a different route toward her career goals than she had planned and is now slowly getting her life back:

White writing on blue background reads: ‘Managing migraine at that young age and the stage of life I was in was very challenging. It was a very low period for me. I remember on one occasion crying for eight hours on and off because of how much emotional pain and physical pain I was in.” An image of Lily in an orange border looking at the camera.

1/3 Lily’s life was totally upended when she developed chronic migraine as a teenager.
Experiencing almost daily migraine attacks, which lasted 10-12 hours each day, she noticed the impact this was having on her education and her mental health

You can find out more about acupuncture for migraine on our information page: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...
Have you tried acupuncture for migraine? Did you find it helpful?

4. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What are the downsides? Some people can feel faint or dizzy after acupuncture. You may have some minor bruising or bleeding where the needles have punctured the skin. Acupuncture is not widely available on the NHS. Most people pay for treatment privately.

You may feel a tingling or aching sensation when the needles are inserted, but it shouldn’t be painful. It's important to talk to your doctor before having acupuncture for migraine. They can advise if it’s suitable for you.

3. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What are the benefits of acupuncture for migraine? For some people, acupuncture can be just as effective as medicines in reducing number of migraine days. Acupuncture may also help by reducing stress for some people, which can be a common migraine trigger. You can have acupuncture alongside migraine medications or on its own.

As well as a possible direct effect on migraine, acupuncture may help you to relax or feel less stressed. As stress is a common trigger for migraine, this may then help to reduce triggers for an attack. It is also generally considered safe in pregnancy.

2. White and orange text on blue background reads ‘What is acupuncture for migraine, how does it work? Acupuncture is a treatment that uses fine needles inserted into the body, leading to the release of painkilling substances called endorphins. Acupuncture may help prevent migraine attacks in some people. For migraine, the needles may be inserted into several areas of the body, including points on your head, arms, hands, legs and feet. They may be left in place for 10 to 20 minutes.

Acupuncture needles stimulate nerves under your skin. This leads to the release of painkilling substances called endorphins.
There is some evidence to show that acupuncture can help reduce the number of migraine attacks in some people.

Spotlight illustrations highlight the words ‘spotlight on… acupuncture for migraine’, written in orange text on a dark blue background.

Today we’re shining the spotlight on acupuncture, a treatment that uses fine needles inserted into the body that may help some people with preventing migraine attacks. In modern medicine, acupuncture is believed to have a direct effect on biological processes in your body.

Our helpline is also there for you: we offer free, confidential information and support for everyone affected by migraine. You can get in touch with us on 0808 802 0066 between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, and you can also get in touch with us online here: migrainetrust.org/get-support/

Living with migraine as a trans person - The Migraine Trust This blog looks at some of the key challenges involved in living with migraine as a trans person.

Our latest blog looks at changes to your migraine that you might experience if taking hormone therapy or having surgery.
Check out the blog here: migrainetrust.org/news/living-...

White text on a dark blue background reads 'living with migraine as a trans person', below is an illustration of three people, looking toward the distance, one wearing a pink shirt, one a white shirt and one a blue shirt with long hair.

This month, we’ve been looking at some of the different ways that hormonal changes can impact migraine, including during menstruation and menopause.

Today, on #TransDayOfVisibility, we’re focusing on some of the challenges that trans people may face when it comes to living with migraine.

YouTube video by The Migraine Trust Managing your migraine- migraine, headache and hormones

Our latest Managing Your Migraine event on migraine, headache and hormones is now on our YouTube channel!

Watch as Prof. Gisela Terwindt explores what the impact of hormones is, what can help manage hormones and migraine and treatments that can support this.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uZf...

This month, we’ve been looking at the role of hormones in migraine. If you’ve noticed a change in your migraine attacks after menopause, check out our info page, it explains more about the hormones involved & different treatment approaches that might help: migrainetrust.org/live-with-mi...

White text on dark blue background reads 'while going through menopause, out of the blue the visual aura started. Suddenly regular attacks became the norm, sometimes every other day. They can be very disabling and after I can experience depression. Louise'. An image of a woman with short light blonde hair alongside orange, green and dark orange sphere graphics.

“Between ages 12 - 16 I would get migraine attacks often. After the age of about 16, I stopped experiencing them & thought I was in the clear! Then at 56 and going through menopause, the familiar zigzag of the visual aura reappeared, & regular attacks became my norm again.”

Get support - The Migraine Trust We know that living with migraine is difficult, that's why we offer free, confidential information and support for everyone affected by migraine. No matter your question or migraine history, we are he...

If you need support, remember that our helpline is here for you. You can get in touch with us on 0808 802 0066 or online here: migrainetrust.org/get-support/

The Migraine Trust, along with over 100 other charities, has signed Scope's open letter to the chancellor, calling for the government to rethink these cuts and consider the impact on those with disabilities and long-term health conditions.