New advances and treatment of Migraines

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 4:20 pm

This was very interesting to listen to this morning. Although it didn't answer everything I wanted to know it shed light on a better advancement of treatment than I have ever heard of before now. I still feel research in implementing Elemental Magnesium into the scenario would be a plus

http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2016- ... -migraines

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:52 pm

If there was any evidence that things are related in the MC world this would be one of them. I don't always refer to Wiki stuff, but this is right on target to the NPR discussion that I just listened to. This is very intriguing information and something that I plan to do more research on. I have had eye auras since I was 16 - after having my DNA tested I see it is a part of my makeup and now they have discovered this peptide gets released in the peripheral area of the brain when we are 'Stressed' HOLY COW!!

Has anyone ever come across something that just makes ya want to cry, just because?? Well this is it for me...I'm so stinkin tired of knowing I have a brain disorder and migraine is a part of my world for life and that an antibody may just make for a better quality of life is like short of a miracle.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcitoni ... ed_peptide

Clinical significance[edit]

Further information: Calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonist

Increased levels of CGRP have been reported in migraine and temporomandibular joint disorder patients as well as a variety of other diseases such as cardiac failure, hypertension, and sepsis.[15][16][17][18][19][20] There is amounting evidence to suggest that CGRP is beneficial in preventing the development of hypertension and cardiovascular pathologies associated with this [clarification needed] disease.[21] Recently a study has been published investigating the protective role of alpha-CGRP in an animal model of hypertension by use of alpha-CGRP knockout mice. Here, the authors show that mice lacking alpha-CGRP gene progress to develop significantly worse hypertension, vascular fibrosis and vascular inflammation attributable to a pro-oxidant milieu.[22]

Preclinical evidence suggests that, during a migraine, activated primary sensory neurons (meningeal nociceptors) in the trigeminal ganglion release CGRP from their peripherally projecting nerve endings located within the meninges.[23] This CGRP then binds to and activates CGRP receptors located around meningeal vessels, causing vasodilation, mast cell degranulation, and plasma extravasation.[8][23][24][25] Human observations have further implicated the role of CGRP in the pathophysiology of migraine. Activation of primary sensory neurons in the trigeminal vascular system in humans can cause the release of CGRP. During some migraine attacks, increased concentrations of CGRP can be found in both saliva and plasma drawn from the external jugular vein.[8][23][24][25] Furthermore, intravenous administration of alpha-CGRP is able to induce headache in individuals susceptible to migraine.[26]

The source of CGRP in migraine (and other pain conditions) is largely thought to derive from the peptidergic peripheral innervation where alpha-CGRP is the predominant isoform produced by sensory neurons. It is the alpha-CGRP isoform that is presumed to be the primary contributor to pain mechanisms. However, more recent evidence demonstrates that CGRP is expressed among keratinocytes of the epidermis where it is predominantly the beta form.[27] Furthermore, CGRP expression in keratinocytes is substantially increased in certain human chronic pain conditions and animal models of induced chronic pain conditions, whereas the alpha-CGRP containing peptidergic innervation is decreased in painful skin sites.[27] Therefore, keratinocyte-derived beta-CGRP may have an important role in chronic pain mechanisms, as well as other dermatologic disorders known to involve changes in CGRP levels, such as psoriasis. Although very little is known about the functional differences between these two isoforms, research has demonstrated that the beta-CGRP is also expressed among enteric neurons of the gut, and CGRP has been implicated in mechanisms of visceral pain disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 5:31 pm

Hi Erica,

Interesting. For some reason or other, this article isn't included in the references listed in that Wikipedia article.

CGRP Receptor Antagonists in the Treatment of Migraine

Tex

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Thu Apr 07, 2016 5:12 pm

That was a good article....I did catch a couple areas in the NIH about Mast Cell degranulation, but you are right, I wonder why is wasn't in the wiki one. I tend to believe the NIH one more, and feel this CGRP plays many tunes in the head of people so it wouldn't surprise me if some of our allergen issues get helped along by this peptide, especially if Mast Cell can play a part in it.

I'm really going to keep my eyes out for the antibody on this one.

gac · Post by **gac** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 9:28 am

I have been on daily medication for migraines for a very very long time (Topamax and Neurontin). It does help as at one time 40 years ago I was having as many as 20 to 30 per month. Now my migraines are not nearly as severe and seem to run in cycles tied to barometric pressure and allergies (things I cannot control) and I have ab out 10 a month or more. I can live with that. When I have them, I am supposed to use Imitrex but I am limited on how many I can use a day. After using 2 of either the nasal spray or injections, if no relief, I have to go to the ER.

I have found that I can try to fight migraines if I catch them early enough by drinking strong coffee, eating black licorice, taking 3 Benedryls, taking 3 Tylenols, keeping my feet warm, putting ice packs on my head, and trying to relax. It is amazing how often doing this results in no prescriptions needed at all. When the doctor took away my Advil, which was my go-to drug for migraines along with Imitrex, I was at a loss for what to do and started searching for other ways to fight them. Tylenol alone does nothing for me. But my neurologist suggested the 3 Tylenol and 3 Benedryl (said it would make me sleep, which it usually does) and the other migraine fighters I've added myself. Maybe they will help someone else.

Post by **tex** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 9:51 am

Gail,

Have you tried a good magnesium supplementation program? Magnesium deficiency is a primary cause of migraines.

Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium.

Abstract

Magnesium, the second most abundant intracellular cation, is essential in many intracellular processes and appears to play an important role in migraine pathogenesis. Routine blood tests do not reflect true body magnesium stores since <2% is in the measurable, extracellular space, 67% is in the bone and 31% is located intracellularly. Lack of magnesium may promote cortical spreading depression, hyperaggregation of platelets, affect serotonin receptor function, and influence synthesis and release of a variety of neurotransmitters. Migraine sufferers may develop magnesium deficiency due to genetic inability to absorb magnesium, inherited renal magnesium wasting, excretion of excessive amounts of magnesium due to stress, low nutritional intake, and several other reasons. There is strong evidence that magnesium deficiency is much more prevalent in migraine sufferers than in healthy controls. Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have produced mixed results, most likely because both magnesium deficient and non-deficient patients were included in these trials. This is akin to giving cyanocobalamine in a blinded fashion to a group of people with peripheral neuropathy without regard to their cyanocobalamine levels. Both oral and intravenous magnesium are widely available, extremely safe, very inexpensive and for patients who are magnesium deficient can be highly effective. Considering these features of magnesium, the fact that magnesium deficiency may be present in up to half of migraine patients, and that routine blood tests are not indicative of magnesium status, empiric treatment with at least oral magnesium is warranted in all migraine sufferers.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22426836

gac · Post by **gac** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 10:43 am

I have been on the magnesium supplement suggested by this website for a year and while the headaches are somewhat less severe, I still have a lot of them. But I have had migraines since I was a small child. I went to the ER with one last month. But I have had to find my own way to deal with them and have a laundry list of things I can do to help me when they are bad. I only included the ones that help me the most.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 3:10 pm

Gail
not sure if you have seen a recent discussion started by Vanessa, magnesium miracle.

long story short, she was not absorbing the magnesium very well from the tablet form, and she purchased the good quality liquid form ReMag.
she has seen vast improvement since upgrading to this better absorbed form of Magnesium.

since that post, a few other people have started the same product and also seen better results.
Given your extended period of issues, you may need the better form.

gac · Post by **gac** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 7:16 pm

OK, that will be my next item to try. Thanks for the heads up on this.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 7:21 pm

From memory of your posts/discussions etc, you are only about 2 months into having good doses of Vit D3 as well?

the other thing that will help migraines, cell health, energy is CoQ10 another to ensure that you are purchasing soy free version (80% of CoQ10 products have soy)

once your Vit D3 levels improve, the magnesium levels also improve, you sticking with your safe low inflammation high protein meals, things have a much better chance of improving for you..

gac · Post by **gac** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 8:57 am

OK add that to my huge pile of pills I take each day. Yes, Vit D3 about 2 months. At some point I guess my levels will improve.

I do feel much better when I eat meat and although some people can't eat beef, it seems OK for me (or as OK as any meat). I haven't tolerated most other meats so I better stick with the one that I can tolerate at this point.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 11:16 am

My son gets light-induced migraines from movies, video games, laser tag, etc. I recently bought him tinted glasses made specifically for migraine sufferers and he can now do those activities without worry. I find them very soothing too, as I get mild ocular migraines from too much fluorescent light or even strong sunshine.

www.theraspecs.com

He's taking mag glycinate, D3 and CoQ10. And he has at least one MTHFR 677T mutation from dad and possibly the 1298c mutation from me. I hear they impact migraine susceptibility too.

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Mon Jul 11, 2016 2:14 pm

My son gets light-induced migraines from movies, video games, laser tag, etc. I recently bought him tinted glasses made specifically for migraine sufferers and he can now do those activities without worry. I find them very soothing too, as I get mild ocular migraines from too much fluorescent light or even strong sunshine.

HI Zizzle,
I had lots of light-induced migraine, thankfully I think the extra circulation of Magnesium and VitD regimen is helping tons! I wear brown toned Oakley Gascan sunglasses - prescription love them. I hope you and your son find relief at some point too.

I have the MTR A2756G and MAO A R297R Homozygous mutations. My Heterozygous mutations are COMT V158M of MTRR A66G , MTRR A664A an CBS A360A. I have not fully stretched these out to understand where they sit with migraine but I'm sure they all contribute in some way.

gac · Post by **gac** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 3:00 pm

Zizzle and Erica, did you find out these mutations from doing the testing that costs about $500?

Erica P-G · Post by **Erica P-G** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 3:20 pm

Hi Gail,
I did the 23andMe for $200.....If you want, the next time I get a discount offered during some promotion for $150 I can send it to you? When you do this testing there is alot of information that can be obtained from it. If you do it, let us know a few on this forum have done it and can help you further your investigations.

You might be confusing the $500 with Enterolab and the stool testing, they do not do any DNA analysis.

Cheers
Erica