Magnetic Doo-Hickey In The Works To Stop Migraines
It’s so experimental, it doesn’t have an official name yet. The company’s name is Neuralieve. I propose “Magnetic Doo-Hickey” as a name for their experimental device. It’s catchy, it’s descriptive and it’s hard to forget. Anyway, enough with the name-quibbling. What the heck is it?
It’s a Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation device. What does that mean? Basically, it’s a magnetic doo-hickey to help prevent migraines when you get an aura.
Now, the Details
Magnetic therapy for migraines and other afflictions like arthritis isn’t anything new. Pulse magnetic therapy basically sends electromagnetic waves over the area that’s hurting. Some people swear by it — others swear at it. The experimental device is strapped onto your head to send short bursts of magnetic energy through your skull and hopefully into your brain to soothe away the immanent pain to come.
It’s placed on the back of the head because that is where doctors think migraines start, based upon MRI scans of migraineurs with attacks in progress.
This is to be used only for migraine with auras (also known as classic migraines). So far, there’s no mention of trying to use it during the onset of a migraine attack.
Where Can I Get One?
It’s still in the clinical trial stage, so if all goes well, it’ll come on the market in about five years. If you are curious trying one out, your could look into participating in one of the many clinical trials currently being held.
Personally, I know it wouldn’t work for me because I become very clumsy when I get a migraine — (with or without auras). I’d wind up knowcking myself unconsious with the thing.
Hmmm — there’s a thought — we should have an experiemental device that knocks us out when we are about to get a migraine and then wakes up up 13 hours later.
April 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Rena - You slay me, girl! Knock myself out laughing, I will. (Sounding like Yoda, I am.) BTW, do you know about the new Migraine bloggers yahoo group? If you don’t, go to mdhabloggers at yahoogroups. Love to see you there.
- Megan
April 20th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Thanks for your kind words, Megan. I keep meaning to go check out the Yahoo group, but I keep forgetting. Will get there eventually. Thanks for the heads-up