|
The Migraine Procedure is the only approach that doesn’t start with the symptoms but rather the underlying cause of the migraine. This procedure offers many of those affected a real chance of freeing themselves from their migraines completely or at least of dramatically reducing the severity and frequency of their attacks.
There is no one therapy for everyone: even the Migraine Procedure is not suitable for all patients. Integral to the success of the procedure is the multi-stage identification process for patients, which comprises a series of diagnostic tests that are carried out by a qualified physician. To follow is an outline of the five steps associated with the Migraine Procedure.
Step 1: The Migraine Questionnaire
Migraine or not migraine? This is the first question that is addressed by the Migraine Surgery Centre before any further steps are taken. Patients who are interested in the Migraine Procedure will be asked to fill in a comprehensive questionnaire, which includes questions on their family history, migraine symptoms, clinical characteristics, possible triggers and frequency of attacks, as well as a review of all medication and complementary therapy taken to date. The questionnaire can either be completed online or requested from the Migraine Surgery Centre. Migraine Questionnaire here
Step 2: Patient Interview and Diagnosis
On completion of the patient questionnaire, an interview is held with a qualified surgeon, who will determine whether the patient is suffering from migraine or not and, if so, what type of migraine the patient is suffering from. Subsequently the doctor and patient will build up a comprehensive picture of the patient’s migraine characteristics and trigger point(s). A decision to go ahead with the Migraine Procedure is made when, and if, it has been agreed that the migraine has occurred as a result of an interaction between the corrugator muscle and the trigeminal nerve, or at one of the other relevant trigger points.
Step 3: Botulinum Toxin Test
The botulinum toxin test effectively simulates the long-term effect of the surgical procedure and therefore determines whether the patient is suitable for the migraine operation or not. The doctor injects botulinum toxin Type A into one or more trigger points. During this time the muscle relaxes and therefore no longer agitates the trigeminal nerve, thereby avoiding the cascade of events that can lead to migraine attacks.
Step 4: Diary
In order to monitor whether the botulinum toxin test has been successful, the patient is asked to keep a record of their migraine symptoms in a pain diary, over a period of eight weeks. If migraine attacks occur much less frequently and less intensively during this period, the chance of the Migraine Procedure being a success is greatly enhanced.
Step 5: Surgery
In contrast to the short-term effect of botulinum toxin Type A, the Migraine Procedure brings the patient long-lasting relief from migraine symptoms. The migraine surgery takes about an hour, is carried out under full anaesthetic and can be performed as an outpatient procedure.
Click here for further information about the botulinum toxin test and here for a series of Frequently Asked Questions about the botulinum toxin test.
|
