Review

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this addition to the “Living Well” series, patient advocate Robert provides
current information on headaches and migraine disease, treatments, personal
stories and coping techniques. The author, a longtime migraineur, stresses
that although many migraine sufferers are unaware of treatment options, at
least 95 percent of sufferers can benefit from preventive regimens once correctly
diagnosed. Migraines, Robert explains, are not simply bad headaches, but a “genetic
neurological disease that flares up when we encounter triggers” and can take
many forms-tension, cluster, or rebound, which is brought on by medication
overuse-each of which require different treatments. Robert notes new medication
developed to treat stroke, seizures and depression are now used for migraine
disease, welcome news for sufferers who have for years ridden out migraine
attacks with over-the-counter pain medication. She details “trigger” identification
and management by listing the many triggers of headaches and migraines, and
reviews preventive, “abortive” (which adjust neurotransmittal levels) and complementary
therapies. With case studies and examples of patient advocacy, Robert also
urges her readers to learn coping skills and to seek support from others, providing
a clear overview of her subject with the authority of personal experience and
a researcher’s determination.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved.

Elizabeth Loder, MD, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital
“An upbeat, practical and intelligent survey of our current understanding of
migraine and frequent headaches.”

Spotlight Reviews

Do You Want An Excellent Resource With Practical Answers and Solutions for
Your Migraine and Headache Concerns?, November 2, 2005
By Mary (Washington, DC)

Teri Robert’s book "Living Well with Migraine Disease and Headaches :
What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell You…That You Need to Know" is a superb,
easy-to-read and comprehensive resource for anyone who needs help coping with
chronic headaches or migraine disease.

Many friends and family members are getting a copy of this book right away
— because they desperately need the information. I can’t tell you how many
are migraine sufferers — who have every classic symptom — yet they suffer
and muddle through, grabbing an aspirin here and there, thinking somehow that
they’re just having regular "headaches!" (Yoo hoo, friends and family,
a regular old headache does NOT make you nauseous, sensitive to light, and
out of commission for 2 days!!!)

I also know too many chronic sinus headache sufferers, and those who struggle
with tension headaches, who need some answers, and will benefit greatly from
the conventional and holistic approaches outlined by the author, who I’ve
followed for years as a well-respected patient advocate and health writer
in the area of headaches and migraine.

There’s excellent advice on finding the right practitioners (it’s not always
as easy at it should be!), choosing the best medications, lifestyle choices
that can help, and a big fat resource section in the back, filled with websites,
organizations, books and other places to get additional information and help.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that anyone with migraines or chronic headaches get this
book! And…pick up a copy for everyone you know who doesn’t seem to be living
well with their own migraine or headache problems, because this book could
be the turning point for them.

"An educated patient is a better patient.", December 3, 2005
By Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA)

The book begins with "Headache and Migraine Disease Basics" and
provides specific information about types of headaches, descriptions of symptoms
and current treatments. Occasional case histories personalize the text and
offer insight into the debilitating pain of headache and migraine sufferers.
Covering a great deal of general information, the book necessarily touches
only lightly on some issues, leaving it up to the reader to pursue individual
clues for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For the most part,
this book addresses the types and treatments available to the patient. Although
the author is not a physician, there is a thorough discussion of headache
categories, symptoms, particularities and treatments, a guide through the
confusing jargon and essential details for an accurate diagnosis. Part Two
addresses the most important element of successful treatment: "Your Health
Care Team and Treatment Regimen". The patient must chose the right doctor,
ask the right questions and remain informed, proactive in his own treatment.
When dealing with triggers and stress control, the author combines positive
reinforcement and patient anecdotes, suggesting rigorous attention to diet
and daily exercise, both critical for those seeking to alleviate constantly
recurring headaches.

There is a comprehensive list of medications used for various types of headaches
and a short discussion of Botox, which has proved to be quite effective for
some patients, offering as much as three months of pain relief, an area to
pursue with your doctor when personalizing your treatment. There is also a
chapter on the triptans, specific medications (like Imitrex) that work to
abort the migraine, "selective serotonin receptor agonists." A growing
number of headache sufferers respond to these drugs, a light at the end of
the tunnel for those who have been restricted to pain medications and the
rebound headaches that occur from the use of such medications. Personally,
I have had great success with triptans, allowing both physiological and psychological
relief from the constant threat of headache pain. However, the use of triptans
must be carefully monitored and may be mitigated by blood pressure.

"Emergency Care and Pain Management" speaks to the occasional need
for an Emergency Room visit. There is a form (included) for your pain management
physician to fill out, confirming the diagnosis, your regular treatment and
suggested emergency room treatment. The form is helpful in avoiding the common
suspicion of drug seeking behavior that is a common problem for ER staff.
A glossary, frequently asked questions, recommended reading and various appendixes
complete the volume. This book is helpful for the individual who needs basic
information about treatment and diagnosis of chronic headaches. At the very
least, the patient will be more knowledgeable and able to help the physician
treat the problem as successfully as possible. Luan Gaines/ 2005.

A Wealth of Information, Written by One Who Knows Our Pain, April 22, 2007
By A. Vollmar

Living Well With Migraine Disease and Headaches is a wonderfully comprehensive
resource for those who suffer from Migraine and Headache, and for their family
and friends. As a Migraineur of 41 years, I thought I had a fairly good grasp
of the multiple and sometimes baffling aspects of Migraine. But Teri Roberts’
book taught me a great deal more about the medical, personal and social issues
surrounding this disease. A Migraineur herself, she has not only fought lengthy
battles with Migraine but has also put the experience and wisdom gained from
those battles to excellent use by generously providing us with this resource.

Far more than a source of technical information (and it does not short the
reader in that regard, either), Living Well With Migraine offers constant
encouragement and practical strategies for coping with the oft-uninformed
medical community; with the fallout surrounding employment, family and friends
that sometimes occurs when a debilitating illness strikes; and most important,
with our own emotions of fear, discouragement, and depression.

Above all, Living Well With Migraine offers real hope, and there is no better
anodyne than that.

Continuing Education, January 20, 2007
By Mary Patricia A. Letcher "mother, writer" (Cape May, NJ USA)

As a migraineur, I was not aware that migraine headaches are so varied and
have now been given names. This information has alleviated my stress and described
my types of migraines so accurately that I no longer fear I have meningitis
or a brain tumor. Also, I have delayed applying for a disability for over
a year because my symptoms do not match the designation criteria as per the
US Social Security office. I now see however, that it is possible to apply,
with medical verification, and obtain monetary relief for my suffering.

Great resource for Migraine sufferers, November 14, 2006
By John Houston "migraines.readthisreport.com" (Temecula, CA)

This book answers many of the questions I had when trying to help my young
son cope with his migraines. Highly recommended.

Excellent source of information, November 11, 2006
By Mom2MCAR

If you are a Migrainuer or part of a support system of a Migrainuer (family
members, friends, or even part of the medical team) you will find the information
in this book very helpful. Being a Migraine Disease patient, I found this
a wealth of information. I was able to use information found within to discuss
different meds with my GP as optional treatment with preventatives, abortive,
and rescue pain meds.

I would suggest this book to everyone, Migrainuer, family members, friends,
or even part of the medical team that would like more info or just to be able
to understand just a little of what this nuerological disease can do to someone
and their life.