you said it
Breath of Fresh Air A number of years ago, I read in your NHF newsletter, HeadLines, of oxygen inhalation as a treatment for cluster headache. I brought this to the attention of my primary care provider, and we gave it a try when my next spell ensued. The success in aborting or mitigating the severity of my headaches was far beyond my expectations and far superior to any of the medications I had tried over the years. I would say it changed my feelings about the spells— which mercifully recur only about every three years and last about a month— from utter dread to a manageable challenge to be met.
I was therefore surprised to see no mention of oxygen therapy in last issue’ s discussion of cluster treatments and medications. I think any piece on clusters should include this valuable information so it can reach and help others as it did me.
– Thomas B.
Better Together My heart goes out to Ellen R., who suffers from both chronic migraine and fibromyalgia, from the Reader Mail section( pg. 11) of the last issue. Somebody has to help her! Has she seen a neurologist? How about Neurontin? I know somebody who is on that and it’ s helping so much. Is she all alone? Thank you for giving her a vehicle to reach out for help. – Maria R. HW: If you’ re looking for advice from other headache sufferers or just need an outlet, join the community on the NHF Facebook page.
School Days Thank you for supporting people with headaches. As an 18-year-old college student who has had a nonstop migraine for the past year, it means a lot that people are raising awareness about this. Throughout my senior year of high school, it was hard to tell parents and teachers,“ Yes, I do have a migraine every day.” Thank you for reaching out to those who are in a similar situation. – Kayla P.
Come Back! Your magazine is a tremendous disappointment. The vast majority of its content is for and about people with migraines. Those of us with other types of headaches get little or no attention or, most important, help. As awful as migraines are— and I know many people who have them— other headache disorders are awful, too, and deserve just as much attention. As far as the magazine goes, count me out. – Marsha H. HW: Hey, Marsha, if you’ re still out there, we’ re sorry you feel that way, but we’ re working on it. Check out our website, www. headwisemag. org, for articles on nighttime headaches, new daily persistent headache and more.
Pass It On Waiting in a doctor’ s office yesterday, I came across your magazine. Very impressive! I notified my California cousin, and she was very interested. She has lived with migraines for most of her life. I will also send your website link to my brother-in-law who gets those terrible cluster headaches. Again, I was impressed with your premiere issue. The articles and photography were so well done. – Ann B.
Try, Try Again Wonderful first issue, but no mention of how to receive a regular copy at home. I will be telling other sufferers. Thanks. – Katherine H. HW: Hey, Katherine, glad you like the mag. All you have to do to receive an issue is become a member of the NHF. Go to www. headwisemag. org / subscribe. www
If you have comments or suggestions about Head Wise or www. headwisemag. org, send them to editor @ headwisemag. org or post them on the NHF Facebook page.
CORRECTION: In our Volume 1, Issue 2 Q & A( page 24) with Frederick G. Freitag, DO, we mistakenly accredited Dr. Freitag as an MD. He is, in fact, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, or DO. Our apologies to Dr. Freitag.
6 HEAD WISE | Volume 1, Issue 3 • 2011