We analyzed retrospectively the data for 300 patients with refractory headache who were treated with dihydroergotamine (DHE) at the Comprehensive Headache Center at Germantown Hospital. The patients had either chronic daily headache (with drug rebound -216, without rebound -42), short-duration headache (18), or cluster headache (24). Treatment consisted of withdrawal of overused medications (usually analgesics and ergots), repetitive IV administration of DHE, and use of metoclopramide and prophylactic medications, together with educational and psychological support. Overall, 91% (range, 86% to 100%) of the patients became headache-free, usually within 2 to 3 days. The average duration of hospitalization was 7.4 days. Side effects, reported in 157 (52%) of the patients, consisted primarily of nausea (32%), tightness and burning (8%), leg cramps (7%), vomiting (6%), and increased blood pressure (5%). The side effects generally resolved spontaneously or with adjustment of the DHE dose and/or adjunct medication, and necessitated withdrawal of therapy in only 2 patients (1 with drug-related claudication; 1 with somatic complaints of uncertain origin). We conclude that a regimen of repetitive intravenous DHE and metoclopramide can provide rapid relief of chronic intractable headache, and can ameliorate the effects of analgesic and ergot withdrawal in patients with chronic daily headache and rebound associated with overuse of these drugs.

Migraine ICHD-2 criteria are underused, and patients are undertreated in the ED. Many patients leave without a discharge diagnosis, outpatient medications, or instructions. ED physicians could help identify the migraineurs and channel them toward appropriate outpatient treatment.

Migraine patients have treatment preferences. They generally want a drug that provides complete headache relief, and they are often satisfied with the current treatment options.

Olanzapine may be effective for patients with refractory headache, including those who have failed a number of other prophylactic agents. Olanzapine should receive particular consideration for patients with refractory headache who have mania, bipolar disorder, or psychotic depression or whose headaches previously responded to other neuroleptic medications.

We reviewed the electronic records of 74 migraine patients treated with topiramate for more than 6 weeks. Twenty-four patients had episodic migraine and 50 had chronic (transformed) migraine. Most (81%) started treatment at 25 mg per day and reached a dose of 100 mg twice a day (mean dose on the last follow-up visit was 208 mg). The mean headache frequency decreased from 20.6 days to 13.6 days per month (P<0.0001) for all headaches (9.9-5.1 (P<0.0001) and 25.7-17.7 (P<0.001) for episodic migraine and chronic migraine, respectively). The percentage of patients whose headache frequency was reduced by > or =50% was 44.6% for all patients; 58.3 for episodic migraine and 38.0 for chronic migraine. For all patients mean headache severity (10-point scale) was reduced from 6.2 to 4.8 (P<0.0001). Patients on monotherapy (20%) and polytherapy (80%) had similar reductions in headache frequency. Adverse events were usually mild to moderate and were seen in 58.1% (paresthesias in 25%, cognitive difficulties 14.9%). Mean weight loss was 3.1 +/- 4 kg (3.8% of total body weight).

The results of this pilot trial provide proof of concept for the headache-relief benefit of dihydroergotamine in patients with migraine headache and allodynia. A large, placebo-controlled trial of dihydroergotamine in allodynic patients is warranted.

An electronic diary may have potential as a diagnostic tool in studying headaches and PMS symptoms throughout the menstrual cycle. The occurrence of headache and PMS symptoms in migraineurs follows similar time courses.

When performed in an OB/GYN clinic, self-reported bothersome HA question seemed more powerful than visual stripe pattern test in screening migraine thus could potentially be used as a single-item screening test.