Migraine infusion therapy

What is Migraine infusion therapy?

IV therapy, also known as intravenous therapy, manages to deliver nutrients and hydration directly into the blood for absorption and immediate use by the body. In 2019, the Center for Headache and Facial Pain reviewed more than 1600 infusion treatments in 526 headache patients. 40% reported improved headache, and ˃ 50% reported improved dizziness scores after the treatment.

Benefits

• It provides instant relief with a combination of migraine preventive medications designed to treat all migraine symptoms like pain, nausea, and inflammation. Drugs used in infusion therapy identify the proteins that trigger the onset of a migraine attack. There is no other treatment that can make such an impact. Infusion eliminates the overactive response of nerve endings to reduce irritation that triggers a migraine attack. When those proteins are blocked, they stop the subsequent events leading to migraine pain.
• Migraine IV therapy is time and cost-effective. It takes a lot of hassle in the hospital to get immediate treatment with refractory headaches. Also, the whole procedure there can cost you a hefty bill. Therefore, scheduling an IV therapy will result in much time and money saved as they can be administered in a clinic or center. And usually, the whole process only takes about an hour.
• IV headache treatment is observed to remain effective for one month after treatment. Not seeing pain for so long is a dream come true for those with chronic migraines.
• Migraine caused by medication overuse is another is a complex situation to treat. IV therapy may help to eliminate the symptoms of medication overuse headaches. The American Headache Society emphasized referring patients with chronic headaches to headache infusion therapy. Patients are satisfied with infusion and experience quick relief and timely treatment.
• Infusion therapy can be another option for people who have not been relieved from oral prescribed and over-the-counter medications. Also, for people who are unable to swallow pills due to their health conditions.

Precautions

• Before the session, take a good night’s sleep
• It is good to drink plenty of water leading up to your IV treatment
• It is necessary that before starting IV treatment, talk to your health care provider about any other preventive medications you may be taking. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or are chronic.
• The choice of medicines in the IV formula should be based on the frequency of the episodes (whether the condition is chronic or not), and it should also depend on the individual needs of the patient.
• If you were already taking the infusion therapy for intractable headaches, prepare for the treatment a day ago. Schedule your appointment and follow the instructions provided by the physician.
• Opioids use is not recommended and should be avoided at any cost. There aris limited data or evidence supporting their beneficial use in acute migraine; however, the risks of chronic addiction and migraine are high.
• Certain medications like IV dihydroergotamine are recommended after consulting a neurologist or a headache specialist if the need for prior and complementary therapies are often required to suppress its side effects.
• A trained nurse requires careful handling and delivery under the supervision of a certified doctor to avoid any side effects.

Migraine cocktail infusion

A migraine cocktail is a combination of fluids, medications, essential minerals, and vitamins. The selection and amount of substance involved in a cocktail are according to the need of the patient. Some of the components of migraine cocktails for infusion include the following.

• IV fluids: When people experience nausea and vomiting during a migraine, there is a chance of dehydration. Moreover, dehydration further triggers a migraine. In such cases, IV fluids are administered through infusion therapy to balance the body fluids. These fluids are alkaline and contain proper electrolytes to rehydrate a person and relieve the migraine symptoms.
• Vitamin B complex: Vitamins like riboflavin or Vitamin B2 are best known to decrease migraine episodes.
• Vitamin C: This vitamin acts as an antioxidant to decrease the inflammation in the brain due to migraine and relief painful pressure.
• Magnesium: This nutrient is beneficial for individuals who are sensitive to sound or light. Magnesium also promotes relaxation, and clinical trials showed a positive response to reduce migraine attacks. A 2019 study describes the use of IV magnesium sulfate can help deal with pain and migraine aura. (Aura refers to the sensory disturbances that people face before their migraine episode).
• Anti-nausea and vomiting medicine: One of the most disturbing migraine symptoms is nausea. The cocktail includes anti-nausea medication; if the patient is feeling nauseous.
• Anti-inflammatory, headache, and pain medicine: This formula for the migraine IV therapy cocktail is designed to help relieve migraine headaches.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): The potent non-narcotic anti-inflammatory medication is the first choice to reduce pain, throbbing, and inflammation immediately. Many NSAIDs are efficient at treating acute migraines and chronic headaches.
• Antihistamines - Since food allergies can also cause migraines, chemical histamines are common triggers for migraines. Antihistamines can cross the blood-brain barrier to eliminate the swelling caused by the chemicals.

Migraine infusion protocol

IV infusion treatment involves a careful administration of essential nutrients, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals, and some necessary medications in your blood over time. There are two common IV infusion methods to infuse the solution into the body.

In the US, the pump infusion method is the most commonly practiced. The pump attaches to the IV line and infuses the solution into the catheter consistently and slowly. This method is best when the dose of the drug should be accurate and controlled. The other method is drip infusion, and it uses gravity to deliver a balanced amount of solution within a specified time. The solution is dripped slowly from the bag into the tube then goes to the catheter.

• On the first visit, the doctor will ask for important information. After that, treatment is organized based on your history and current symptoms. This includes details about dosage, duration of each implant, and the risk of side effects. This is also an opportunity for a patient to ask questions and bring up any concerns he/ she may have.
• Aseptic procedure is maintained throughout the IV treatment, including starting IV treatment, maintenance and preparation of equipment, and finishing the process.
• Hand hygiene is followed before handling all IV equipment. If a solution gets contaminated in a non-sterile environment, it is replaced by the new one to prevent further contamination (CDC).
• During treatment, a nurse or doctor will be watching over the patient to ensure comfort and safety. In some centers, patients can bring a friend or a family member to accompany them during the procedure.
• In IV infusion centers, usually, the client's comfort is given priority. If the patient prefers a private room, he/she can request it. Then the patient gets settled to receive the infusion treatment in a comfortable chair or bed, and the process can last 30-40 minutes.

What should we expect during a 3-day migraine infusion treatment?

Medicines used in IV therapy as a preventive treatment for migraine can start showing results quickly, as early as after the first session. It takes up to three days to notice the initial results. However, it is recommended that the treatment sessions, including certain medications such as Dihydroergotamine (DHE), should not be taken more than three times a week. It will be best to take therapy sessions once or twice a week or once every two weeks under the supervision and direction of the physician.

How long till infusion migraine wears off.

Migraine IV therapy can show long-term effects. The effect has been reported to last for a month sometimes. This can significantly treat chronic migraines in a person and improves the quality of life. Medicines like DHE are used to eliminate the symptoms of chronic migraine. Some medicines have shown positive results for more than a month. Therefore, symptoms are expected not to return when the effect of the medication wears off.

Drugs used for Migraine infusion therapy

Discoveries and advancements in medicines are rare and a long process. Using a drug with a good record and using it differently for another purpose greatly impacts the treatment process. Below is a list of some of the medicines that are used for pain and chronic headache management.

• Dihydroergotamine (DHE): Infusion of this drug in a migraine treatment works by contracting the blood vessels that cover and protect the brain tissues. This drug also stops the release of some substances that contribute to migraine pain in the brain.
• Antiemetics: These medicines are used to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting. But to avoid the risk of any side effects, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can also be used besides this drug in headache infusion therapy.
• Dexamethasone: This drug is a kind of steroid and helps to reduce inflammation. Studies suggest dexamethasone can show its impact to prevent the next episode of migraine after the first treatment.
• Acetaminophen: This drug is to treat headaches, pain and can be more helpful when used with NSAIDs. However, it is used when a person has not taken anything before the treatment.
• Toradol (ketorolac): It is used to deal with severe migraine pain. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain drug used in IV therapy. It is considered most effective than an over-the-counter NSAID like ibuprofen.
• Zofran (ondansetron): It is used against migraine as an anti-nausea drug that can help to reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Diprivan: Some cocktails include a dose of Diprivan in IV therapy. It is a long-time anesthesia drug used to treat refractory chronic migraines. It helps to treat intractable headaches and prevent subsequent headaches for more than a month or longer.

How long does migraine IV infusion take

Infusion therapy procedure can take 30 - 45 minutes. However, the whole process can take a maximum of one hour. The treatment provides other benefits, including migraine relief, such as energy boost, improve mood, and promote relaxation.

Migraine infusion centers in El Paso, Tx.

At VitaMind IV Therapy Center EL PASO, TX patients receive medically prescribed infusion therapy in a safe and comfortable environment for intractable headaches and migraines. VitaMind can help you with recovering the joy of your life so you can appreciate the opportunity to be available for all the achievements and moments special for you. VitaMind aims to develop a tailored or personalized treatment plan based on the particular needs of each patient. The migraine IV infusion therapy at this center helps patients to get relief for the migraine or to reduce the intensity of the headache. This treatment is also effective to reduce the intensity and reduce the frequency of migraines as well.

If you suffer from Chronic Migraine, Refractory Migraine, Intractable Migraine, Chronic Tension-Type Headache, Cluster Headache, Post Traumatic Headache, or Intracranial Hypotension Headache you may visit or contact VitaMind.

2311 N MESA STREET SUITE A

EL PASO TX 79902

BOOK A TREATMENT: 915-808-0006