White woman curled up in bed in pain, covering her head with a pillow.

7 Fast-Acting Medications and Treatments for Severe Migraines and Cluster Headaches

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Severe or acute migraines and cluster headaches can hit in minutes and cause excruciating pain. 

While there are many management, prevention, and treatment options, sometimes relief can’t wait. 

Let’s look at seven fast-acting prescription medications and treatments.

1. Sumatriptan

Prescription triptan drugs can get rid of your acute migraines and cluster headaches in minutes. 

Sumatriptan, the fastest-working drug on this list, works fastest in injectable form. Typically, a medical professional administers the first injection. 

Whereas injectable and nasal Sumatriptan can start providing relief in 15 minutes, oral Sumatriptan takes 30-60 minutes. The nasal spray is for migraines and cluster headaches, and the pills are only for migraines. 

2. Oxygen (for Cluster Headaches Only)

Strapping a mask over your face and taking in pure oxygen can start relieving severe headache symptoms from cluster headaches within 15 minutes.

Unfortunately, oxygen can be very inconvenient as a severe headache relief option because you either have to take it at a medical facility or carry a portable tank with you.

3. Zolmitriptan 

Another prescription triptan drug, Zolmitriptan, is a fast-acting nasal spray alternative to injections that treat migraines and cluster headache attacks.

Zolmitriptan can be taken as an oral tablet to dissolve in the mouth, an oral pill to swallow, and a nasal spray.  

The nasal spray works faster, providing noticeable relief as soon as 10 minutes (typically taking an hour to bring significant relief).

The oral forms typically take two hours to noticeably relieve pain (probably not fast enough, especially for a cluster headache).

4. Octreotide (for Cluster Headaches Only)

Octreotide or Sandostatin is a synthetic form of the brain hormone somatostatin. It’s an effective medication for cluster headaches but not for migraines.

It can provide relief within 30 minutes, though it’s generally not as fast-acting or effective as Triptans. 

5. Nerve Blocker 

A nerve blocker like lidocaine is a quick treatment for migraines and cluster headaches — but you can’t take it with you. Some people experience improvements in their symptoms within 15 minutes.

It’s a procedure administered by a medical professional at a medical facility that involves receiving an anesthetic injection into the back of the skull.

Nerve-blocking injections can provide pain relief from migraines and cluster headaches for months. 

6. Local Nasal Anesthetic (for Cluster Headaches Only)

A prescription local nasal anesthetic, such as lidocaine, can provide a numbing effect for cluster headache pain within minutes.

Like nerve blockers and oxygen, this treatment is only available for administration in a medical facility. Also, this isn’t a long-term option, as pain relief from a local nasal anesthetic wears off within hours. 

7. Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45)

Dihydroergotamine is a medication that may provide fast-acting pain relief for migraines and cluster headaches.

It’s available in injectable, intravenous (IV), and nasal spray forms. 

Though generally not as effective a treatment as triptans, Dihydroergotamine is associated with a low risk of migraines returning within 24 hours. 

Expert Treatment for Headache Disorders At Texas Pain Physicians

Do you suffer from severe migraine or cluster headaches, or think you might?

Our board-certified pain management doctors can find what’s causing you pain and ensure you have safe, fast-acting medication.

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book an appointment today.

A male asian doctor examins a male asian patient's lower back as the patient sits up straight on an exam table.

Is a Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Right for You? 6 Things to Know.

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Picking up your dog shouldn’t hurt. Neither should getting out of bed.

Imagine a one-time, minimally-invasive procedure that can give you constant back pain relief for the rest of your life.

That’s what a spinal cord stimulator can do. 

Here are some considerations to give you an idea of whether this back pain treatment may be for you.

1. You understand how this treats back pain.

Spinal cord stimulators treat back pain with electrical impulses believed to block the brain from receiving pain signals.

2. You understand the procedure and the healing process.

A spinal cord stimulator implant procedure is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure. It involves anesthetic injections and two small incisions (2 to 4 inches long).

The incisions make room to insert the small, thin wire leads and the neurostimulator under the skin.

There may be some discomfort for a few days as the skin heals at the surgical site.

3. Your pain management doctor approves.

Your doctor specialized in pain management will advise for or against spinal cord stimulation.

A trustworthy, qualified doctor would only recommend spinal cord stimulation if it had an excellent chance of success.

If you decide to go forward with the procedure, the doctor will order X-rays, MRIs, and psychiatric tests. Psychiatric disorders can lessen and even negate the benefit of spinal cord stimulation.

4. Your back pain is chronic.

Chronic pain is pain that lasts a minimum of three months. Yours may have already been around a lot longer than that.

A spinal cord stimulator provides pain relief by sending electrical impulses to the pain area.

5. Other methods haven’t worked for you.

You have tried other pain-relieving methods like surgeries, medications, non-invasive treatments, and conservative therapies (yoga, exercise, diet change, etc.).

Nothing has worked or provided enough relief.

6. You suffer from Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS).

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome is when back surgery doesn’t deliver the expected pain relief or creates a new pain problem.

It’s one of the most common conditions patients cite as their main reason for getting spinal cord stimulator implants.

7. You suffer from one or more pain conditions.

Spinal cord stimulation can relieve pain caused by common conditions like arthritis, sciatica, and herniated disc.

It may also be a treatment option for conditions such as:

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) – Burning pain in an arm or leg due to a traumatic injury, surgery, stroke, or heart attack.

Peripheral Neuropathy – Burning pain in the legs or feet due to nerve death.

Angina – Chest pain and shortness of breath.

Arachnoiditis – Painful condition caused when the membrane surrounding the spinal cord swells due to infection, injury, or chronic compression.

Non-Invasive Back Pain Relief in Texas

If you suffer from back pain, our team of board-certified pain specialists can help. We have over a dozen clinics in Texas, including Houston, Dallas, and Irving.

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727, and start down your path to pain relief today!

Young asian woman touching her neck while wincing in pain.

The VERY Painful Pinched Nerve… 7 Ways to Avoid This Common Injury.

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Many athletes call them ‘stingers.’ Doctors call them pinched or compressed nerves. 

And they hurt like giant bee stings. 

The pain usually hits in the neck, in an area known as the brachial plexus, where the nerves extend down into the arms.

Pinched nerves have sudden and gradual causes; they can strike suddenly when lifting a heavy object or gradually develop because of poor posture.

Here are seven things you can do to avoid suffering a pinched nerve.

1. Get Enough Sleep

The best way to prevent a pinched nerve is to let your mind and body recover from the day.

When you have more energy to think clearly, you are less likely to make uncoordinated movements that lead to injuries.  

2. Practice Good Sitting Posture

Consistent poor sitting posture can cause pinched nerves. Try to sit so that your neck isn’t bent.

If you work in an office, adjust your monitor so that the top edge is eye level.

3. Stand More. 

Sitting for long periods with bad posture can cause pinched nerves. 

If you work at a table or desk, try adjusting your workstation so that you can work while standing.

4. Practice sound body mechanics.  

It’s easy to strain your neck and back.

When getting into or out of bed, exercising, or hiking up a mountain, try to make smooth, mechanically sound body movements.

And if you have to move to a new place or help your neighbors move, lift heavy objects with your legs instead of your back. 

5. Don’t play contact sports. 

Many people grow up playing contact sports like soccer, basketball, and American football.

The fitness aspect is good for you, but the contact can lead to pinched nerves and other sports injuries.

And pinched nerves are common injuries in contact sports. If you play contact sports, warm-up, stay hydrated, and take breaks. 

6. Do Strength and Flexibility Exercises.

Stretching and strength-building activities like yoga and pilates stretch the nerves in your neck and arms.

This loosens the tension and relieves pressure on your nerves, making pinched nerves less likely.

7. Do physical therapy.

Physical therapy methods like massage and cold laser therapy can prevent and lessen muscle strain and muscle inflammation. 

Pain Management and Treatment at Texas Pain Physicians

Have a pinched nerve or think you may be at risk for a pinched nerve? We have expert pain management doctors who treat them and help you prevent them. 

Give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book your appointment today!

An elderly woman with arthritis grimacing while holding and massaging her left hand with her right hand.

8 Ways for Women to Lower Their Chances of Developing Arthritis

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According to the CDC, more than 50 million Americans have chronic joint pain or arthritis.

Unfortunately, this chronic pain condition is more common in women.

Anatomy is a contributing factor. Because women have wider hips, there is more stress on their outer knees.

Also, women have less knee cartilage than men, so wear and tear come faster.

But…

Many women don’t ever develop arthritis, and there are many ways to lower the risk. Here are our tips:

1. Eat healthier and eat less.

Obesity is the number one arthritis risk factor for men and women. Every extra pound of weight adds four pounds of pressure on the knees and hips. 

Try to eat more nutritious foods high in soluble fiber like citrus fruits, barley, chia seeds, and legumes.

Foods with soluble fiber make you feel full for longer than processed foods that are low in fiber.

2. Reduce repetitive motion tasks.

Repetitive motion is a significant risk factor for osteoarthritis. Office work and jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries require repetitive motion tasks. 

If you have to do repetitive motion tasks, take breaks and use chairs, desks, and standing mats designed to relieve the pressure on your joints. 

3. Practice safe exercise and body mechanics.

Exercise, recreation, and rigorous activity, in general, can help you avoid arthritis. But you can also get injuries that increase the risk of arthritis.

Before you participate in sports and exercise, make sure to warm up. 

When you do physical labor or hold your kids or do anything that involves exerting yourself, use safe body mechanics. 

4. Consult with a doctor and seek treatment.

Before you start a new exercise or workout routine, make sure to consult with a doctor.

It’s also a good idea to hire a personal fitness trainer if you are unfamiliar with the exercises. And, when you do have an injury, always seek the necessary treatment and rehab. 

5. Get Enough Vitamin D.

According to the National Institutes of Health, 60% of Americans don’t get enough Vitamin D, and women are at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency than men. 

Vitamin D helps your bones absorb calcium and grows your muscles. In addition to sunlight, good natural sources of vitamin D include oily fish like salmon and sardines, red meat, and egg yolks.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.

Only wear heels on occasion because they are hard on your joints. For the rest of the calendar, try to wear comfortable shoes with arch support as much as possible.

7. Do low-impact sports and exercise.

Sports and activities like long-distance running, tennis, and basketball can wear out your joints in the long run.

On the other hand, you can participate in low or no-impact sports and activities like swimming, biking, and rowing your whole life.

8. Take joint supplements and aspirin.

Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may promote cartilage and joint repair in men and women.

Studies have found that low doses of aspirin, an anti-inflammatory medication, may reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis in women. 

Arthritis Pain Treatment

Suffering from arthritis pain or think you may have arthritis? At Texas Pain Physicians, our team is ready to help you find relief.

Feel free to give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or schedule your appointment online today!

Lower Back Pain Ruining Your Sleep? 10 Things You Can Do to Sleep Better

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It’s miserable waking up bleary-eyed after tossing and turning all night. You can’t afford to go through that again. 

And you don’t have to.

Let’s look at some simple ways to reduce back pain so you can sleep better.

1. Sleep on your side.

This position keeps your spine correctly aligned and your body balanced, reducing the pressure on the lower back or lumbar. You can put a pillow between your knees to add more support.

2. Use a taller body pillow.

If you are a side sleeper, try using a taller body pillow to help maintain a neutral spine as you sleep. 

3. Put a pillow under your back.

If you are a back sleeper, support your lower back by putting a pillow between your legs or knees. 

4. Put a rolled-up towel around your waist.

This is for back and side sleepers. Wrap a rolled-up bath towel around your waist and tie it in the front. This will help maintain the spine’s natural curve. 

5. Put a large pillow under your lower back and waist and a smaller pillow under your head.

This helps if you sleep on your stomach by keeping your lower back from taking on a U-shape as you sleep. 

6. Lay down and get up safely. 

To lay down, sit down on your bed like you sit down in a chair. Next, ease down to your side or back, supporting yourself with your right or left arm, or both (if sleeping on your back).

To get up from your side, push yourself up with your arms and hands as you swing your legs over the side of the bed. 

To get up from your back or stomach, shift onto your side, then do the above.

From both positions, always avoid bending forward at the waist and jerking yourself up unsupported.

7. Don’t eat too late. 

Eating meals two hours or less before bedtime can trigger acid reflux and disturbing dreams. Spicy food and dairy are especially risky.

8. Avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol too late.

Try to avoid drinking caffeinated drinks in the afternoon and evening. Too much caffeine too late can make it hard to calm down and get to sleep. 

Also, drinking too much alcohol close to bedtime can interrupt the sleep cycle, robbing you of restorative slow-wave sleep.  

9. Try OTC medications and supplements.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, and topical treatments can reduce back pain and make sleeping easier.

10. Try some relaxation techniques. 

Deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help you relax and sleep better.

Visit the Pain Management Specialists

At Texas Pain Physicians, our doctors have the expertise to manage and treat lower back pain. We can help you make the best decision to handle it so that you start sleeping better.

Feel free to give us a call at (972) 636-5727 or book an appointment online today!