Acupuncture vs Topiramate for migraines

[Guest guest]

Acupuncture versus topiramate in chronic migraine prophylaxis: A randomized

clinical trial.

Yang CP, et al.

Cephalalgia. 2011 Oct 21.

[Epub ahead of print]

Kuang Tien General Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taiwan.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and

tolerability of acupuncture compared with topiramate treatment in chronic

migraine (CM) prophylaxis.

Methods: A total of 66 consecutive and prospective CM patients were randomly

divided into two treatment arms:

1) acupuncture group: acupuncture administered in 24 sessions over 12 weeks (n =

33); and

2) topiramate group: a 4-week titration, initiated at 25 mg/day and increased by

25 mg/day weekly to a maximum of 100 mg/day followed by an 8-week maintenance

period (n = 33).

Results: A significantly larger decrease in the mean monthly number of

moderate/severe headache days (primary end point) from 20.2 ± 1.5 days to 9.8

± 2.8 days was observed in the acupuncture group compared with 19.8 ± 1.7 days

to 12.0 ± 4.1 days in the topiramate group (p < .01)

Significant differences favoring acupuncture were also observed for all

secondary efficacy variables. These significant differences still existed when

we focused on those patients who were overusing acute medication.

Adverse events occurred in 6% of acupuncture group and 66% of topiramate group.

Conclusion: We suggest that acupuncture could be considered a treatment option

for CM patients willing to undergo this prophylactic treatment, even for those

patients with medication overuse.

PMID 22019576

[PubMed -as supplied by publisher]

[Guest guest]

Wow, thanks for sharing this Sandy! I was on 150mg a day of Topiramate, plus

Verapamil, plus around 80 injections of Botox on my head, face, and neck to

control my migraines and head pain. I weaned of of all of it shortly before I

got married in case I got pregnant after our wedding (serious birth defect risk

if taken during early pregnancy). Sure enough, I got pregnant three weeks after

we married. The reason for that level of medication is it is what was necessary

to keep me from having 15-20 migraines a MONTH. But now that I'm off of

everything, I've only had two or three total in months! The Topamax made me

incredibly " stupid " . Now I get occipital pain almost daily, but I'll take that

over a migraine. A friend just suggested acupuncture, and actually my Neuro

referred me a fee times, but I always chickened out. She said it was not at all

painful when she went and helped a lot. I'm trying to get up the nerve to do it.

This study is great.

~Beth (Ari's mom)~

Sent from my iPhone

> Acupuncture versus topiramate in chronic migraine prophylaxis: A randomized

clinical trial.

> Yang CP, et al.

> Cephalalgia. 2011 Oct 21.

> [Epub ahead of print]

> Kuang Tien General Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taiwan.

>

> Abstract

> Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and

tolerability of acupuncture compared with topiramate treatment in chronic

migraine (CM) prophylaxis.

>

> Methods: A total of 66 consecutive and prospective CM patients were randomly

divided into two treatment arms:

> 1) acupuncture group: acupuncture administered in 24 sessions over 12 weeks (n

= 33); and

> 2) topiramate group: a 4-week titration, initiated at 25 mg/day and increased

by 25 mg/day weekly to a maximum of 100 mg/day followed by an 8-week maintenance

period (n = 33).

>

> Results: A significantly larger decrease in the mean monthly number of

moderate/severe headache days (primary end point) from 20.2 ± 1.5 days to 9.8

± 2.8 days was observed in the acupuncture group compared with 19.8 ± 1.7 days

to 12.0 ± 4.1 days in the topiramate group (p < .01)

> Significant differences favoring acupuncture were also observed for all

secondary efficacy variables. These significant differences still existed when

we focused on those patients who were overusing acute medication.

> Adverse events occurred in 6% of acupuncture group and 66% of topiramate

group.

>

> Conclusion: We suggest that acupuncture could be considered a treatment option

for CM patients willing to undergo this prophylactic treatment, even for those

patients with medication overuse.

>

> PMID 22019576

> [PubMed -as supplied by publisher]

>

>

[Guest guest]

I know what Beth mean's when she says Topamax made her stupid! I was  on it for

a while and it was horrible!!! Cortney