Spotlight on Migraine®

In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien talks with neurologist and headache medicine specialist Dr. Barbara Nye about the original acute migraine treatments: ergotamine, dihydroergotamine (DHE), and triptans (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, etc.). Dr. Nye shares the history and evolution of these treatments, including the formulations, delivery methods, how they work to break an attack, and who may benefit from adding them to their migraine toolbox.

Follow Dr. Nye:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• X
• Bluesky

In this video:

• How ergotamines (such as DHE) and Triptans (such as sumatriptan and rizatriptan) work
• Why treatment formulation matters
• Which treatments may help in treating prolonged attacks
• Why one ineffective triptan doesn't mean others won't work either
• The safety profiles and side effects of these treatments

Dr. Barbara Nye is a paid consultant for a sponsor of the Association of Migraine Disorders.

Read the full transcript: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/revisiting-acute-treatments/

Learn About Preventive Options:

• Migraine Prevention Explained: When to Start, Why It Matters & What Success Looks Like(opens in new tab)
• Breaking Down Your Migraine Preventive Options: Medications, Vitamins & Devices

*The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien is joined by neurologist Dr. Jessica Lowe (@DoctorBrainBarbie) to debunk common migraine myths, explain viral migraine hacks, and share practical advice for safely consuming health information online.

Does migraine always come with a headache? Can migraine symptoms change over time? Does migraine get better in pregnancy? We answer these questions and discuss why you shouldn't blame yourself for migraine attacks. Dr. Lowe breaks down the viral McDonald's migraine hack, daith piercings, claw clips, and other internet-famous migraine remedies, explaining what may help and what can be harmful. You'll also learn how to better navigate and consume migraine information online.

Read the full transcript: http://migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s8e7-breaking-down-migraine-myths-misconceptions-and-viral-hacks

Follow Dr. Lowe:

• Instagram
• TikTok

In this episode:

• Common migraine myths debunked
• The truth about migraine triggers
• Viral migraine hacks explained
• How to recognize trustworthy migraine information online
• Tips for navigating migraine misinformation and scams on social media

*The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Histamine is a hot topic in the migraine community. In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien speaks with neurologist Dr. Lauren Natbony to explore the relationship between histamine and migraine. Learn how histamine works in the body, why allergies and migraine often overlap, and whether antihistamines or low-histamine diets may help some people with migraine.

They also discuss mast cells, seasonal allergies, the gut-brain connection, and some misconceptions about migraine and histamine.

Read the full transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s8e6-histamine/

*The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Dizziness, vertigo, and feeling off balance can be some of the most disabling symptoms of vestibular migraine, but is vestibular therapy the right solution?

In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien sits down with physical therapist Madison Oak, PT, DPT (aka The Vertigo Doctor) to break down what vestibular rehabilitation therapy actually is, who it was designed for, and how it may fit into treating vestibular migraine.

Oak also shares insights from both research and clinical experience, what progress looks like, and why vestibular therapy can be helpful for some people, if the timing is right.

Read the transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/pod...

*The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

What are your options for migraine prevention, and how do you choose the right one? In Part 2 of this two-part Spotlight on Migraine series, host Molly O'Brien and headache specialist Dr. Jessica Ailani dive into the full range of migraine prevention treatments available today. Dr. Ailani breaks down lifestyle modifications, neuromodulation, CGRP-targeted treatments, onabotulinumtoxinA, supplements, and more. She discusses combination treatment and options for menstrual migraine. With good migraine prevention, you can stop chasing attacks and gain back some control over attack frequency. Be sure to listen to Part 1 for a discussion on when to start prevention and how to measure success: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/pod... Read the transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s8e4-migraine-preventive-options/ *The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

You've probably heard about migraine prevention, but what does it actually mean? In Part 1 of this two-part Spotlight on Migraine series, host Molly O'Brien sits down with neurologist and headache specialist Dr. Jessica Ailani to break down the basics of migraine prevention. They discuss types of prevention, who should consider preventive treatment, why reducing migraine frequency matters, and how to set realistic goals focused on improving quality of life—not just lowering headache days. Read the transcript at https://www.migrainedisorders.org/pod...

Dr. Ailani explains:

• When migraine prevention is recommended (often around 5–6 migraine days per month)
• How to reshape our thoughts around prevention. It's not all about fewer headache days; it's about reducing disability, improving independence, and bettering quality of life.
• The full range of prevention options
• What to consider if you're hesitant to start due to side effects, cost, or insurance barriers

This is the first part of the Association of Migraine Disorders' two-part series on migraine prevention. In Part 2, we'll dive into specific treatment options and how to tailor a prevention plan to work best for you.

*The contents of this video are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD does not recommend or endorse any treatment, products, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Many people living with migraine know ice and heat can offer relief, but why do these simple tools help? In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien speaks with Alicia Duyvejonck, DNP, AGNP-C, AQH, about the science behind temperature therapy and shares best practices for safely using ice and heat to manage migraine pain.

Read the transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s7ep9-ice-and-heat-for-migraine-how-temperature-therapy-works

*The contents of this video are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD does not recommend or endorse any treatment, products, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Do you always seem to get a migraine attack on the weekend or vacation? In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien talks with neurologist Dr. Hope O'Brien about the let-down effect. This common but lesser-known migraine phenomenon can occur when the body shifts from high stress to relaxation. Dr. O'Brien discusses why so many people with migraine experience let-down headaches and what you can do about it. If you've ever wondered why a migraine attack hits right when you slow down, this episode has answers, validation, and guidance.

Read the transcript at: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s7ep8-the-let-down-effect

*The contents of this video are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD does not recommend or endorse any treatment, products, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Living with migraine can affect every part of your professional life — from productivity and job performance to long-term career goals. In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, host Molly O'Brien speaks with clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Dawn Buse to explore how migraine can impact work, identity, and ambition.

Together, they discuss when and how to disclose migraine in the workplace, what accommodations may help you keep your job, and how to navigate the complex emotions that arise when migraine forces a change in your career path. This conversation goes beyond managing attacks and focuses on communication, self-advocacy, emotional resilience, and redefining success while living with migraine.

Read the transcript at migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s7ep7-migraine-and-work/

*The contents of this video are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD does not recommend or endorse any treatment, products, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.

Ever feel irritable, agitated, or restless? Or, on the flip side, exhausted, drained, or shut down? These symptoms may be signs your nervous system is out of balance and they're more connected to migraine, dizziness, and overall well-being than you might think.

In this episode of Spotlight on Migraine, clinical health psychologist Dr. Emily Kostelnik explains what nervous system dysregulation is, how it impacts migraine and dizziness, practical strategies to help regulate your system, and when it might be time to seek professional support.

For more ways to view, visit: https://www.migrainedisorders.org/podcast/s7ep6-nervous-system-regulation/

*The contents of this podcast are intended for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. AMD and the speaker do not recommend or endorse any specific course of treatment, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned. Reliance on any information provided by this content is solely at your own risk.