Refractory Migraine
Refractory migraines are a severe, disabling form of headache that resists conventional treatments, significantly impacting daily life and overall well-being. These migraines persist despite preventive measures and typical therapies, requiring advanced care options.
What Is Refractory Migraine?
Refractory migraines are characterized by frequent, persistent symptoms that fail to respond to standard treatments, resulting in significant disability. They are characterized by persistent and frequent symptoms, with severe headaches occurring eight or more days per month.
Unlike episodic migraines or even chronic migraines that may respond to typical interventions like pain relievers or triptans, refractory migraines don’t relent. They disrupt work, relationships and daily life, creating a sense of hopelessness for those who endure them.
Common Symptoms
- Intense, throbbing headaches, often on one side of the head
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia)
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Vision loss or visual disturbances
New Treatment for Refractory Migraine
Stony Brook Medicine offers intra-arterial lidocaine infusions, a precise, convenient and innovative therapy designed to target the middle meningeal arteries, where migraine pain is often concentrated.
- How It Works: This outpatient procedure uses a catheter-based approach to deliver a high dose of numbing medication directly to the site of pain, providing relief that can last for weeks or longer. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, after which patients can generally resume their daily activities.
- Benefits: Patients often experience a significant reduction in migraine severity and frequency, as well as improved effectiveness of other migraine treatments. Performed with light sedation for comfort, this therapy can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals struggling with refractory migraines. This treatment is meant to be an adjunct to other medications being used for refractory migraine.
Our expert team, led by Dr. David Fiorella, is dedicated to providing innovative care to help patients regain their quality of life. Contact us to learn more or schedule a consultation: (631) 444-2762.
Healthcast Episode 4:
Targeted Lidocaine Infusion Therapy for Refractory Migraines
For years, Hayley Striegel has suffered from persistent, disabling, treatment-resistant migraines, also known as refractory migraines. She tried countless treatments over the years but nothing provided significant relief - until she was referred to Dr. David Fiorella at Stony Brook Medicine. In this episode of Healthcast, Hayley and Dr. Fiorella discuss a new targeted lidocaine infusion therapy that Hayley has experienced great relief with.
