The East Bay Headache Support Group is more than just a place to listen to informative speakers. We also like to get together at least once a year for an informal meeting, or Talk It Over Night. The theme of the evening will be "What Works For You?" and discussion will be facilitated by Michael Stein, M.D., co-founder and medical advisor of the group. Dr. Stein has a private neurology practice in Walnut Creek, and specializes in aiding headache patients to gain control over their symptoms.

Now is your chance to meet with other headache sufferers and share information about the different remedies and disciplines you’ve tried over the years to relieve and/or prevent headaches.

The support group meeting will be held in the Ball Auditorium at John Muir Medical Center on Tuesday, July 11th, from 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. For information, call (925) 938-5252.

In addition to depression, obesity, insomnia, fibromyalgia and PMS, Dr. Michael Murray explains how correcting the balance of serotonin in the brain can reduce the severity and frequency of vascular headaches (migraine and daily headache). In his book Dr. Murray focuses on one herb, 5-HTP, and its ability to increase the serotonin levels in the brain. 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is extracted from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia. It has been used for decades in Europe as an approved treatment for depression, sleep problems, weight loss and migraine headache. It is just now starting to sweep America.

5-HTP has a direct effect on increasing serotonin in the brain, since it is the biochemical precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the brain. It influences a wide range of normal brain activity, including moods, eating patterns, pain transmission, sexual behavior and sleep. Having an adequate supply produces what is sometimes called the "serotonin effect" – a feeling of calmness, mild euphoria and relaxation.

Having too little serotonin can lead to the opposite situation—feelings of depression, anxiety, etc. Serotonin works to reduce migraine headache by constricting blood vessels (similar to the effects of Imitrex). Also, having adequate levels of serotonin in the brain helps the body produce and release endorphins, which help dampen pain as well as elevate mood.

5-HTP has few side effects. The most common side effects are nausea and G.I. upset, which will usually pass after a couple of weeks. It is also safe for children. However, it is possible to take too much serotonin, resulting in what is called "serotonin syndrome," which is characterized by confusion, fever, shivering, sweating, diarrhea and muscle spasm. It is best to check with your doctor before taking 5-HTP, especially if you are taking a prescription antidepressant, or an MAO inhibitor, or have high blood pressure.

5-HTP can be found in most major drug stores, health food stores and on the Internet. The dosage and time of dosing varies, depending on the ailment. For migraine, the dosage is 50 mg/3 times per day to start. It can take up to two months to see the full benefit for migraine headache.

Dr. Murray is a naturopathic doctor. N.D.’s are currently licensed to practice primary care medicine in eleven states and the District of Columbia. Their treatments are based on prevention, diet, exercise and a holistic approach using vitamins, minerals, herbs and other natural products. Dr. Murray is also the author of Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, and The Healing Power of Herbs. His Web site is www.doctormurray.com

Money’s recent "Smart Spending" article delineates for the consumer the five types of painkillers available on an over-the-counter basis for tension headache relief. Author Susan Berger explains that, in the last thirty years, there has been an explosion of brand name pain relievers, boosting sales by 21% since the late 1980s, according to New Jersey pharmaceutical consultants Kline & Co. The 179 brand name headache remedies, not to mention scores of individual store brands currently available on the market, are enough to make even the most educated consumer’s head spin.

With so many options, it’s hard to believe that each of the hundreds of over-the-counter painkillers falls into one of only five categories: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or ketoprofen. Four of the five types fall under the NSAID or "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug" classification. According to the Money article, NSAIDS are effective in the relief of pain, fever, and inflammation; while acetaminophen, the fifth type of over-the-counter pain remedy, relieves only pain and fever.

The aspirin classification includes brands such as Bayer Aspirin and Empirin among 100 others. A number of products combine aspirin with other substances for pain relief, namely Anacin (aspirin and caffeine) and Bufferin, which guards against stomach upset by adding an antacid to the aspirin. The side effects aspirin may cause include stomach ailments (ulcers or bleeding) and Reyes’ Syndrome, a sometimes fatal disease that targets children under age 16 who are suffering from the flu or chicken pox at the time when the aspirin is ingested. One’s excessive dependence on aspirin may result in serious kidney or liver disease, according to the Money article.

Well-known acetaminophen products include Tylenol and Panadol, as well as Excedrin, which combines acetaminophen with aspirin and caffeine. Side effects of this subdivision of pain relievers that numbers over 100 brand names are few, though its use may promote liver damage in alcohol users. Use of ibuprofen, like aceta-minophen, rarely results in the stomach problems associated with aspirin, nor does it pose the danger of Reyes’ Syndrome in children. Advil, Motrin IB, and Nuprin are among the brands of ibuprofen currently available on drugstore shelves.

Naproxen sodium and ketoprofen are far less common than the other types of over-the-counter headache remedies examined in Berger’s article. Aleve is the sole naproxen sodium product available to consumers today as its manufacturer maintains exclusive non-prescription rights. While its side effects are similar to those of aspirin (with the exception of Reyes’ Syndrome), physicians warn that the threat of kidney or liver damage may be greater because consumers not familiar with the dosage (every 8-12 hours rather than every 4-6 hours) are likely to misuse the drug. Ketoprofen only very recently received the FDA nod for over-the-counter marketing, and therefore the Money article does not mention any brand names.

While each type of pain reliever is different, Berger’s article points out that there are a few things to keep in mind when using any of those on the shelf. In order to avoid the possibility of excessive bleeding, it’s best to mention the remedy you’ve chosen to use to your doctor before undergoing any type of surgical procedure. Similarly, though aspirin has proven to be a useful weapon in the fight against heart disease and some forms of cancer, it also has the potential to complicate other serious disorders such as stroke.

Consumer abstract of article in April 1996 issue of Money. Abstract was excerpted from the Volume I, Issue 4, 1996 issue of Scientia, Headache and Pain Management.

Make and use a trip list. Make time reminders and a suitcase list.

Schedule a one-day unwinding period between work and travel.

Watch yourself for signs of tension (clenched teeth, tensed shoulders, shallow breathing). Relax those muscles and take slow, easy abdominal breaths.

Allow plenty of time to get to the airport or your destination.

Check your luggage (but always carry your headache medications and other comfort items in a carry-on bag).

If driving, plan to arrive at your destination before dark. Plan out your route and avoid traveling during high commute times.

Wear sunglasses, use pull-down sun screens on the car windows, or even get the windows tinted (Check with DMV to see what tints are legal in California).

Bring a lap blanket and travel pillow, and a disposable ice pack or heat pack that is self-activating.

If traveling by car, make frequent stops to stretch, walk around, and generally relax. If flying, reserve an aisle seat and get up and walk periodically.

Do gentle neck relaxation exercises every hour.

Cluster headache sufferers can get a doctor’s written request that oxygen be available to abort an attack during the flight.

While on vacation, don’t forget to exercise at least 10-15 minutes per day.

Be on the lookout for foods containing MSG. Before you order a restaurant meal, ask the waiter if it contains MSG. Simple and natural foods (without gravies or sauces) generally contain less chemicals that might trigger a headache.

Reserve a special meal in advance of the flight—vegetarian entrees or fruit plates are safe choices.

Pack healthy snacks to avoid missing a meal. Suggestions are high-protein foods such as raw, unsalted nuts or chicken; and fruits.

Drink plenty of water. Refrain from eating salted peanuts and pretzels and drinking sodas on the plane.

Eat plenty of fiber to avoid constipation. Try flaxseed or prune juice, and again, drink lots of water.

If crossing time zones, try to adjust to the local time as quickly as possible. Ask your doctor about sleeping pills or melatonin to relieve jet lag. Ambien and Sonata are sleeping aids available by prescription, or you may wish to get a prescription for Atavan, a tranquilizer.

Your prescribed medications should be carried in their original containers.

In the event you need to visit an emergency room while on vacation, carry a letter from your doctor indicating your headache diagnosis and any allergies, and listing prophylactic and abortive medications you take for your headaches.

Before traveling, ask your doctor about taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication as a headache preventative. J