In this episode of Talking Head Pain, Joe Coe welcomes Dr. Andrew Blumenfeld, Director of The Los Angeles Headache Center and a world-renowned headache specialist who helped develop the Botox injection protocol used in the pivotal migraine trials.

They delve into the complexities of migraine management, discussing recently introduced concepts like "migraine freedom" and the multimodal approach to treatment. Dr. Blumenfeld addresses the challenges in navigating patient care within the constraints of insurance companies. The conversation also sheds light on the critical role of caffeine in migraine control and explores the often-overlooked symptoms experienced between migraine attacks.

Join Joe and Dr. Blumenfeld in an informative conversation that offers new perspectives and hope for migraineurs.

Among the highlights in this episode:

02:16: Dr. Blumenfeld and Joe discuss the term "migraine freedom," its origins, and patient experiences related to it

04:21: Joe and Dr. Blumenfeld expand on controlling migraine versus curing it, and how each patient's control needs can be different

05:11: Dr. Blumenfeld explains the multimodal approach to migraine treatment, emphasizing the importance of combining treatments for better control

07:28: Dr. Blumenfeld discusses his recently published paper on the Multimodal Approach to Migraine Freedom and its significance

09:27: Dr. Blumenfeld talks about the long-term journey of migraine treatment and the shared decision-making process between doctors and patients

12:26: Joe and Dr. Blumenfeld discuss managing treatment expectations with patients, highlighting the challenges with insurance companies and the importance of shared decision-making

16:05: Joe shares his personal experience with insurance challenges in accessing effective migraine treatment

18:50: Dr. Blumenfeld talks about comorbidities and coexisting diseases that can drive headache disorders, like sleep apnea and its impact

21:15: Joe and Dr. Blumenfeld discuss caffeine's role in migraine management, its misconceptions, and guidance on its usage

26:57: Dr. Blumenfeld highlights the importance of understanding the process that providers undergo to achieve a higher level of control over migraine, including dealing with insurance companies

29:31: Dr. Blumenfeld brings up the concept of the interictal period in migraine, focusing on symptoms that persist between migraine attacks and their impact on patients

Contact Our Hosts:

Joe Coe, Director, Therapeutic Area Growth and Integration at GHLF: jcoe@ghlf.org

Sarah Shaw, Senior Manager of BIPOC Community Outreach at GHLF: sshaw@ghlf.org

A podcast episode produced by Ben Blanc, Manager of Programs & Special Projects at GHLF.

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