In an office in the old main building at Haukeland University Hospital in Bergen, Marte Bjørk goes through the results of the study she has commissioned. A study that could have great significance for thousands of Norwegians. The researchers have shown new medicines that have a good effect in preventing migraine attacks. They are often cheaper than those offered today. – We were particularly surprised to find that a medicine used for high cholesterol has a good effect for migraine patients, says Bjørk. She is a professor at UiB and deputy head of the center for headache research, Nor Head. Bjørk believes that the conclusion of the study must be that the treatment for those with migraine must be changed. – Cheaper medicines often have at least as good an effect as expensive ones. We believe this should mean that more people are offered preventive medicine. Marte Bjørk has led studies on migraine patients. Photo: Gerd Braadland / news Invalidiserande – It’s absolutely horrible. It hurts so much that I don’t know what to do. Nora-Anastasia Flagstad describes what it is like to have a migraine attack. She is seen for days at a time when they strike. – I think it is difficult to understand how painful it is. She says the medication she takes for the seizures does not work well. At best, they provide a weak, short-term relief. She does not receive medication to prevent migraines. – It would have meant an incredible amount if I could have received medicine that worked. I’m just waiting for a treatment that can help me. Flagstad says she hopes for a future where she dares to plan special days. Where she doesn’t feel alone because she has to stay away from things she could imagine being a part of. – It destroys a lot. It hurts the psyche. Facts about migraine: Migraine is a common headache. It occurs in around 14 per cent of the population. Most people who get migraines get it before the age of 50. Migraines occur in children, but it is most common for migraines to occur in connection with or after puberty. After puberty, more women than men get migraines. The word migraine is originally French, and is derived from the Greek word hemicrania – and means half the head. Which reflects that the headache traditionally affects half the head. However, it turns out that in only 40 percent of patients there is only purely one-sided pain. In around 40 per cent, pain starts on both sides of the head. In the last 20 percent, the pain starts on one side, and then spreads to the whole head. (Source: Migrene.no) Wants to do further research Over 100,000 migraine patients took part in Nor Head’s study. The researchers have used data from the Prescription Register to see if the patients reduce their use of painkillers after receiving medication to prevent migraines. Everyone who took out medication for migraines between 2010 and 2020 is included in the statistics. They found three medicines that had a better effect than the beta blockers, which are today the first choice for preventing migraine attacks. One of these is a medicine used against depression. One is developed to lower cholesterol. The third was developed as a migraine medicine. The results have been published in a recognized medical journal. Flagstad hopes to be able to get medicine that works. Photo: Oddgeir Øystese / news Now Bjørk wants them to do further research, based on the research results. They have received approval to start a study in medicine. – It is completely new that medicine against cholesterol can have an effect on headaches. We need to prove that even more strongly. This type of medicine has few side effects. It is estimated that at least 14 percent of all Norwegians get migraine attacks, around 700,000 people according to Dagens Medisin. Now the researchers hope that more of them can get help. This will mean less pain and less sickness absence.
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New research offers hope for thousands of migraine patients – news Vestland
