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Migraine Linked To Blood Clots And Thrombophilia

1/23/2013

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Today, another study has been released that further supports the notion that migraine and blood clots are closely linked.  Glynn (2012) shares that the study observed a total of 145,304 females who were using contraceptives.  2,691 participants were affected by migraine with aura and 4,437 were affected by migraine without aura.  During the study, 7.5% of the women who suffered from migraine with aura who were using a newer generation combined oral contraceptive developed a deep vein thrombosis.  Only 6.3% of the women in the migraine without aura group developed a deep vein thrombosis.

More blood clot complications occurred in the migraine with aura group than in the migraine without aura group.  For this reason, migraine with aura needs to be discussed with your doctor as a risk factor for blood clots.  This is especially important for women using third generation contraceptives. (Yasmin, Ocella, and Yaz are examples of third generation combined oral contraceptives.)

This isn't the first study to link blood clots and migraine.  Ferrara et al. (2012) found a relationship between migraine and elevated levels of Factor VIII and Factor IX.  They also found that individuals with migraine were more likely to have either MTHFR or Factor V Leiden.  In 2011, Kutal et al had almost identical results in a similar study.  It seems safe to assume that there is a connection between migraine and thrombophilia.

Boyles (2008) points out, that we do not know for sure if thrombophilia is the link between migraines and blood clots.  There could be another factor involved.

No matter what the link is between migraine and blood clots, patients need to make sure that doctors are aware of the blood clot risks associated with migraine, especially in those patients who have multiple blood clot risk factors.


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Site Design Input

1/22/2013

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As the Clot Spot develops, I have a few questions for everyone.

How do you like the site design?  Do you have any ideas on how to make the site easier to navigate?  What topics would you like to see in the future?  Is the color scheme nice?  How about the menu system?

Let me know what you think.  I have some other templates and themes that I can use here.

Lastly, do you like having articles separate from the blog?  I thought it would make things easier to navigate.  Does it?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Thanks!
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FAQ: How Can I Find The Best Price On A Prescription Medication?

1/19/2013

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It is common knowledge that certain prescription medications are very expensive.  This is especially true if it is a newer medication or if it doesn't have a generic form.  This doesn't mean that generics are always easy on the pocket book.  Generics can run high as well.  So, how can you find good prices on medications?  What are your options?
  1. Tell your doctor that you need financial help.  Doctors often have samples.  With all of the new anticoagulants on the market, you may be lucky.
  2. Ask your doctor about manufacturer low income programs.  Most manufacturers have some type of financial aid available for those without insurance.
  3. Ask about generics.  Generic warfarin is VERY inexpensive.
  4. Try good old fashioned warfarin rather than newer medications.
  5. While buying from other countries is illegal, the U.S. typically overlooks individuals who purchase abroad.  Make sure that your pharmacy has some accreditation and that they have a real pharmacist that requires a prescription from your doctor.
  6. If you are in the hospital, a social worker may be able to help get that Lovenox prescription filled. When I was being discharged, a social worker came and got my insurance info to confer with my insurance about how I was to get Lovenox.  I didn't have to do a thing.
  7. Write an appeal to the insurance company.
  8. This is my favorite!  Use one of the new, Internet price comparison sites.  I use www.goodrx.com for migraine medication when I have hit my insurance company's maximum for the month.  I have seen the price go from over $200.00 to around $35.00!  They show the prices in your area and provide discount coupons if needed to get the price.

Here are some other interesting thoughts on prescriptions for pulmonary embolism treatment for you. Some people will find certain brands of a generic medication to work better for them.  If this is the case, your doctor can specify on your prescription to ONLY give you a certain brand or to give you any generic BUT a certain brand.  I do that with my Wellbutrin generic.  It was much easier ad cheaper than fighting to use name brand Wellbutrin.  The brands are listed on your prescription bottle or you can often look up a pill online using a search engine and the pill's label, number, color, or markings.

If you need brand name Coumadin or you need another medication like one of the newer anticoagulants and your insurance won't pay, first have your doctor's insurance representative call to ask for an override based on medical need.  If that doesn't work, ask your insurer for the address of the appeals department and write the letter.  Your doctor can help you to make sure you have a solid, well informed letter.
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FAQ: What Is The Difference Between Factor V Leiden And APC Resistance?

1/11/2013

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This is a great question. Let me explain the alphabet soup for you. First off Protein C and Activated Protein C are different. Protein C must be activated before it can do its job. Once it is, it becomes activated protein C. 

Factor V is another clotting chemical. It causes clotting. Typically, Activated Protein C turns off Factor V. This means it would stop the body from clotting. The Factor V has a receptor that is the same shape as the Activated Protein C. It is like 2 puzzle pieces fitting together. Once the two pieces are together, clotting cycle stops. When you have the Factor V Leiden mutation, the Factor V Leiden puzzle pieces are shaped incorrectly. The Activated Protein C can't fit with the Factor V. 
Most people only have one copy of the mutation (from one parent rather than both parents) this means that about half of the Factor V is produced with the right puzzle piece and the other half is wrong. The part that is wrong is RESISTANT to the Activated Protein C. 95% of people with APC resistance have it due to Factor V Leiden. 5% of people with APC resistance have it due to other causes. All people with Factor V Leiden have APC resistance but not all people with APC resistance have Factor V Leiden.

You can also be short of Protein C, but this is not related to APC resistance. Protein C deficiency is when Protein C is affected before it is activated. You don't have enough Protein C to turn off all of the Factor V in your blood.

APC resistance, Factor V Leiden, and Protein C deficiencies all are types of thrombophilia (clotting conditions) and raise the risk of blood clots.  A patient can have one or more than one of these conditions, for this reason doctors will measure levels of protein C and Activated C Protein, do a APC resistance blood assay, and a genetic test for Factor V Leiden.  The more conditions that are found, the higher the risk is of having a blood clot.

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Swiss Health Insurer Vs. Yasmin

1/9/2013

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According to Yahoo News, A Swiss health insurer is baking a woman and her family as they sue Bayer, the creator of Yasmin.  Yasmin is one of the third generation birth control pills.  The third generation pills have come under fire for their use of newer progestins that appear to have a much higher risk of blood clots.  In the United States, Bayer has already paid out $750 million to just under 3,500 individuals who feel that they suffered a pulmonary embolism due to the use of Yasmin.

Combined oral contraceptives are a known risk factor for pulmonary embolism.  Individuals who have had a pulmonary embolism and would like to use birth control should speak with their doctor(r) about the options.  More information can also be found by clicking here.
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