News & Updates

Happy New Year 2014, New Policies

(Download PDF version)

Dear Patients,

Happy New Year to Everyone. I hope 2014 is off to a good start for you and your family. On a personal note, I got married this past November and start off 2014 as a happily married woman! Personal goals including adding Pilates and Yoga to my exercise regimen.

Professional goals for my practice for 2014 include providing you with the very best medical care I can for headaches and mood issues. In order to provide you with quality care, I have decided to not sign any insurance contracts. My practice will continue to be fee-for-service. We will, however, continue to bill your insurance as a courtesy.

For existing patients, we now offer Saturday hours and phone visits. We also have “emergency” slots to better accommodate patients who need timely care.

I want my practice to be “predictably consistent” for patients so certain practice policies will be strictly enforced in 2014. These policies include:

Late Policy

There is a 10 minute grace period. If you anticipate arriving more than 10 minutes late, please call first to see if we can accommodate you. In some cases, we may need to reschedule your appointment.

Prescription Requests

Allow 3 business days for prescription refills. Ask the pharmacy to fax the request to us. In most cases, we will handle the refill electronically. It is very important we have your preferred and correct pharmacy phone number and fax number in our system.

Prior Authorization Requests

Allow 2 weeks for processing all prior authorization requests. Options while waiting include switching to the generic alternative covered by your insurance or paying out of pocket for a 2 week supply. Note: If the prior authorization is for Botox, it can take up to 6 weeks.

Botox

Dr. Hutchinson is a certified Botox injector for chronic migraine. The response rate is 85-90% in our practice. Make an appointment to see if Botox right for you. Visit our websitewww.ocmigraine.org for additional information about Botox for chronic migraine.

New Procedures

New nerve block type procedures and non-invasive stimulators may be treatment options in the future for frequent headache sufferers. Dr. Hutchinson is researching which new procedure options would be the best to start incorporating into her practice.

Emails

Allow 5 business days for response to emails. Remember that email is NOT for prescription issues or to make an appointment or for urgent issues. Email is for non-urgent follow-up questions or for providing a progress report to Dr. Hutchinson.

Urgent Issues

Call our office 949-861-8717 for urgent needs. My staff will help you with making an appointment, coordinating refills, and asking Dr. Hutchinson how to handle your need if of a serious nature. Electronic messages may be put in for Dr. Hutchinson to review and handle as she has time in her schedule.

I look forward to working with you to live a life as free of headache and mood issues as possible. See you soon for your next visit.

Hoping for an excellent 2014 for you,

Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center

Winter Newsletter 2013

(Download PDF version)

migrainebook_large

Happy New Year to all! I am happy to announce the release of my new book: The Woman’s Guide to Managing Migraine: Understanding the Hormone Connection to find Hope and Wellness. It has taken me 3 years to write this book and as with any major project, it is a wonderful feeling of accomplishment at last!

I wrote this book to help women who are looking for help with their migraines, including the hormonally driven migraines that are often the most severe. My goal is to give the reader the up-to-date knowledge and insight they need to better understand and mange their migraines. For readers who are my patients, it provides comprehensive information regarding my approach to migraine management. For others it may help to better communicate with their health care providers and receive improved migraine management. My passion to learn as much as I can about migraine diagnosis and treatment to help my patients was the driving force behind the hours and weekends I had to give up to write this book. I hope my book can help minimize the impact of migraines in your life. If the quality of your life improves, my book has served its purpose. At the end of the day, I think we all ask ourselves, “Have I made a difference?” Making a difference in your headaches and your life-that is my passion and my desire.

It has now been six years since I left family medicine to focus on headache and mood disorders in my medical practice. There are times I miss being a family physician but feel I can make a greater impact in alleviating pain (both physical and emotional) by focusing my energy and talent. As many of you may be aware, I am affiliated with Hoag Hospital. Along with Dr. Philip O’Carroll and Dr. Ali Makki, we have formed the Hoag Headache & Facial Pain Program. I still maintain my primary practice location in Irvine but am in Newport Beach at Hoag on Tuesday mornings for those patients who prefer the Newport Beach location. My affiliation with Hoag enables me to partner with Hoag’s resources. Through Hoag, we offer a free monthly headache support group (2nd Wednesday of every month from 6 pm-7:30 pm Hoag Neuroscience Board Room), community presentations, weekend symposiums, and a team approach for headache including psychologists, physical therapists, and nutritionists. My staff privileges at Hoag allow me to admit patients, when necessary, for medication overuse headache, and to arrange for IV Infusion Treatments for treatment of severe headaches.

My New Year’s Resolutions include getting my life in balance with a focus on exercise including swimming, running, and playing golf; in addition, I want to “slow down” and appreciate the day-to-day of all that life offers. What are your New Year’s Resolutions? I hope they include taking care of you and living the quality of life you deserve. If your headaches are robbing you of the quality of life you desire, then I invite you to call and make an appointment to review your headache management. New treatments for acute and prevention of headaches are available and may be an option for you. I look forward to seeing you in 2013!

Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center

New Needle-Free Sumatriptan Delivery

(Download PDF version)

Imitrex (Sumatriptan) injectable was launched in 1993 in the United States and quickly became the gold standard for fast & effective treatment of a migraine attack. It was the first “triptan” on the market and was quickly followed by an oral and nasal delivery form of Imitrex. Other triptans followed and there are now 7 triptans available in the United States. They include Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Axert, Relpax, Amerge and Frova. Triptans are the most migraine specific medications we have for the acute treatment of migraine. Imitrex now comes in a generic form called Sumatriptan.

Until 2010, Imitex stat-dose (4 & 6 mg) was the only injectable triptan available. The quick onset of action (10 minutes) and the non-oral route made it ideal for:

  1. Migraines associated with nausea & vomiting
  2. Rapidly escalating migraine attacks
  3. Morning migraines

However, some patients do not like to give themselves an injection and may be “needle phobic”.

SUMAVEL Dose Pro is unique. It is a needle-free system that delivers 6 mg Sumatriptan subcutaneously. It offers the same 10 minute onset of action as injectable Imitrex (Sumatriptan) and the same advantages of a non-oral delivery system.

How does it work? The SUMAVEL Dose Pro is a self-contained injection device with 3 simple steps:

  1. Snap (snap off the cap)
  2. Flip (flip back the lever)
  3. Press (press against the skin)

The device is pressed against the skin of the thigh or lower abdomen. It should not be injected through clothing. The Sumatriptan is delivered into the subcutaneous tissue by the force of compressed nitrogen gas that is released once the unit is activated. There is an audible “whoosh” as the nitrogen gas escapes. Once the “whoosh” sound is heard, the Sumatriptan has been delivered. After administering the Sumatriptan, the entire unit can be disposed of in the regular trash. There is no needle to dispose of. At this time the unit is not recyclable but plans for that are underway.

How is it prescribed? It comes in a 6 mg dose. It can be injected as needed for a migraine attack and may be repeated in 1 hour to a maximum of 12 mg in a 24 hour period. It is FDA approved for the treatment of migraine with and without aura and for cluster headache in adults ages 18 and older.

Can it be combined with oral triptans in the same 24 hour period? It is not recommended to combine different triptans in the same 24 hour period. However, I feel it is OK if the oral triptan is Imitrex, generic Sumatriptan, or Treximet since they all contain the same triptan (Sumatriptan). Please call our office if you are unsure about this issue.

What are the side-effects of SUMAVEL Dose Pro? Side-effects may include a feeling of chest tightness, flushing and warmth. Local injection side-effects can include swelling, redness and bruising. A small drop of blood may be present after delivery. In the majority of patients, SUMAVEL Dose Pro is very well tolerated.

In summary, SUMAVEL Dose Pro is a new & unique non-oral delivery system for Sumatriptan. It offers the quick onset of action and effectiveness of injectable Imitrex but without the needle. To learn more, visit SUMAVELDosePro.com

If you feel you can benefit from this new delivery system and medication please call our office and we can set up an appointment. I look forward to demonstrating this unique needle-free injectable system and teaching you how to get fast, effective and needle-free relief from an acute migraine or cluster headache attack.

Our office phone number is 949-861-8717.

Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center

Fibromyalgia: What Is It?

(Download PDF version)

In the course of treating both migraine & depression, my patient population of fibromyalgia has grown. Fibromyalgia often co-exists with migraine and depression. If an individual has migraine headaches, that person is more likely to also have fibromyalgia than the general population. The same is true for depression. This newsletter is devoted to this disabling condition.

Fibromyalgia is a common and very disabling condition that affects 5% of women and 1.6% of men in the general population. It is considered an idiopathic disorder of chronic generalized musculoskeletal pain. The pain is in all 4 body quadrants (i.e. the whole body) as well as in specific soft-tissue tender points often called “trigger points”. A patient with fibromyalgia will be very sensitive when light pressure is applied to these trigger points, often located in the neck and upper back. Other symptoms may include fatigue, sleep disturbance, stiffness, and decreased concentration. I have also been told by some of my patients that they feel “flu like” symptoms, tingling or burning sensations or at times, achy all over.

What causes fibromyalgia? The exact cause is unknown but it appears to be from altered pain processing, creating an increased sensitivity to light touch that normally should not be painful. Similarly, migraine patients have an increased sensitivity to their environment, e.g. to changes in barometric pressure or the drop in estrogen with menses. There are striking similarities between migraine & fibromyalgia.

Treatment includes both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic options. There are 3 FDA-approved medications for fibromyalgia. They are:

  1. Lyrica (pregabalin)
  2. Cymbalta
  3. Savella

Other medications commonly used for fibromyalgia but not FDA-approved include the following:

  1. Tricyclic Antidepressants such as Elavil and Pamelor. This class of medication has been found helpful in fibromyalgia but side-effects include sedation, dry mouth, constipation and weight gain.
  2. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Zoloft & Lexapro. This class of medication has shown mixed results in helping fibromyalgia and would not be considered first-line therapy.
  3. Selective Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Effexor and Pristiq. This class of medication has shown greater effectiveness than SSRIs and includes 2 of the FDA approved drugs for fibromyalgia: Cymbalta & Savella.
  4. Anti-epileptic Drugs (AEDs) such as Neurontin (gabapentin), Lamictal (lamotrigine), Topamax (topiramate), Tegretol (carbamaxepine), and Depakote (valproate). Lyrica, the first FDA-approved medication for fibromyalgia, is in this class. This class of medication shows good benefit in reducing the pain of fibromyalgia and has established itself as potentially the most effective class of medication for migraine prevention. Two of the medications in this class, Topamax and Depakote, are FDA-approved for migraine prevention.Non-pharmacologic treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, biofeedback, acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and structured exercise programs. Many fibromyalgia patients claim they are “too tired” to exercise. One study showed benefit in exercising for just 10 minutes several times a day. I encourage all my patients to exercise as much as they are able to.Vitamin, herbal and nutritional supplementation may help. The B vitamins are known to be important in stressful conditions and can increase energy. I offer both B-complex & B-12 injections in my office which can potentially boost energy and help lessen the fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. In some cases I recommend a full vitamin & mineral blood panel called SpectraCell which can identify nutritional deficiencies that can be contributing to fatigue and pain. Once the deficiencies are identified, the patient can be instructed on which supplements are needed. I am presently consulting with a local chiropractor, Dr. Di Siena, who offers an integrative program known as First Line Therapy to help patients optimize their well-being from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia.Promising new treatment includes transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). This is done in an out-patient setting, is safe & non-painful, is done in a series of treatments, and has been found to be helpful in treatment resistant depression, anxiety and fibromyalgia. Another new treatment is low dose naltrexone. Naltrexone is a medication that has been used clinically for >30 years to treat opioid addiction. More recently, it has been tested in several clinical trials for fibromyalgia and showed a 30% improvement in symptoms compared to placebo. In addition, it was very well tolerated in these studies and is relatively inexpensive.In summary, fibromyalgia can be a very disabling and frustrating medical condition. However, a good integrative approach that combines traditional pharmacological treatment and non-pharmacologic treatment can be very beneficial even for the most difficult-to-treat patient. I believe that the best treatment for a patient is the one that gives them the greatest relief. I encourage you to set up an appointment to develop a treatment plan that can help you live the quality of life you deserve.Sincerely,
    Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center

Botox and Headache Prevention

(Download PDF version)

Many of my headache patients ask if Botox would help their headaches. This newsletter will focus on Botox and its role in headache prevention. A patient testimonial will be included. I hope this newsletter will help you decide if Botox makes sense for you.

What is Botox?
Botox is Botulinum Toxin Type A. It is a neurotoxin used for greater than 20 years and is currently FDA approved for eye muscle conditions such as strabismus and blepharospasm and for a neck problem called cervical dystonia. The mechanism of action for these conditions is related to the muscle relaxing properties of Botox. It is not yet FDA approved for migraine or headache prevention; however recent clinical trials show promising results. Two recently completed clinical trials were done exploring the use of Botox for adults suffering from “chronic migraine”, i.e. headaches and/or migraine occurring on 15 or more days/month. The results of these 2 studies showed a decrease in the number of headache and migraine days. Additionally, the quality of life in patients receiving Botox in the studies improved significantly compared to patients receiving placebo injections.

For complete product and prescribing information, go to www.botox.com.

How is Botox injected for headache prevention?
Typically 100 units of Botox are injected in multiple sites over the forehead; around the eyes; the temples; the back of the neck and the upper back. The Botox comes in a 100 unit vial and I mix it with a saline solution prior to injection, yielding a concentration of 2.5 units per .1 cc. Then, I fill 5 small syringes, each containing 20 units of Botox. Very small 30 gauge needles are attached to the syringes and then the Botox is injected. There are certain fixed sites and amounts that I use for every headache patient and these include the forehead; the eye and the temples. The fixed sites require 65 units of Botox. With the remaining 35 units, I can “follow the pain” of where my patients experience most of their pain relative to their headaches and tailor the remaining Botox injections accordingly.

The vial of Botox is mixed fresh for each injection visit. There is no “sharing” of Botox with other patients. Each patient pays for and receives the equivalent of 1 full vial of Botox (100 units). Studies indicate that larger amounts (100-300 units) are required for headache prevention in contrast to cosmetic uses of Botox which often require much less quantity.

What are the risks of Botox injection?
The risks are minimal and include bruising, swelling and pain at the site of injection. There is a very slight risk of eyelid dropping which is reversible. An ice pack is applied prior to the forehead and facial injections which can lessen injection pain and prevent bruising and swelling.

To learn more specifics re: benefits/risks of Botox, click on www.imigraine.net.

How soon does it work?
From my experience, many patients feel almost immediate relief from the muscle tenderness part of their headaches, including the forehead, neck and upper back areas. This is due to the muscle relaxing characteristics of Botox. However, true migraine prevention results are not often evident for 2 weeks. The accepted theory on why Botox works to prevent migraine is that it prevents the release of some of the inflammatory agents that cause migraine such as CGRP and substance P.

How long does it last?
Most patients experience 12-14 weeks of benefit after Botox injection. Many comment they can tell when it starts wearing off by an increase in headache.

What is the cost?
Currently we charge a total of $825.00 for Botox injection. This fee includes 1 full vial of Botox (100 units); all related supplies such as needles and syringes; and the procedure cost. The time for the procedure is 30 minutes. In most cases, you can return to work after your injection.

Our policy is to offer insurance billing for Botox; however, we cannot guarantee it will be covered since it is not FDA-approved for headache prevention and is considered “experimental” and “off-label” by most insurance companies.

Patient Testimonial (a quote from one of Dr. Hutchinson’s patients)
“I am really pleased with the results! I felt a “softening” of the muscle tension in my forehead and the back of my neck right away and that has continued over the past week. As you indicated, it appears that the injections take some time to fully work. My forehead today feels better than it did over the weekend, and my shoulders and neck have not been as tense either. I am very satisfied with the results and feel that Botox can be another “weapon” in my arsenal to prevent migraines.”

How do I know if I am a good candidate for Botox for headache prevention?
If you are currently frustrated with your headaches, then Botox is a strong consideration. It is especially helpful, in my opinion, for those patients who have a muscle tension component to their headache, e.g. a lot of forehead/scalp or neck muscle tightness and tenderness. Also, based on the recent studies by Allergan (the maker of Botox), those with more frequent headaches, especially more than 15 days/month, would be good candidates for Botox injection for headache prevention.

Please call our office 949-861-8717 and set up an office visit to evaluate whether you would be a good candidate for Botox. I will review your current headache management as well as the pattern of your headaches and give you my opinion. If Botox makes sense, it can be ordered and the injections given 1-2 weeks later.

Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center

New Treatment for Migraine

(Download PDF version)

The FDA just approved a new medication for the acute treatment of migraine. It is called Treximet and is a combination of Imitrex (a migraine specific medication) and Naproxen (an NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication). Treximet is the first drug of its kind on the market and represents an advancement in the acute treatment of migraine. It is now available in pharmacies.

Why was this combination brought to market?

To answer this question we need to look at what occurs during a migraine attack. Migraine is a neurovascular event and involves the release of neurochemical transmitters such as CGRP and Substance P. These neurotransmitters cause inflammation and vasodilation of blood vessels surrounding our brain. The triptans (Imitrex; Relpax; Maxalt; Axert; Zomig; Frova; Amerge) prevent the release of these neurotransmitters and in turn, prevents the involvement of the blood vessels. They are most effective in taken early in this process.

We have now discovered another pathway involved in migraine that consists of the production and release of prostaglandin. The NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) inhibit prostaglandin production and release and include medications such as Motrin, Aleve, Advil, and Naprosyn.

Therefore, it makes sense to combine these 2 drugs to attack the multiple pathways involved in migraine. The combination should potentially be more effective than either agent alone.

Why not just take an OTC NSAID like Aleve or Advil with a triptan?

Taking the NSAID such as Aleve with the triptan may not be as effective. From extensive research studies and clinical trials, a unique pharmacokinetic profile is seen with the combination tablet. The Imitrex portion of the tablet reaches peak levels quickly, providing important initial relief; the Naproxen component of the tablet is delayed and reaches peak levels of concentration later than if given separately. This delayed release of the Naproxen provides the important headache prevention needed as the Imitrex begins wearing off. Therefore, most patients experience initial headache relief within 1-2 hours followed by sustained pain-free results for 24 hours.

Additionally, the combination tablet is convenient and eliminates the need to carry two separate medication bottles. Treximet will be packaged in a quantity of #9 tablets and is in a small container that will easily fit into a woman’s purse, e.g.

Who should not take Treximet?

Anyone who has established coronary or peripheral vascular disease should not take Treimet which contains Imitrex, a triptan medication. If an individual has cardiac risk factors such as high blood pressure of high cholesterol, they should be screened prior to triptan use. Anyone with a history of an allergic reaction of any of the triptan medications should not take Treximet. Anyone with a history of an allergy or contraindication to NSAIDs such avoid the use of Treximet which contains Naproxen, a NSAID. Contraindications would also include gastric ulcer; gastritis/esophagitis; history of gastric by-pass; and someone on Coumadin or other blood thinners. Pregnant women should avoid the use of Treximet. Full prescribing information is available at www.treximet.com.

How do I know if I should switch to Treximet? Answer these migraine treatment questions.*

  1. Do you want more relief from your migraine medicine?
  2. Do you ever need more than one dose of your current medicine to treat your migraines?
  3. Do you ever take more than one medication to relieve a single migraine attack?

If your answer was “yes” to 1 or more of these questions, then you may benefit from Treximet. It may provide more complete relief for your migraine headaches. In addition, you may be less likely to re-dose or rescue compared to your current acute headache treatment. Complete relief of head pain and associated symptoms such as nausea within a 2 hour time period is a reasonable expectation followed by sustained pain free for at least 24 hours.

*Migraine Treatment Questionnaire developed by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical and recognized by the National Headache Foundation as an effective way to initiate dialogue between healthcare professionals and patients regarding treatment effectiveness. Printed with permission from GSK Pharmaceutical.

How do I know if Treximet better than my current triptan or other acute headache medication? Answer the following questions.

  1. Are you headache free in 2 hours and back to full function?
  2. Are there any side-effects on the medication?
  3. Do you need to re-dose within 24 hours?
  4. Do you have to rescue with another medication?
  5. Does the headache stay away completely for at least 24 hours? (Sustained pain-free)

In summary, Treximet is the newest prescription medication on the market for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults 18 and older. The combination of Imitrex/Naprosyn represents the most migraine specific medication now available. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hutchinson or your primary care provider to see if Treximet would be right for you.

Sincerely,
Susan Hutchinson, MD Director-Orange County Migraine & Headache Center