book review: The Migraine Brain

Fourth, her descriptions of preventive, abortive and rescue drugs can be confusing. She classifies triptans as both preventive and abortive medications, depending on how they are used. While it is correct that both Amerge and Frova can be used preventively in certain cases under a doctor's direction, Dr Bernstein's descriptions once again are unclear. Overuse of any triptan, including Amerge or Frova, can lead to MOH. Additionally, Dr Bernstein lists only a small selection of types of preventive medications used: blood pressure, seizure, antidepressants and Botox. There are over one hundred medications in ten different classes used to prevent Migraines. She also dedicates very little space to rescue drugs, vaguely referring to narcotics and the migraine cocktail, without going into any detail.

Lastly, a combination of incorrect facts, typos and sloppy writing makes it difficult for an astute reader to get through the book. Other than those discussed above, her most troublesome inaccuracy is that Migraines can only be triggered by foods consumed in the two hours prior to the Migraine. In fact, it can take 48 hours for food to trigger a Migraine. Dr Bernstein also incorrectly notes that there are 30 million Migraine sufferers in the US (the number is closer to 36 million). Lastly, while typos may not seem like a big enough issue to discuss in a review, it makes me wonder: was this book sped through publication? Were facts correctly cross-checked? If simple typos were left in the manuscript, what else was missed?

Overall, I would not recommend this book to Migraine sufferers. While there is good information presented, Dr Bernstein's writing is too often inconcise and confusing. The same (and better) information can be found in the accurate and clear articles posted here at MMC, as well as Teri Robert's book, Living Well With Migraine Disease and Headaches. I do appreciate Dr Bernstein's intention to write an accessible book about Migraines for the general public, and her emphasis on Migraine as a disease. The inaccuracies and misinformation, however, may lead to misunderstanding. With such a confusing disease, we deserve the clearest information we can get.

Be well,
MJ