The Reed Procedure®

While it’s essential to discuss the specifics of your medical condition with Dr. Reed, in general, yes, implanted stimulators have shown significant success in patients with:

• Diabetes
• Any type of shunt, such as “VP Shunt” or spinal fluid shunt
• History of repeated Lumbar Punctures (LPs)
• Aneurysms
• Pseudotumor Cerebri (Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus)
• Seizures
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Nerve Damage
• Previous nerve surgeries
• Any form of arthritis, including Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Existing implanted stimulators, like spinal cord stimulators
• Heart Conditions, including pacemakers

Having undergone unsuccessful migraine surgeries in the past does not automatically disqualify you from being eligible for the Reed Procedure®. The primary eligibility criteria for the procedure focus on your current condition and treatment history:

1. Chronic Migraine Frequency: You need to have at least 10 headache or migraine days per month.
2. Refractory to Medical Management: You must have tried at least six months of medical treatments (including prescription headache medications) without significant success.

If your previous surgeries were aimed at addressing migraines or related conditions, it’s essential to assess:

• Whether those surgeries targeted different mechanisms than the Reed Procedure® (which uses neurostimulation).
• Your current migraine patterns and severity.
• Any lingering effects from the previous surgeries that could affect the procedure’s efficacy or safety.

The Reed Procedure® specifically uses combined occipital and supraorbital neurostimulation to address chronic, severe headaches, making it distinct from most surgical migraine treatments. It is often considered for patients who remain debilitated despite other interventions.

Yes, the Reed Procedure® can address both migraine pain and associated symptoms, including auras, for many patients. The procedure works by using neurostimulation to target key nerves involved in migraine pathophysiology—the occipital and supraorbital nerves. This stimulation affects not only pain pathways but also deeper brain centers involved in headache genesis and modulation.

How It Helps:

Migraine Pain: The procedure is highly effective in reducing the frequency and intensity of chronic migraine pain. In clinical studies, patients with severe migraines often reported a significant or complete reduction in headache severity when both occipital and supraorbital nerve stimulation were used together.

Associated Symptoms: By modulating nerve activity and influencing deeper brain centers, the procedure can also alleviate other migraine symptoms, such as:

• Aura: While the aura originates from cortical spreading depression in the brain, the neurostimulation may help by interrupting the pathways that amplify migraine symptoms.
• Photophobia and Phonophobia: Sensitivity to light and sound can diminish as overall headache control improves.
• Nausea and Neurological Symptoms: Many patients report relief from nausea, visual disturbances, and even neurological deficits (e.g., hemiparesis) related to their migraines.

Limitations:

While the Reed Procedure® is highly effective for many patients, it may not completely eliminate all symptoms in every individual. The response varies based on factors such as the nature of the migraines, their triggers, and the patient’s overall neurological health.

The Reed Procedure® is available at the Reed Migraine Centers in Dallas, TX, and Saddle Brook, NJ. Travel support for patients is robust, with specific arrangements to make the experience as convenient as possible:

Travel Commitments:

1. Trial Procedure:
   • Patients typically arrive the day before the procedure and depart the day of their end-of-trial appointment.
   • A 4-night stay is generally recommended. For example, if the trial is on Monday, the end-of-trial appointment is on Thursday.
2. Permanent Procedure:
   • Conducted exclusively in Dallas.
   • Patients typically arrive the day before the procedure and leave on the day of their post-op appointment (usually 4 nights).

Lodging Support:

• Nearby Hotels: Partnered hotels in Dallas offer discounted rates exclusively for Reed Migraine patients.
• Non-Profit Lodging Support:
  • Ark House: Low-cost housing for adult patients and their families.
  • Ronald McDonald House: Lodging for patients 21 or younger and their families.
  • Referrals are required for both options.

Transportation Support:

• Angel Flight: Provides free air transportation for qualifying patients facing financial or logistical challenges. More information can be found at Angel Flight Locator.

If you have additional questions or need assistance planning your trip, the Reed Migraine Centers team can guide you through the process.