Transcend Headache Clinic

02/12/2026

Migraine Education: Gepants (Rescue Treatment)

Gepants are a newer class of 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆-𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 used to treat migraine attacks once they begin.

They work by 𝐛𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐆𝐑𝐏, a key pain-signaling molecule involved in migraine. CGRP levels rise during migraine attacks and contribute to pain, inflammation, and sensitivity — gepants help interrupt that process.

Why this matters:
• Gepants 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 cause blood vessel constriction
• They can be an option for people who can’t tolerate or shouldn’t use triptans
• They 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞

As with all migraine treatments, gepants aren’t one-size-fits-all. Understanding how they work helps determine whether they may be a good fit as part of an individualized migraine plan.

Education helps patients make informed, confident decisions about their care

02/11/2026

02/10/2026

Migraine Medication Education: Triptans

Triptans are a commonly used acute migraine treatment designed to stop a migraine attack once it starts.

How do triptans work?
Triptans act on specific serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptors in the brain. This helps:
• Reduce migraine-related inflammation
• Calm overactive pain pathways
• Reverse abnormal blood vessel signaling involved in migraine

Why this helps migraine:
When taken early in an attack, triptans can reduce pain intensity and associated symptoms such as nausea, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity.

Things to know:
• Triptans work best when taken early
• They are not used for prevention
• They are not appropriate for everyone, especially those with certain cardiovascular conditions

Understanding how your medications work is an important part of building an effective migraine plan.

02/09/2026

✨ February is all about migraine education ✨

This month, we’ll be sharing easy-to-understand information about different migraine treatment options — how they work, who they may help, and what to expect.

Migraine is a neurologic disease, and understanding your options matters. Education helps reduce confusion, builds confidence, and supports better long-term care decisions.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have lived with migraine for years, we hope this series helps you feel more informed and empowered. 💜

02/08/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧' 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐥?🙃

02/06/2026

Why treating migraine early matters (but isn’t always possible)

Acute migraine medications tend to work best 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤. When taken early, they can:
• Reduce attack severity
• Shorten how long the migraine lasts
• Decrease the need for repeat dosing

But for many people, treating early isn’t always realistic — and that’s not a failure.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲” 𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝:
• Migraines often start during sleep
• Nausea or slowed digestion can delay absorption of oral medications
• Rebound or frequent migraine patterns can make timing unpredictable

Missing the “treat early” window doesn’t mean you did something wrong — it’s part of how migraine biology works.

This is why 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫, including choosing the right medication and the right route when needed.

👉 Find a rescue treatment plan that works for you at Transcend Headache Clinic

02/04/2026

Fargo deserves specialized headache care.
And now, it has it.

02/03/2026

This cycle can feel familiar for many people living with frequent headaches or migraines.

Pain medication brings relief — but only temporarily. As the medication wears off, the headache returns, often leading to taking more medication just to get through the day. Over time, this pattern can keep the headache cycle going.

This isn’t about doing anything “wrong.”
It’s a signal that the brain may need more support than acute medication alone.

Breaking the cycle often means stepping back, looking at the full picture, and building a plan that supports long-term headache control — not just short-term relief.

02/02/2026

Happy Monday & the happiest of birthdays to Tiffany Eslinger 🎂✨

She shows up for her patients every single day—and today is no exception. Even on her birthday, Tiffany is in the office doing what she does best: caring, listening, and going beyond headache medicine.

Join us in wishing her the very best birthday today! 💜🎉

01/28/2026

Do you ever wake up with a migraine already in full swing?

You’re not alone. 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝟒–𝟖 𝐀𝐌, and these early-morning attacks are often harder to treat.

Why? Migraine medications work best when taken early. If an attack starts while you’re asleep, it may already be advanced by the time you wake up — making oral treatments less effective.

Early-morning migraines can be influenced by many factors, including:
• Poor or disrupted sleep
• Dehydration or low blood sugar overnight
• Caffeine or medication withdrawal
• Stress let-down
• Jaw clenching or teeth grinding
• Lower levels of the body’s natural pain relievers in the early morning hours

Other headache disorders can also cause people to wake up in pain, which is why evaluation matters.

If morning migraines are frequent, there are options — including adjusting treatment timing or medication routes — to help improve control.

01/26/2026

𝑾𝒉𝒚 𝒅𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅? 🤔

If you’ve noticed that headaches or migraines tend to show up before or during your period, there’s a biological reason — and you’re definitely not alone.

Many people who menstruate experience 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐝-𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 because of changes in hormone levels. Around menstruation, 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬, and that can make the brain more sensitive to migraine triggers.

Hormones like estrogen are deeply connected to brain chemistry and pain pathways — when they drop quickly before your period, it can increase the likelihood of a migraine attack.

That’s why you might see patterns like:
• Headaches starting a few days before your period begins
• Headaches during the first few days of your period
• Stronger or more frequent migraines around your cycle

Understanding this pattern can help you plan ahead and talk with your provider about preventive strategies and personalized care. Your body is signaling, and that’s information — not weakness. 💜

01/22/2026

Did you know migraine prevention can start earlier than most people think?

The International Headache Society recommends considering preventive migraine treatment as early as 2–4 migraine days per month — not just when migraines become frequent or chronic.

Why does this matter?
Early, proactive treatment can help reduce attack frequency, severity, and disability, and may lower the risk of migraines becoming chronic over time.

Migraine is a neurologic disease.
Treating it early isn’t “doing too much” — it’s protecting your brain.

Early care can mean better long-term outcomes.