Plavix

Plavix can cure migraines in some sufferers. I know. I'm one of them.

Quick background: I had heart surgery last year to fix a large hole (PFO) that has been known to cause migraines, although it didn't fix mine. While on Plavix, a blood thinner, I had no migraines. After stopping Plavix, my migraines returned. Back on Plavix, no migraines.

Here's the deal according to my heart surgeon (in much simpler terms): My platelets in my blood are very sticky and/or I have more than usual. When they are sticky, they can form mini-clots in the brain causing migraines or even strokes. The Plavix I am taking is bringing my blood to normal ranges by making my platelets slippery.

I read a few research papers and websites that verified this. When tested, the platelets in migraine sufferers are different from normal platelets during and in between attacks. There is a significant increase in spontaneous clumping of the platelets for people with migraines.

There is a doctor in the UK that is conducting a clinical trial for Plavix on migraine patients. Dr. John Chambers' theory is that small clots are what cause the migraines in a segment of migraine sufferers.