For as long as I remember, I've been afflicted by migraine. My migraines tend to range from the mildly annoying to the horribly severe — I would barely be able to move, if the latter is the case. But I get a migraine attack every week without fail, and so, imagine my surprise — and delight — when Dr Reddy's Laboratories reached out to me to test Nerivio, a migraine relief device approved by the USFDA.
I've tried all possible migraine medications out there, and invariably, after a few months, they lose their efficacy.
I don't think I ever wanted to get a migraine so bad, just because I wanted to test Nerivio. And like clockwork, the Friday after the device was delivered to me, my old friend, the migraine, made its unwelcome visit.
Using the device is ridiculously simple — the device itself doesn't need to be charged; it is programmed for 18 treatment sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. It has an ‘on’ button and LED indicator, and that's it. Included in the box are an armband with which you can strap on the device and tighten it as per your comfort level.
Nerivio comes with a companion app, which controls the device. Nerivio uses what Dr Reddy's terms ‘remote electrical neuromodulation (REN).’ REN basically sends pulses through your nerves and muscles towards your brain stem, aimed at relieving the pain.
It is crucial to note here that a treatment session should be started within 60 minutes of the onset of a migraine. The default pulse setting is 18%, but it is recommended that the minimum be at 20%. You can increase the intensity as per your need during a treatment session, but experts who guided me through the setup process warned me against decreasing the intensity.
The experience
The Nerivio device comes with an adhesive at the back, protected by a sticker. Remove the sticker, put the device at a comfortable position on your upper arm, and use the strap to secure it in place. Once you hit the power button, you can feel a mild, tingling sensation. That's at 18% intensity.
The strength of the pulses increases as you ramp up the intensity on the app — both on iOS and Android. Find your sweet spot, relax and let Nerivio do the rest.
In my case, Nerivio has been somewhat of a hit and a miss. I've used all sessions programmed into the device, at varying intensity levels — I've gone from 25% all the way to 100%. And it worked about 75% of the time, usually when the attack was painful to severe. In cases of mild migraine attacks, I didn't feel that much of a difference. However, the fact that it worked for severe attacks is a game-changer, at least for me.
The adhesive will dry up over time and all you need to do is dab it with a little water before attaching it to your arm.
The cost
Those who suffer more than five attacks per month are advised to use the device every alternate day, while others can use it on an as-needed basis. Either way, once your 18 sessions are up, it will cost you ₹16,000 (or ₹14,000 for regular prescribes) for a further 18 sessions.
How to get Nerivio
Nerivio is available only by prescription, and patients are advised to consult their neurologists for guidance on usage and symptom management. For further inquiries, a toll-free dedicated helpline (1800-123-2360) is provided.
In conclusion
During my testing, Dr Reddy's Nerivio migraine device performed reasonably, mostly alleviating the majority of migraines without medication. The skin-friendly adhesive adds to its appeal, making it a suitable option for those seeking an alternative to migraine medicines.
