My fourth neurologist's office was so packed in the schedule that I always had to call in advance to see how far back staff had pushed my appt. I would come when they said to and then wait another hour for the doctor. I was tired of that, so I asked my family doctor for a referral. When he was looking into a new neurologist for me, my family doctor said he couldn't look at any of the practices of the last four doctors I saw. It has now put me in a bind because I'm feeling hopeless with this new doctor and the lack of attention from her staff.

This past week I learned that my Relpax prescription that I refilled on Dec. 20 (and thought was okay) needed prior approval. My neurologist's office staff said that they had received nothing, so I asked if they would fax the prescription to my mail order. I heard nothing for the rest of the day or the next day, so I called, left a message, and then called my mail order folks to get the fax again. I called in with it because it's before this weekend holiday, and I said I would call again if no one called me since I had not heard from anyone at all. That must have gotten their attention because I finally got a call. The nurse said that because my doctor didn't say I take Relpax, and in fact wrote in her notes that I vomited it up the last time, that she can't fax the prescription until she talks to the doctor. She wouldn't show it to the other doctor in that practice either I guess because of the notes about me vomiting. Here, I had said I did not take Relpax in time and ended up vomiting and going to the ER on Nov. 7. I think because I relayed that by phone that's what went into my chart.

I have three tablets left at least, but the doctor is out until Jan. 9, so I have to determine I guess when it's bad enough to use one. I get two to three attacks a week and, of course, I'm worse right now because my period makes me vulnerable to menstrual migraine attacks.

I am very frustrated by the non-communication issues with this new office -- this isn't the first time no one has followed up with me, sometimes waiting a week to call me back -- and the miscommunications with this doctor. Because of those, I can't get a refill on a medication that I definitely need especially during my period. I am very unhappy and looked up migraine specialists in my area. Sure enough, there's one I used to see and then there's one who I have seen, but is in a practice of someone I did see. I might have to go to someone farther away from me and out of network. But I so would like to know why I couldn't see this other neurologist in a practice just because he's part of one that includes a doctor who used to see me. (That doctor had said he didn't know where to go with my treatment since I was having drug sensitivites.) So, I'm not a happy camper at the moment. I think I'll attack this again after the New Year. If anyone knows why I can't see another doctor in the same practice as a former doctor, let me know. Thanks!