Buck It Up

By okmedhead Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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"Buck It Up"

My Neuro (PA-C) said that to me. When I told her how it was to exercise while I was still having 3.5-5 headaches, she told me to "Buck it up". I was very upset about it and still seethe about it. I usually let things go, but I can't let this go. My primary doc tells me to get out more, work through the pain. It is like they think I am in a balloon and all I need to do is push a little bit and I can just "pop" through it and I will suddenly be totally able to function perfectly.

But my balloon is not made of that thin rubber that will break at the least pressure. Mine is made from that stuff that is used to make steel-belted radial tires. I push my balloon to its limit and when I go to far, I get thrown back and bounce around and have an accelerated headache for show for it.

I am glad that I push my limits and go out and do things, but no one seems to understand the price I pay. If they see me out, they assume I am "cured". For example, church on Sunday. This past Sunday was the semi-annual baby dedication day. They haven't done one in a while, so Bella was included in this group. I usually avoid the AM service because the light and sounds and crowds are a big trigger, but this was special. So, I went, ate out after, and went to Lifegroup that evening. I had a Dr appt yesterday followed by a meeting to get a new CPAP mask. By the time I got home yesterday, my head was throbbing. I had to eat and take my afternoon meds, but then it was straight to bed. I slept for a couple of hours and then my daughter and granddaughter came over to watch a show on Nat'l Geographic. I got up and watched it with them, but as soon as they left, it was back to bed and I have been in bed all day. I think part of today's headache is getting used to the mask.

Well, at least the rest of the week looks to be quiet.

Tuesday Sticky

Comments (6) | Add comment

Hcampbell64

4/22/10 7:25am

Some doctors don't understand what we go through with migraines. I look at it this way, in order to understand what someone else is going through, you have to have been through it yourself. This person obviously doesn't understand a thing about Migraines. This is one of those situations where they should go through it befor they make a statement like that.

Katinthecorner

4/22/10 8:30am

If this was just the PA and not your actual neurologist, I see two options.

First, report her to your neuro. Tell your doc exactly what she said and why what she said was both callous and completely insane. Has she never heard of an exertion migraine?

Second, if there are other PA's in the office, simply request to never be put in the same room as her again.

If your neuro actually agrees with her, well, that's a separate problem. I'm a firm believer that the more we "push" the sicker we make ourselves. I know when I do things I don't feel well enough to do I pay for it, big time. Sounds like you do too.

Don't make yourself sick because the PA is a moron. You know what you are capable of. Did you read Teri's Tuesday sticky? The person with the most at stake gets the biggest say in your care. That would be you.

-Kelly

pandorable

4/22/10 8:52am

People just enrage me sometimes with their complete lack of empathy. The specialist I saw for awhile claimed that people with 6-8 migraines a month are able to work and function normally. Well guess what, I'm not that person! And I honestly don't care if everyone in the world can work with that many migraines. I can't. I've tried pushing through it as people say, and going out of the house 4 days a week pushed me up to 13 migraines in March. So essentially the month became having a migraine or recovering rom a migraine. And working out? Hello, we can barely get out of bed sometimes or get rest or even feel ok let alone working out.

And many of us also have other disorders that are triggered by or get worse with migraines.

I'm sorry people are treating you without kindness. Please know there are tons of us out here going through similar situations and supporting one another as best we can. Not that that makes is so much easier, but I hope at times it can at least take the edge off. I hope you and your doctors are able to find a program that will give you some relief.

Hugs, Krista

Karen

4/22/10 1:52pm

I'm so sorry for that. Do you think it's because the Dr's get to a point where they just don't want to help anymore? They get tired of helping? IDK....I went through a program through a very well known headache center which was suppose to give us tools to use to "help" us (us being the group I went through this with) manage and better deal with our migraines. Seemed once we went through this program, the specialists no longer took an interest in us, in our care or if the tools they gave us were working (no, they weren't). I felt as if I had gone through 6 weeks of support and then tossed aside. It was horrible. Migraines are just as bad, if not worse.

I can certainly relate with how you feel. I'm either having a migraine or coming out of one. I have an appt. in two weeks with a new neuro who specializes in migraines. I am optimistic that she will have some new answers for me. I won't stop. I hope you don't either. Don't let them get to you. And you certainly don't just have to "buck up". That was wrong of her to say that. So terribly wrong. And I'm sorry she was not a better doctor to you.

Karen

okmedhead

4/24/10 12:17am

Thanks for your support. I feel better knowing that I am not unrealistic, expecting by better from my medical provider.

I have been waiting for 2 years to see a Neuro, but the appt was cancelled 3 days before because he got sick. He isn't seeing patients full time yet, and it may be December--yes, I said December--before I see him. I talked to the clinic manager about the PA-C and she said that she would talk to my PA-C and have her talk to the Neuro and have them talk about new options.

I am also smack dab in the middle of menopause and am dealing with the empty nest. None of this makes life any easier.

Thanks again.

Nancy Harris Bonk

4/28/10 5:46pm

I have four words for you PA-C - FIRE HIS SORRY BUTT!! Honestly, any medical professional who tells a Migraineur to "buck up" does not know enough about Migraine disease. Migraine is a genetic neurological disease thought to be caused by overactive neurons in our brains and genetics. Here's the thing, some neurologists, PA-C's say they specialize in Migraine/headache, but that really isn't the case. It is difficult for them to be experts in any one area because they treat so many different conditions like MS, stroke, epilepsy and Parkinsons. A Migraine specialist treats one disorder - ours- Migraine disease and headaches.

Since this doctor clearly is not able to help you, it sounds like it is time to consult a true Migraine and headache specialist. It's important to note that neurologists aren't necessarily Migraine and headache specialists. Take a look at the article Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special? If you need help finding a Migraine specialist, check our listing of Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

I hope I am not coming across too barky, but boy, that doctor really made me mad .

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