New Doctors

Ok sooooo, I saw a new neurologist, Dr Merkey, and I took the big step to see a psychiatrist. I was avoiding the second one for a long. Since depression and migraines are comorbid, meaning that they are interrelated I was hoping the neurologist/headache specialist I saw would alleviate some of my pain and in turn some of the depression would go away. He did give me antidepression meds at the same time though.

If you have read through my previous shareposts you know that I have not had the best of luck with neurologists. I was extremely hopeful for Dr. Couch. I looked him up and found out he was a headache specialist/neurologist. I had to wait 6 months to get an appointment. He was late over an hour to see me on my first appointment but spent a lot of time trying to explain things (more for my husbands sake than mine).

Anyway, I soon found out the bad side of a headache specialist. He is away from the office all the time. He is only in the office on Mondays and Wednesdays. He speaks at and attends conferences many times during the year. That being said, I would like to think he would be on the cutting edge of a migraine treatment plan. But I can't believe that while an acceptable preventative treatment plan is being sought migraineurs suffer needlessly. Dr. Couch tried hard to get me a preventative plan that worked and triptans that worked but when the triptans didn't work, the only answer from him was I don't want to give you narcotics. I didn't ask for them, I ask for something to take the pain away.

Anyway, I saw this new neurologist a couple weeks ago. He changed up my preventative meds. Yeah, that was it. When I had me first BAD migraine this week, I called his office and asked what he would like me to do when the triptans don't work (had the migraine for two days and bedridden) His answer, (this by the way was after I had waited all day for a call back from his office, didn't get one so I called them back) He said to go to my primary care doctor and see if they could give me an IV of compazine and maybe benadryl. (I have gotten that in ER, doesn't work then they add the dilaudid.)

I was frustrated because they waited all day so if my primary care doctor was busy this was not going to make them happy, second way to pass the buck and I never heard of a neurologist doing that, and third, I really try hard to stay out of the ER but if it sounds like if I stay with this neurologist I may end up there a lot. What I am wondering is this, this is the third neurologist who does not have a treatment plan that includes rescue meds. Is this common practice or is my name on some list since I keep changing doctors trying to find one who work with me and communicate with me and understand my needs? If anyone has any ideas or insights I would love to hear them. 

P.S. For all of you taking Ultram/Tramadol, my new neurologist and psychiatrist both said DON'T take them if you are on antideppressants!!!!! Highly likely to cause seizures. My old primary care doctor who insisted I was addicted to one drug gave me tramadol knowing I was on an antideppressant! Yeah, I know unbelievable right!!! OK, time to go.....I have rambled enough. Please let me know what you think! Still confused in Oklahoma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lisa