I'm so sorry this is happening to you. I had this happen to me in 2006.  When I' made a complaint, the doctor put me into some database as a drug seeker. Just this past month it's caused me problems both during an ER visit for another reason and with my pain management doctor. I was very lucky to meet with a new primary care doctor on Monday.  Turns out he also specializes in managing chronic pain.  I discussed the incident with him, and he just shook his head.  He says ER doctors see way too much drug seeking behavior and they are also under alot of scrutiny from the DEA etc.

Unfortunately this doesn't help you very much when your head is splitting and you're desperate for some relief. How much longer do you have to wait before you see the neuro? I sure hope they are able to find some answers for you, and it's nothing as serious as a tumor. There are several drugs they can give you that are supposed to help prevent migraines including Topamax.  I started on that one yesterday.  Unfortunately, it makes me pretty loopy, but he says that this will pass.  Something that worked well for me in the past, from the root of the butterburr plant, is called petadolex. I'm going to order it again even though my headaches now are rebound headaches from overuse of chronic pain meds.  Unfortunately I'm not in a position to stop the meds so it's Topamax time.

Have you tried any of the triptans like Maxalt? The kind that dissolves under your tongue works quickly. For my worst migraines, it takes two of them, but it does control the symptoms.

Again, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. I may not have any specific advice to give on how to deal with the ER, but I can let you know that there are a lot of people here who understand and sympathize with what you are going through.  I think it is reprehensible that we should have to deal with this kind of prejudice on top of the terrible pain we are experiencing. It may be our only hope is strength in numbers. I would like to compile a report of these types of experiences.  Perhaps make it an investigative journalism type of piece.  If you would like me to include your story, please send me a message in my inbox.  I understand you can go to my home page by clicking on my name at the bottom of this post.

I know how difficult life must be right now, but please hang in there.  Migraines can be managed and quality of life can be regained.  Until that time, I will continue to hold you in the light.

COmtnmama

Barbara Huff

5/ 1/08 5:02pm

I agree wholeheartedly with the previous comment.  Further, ask your MD for the INJECTABLE Imitrex.  I sounds scary but I used to inject it into the fat of my stomach.  The whole contraption is very user friendly and the needle is only about 1/4" long!

 

If you must go to ER, state firmly that you are not there for narcotics but for an injection of Imitrex.  I used to go to Urgent Care all of the time, they would give me the injection, leave me a the dark examining room for 20-30 minutes and then, if I was feeling better (most of the time), I'd carefully drive the 1/2 miles home and go to bed.  I think if you tell the ER people that you do not want narcotics but a triptan to help your migraine, they might be more apt to listen.

 

Also, as the other comment mentioned, talk to your MD about the Maxalt that dissolves in your mouth; that way, you don't have to worry about throwing it up :0(

 

Good luck, I used to have migraines at least once a month.  Now that I am an old 57, I only get them about every 3 months.  Hang in there.............we know that it is rough.  I used to be in bed for three days with vomiting, diarrhea, and a knife in my skull that wouldn't stop.

 

P.S. We have the same problem with our little town in southern Utah --- they have signs all over the ER area stating that they do NOT prescribe narcotics.  Sheeesh........what has the DEA done to those of us who legitimately need help?

Hunnybear

11/10/10 7:01pm

Hi! I am very stressed and need advice..here is my store:
I am 34 weeks pregnant with my 3rd child. I also have a 13 month old. Before becoming pregnant with my second child (2months to be exact) I had a laporascopy done for severe endometriosis. During that entire pregnancy I suffered from horrible lower right sided abdominal pain that no one could seem to diagnose. Well after having our daughter we were not planning on having anymore children. Needless to say when she was 4 months old we found out we were expeecting again. I then began to see a new doc and suffered the same horrible pain. At 4 months pregnant I had a diagnostic laporoscopy after spending a month in the hospital. This also came up inconclusive. I was then referred to a pain management doc. It took him 10 minutes to diganose me with abdominal nerve damage due to the first surgery. I then received anesthetic shots in the wall of my stomach off and on to manage the pain along with medication. At 6 months pregent, my husband and I had to move to Nebraska for his career. I encountered so much trouble gettting approved for medicaid here and often had to be seen in the emergency room for the pain since we could not affordto be seen in the physicians office. The doctors new my situationa and were great at first. One doc saw me more than the others and increased my pain medication stating no pain management doc in nebraska would take me being preggo. I could tell i was becoming physically dependent o the medication and attempted to discuss this with him many times. Finally i said no more meds and called my doc to ask how to safely stop taking them. he told me just to stop and drink plenty of fluids and all would e fine. I did this and got very sick..and he was of no use! We found a place where i could safely detox from all of the medication. i spent 4 embarrassing days there. After about 2 weeks the pain became unbearable so i went to the doc I had been seeing. He was not in so I was seen by another physician. SHe came in and the first thing she said was " I see you went to rehab for addiction." I explained the situation and she sent me home screaming and crying refusing to treat me. My husband then took me to another nearby hospital and we explained what had happened. By this point I was also having sever pain in my back as well They did no tests. The doc came in and said "I have spoken with the other physician and we cannot treat you and you will not be recieving anmore narcotics for the remainder of your pregnancy!" I was crying so bad by this point and my husband was angry. We then went to a 3rd hospital where I used my maiden name. Well it turns out I was having contractios that were 3 minutes apart. They had to stop labor! This event has seriously affected me. We are now covered by insurance and trying to find a doc short notice close to us (not from one of th first 2 hospitals). I am soooo terrified of being treated like someone kind of addict. I am serioulsy have anxiety over this. I am affraid the birth of my baby will be overshadowed by what is now in my medical file when I legitimately did nothing wrong! I have had no medication in months. I have been in horrible pain and suffered through it. I have on appointment on THursday with a doc where I am going to explain all of this to, but I am affraid. Am I doomed to be treated badly?

 

 

I would like to apologyze. After reviewin my previous post, I realized how many typing errors I made.
I also wanted to note, that while being seen at both hospitals we had made it clear that I was not trying to get narcotics! I cannot go to the third hospial, because I did not use my correct information, which I am immensly ashamed of. My insurance has all of my correct information on it. I just wanted to clarify.

"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy people in the world?"

sweetmaryjane

4/17/11 7:25am

I cant believe any of these stries. Its awful to know that people who are addicts ruin it fr the rest of us who have serious and chronic pain problems. I have degenertive disc disease and has a spinal fusion three yrs ago. Ever since then I have extreme migaines due to the rest of my back above the fusion having so much tension. It always starts as a tensin headache and blws into a full puking migraine. Once I start throwing up its the point of no return for me. I have been to the ER every few months for the last two yrs but it has slowed to only once in the last six months. I have been under pain management for 2 yrs. I think once your already on pain meds regularly it takes more strong meds to get rid of pain like this. I have never been called a drug seeker but its in the back of my mind everytime I go. They should be able to tell your in real pain by seeing your stats blood presure etc is raised. Yesterday I went in for a horrible one. They gave me a cocktail of benadryl, tramadol, zofran and dilaudid. It didnt work except for the nausea. So finally they came in and gave me a double dose of dilaudid and it finally subsided enough to go home. I cant help it that my pain requires strnger meds than other people and I hate having to be paranoid about going in to get some help. And I hate thinking the staff recognizes me because ive been there so often but its the only thing tht works

As a health professional, here are my suggestions and thoughts.  First, you HAVE to treat the hospital staff with respect and be kind, even in your terrible pain.  People who work in health care have so many stresses, and if you go in there being demanding and uncooperative, you will be sent out the door as soon as possible. They will not go the extra mile for you.  Make sure that you use the 1-10 rating scale and if the interventions they have offered you are not effective, make sure to rate your pain high.  Yes, the doctors in ER are sensitive to "drug seekers" but there is also pressure to provide adequate pain relief.  If they are sending you out the door with pain at 6 or higher, then there is a problem. Another thing I would suggest, is to call the Neurologists office and kindly tell them how sick you are feeling, how your meds are not working, you can't work....whatever is TRUE, and ask if they can work you into their schedule earlier.  Use kindness and integrity, and I wish you the best.   Also, remember that many of us have tried numerous meds and have struggled with headaches for 20+ years.  This can be a chronic problem.

SkooterSnowy

5/ 1/08 11:54am

As a life long patient, I take offense to your comment.  "You HAVE" to treat the staff with respect and be kind...", and what does the staff HAVE to do? 

I have had so many experiences with so called 'medical professionals' and I ALWAYS start out kind and respectful, no matter what distress I am in (I have type 1 & 2 brittle asthma, a constant headache for OVER 3 YEARS, osteoperosis, Cushings...) and more often than not I do not get respect and kindness in return.  The downward spiral of healthcare providers is SHOCKING at best, and what this person is going through - being labeled a drug seeker - when she is suffering and not getting any aid from any source is unconscionable. 

Patients NEED to stand up to their medical professionals, make themselves as clear as possible, and as blunt as possible. 

It is my experience that it is the rare physician who actually cares and TREATS their patient anymore.

 

To the migrane sufferer:

I am so sorry for what this ER has done, and I would definately vocalize my protestations, to the hospital admin and anyone else who holds credibility with this ER and the 'medical professions' you saw.  If you are unable, and advocate is an excellent idea...

Make all your care takers (primary care, neurologist, etc.) aware of this and see if they can do anything to help clear this slanderous title off your medical records.

 

arnsmom

5/ 1/08 3:07pm

I have always been kind and considerate when I go in. I have asked them to call my dr to verify my condition...I have asked them to look at past records to prove that I am not there seeking drugs. I have never been rude or disrespctful in any way. I have however been very hurt and have lost trust in that hospital, Doctor and health community in general. They have a responsiblity to treat my pain and not assume anything. They dont know me...they dont have my pain...and what about treating the person suffering with respect and dignity??

 

 

SkooterSnowy

5/ 1/08 3:50pm

I completely understand and I am so sorry for the horrific experiences you are enduring and that are compunded by the indifference by those who are supposed to help....

Like somene else said after my response, keep the faith, there are still some good docs out there who still do their jobs and help their patients, it is just finding him or her that is frustrating.....

I wish you much luck and I hope you can get some relief soon...

I have had a non stop headache for the last 3 years and have yet for one of my physicians take me seriously muchless attempt treatment!  So I can feel you pain!

Good Luck!

Louisa

5/ 2/08 5:28pm

MSNP,

 

Whoa, Nelly! I'd bet that arnsmom DID treat the staff with respect. I certainly do, yet I get absolutely NO respect in return.

 

You said, "make sure to rate your pain high." What? We should always rate our pain ACCURATELY. People over rating their pain cause trouble for all of us. I can't believe that you -- supposedly a "health professional" -- would say such a thing!

 

I also doubt that any of us need to be told about trying numerous meds.

 

Please talk with us, not at us.

 

Louisa

Zo

5/14/08 12:04am

Well said.

G.D.

5/15/08 5:32am

It's a little ridiculous for you to assume that she was treated that way because she was unkind or disrespectful, and foolish of you (especially as a medical professional) not to realize that there are many dishonest, incompetent, lazy, and apathetic people in EVERY line of work, including medicine.  A person can be the most polite and cooperative patient and still be treated with disrespect by hospital staff and have his/her illness or injury mismanaged.

 

As far as health professionals having "many stresses," that's part of the job, and if they're so unable to cope with the stress that it affects patient care, then they need to find a different job.  You say that patients "HAVE to treat the hospital staff with respect and be kind, even in [their] terrible pain," and I agree on principle that people shouldn't take out their pain, anger, frustration, etc. on anyone else, but it happens.  And who do you think has a better excuse for not being polite?  The person who's in extreme pain, has been sitting in the waiting room for hours, and will be getting a large bill at the end of the ordeal?  Or the person whose job description includes stress, who is specifically required/trained to be able to deal with belligerent patients, and who will be getting a paycheck (most likely a large one) out of the ordeal? 

 

One more thing, just when did providing appropriate treatment become considered  "going the extra mile?"   

sandy

5/27/08 8:56am

I too am offended by the assumption that being in pain is synonomous with being demanding or rude. For years I have ssuffered with what the neurologist has labeled retractable migraines, and too often I am made to feel like a drug addict. When I do go to emergency, I usually leave with a headache that is 5 or higher. Doctors refuse to discuss a limited rescue plan so I can avoid visits to the ER when my headaches are so severe I feel almost suicidal. All I want is to feel somewhat normal, be able to manage my migraines, continue to fulfill my career obligations with dignity, and enjoy the life I invision.

Todd

6/12/08 1:19am

I understand that health care workers are under stess as is the rest of the world. But that is not a valid excuse for the frequent abusive and inatentive behavior of many of todays health care workers nurses to Drs. There needs to be a more patient acountable system for heath care. Yes I am aware of the frequent flyers as I am an EMT-B with a Vol.fire co. and have even seen the lack of care and crass treatment of patients even at this level and have reported there behaviors to state authorities on occation. When we who experiance severe head pain an others of the public seak help from "Professionals" then we ALL should be treated with respect and dignaty.

Thats just my two cents worth but i feel its only common sence but that seems all but lost in today's sociaty.

Shell

9/26/10 4:06am

I agree! I'm labeled as a drug seeker, and I have had 9 surgical procedures(lithotripes), 10 ureter stents, a major operation where the Urologist took 3 (9mm, 5mm, and a 3mm) stones out of my left kidney and out of my back! All in one year. Then on the 15th I have knee surgery, and I call my Orthopedic surgen's office Thursday and Friday to tell him that the pain meds he gave me for a week, ( wed-wed) was gone and I was (and still is) in a great deal of pain! His nurse said to go to the ER, that they would help me there! (this has also happened 3 other times this past month with different illnesses!)

So, I go there. I had been up all night crying, and in horrible pain. The triage nurse was nice enough. I was put in a observation room with a camera! I yelled for a nurse about 3 times, because I had to go to the bathroom BAD! She said she'd be right back and never came back. (Remember now I have 6 staples in my left knee from surgery the 15th) The "ER Doctor" and some woman, comes in the room, and is very rude to me, and says first off "I'm not giving you any pain medications", I was like ok, I didn't ask for any, I hadn't even got to tell him that I slipped in the tub trying to get out of it! So he says, "so what's wrong with you? And I had a bandage over my staples and here he is trying to bend my leg in different ways, ( I'm not supposed to mess or bend it until physical therapy), He hurt me and I screamed and cried and then he sees the bandage and pulls it down really rough and says, "Where you get staples?" I said surgery, then he points out that I am on 5 sedatives (which I take due to mental and other physical issues), tells me that's why I slipped and he walks out of the room. I told him to call my Orthopedic Surgens office, and he wouldn't listen. I had all of my meds with me! I had the envelope of where after the surgery they gave me instructions. Now, how in the world does he have the right to deny me help and he never looked at my papers from surgery? ER's around here can kiss my butt! I have only had 3 perscription of narcotics in over 8 months and I've had 2 surgeries and found out I have hypothyroidism! OH don't forget the stone I actually passed! A couple weeks ago! I didn't get to go to the bathroom till 2 hours later! Oh yeah.... I also have Fybromyalgia too.

Hello my name is Hope and I am new to My Migraine Connection.  I go to the ER very often... so often that I had a doctor accuse me of being a drug addict.  Needless to say I was not very happy.  I feel your pain. 

Hope

Sorry to hear about the unrelenting migraines.  You didn't mention what meds they are giving you at the ER.  From personal experience, if I overdo ER visits where they pump you up with morhpine and any of the triptans (Imitrix, Relapax, etc.), the chance for getting a rebound or medication overuse headache increases exponentially.

Although the triptans can work wonders, I found the hard way that if you take more than 2-3 a week, I guarantee you will get more and more severe headaches.  It took me two summers of what I call "migraine storms", a bad migraine almost every day for months, to realise the source of the problem was taking too many triptans.

My rule of thumb is to take only 1-4 triptan medications in a two day period.  Then NO TRIPTANS for the next five days.  This recommedation scared me to death.  But I found that enduring the rebound headache without taking the meds actually started to break the cycle.  I had to use ice, over the counter meds and relaxation exercises, but it worked!  So now I swear by the 2/5 day rule.  Use the meds for 2 days (ON) and five days (OFF).

Also, narcotic medications such as morphine really, in my experience, work for short term use only!  Over the long run, they really offer no long-term relief from migraines. 

I've found the principles for a good migraine management program at a very prestigious headache clinic in Chicago; they are really good pioneers and might help you.  They also make recommendations for doctors or clinics in your area if you contact them directly.

http://www.diamondheadache.com/

Hope this helps; our migraines our a complicated, twisty, frustrating bit of life that literally messes with our heads!  I wish you the best of luck!

Personally, I think this is pathetic and there is no excuse for the behavior of the ER staff.  It is bad enough we are not always taken seriously by people too ignorant to understand migraines even though we have tried to educate them, but then to be treated like this in ER, makes me furious.  I asked my neurologist for a 'rescue' medicine since the preventive medicines have not worked for me or if they gave me some small relief in the severity of the pain, the other side effects were worse or almost as bad.  She ended up giving me a prescription for a different abort medication to see if this will work better then the Imitrex tablets.   We will see as I go back to see her in 3 months and if I still do not have the relief I require, I will insist or ask my family physican to refer me to someone else since he agreed I should have something. The only other medication I take to ease the pain somewhat is Advil and then lay down and try to sleep if the pain is not overbearing (although can not sleep at work or lay down all the time).

I did not read all the comments but you obviously have my understanding of the situation and wish you luck.

I have been warned about the drug seeker tracking laws in Ohio.  Here they are tracking back to 2004.  if you get controlled substances from 3 or more docs and/or multiple pharmacies they will flag you when you go in to fill a script.  They will hold you for an hour or more while trying to pick up the meds.  While that is happening calls are being made to see if they should let you go or call the police with charges of medication diversion.  Also a list of EVERY script back to 2004 will go to the doctor.  S/he then has to decide whether to continue your medication or not.  This is scary.  You might Doc shop not for meds but in order to find a competent doctor!!!  Also I think about how other docs call my stuff in from the practice when mine isn't there or how when I hd my tonsils out that was a different doc.  I am glad my new headache doc warned me of that when I asked him to manage my meds... but still scary!  Good luck with trying to get medication to help you out.

Snobrdgrl321

7/30/08 3:59pm

Solta or anyone:

 

So how do you find out about your local state's drug seeker tracking laws?

And how do I know what of my meds are "controlled" substances?

 

I see my PCP, the Neurologist, the urgent care Doc when my doc not avaliable and the dentist! ($14,000 in work)

 

I am really scared now!!!

 

Snobrdgrl321

Solta

7/30/08 7:25pm

I would try blatantly asking your pharmacist or doctor.  Another person to try would be your nurse manager if you have one through insurance.  (I just got one and she was awesome, a great listener and able to hook me up if I need help).  My doctor told me my stuff.  So, that is where I would try.  I have searched online and found NOTHING about it.  Guessing they don't want it advertised.

We have one ER on this mountain and I am on the bad side of most of the ER Docs, for  frequency.  It doesn't matter if I'm in cardiac arrythmia, dehydrated and vomiting, can't stand on my own, and have lost 10lbs. in one week.  I am not emergent.

My pain physician came up with a compounded Rx Hydormorphone 3mg. rectal suppository.  Tigan was used with it, but it's off the market.  I'm now at the mercy of Ins. & Dr. for Rx Zofran Melt a ways at $25.00/pill.  I know it sounds horrid but the alternative is worse.  And it keeps me far away from the people who are quick to judge.

Jill Lindberg

5/21/08 12:04pm

Here in Minneapolis they're no longer using narcotics to treat migraines.  They say yes it's a quick fix, but it doesn't solve the underlining problem. I waited 4 hours to get treated to tell me that they wouldn't give me what my neurologist okayed for me to have.  Which was Zofran, Nubain and Decadron.  I got into an arguement with the ER doctor.  He's telling me I have rebound headaches.  I haven't taken anything for my mirgraines because I am allergic to most of it.  I left that night AMA.

icgrnis

5/21/08 1:48pm

They are trying this is California & Arizona also.  Getting the lecture about rebound again, I stated that Tylenol could also cause a rebound.  Didn't go over well.   I too am allergic or have adverse reactions to the meds, and not just mild symptoms either.  Since I don't fall in this cookie cutter Rx category, most of the Dr.s have written me off.  Some of the ER docs also ignore the orders my regular physician writes and approves.  I can't get any continuity of care, which is frustrating and in all likelihood prolonging my cluster.

In addition to getting some rescue meds for at home use, I would make an appointment with the hospital's patient liason to discuss how you have been treated. They are there to mediate disputes between patients and the hospital and may be able to help made headway so that you feel as though you can show up there when you need to and receive the kind of care you are entitled to.

I'm so sorry you've been treated this way. It's very demoralizing.

Diana

I am so so sorry Arnsmom.

I was crying reading your post. I'll agree with the one comment that states "nobody knows your pain unless they are a migraineur" Its absolutely true.

I am in Canada and used to live in Kingston Ontario. The ER there became my second home when my migraines where totally out of control. And because of my knowledge of migraines and various meds for them, they said I was a drug seeker... tons of times.

They would say "what works for you?" and when I'd respond, then they accused of me of wanting a high. I never even asked for narcotics! I would, in those days , ask for either intramuscular toradol or intramuscular decadron. A high from those meds!? I think not!

That ER is one of the worst I've seen. I have a bad reputation there as a "faker" and a "hypochondriac" and a "drug seeker". I have been told to my face that it's "just a headache, take advil" and this from medical professionals?

I started going to the smaller hospital 45 km away when I got an ER protocol from Dr Young. They are much better about it, but I have had the occasional one who says "oh, a headache eh?"

When I changed provinces, I was happy to find that the local ER is very "migraine friendly". The triage nurses as a general rule, put me in the most urgent priority when I tell them its been 3 or 4 days non stop. Once i go in for treatment, it's very quick... my protocol is in my chart, and they come in immediately with the meds. With them, they give me the chlorpromazine IV push, and if no full relief, then magnesium sulfate, slow drip IV.

1 time, they told me I was drug seeking in that hospital. it was a nurse who said it, prior to the doc coming in. I wrote her name down on my trusty pad of paper, and alerted the doc when he came in. She was given a very stern verbal reprimand, right in front of me, and was made to apologize to me for failing to see status migrainous as an emergency that needed to be treated with the medications I had asked for!

While I'm at it, I'll also voice my disagreement *like many others* about that comment that you must treat the medical staff with utmost respect. When I am treated like that, I stand up to them. I am my own best advocate. Even when I tried my best to be nice and pleasant, the Kingston hospital treated me like a drug seeker, hypochondriac and faker. So I told myself early on that I would not let them walk all over me like that. I have defended my case time and again to those doctors and wouldnt have second thoughts of doing it again should the need arise.

So on a finishing note, I wanted to say that you, and all the others who share our plight are in my thoughts and you have my sympathies.

gentle hugs

Bim

I had the same thing happen to me in May and I filed a report with my doctor who usually doesn't contact the hospital to advise them I am a chronic migraine sufferer and I filed a complaint with the patients advocate at the ER room. She, the patient advocate, was very upset I was treated so bad and my doctor was furious. I am one of those that will wait until the last minute or possible moment to get a shot cuz I hate the affect it has on me as a person. So when they called they firmly informed the ER room to add comments to my file within their system that I am a chronic migriaine sufferer and I should be treated with respect and not as a drug seeker. I don't think ppl realize the devastation we go through when we have a migraine. They think again it is a just a headache. I recently did a report for speech class on migraines and you would be surprised how many of my classmates thought "take a pill it will go away" and when I showed them several different types that can trigger one and the triggers themselves they were shocked. I was asked what do you live on as far as food. I said I am very very careful most of the time but sometimes I may not care or want it no matter what or I don't know what it is in the food that I eat at that time. the biggest trigger for me is the weather change so right now I have another migraine and here I am at work, plugging away. but I am off Wed and will probably go for the other part of my migraine treatments, my neck specialist. So I wish you luck with this and hope things go better for you...I bid ado for now.

Terri

my daughter is a vet and it is not only the civilian ers that treat you like crap it is the va also   she has been in and out of both sectors for the past six months and no one can seem to do anything, just tell her she is going to have to get her drugs elsewhere, if she just wanted drugs it is easier at the pain mgt centers for heavens sake  i say everyone that treats you like crap should have just one headache and see how they like it.

It's very sad, and unfortunate that the one place you would expect to get help from [hospital], you can't. Many of us, including myself have been told not to come back. We've been accused of drug seeking, when all we want is pain relief and overall a good nights sleep.

One thing that sort of works is Reglan. It decreases the headache and any N/V. What are you taking for your epilepsy? Many epilepsy drugs also have migraine control as an off-label use. I would push your neurologist for an urgent appt [obviously this is an older post and hopefully everything has resolved or gotten ebtter], and if s/he doesnt help you--look elsewhere! Also, what did the MRI show?

Anonymous

4/ 7/09 2:32pm

What is extremely hard is when you have been addicted in the past and then gotten totally clean for years.  Then all of a sudden out of the blue, you develop these headaches.  All the people remember is your past and you get no sympathy or treatment except "tough it out".  Since getting clean, if I even have to go for a sore throat, I do not go without my husband going with me.  He is most definately NOT an enabler and the doctors know that.  Sometimes it helps, but others times it doesn't.  Recently with these migraines, I have been forced to lay in a dark room with a pan beside my bed and cry because I am hurting so bad.  Sometimes it passes in a few hours, sometimes a few days.  I guess it is the consequences of my actions.