Frustrated

Written by

Sun, February 24, 2008

I ended up in the ER the other night and once again I had to hear from the doctor "so, you have a headache?" My partner piped in and advised him that I did not have a headache, I had a migraine. I don't know why it is so important for me to make that point, but I think it minimizes that intense pain of a migraine when a health care professional refers to it as a "headache".

I recently moved to this community and I cannot find any doctor who will accept a new patient who suffers from pain. Apparently, there is a major issue with drug abuse in this small town, so everyone is suspect regardless of your history. I told the ER doctor (as I was fighting through tears) that I could not find a physician since I moved here and I needed to ask someone about options for migraine relief. I brought up nasal and suppository drugs as I become so nauseous when I get a migraine that I cannot take anything orally. He stated in no uncertain terms that no doctor in this area would prescribe any pain medication.

How can I have a conversation with a physician to determine whether I may or may not need pain medication for migraines without them assuming I am a drug seeker? I actually get anxious about speaking to a doctor about my migraines become I assume they do not believe migraines are a problem.

How can I make a doctor understand how truly painful and debilitating my migraines are?

Any help from any one would be appreciated.

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Katinthecorner

2/25/08 11:52am

First of all, I think most of us feel the need to make a distinction between headache and migraine. It is actually an important medical distinction to make, as a headache is treated with NSAID's and a migraine is treated with triptans. As far as the physician situation, I recommend you contact your previous physician and request copies of ALL your medical records. Doctor's visit notes, radiology exams, prescription history. If you have documented history of migraine and proof of recieving specific medications in the past, it should make it easier. I don't know what your relationship was with your previous physician, but see if your last doctor would be willing to make a call or send a letter to your new doctor. (Just an aside: I hate the fact we are always accused of being drug seekers! It is so frustrating!) Also, if it seems to be a problem in your small town, try finding a physician in your closest urban area (if at all possible).

burdash72

2/25/08 2:33pm

Thank you for your insight. I really appreciate any help and suggestions that I can get from people who understand what migraines are and how the affect everything in your life.

Nancy Harris Bonk

2/25/08 1:12pm

Hello, and welcome to MyMigraineConnection.com!

Your story is not uncommon, I'm sad to report. I'm sorry you had to go through that and had an totally unsympathic doctor at the ER who is clearly not educated about Migraine disease and headache disorders.

But please don't lose hope! There are options besides pain medications for Migraine management, like over 100, really. Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up!

Seeing a Migraine specialist may be the best thing you can do for yourself. We have a patient recommended list of Migraine specialists, but none from Utah. We do have a few in WY and ID. I know that may seem like a lot of traveling, but we have a member here who actually went from West VA to TX to see her Migraine specialist. And yet another women who went from Canada to PA to find her Migraine specialist. I guess my point is, it would be worth the trip to reduce your Migraine frequency. Click HERE for that information.

Thank you for creating a SharePost. SharePosts are a form of blogging, and there are many things you can do with them. You can share an experience, suggest something that's helped you, use SharePosts as a Migraine and headache journal, and many other things.

We also have a discussion forum that you may want to check out. Especially if you have questions or are looking for information, you may find the interaction on the forum to be quite helpful. To get to the forum, just look for the orange box marked "Manage" and click on the Migraine Forums link. Because our forums are maintained by a third party, you'll need to register for the forum. You can use the same information you used to create your community log-in if you like. If you want to go directly to the forum, you can click HERE.

Along with your personal "My Home" page and the discussion forum, you'll find links to a great deal of helpful information on the main page of our site, http://www.MyMigraineConnection.com. You can also sign up for our free newsletter about Migraine disease and headache disorders on the home page in the upper left hand corner.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them to the forum or send me a message through my profile.

Welcome again,

Nancy Bonk
MyMigraineConnection.com Expert

PS: If you receive this message from more than one of us, please excuse the overlap. Thanks!

burdash72

2/25/08 2:29pm

Thank you for the info as well as the understanding. I am going to look up neurologists in the Salt Lake area which is about 90 miles from where I currently live. My previous physician was very understanding and helpful regarding my migraines and I am sure she would not have a problem making a phone call for me, I never even thought of having her do that.

Since I moved here, my migraines have increased. I don't know if it is the altitude or possibly stress??? Anyway, I used to be able to "catch" them, as I get auras with my migraines and I would take Imitrex. Generally, that would work for me. Now, the Imitrex is not working for me as well as it used to. That is why I need to see a physician to discuss what my options are at this point. I try very, very hard NOT to end up in an ER but sometimes I just can't take the pain and I have to go (even if I did not want to, my partner would pack my behind in the car and make me go).

Anyway, thank you for the welcome. Although I would never wish migraines on anyone, I do feel better knowing that I am not alone and there are others who understand!!

bri83

3/ 6/08 1:37pm

Hi,

I don't have any new information to add I just wanted to lend you a sympathetic ear. I hate it when the doctors in ERs roll their eyes and can't wait to rush you out the door because of a "headache", meanwhile you are ready to bang your head on the floor or through a window because you are in such pain. I agree that all of us migraine sufferers constantly battle with making non sufferers see the difference between the two.

I wish I could tell you the important thing is you know you aren't a drug abuser and that is all that matters, but you probably don't a doctor thinking that either because I know I don't when I am in the ER either. It is so frustrating when you can't rely on the person who is supposed to make you feel better, the doctor. I think the most we can do is just try and educate as many people as possible on migraines and do our best to prove them wrong.

I think getting copies of your medical records and documentation from your previous doctor was an excellent idea. Until you can find a new one that might be your best option. Good luck and I hope things improve for you! Big Smile

happyarch

3/15/08 10:55pm

Hello,

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time. A good doctor is so important in the management of migraines. My experience is that one needs a good family doctor and neurologist. You need to be able to discuss all of the options -- i.e. preventative medications, rescue medications, as well as alternative therapies.

I can empathize with you. My sister decided last yeat to cut all ties because she believes I am a drug addict. Those who don't experience migraines don't understand, we take pain medications because we are in pain. If you can make the pain go away we won't take the medications.

I have tried morphine - unsuccessfully - and was able to stop taking it on my own after a year. My doctor was amazed. After the fact he said that he could have provided medications to help with withdrawl symptoms.

I avoid ERs because I don't have the patience to be labelled a drug seeker. I have worked with my doctors and we have come up with a treatment plan which includes preventative medications, a triptan, and then a combination of T3s, Gravol, Toradol and Ativan -- if all else fails. I have the medications I need on hand to self medicate when I have a bad migraine -- which can be daily.

HappyArch

Frustrated

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