The Jefferson Hospital-Dr. Young

By Debbie Tuesday, July 17, 2007

- A
- A
- A

I just wanted to let everyone know about the inpatient stay at the Jefferson Hospital, Dr. Young, and his team.

My inpatient stay was not that long since I was not in MOH, or Rebound. I went in on a Monday and came out on a Thursday. The first thing I would like to say is that Dr. Young and his staff are the best to work with. The compassion and support they give are out of this world. The hospital staff were so understanding, compassionate, and I felt I was not fighting this battle alone. Don't get me wrong, I was physically alone. That was the hardest part, being miles away from anyone being able to come visit me. Tuesday was the day that I spent feeling sorry for myself, and if I have to so say myself, I was pretty pathetic. Enough of that nonsense! Dr. Young would make sure that I was comfortable, I was getting the DHE every six hours. That was rough on the stomach, but broke my pattern of everyday pain. By Wednesday morning I had pressure only, by afternoon the pressure was gone(I was feeling my head and thinking and I imagining this or not). Thursday no pain still, Dr Young became my hero. Since I was out of pain for 24 hours, I was allowed to go home with meds for preventative and for migraines. I have gone from everyday migraines to 4-5 migraines a week. This is a milestone for me since for 2 years I was dealing with them daily. I know working with Dr. Young we will get my migraines down even more. So if anyone would like more information on my hospital stay or even Dr. Young, please feel free to ask. The one bit of information I would give everyone is be an active patient. Teri has spoken so much about being an informed patient, and that is so true. Dr. Young listened to me, I was informed and had all my information with me.

Hugs & prayers to all, Debbie

Comments (16) | Add comment

GWP

7/17/07 11:01am

Thanks for the heads-up. I've had CDH for years, and I've decided it's time for in-patient treatment. But choosing where to go is hard. I don't think my neurologist has any experience with in-patient programs, so I'm not sure he'll have a suggestion. I see him again in a couple of months and will discuss this with him.

How did you settle on the Jefferson program?

Thanks for sharing.

Gretchen

Debbie

7/17/07 12:45pm

Hi Gretchen,

My Neuro recommended me, but also, knowing Teri has experience with Dr. Young made me more comfortable with going there. I know it is going to take sometime before I am migraine free for more then a day or two. Being in experienced and caring hands makes me feel very comfortable. I have to drive over 6 hours to get there, but it is worth the drive. Dr. Young is now my Dr. for my migraines. My neuro here is just kept up to date with my progress. Inpatient stay is not easy, but worth every minute. You may want to ask your neuro for a referral to go there.

If you have any other questions please feel free to ask, hugs and prayers, Debbie

Teri Robert, Health Guide

7/17/07 12:53pm

Debbie,

Thanks for sharing your experience. Inpatient care can be really frightening, so it helps to see how people have done. Also, you help give others hope.

Teri

Maddy

7/20/07 9:25am

I have a question: Why the hospital stay for DHE infusion? I also have almost daily headaches and to break the cycle, my doc prescribes DHE with Zofran infusions-it's started at the infusion center and I do the rest of the treatment at home (and work) for the next 4 days. I had made an appointment with a migraine specialist in Houston but found out I would be responsible for everything my insurance didn't cover. (For Botox injections, my ins. pays $325 of the $1,975 charged, but my neurologist doesn't charge me anymore than my $30 copay. The migraine specialist would charge me the $1,650 difference and I can't afford that.) I'm changing docs in the next 2 weeks and if I can't get significant improvement, I'm thinking of going to one of the well-known headache centers but I can't afford a hospital stay or an exorbitant bill.

Debbie

7/20/07 10:06am

I had the DHE infusion therepy every six hours. With DHE infusion you are getting more of the medication via IV then giving yourself the shot at home. I also have the shot and have to use it as an abortive to migraines 7+ pain. I know that I would have to have an EKG done everyday, because it can cause problems with the heart. Each day Dr. Young or one of his team would come, sit down and talk with me about how I was feeling. Not only physically, but emotionally they were there for me. As hard as the stay was for me, being so far from family and friends, I would do it again if I have to. I know that the stay helped break the cycle I was in, but for some this does not work. Doing the DHE around the clock is what was best in my situation, and I highly recommend Dr. Young and his team. If you need more information, please feel free to ask. I will answer to the best of my ability because we are all working for towards our pain free days. Hugs and Prayers, Debbie

Maddy

7/20/07 12:24pm

Hi Debbie,

I do the infusions every 7-8 hrs around the clock, no shots. They start the IV and I have the first dose in the center then they send me home with DHE, Zofran, saline, heparin and all the supplies and I do the infusion therapy at home. Maybe they use a higher dose of DHE in the hospital.

Debbie

7/20/07 12:42pm

I am not sure of the dossage, I know that I get very sick from the DHE. I have to take phenagran and reglan(I think that is the name of the medicine). I think that if you can do it at home that is wonderful. I am sure with the distance I live from the Jefferson may have something to do with inpatient therepy. I have a weakness when it comes to shots or IV's. After I give myself the DHE injection, I lay on the floor all weak and sweaty, so I am a wimp. But I do whatever they say, lol. Hope your having a pain free day, hugs & prayers Debbie

Maddy

7/20/07 12:49pm

What was your first appt with Dr. Young like? How long did it last, etc?

Debbie

7/20/07 1:11pm

My first appointment with Dr. Young was very long, 3 hours. First you see a nurse who goes over all your medical. Then you see the phyciatrist, who also goes over your medical history with you. Then you see Dr. Young, who does an exam and goes over your medical history. Then Dr. Young will give you your diagnosis, and what plan of action he would like to take. I had all my medical records and labs with me. I went fully loaded with everything, including Urgent Care visits. I also had a list of questions for him. Dr. Young will take all the time to answer your questions and I was very comfortable with him. Never did he talk above my head, he kept himself on my leval. It is a long day, but worth every minute. I would suggest that anyone going for their first appointment, to bring something to drink and snack on. I was not prepared that way, and put myself into a 10 migraine. They are all a team and work together consulting with each other.

Hugs & prayers, Debbie

Karen

7/23/07 9:48pm

Hi Debbie,

I would love to know more about The Jefferson Hospital and Im really not sure where it is. Unfortunally I was an inpatient at Spaulding Re-hab in Boston, for 21 Days There clinic is now closed It was a nitemare, and no compassion from anyone, Was more or less told this was my life and there was no pill to cure my migraines, and they had you on more meds than ever. I have suffered for 5 years nothing has helped me, I am now trying botox, I am on disability and is fortunate to get the botox through this program called the botox advantage program that my neuro agreed to sponser me, and I get the botox for free. I have had a few months with sometimes 8 days with no migraine, but never in a row. But when you live with pain everday 8 days is alot. Would love some more information if you can let me know, and Its great to hear you are having pain free days God Bless. My 13 year old also gets migraines. Would love to hear from you. Thank you

Karen

Debbie

7/24/07 7:31pm

Hi Karen,

The Jefferson Hospital is in Phili. The staff at the hospital is wonderful and compassionate. I don't like hospitals at all, but if I have to go make, I would. I am back to having the migraines daily and when I go back next month to see Dr. Young, he may want to put me make in. The only regret I have is that I am too far away from family and friends to visit. I have every hope im myself and Dr. Young that we will find the right preventative for me, but it will take time. If you would like to email me your questions, my email address is dhope1961@cox.net. I am happy to hear that the botox is giving you some pain free days, that is wonderful. Any time without pain is a blessing. I am so sorry to hear that your 13 year old is dealing with this also. As you educate yourself, your are also educating your 13 year old. Hugs & prayers to you both, Debbie

Patty

9/ 6/08 11:35am

Debbie,

I do not know how old this site is, but I found it and saw your entries. I am in rebound headache constantly. My neurologist has put me in my local hospital twice now for the DHE treatment, but my insurance only covered a 5 day stay. And each time I left, I still had headaches. Even with the DHE in home injections, I was injecting daily, so my neurologist said that anything used for very long will cause rebound pain, even OTC. I am sure you know all about this.

My neurologist recommended the JHC, but only because he thought if I had a slower detox, like 3 weeks, that it might be more beneficial for me.

You say you are in rebound pain again. How often have you had to go to JHC for detox?

My neurologist said that all avenues have been exhausted on me. ALL. So, I live in rebound.

Debbie

9/15/08 8:30am

Hi Patty, I am so sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I had a surgical procedure done to my shoulder.

I am really happy that you have been referred to the Jefferson, as I know that they will really work with you. From what I understand rebound headaches are hard to break. I have not gone through rebound, I only know of them through information from Teri and the web site. I am very careful with my medication and follow my dr's. instructions very carefully. Even though I was perscribed Percocet for my procedure, I only took a few. I was more afraid of rebound then the pain I was in. My Dr. has talked about putting me in for a cleansing of the daily preventative medication that he has me on. That he said will take about 2 weeks. I am not sure I will be able to do that in the hospital, as I am raising my grand-daughter. I have never been away from her that long, and will be more at ease doing it at home. We have discussed this, and he understands my concerns, so most likely I will be doing it at home. This may have been where you have the idea about me having rebound headaches. I know there are so many on this site that have experienced them. I can help you about your stay at the Jefferson, and the care from the staff. They are all wonderful. Ask me any questions you have about them, I will help in any way I can. Just type in rebound in the search box, and you will be surprised how many entries will be there. All the host will be happy to help you also, they are a great bunch.

Please let me know how things are going for you, hoping that you have a pain free day!

Hugs & prayers, Debbie

jessiel1979

7/31/07 8:18am

Wel Debbie it's Jessie, you posted a comment on my sharepost. The time is getting closer and now I am in fear. For some reason. I don't know if it is that I might have to stay for a little while all by myself, I don't know if it's that I smoke and I am scared I am going to go through withdrawl from them. I was wondering if you so happen to smoke or if anybody there smoked and what happened to them. I would really appreciate any info that you have that might put my mind at ease because I am really scared. I feel like a jerk thinking like this because I am in pain every day as you know. Also I wanted to know what meds did he send you home with and how often do you have to go back for an appt. Let me know as soon as you can. Thank you soo much.

Debbie

7/31/07 10:46am

Hi Jessie,

I was very scared to do the inpatient, but knew that was the only answer for me. Yes I am a smoker, and they gave me the patch to wear. They did everything they could to make me feel comfortable. The hardest part to was being away from my family and friends, I was very lonely. Also, you are not allowed to leave the floor, so I felt like I was trapped. All in all, it was the best thinkg for me and the daily migraines. I go back on the 27th of August and I believe he will put me back in. I have been having the daily migraines again for a month from all the storms we have been having. It would be nice if we could be admitted around the same time. Let me know how you make out, it will be hard, but worth every step of the program. I put my email address in the other posting, if you would like email me and I will give you my home number or you can give me yours. I will answer all the questions that I can. Hugs and prayers to you, Debbie

jessiel1979

7/31/07 4:42pm

Thank You so much Debbie. I really appreciate that. I am almost crying right now. It feels really good to know that someone out there is willing to talk to me who knows what I am going through. Thank you you must be an angel. I need someone that understands and especially since you have been there it makes it 100 times better. I will email you and give you my number and you can emil me so you can give me yours. I am at work right now, and about to lose my job because I have left early twice and called off once because of this and I am sitting here wondering how I am going t make it anothre hour and a half. I feel like I am going to pass out and I have to drive 45 minutes to get home. This just isn't the right job for me right now and my husband has no idea what I am going through. I mean it's notlike I don't tell him, he just wants me to have a job. I feel like he is putting money before me. I could also use some advice on that too. my email is jessiel1979@verizon.net I will email you either tonight or tomorrow. I think I am going to bed as soon as I get home tonight. I love ya already because like I said I never met a person so willing to help another person so much and not ever meeting them, you truely are an angel. God Bless!

The Jefferson Hospital-Dr. Young

Ask a Question