Sunday, September 30, 2012 richard f asks

Q: Long term migraine sufferer seeking advice about scans

I have just joined the forum as i wanted to ask a question that all migraine sufferers have probably asked themselves.I am 42 year old male and have been suffering with migraines for 25 years although i was only diagnosed as such 2 years ago when i visited a neurologist who having done some manual tests said i was a migraine sufferer.The question i wanted to ask was am i within my rights to ask the doctor for a proper scan(MRI or CAT scan) so i can know for sure there is no other underlying problem causing the headaches.The doctor has said there is no need for such a scan.I am having a particularly bad time at the moment with headaches, it seems my life is just work or a headache with little time left for anything else .My wife is suffering and my 2 young children get upset when they see me crying in pain.Everybody always asks me have you had a scan and i tell them no.How many fellow sufferers have had a scan or like me do they just say :I SUFFER WITH MIGRAINESI refuise to take tablets anymore as they only work for a month or two or they leave me feeling like a zombie.Please reply as i would like your feedback

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Answers (3)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

10/ 2/12 11:55am

Hello, Richard,

-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-•* Welcome to HealthCentral! *•-:¦:-•:*'""*:•.-:¦:-

Is there any history of Migraine in your family? Migraine is genetic, so when there's a family history, some doctor are less likely to order imaging studies in the process of diagnosis.

Migraine is, however, a diagnosis of exclusion. It's diagnosed by reviewing medical history, evaluating symptoms, conducting an exam, and ruling out other causes for the symptoms. I suspect that one reason your doctor feels there's no need for imaging is that you have a 25-year history of these "headaches." Still, there's nothing wrong with wanting an imaging study to be certain nothing else is going on, especially given that they've gotten worse. If your doctor refuses to order an imaging study, it may be time for a second opinion.

Regarding the tablets you mention, do you mean daily medications for prevention? I hope you'll reconsider and not give up on them. There are so many options, and it's important to reduce the number of Migraines we get. If your doctor isn’t able to help, it may well be time to consult a 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 this helps. Will you please keep me posted?

Welcome again,

Teri

richard f

10/ 2/12 12:26pm

Hi Teri

Thanks for replying.With regards to a family history i have 3 brothers who do not suffer with headaches,even after alcohol(lucky beggars).My mom and dad have passed away,(mom:lung cancer and brain tumor and dad:kidney failure) but as far as i know no one else suffered in my immediate family.

My last tablets were Amitriptiline where the dose was upped 3 times which eventullay left me feeling like a zombie,that is when i stopped.

Do i have to pay to see a migraine specialist or are they NHS based?I forgot to mention i am Uk resident.

If i am to continue taking tablets is it possible to have prescriptions paid for as they are an expensive outgoing each month?

Many thanks

Richard

Teri Robert, Health Guide

10/ 2/12 12:46pm

Hi, Richard,

You're very welcome.

Yes, amitriptyline can make you really drowsy at higher dosages. There are lots of other options though. I'm really not familiar enough with your health care system to know whether you'd have to pay to see a specialist, but it seems to me that I've talked with others in the UK whose specialist care was covered. If you follow the link I gave you for the specialist directory, there are some listed for the UK. I'm sure someone in their offices could tell you. I would also think that anything they prescribe would be covered like any other medication.

I've featured your question as our Migraine Question of the Week. Maybe someone else from the UK will come along with some information.

Teri

Sam

10/ 2/12 12:39pm

IMHO, as a patient, you should be driving your health care decisions in partnership with your doctor. If your doctor is unwilling to partner with you, I'd agree its time to find one who will. We know our bodies best and we are our own best advocates.

As an aside, after suffering for a few years, I was diagnosed in my late teens with migraines - and without a family history. My doctor told me the prudent thing to do would be to undergo a scan 'just to be sure' we weren't dealing with anything else. Although ALL signs pointed to migraine. It's a good thing I underwent the scan becasue they found a brain tumor that wasn't yet large enough to cause any symptoms and was totally unrelated to the migraines (I still suffer). If you feel a scan is the prudent thing for you to do, it shouldn't be too difficult to find a doc who will do a full work up to help rule out anything other than migraine. Think of the relief that will bring you :) Best of luck to you!

jgschreiber

10/ 2/12 12:48pm

I would definately seek a 2nd opinion and be sure it would a specialist that specializes in migraines. Beings that your in the UK I'm not sure how your health insurance coverages runs there. Do you have to be referred by your primary doctor to a headache specialist? And was the amitriptyline the only preventive medication they were giving you for the migraines? Those are usually to be taken at bedtime as they usually do cause sedation, but there are a slew of preventive medications that can be tried as preventives that the list is too long to list. But many migraine sufferers are on more than just one medication at a time. And you are well within your rights to ask for an MRI or CT scan as they are normally done to rule out any underlying causes, especially being there are no genetic factors in your family. It sounds like the doctor you have now is not really being proactive in getting to the root of your migraines. You need to get to another doctor and do so now.

jgschreiber

10/ 2/12 12:54pm

http://www.healthcentral.com/migraine/medications-161082-5.html

Check out this link on medications as preventives. This should give you some help. Good luck