Why is so difficult to get doctors to listen to you? I have the same pre-migraine for years, that is I act like I have a strong diuretic, but take none. I go every 15 minutes, copious amounts, this lasts about 2-3 hours, the visual changes start right after, I don't always have a space between visual changes and the rt. sided pain that eventually become bilateral. I have discussed this with several doctors, my health is important to me, one doctor said to keep potassium to take, which I do since I have had heart surgery. Any suggestions on how to get the doctors to really listen to me, they just say they haven't heard of such a thing! Thanks
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Q: Why is so difficult to get doctors to listen to you?
Answers (3)
3/16/10 8:37pm
Hi oldandgraying,
It is not uncommon to experience frequent urination during the first phase of a Migraine attack called prodrome. Other symtpoms during prodrome may inculde include yawning, food cravings, mood changes and fatigue. It can serve as your "yellow light" that a Migraine attack is on its way.
The second phase is the aura, and includes visual changes like you mention, smelling or hearing things that aren't really there, and tingling of our fingers and toes. You can read more about the phases of a Migraine attack and their symptoms in Anatomy of a Migraine.
Maybe its not that the doctors not listening, rather, he just isn't really well informed about Migraine disease. Here the deal - while neurologists may be fine doctors, Migraine specialists devote their entire practice treating patients with Migraine disease and headache disorders. Neurologists may not be Migraine specialists because they treat so many different conditions like stroke, MS and epilepsy.
So, if you want to look for a Migraine specialist, who truly understands Migraine disease we can help with that. Take a look at Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists list when you get a chance.
Good luck
Nancy
3/18/10 6:25am
Hi! I'm not sure where you live but I'm in arizona and have similar issues. It seems out here the doctors are about 40 years behind in medicine. It's the good old boys state. And lately the barameter has been crazy, I've been really struggling since before thanksgiving with no help from the docs here. I also have cardiac issues and cannot take a lot of the new drugs out there for abortive treatment, it's very hard to find someone. I'm also on medicare but i fly back and forth to chicago when i can afford it and go to the diamond headache clinic to get better doctors who understand the root of the problem. medicare pays for their costs. i've been going there for over 20 years. i originally lived in chicago but moved to arizona for the weather due to the migraines. keep communicating with me we might have some things to share, i find it hard to locate people with migraines, cardiac problems and on medicare....
3/19/10 1:21am
Hi there, I'm in Ca. and it is very difficult to find people you can talk to that have the same problems! I wish I could take imitrex, but I was one of the first people to try it and when it was reported to the drug company by my doctor who witnessed the chest pain I had the response was only that they never heard of anything like that.
Thank God for the wonderful people here on this website, I have asked questions that I could not find an answer to any where else.
If you ask Teri she will give you the names of doctors out this way that specialize in migraines, we are a peculiar breed, aren't we?
Have a great day!
3/18/10 11:43am
I too, have a lot of bathroom trips prior to and in the course of the actual migraine...I understand the Prodrone, but wonder if Imitrex also causes one to void more frequently.
I have as well experienced a decline in my Dr's interest. Queries are often answered with a reply akin to "you just have to deal with it".
3/20/10 10:29am
Oh, darlin, do I ever hear you on this one!
My take on it is that we're seeing the wrong doctors when they don't listen. Unfortunately, we have too few doctors who both listen AND understand Migraine.
Did your doctors ever tell you that increased urination can be a Migraine symptom (prodrome)? If not, do you think it's time to find a doctor who knows more and is more willing to listen and respond?
Nancy gave you some good links. I'd like to share some of my thoughts about doctors and working with them if you don't mind. I'm thrilled that you take things so seriously and want to understand what's going on. What you need now is a doctor who takes things just as seriously and is willing to work with you as a treatment partner, explaining things and making decisions WITH you, not FOR you.
I've recently been thinking, and here's something I've decided -- The person with the most at stake gets to be in charge. That's you! If you haven't read this, I recommend it in this situation, Patients As Consumers - Managing Healthcare and the Healthcare Team.
I feel and share your frustration. Let me know what you think about what we've said?
fondly,
Teri
3/20/10 12:02pm
Hi Terri and Nancy,
It isn't only doctors that don't listen, it is the insurance companies! Even before Medicare was in a flux, my insurance company decided I needed a Neur to say what I should or shouldn't take, he was clueless, and even though I was told that no decision would be made until my cardiologist gave the OK on the drugs he wanted me to take, they went with his decision, which was to take Imitrex! I wrote to both that doctor and my insurance (my personal doctor has been fighting right along with me for proper care), stating that drug of his choice helped me along with the MI that ended me into surgery, so I said that I was so appreciative of their help getting me into more cardiac problems!
I have made a written request for the migraine specialist in Orange, I should receive either a referral or denial, a referral will be happily excepted, a denial will only get more letters writtten to them as well as the Medicare Administration.
I'll keep you posted.
I think you two are such a bright light into such a dark situation, thanks and God bless!
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By oldandgraying— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 03/16/10
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Now I just have to get my Medicare insurance send me to one! They went on this doctors diagnosis, even though my personal physician argued down the wire with the insurance company!
I appreciate you getting back to me so soon, I have started the first phase about 30 minutes ago, we have had dramatic weather changes here, from 67 one day to 81, then 90 today, tomorrow its supposed to drop back down into the 70's. I can't control that and since I'm a cardiac patient, my cardiologist has not ok'd anything like the triptons, I tried them, horrible chest pain, midrin causes such GERD, ergotomine, does nothing.
My working dog comes to see about me and even his touch is too much. Is there a hole I could borrow for a few days?
Just kiddings I have too much life to live!