Be prepared to treat this book like the resource that it is- the tools and tables are meant to be torn out, used, and applied to the situations that you may encounter. Because migraine disease and other headache disorders are “invisible illnesses”, at some points, we find that we’re treated differently, and have additional difficulty obtaining care than would a person would be who had a visible condition.
Robert addresses the aforementioned issue, and provides a resource that should help the patient obtain optimal care. She gives the reader a form to tear out from the book- for the patient’s doctor to fill out explaining that the patient is in fact under their care for this disease, and that this patient needs emergency treatment, and that this person is not drug seeking, but instead, need to be given proper medical attention. This form also allows the doctor to write a protocol for treatment that they would like for their patient to be given to break the migraine cycle
This form has been useful on occasion when an infrequent ER visit coincides with the arrival of a new doctor at the local ER. It has helped them see that another doctor is managing my Migraines, and that the doctor should not be afraid to treat me appropriately, and they don’t have reason to fear that they’re enabling drug-seeking behavior.
For those who don’t want to tear forms and charts out of the book, Robert also provides a Web address where readers can find and download forms and tools.
This is one of those books that you will read again and again The forms, examples, and other practical suggestions and brilliant balance between a guide to a medical condition that is readable for the layperson and the vast treasure trove of knowledge contained there in set Robert’s book apart from the pack. This book is in a league of its own.
Some quotes from this book:
“Our best tool and ally in gaining and retaining as much control as possible is-- drumroll, please—knowledge” p.23
(Regarding how to know if information on a website is “good and accurate”) “If there are claims of a “cure”, forget it.” p.29
