Subtitle: Match Game
Describe your perfect doctor to treat your migraines.
Where have you gone Dr. B? I already had the perfect doctor to treat my migraines: my former primary care physician. He left our neighborhood practice one year ago on June 30th. I miss him a lot.
Dr. B was always willing to listen and advocate for me in any way he could. If I came to the office with an article suggesting a new medication to try such as Topamax, he would go over risks and benefits and then allow me to try it under his tutelage. Dr. B also sent me to neurologists.
However, the first two neurologists immediately targeted my use of Vicodin & triptans as being the reason for my having migraines. Even after I told neurologist number 2 that drug holidays had no effect on the evil beasts, she was quite adament that the rebound effect was my culprit. Now, after Dr. B has gone, I’ve gotten a new pcp and neurologist, whittled triptans down from almost daily to ten monthly & Vicodin use down to practically nothing and guess what? – migraines are still arriving an average of 21 days a month.
I know triptan overuse as well as using too much Vicodin have major side effects. But when you’ve tried at least five anti-seizure meds and a host of other things, well, it makes it tough to try to be stoic and ride out pain. I was fully functioning and capable using the go-to-pain meds when needed. I don’t feel different other than having more stress about achieving some pain relief. That’s all I ask. And I know this is a controversal topic. At 55 years old, having had migraines for over thirty years, I shouldn’t have to feel guilty asking for the proper form of pain relief. I’m not a drug addict. Dr. B carefully monitored me and understood that. I’d really like to have a doctor just like him because he “got” who I was with migraines having had a few himself.
Disclaimer: As a lay person, I am merely sharing my experiences and am in no way endorsing any of the drugs mentioned in this post. Please consult your doctor if you suffer from migraines.
National Migraine Awareness Month is initiated by the National Headache Foundation
The Blogger’s Challenge is initiated by http://www.FightingHeadacheDisorders.com
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