Each time you try a new treatment, you take a risk. How do you initiate a discussion with your doctor so you can make an educated decision about trying it as a team?
This issue of trying new treatments has been a little touchy lately. I’ve only met my migraine specialist, Dr L, once. We had an initial consultation and will roll our sleeves up and begin the work of new medications/treatment options in three weeks.
Meanwhile my primary care physician, Dr. S, has continued to “take a stab” at solving my migraine dilemma. I wish she wouldn’t. In February she decided that Simvastatin must be contributing to the slight increase in my migraines, so she took me off it. I’ve only been on this med for two years and needless to say, have had migraine mayhem long before that.
At my check-up in May, my lab work showed that my cholesterol was way up as were my triglycerides too! That put me at some risks I really shouldn’t have taken. What was the point of tinkering with a medication that had no bearing on my migraines? But Dr. S didn’t ask me to remind her how long I’d been on Simvastatin in relation to years of migraines. I’m back on the medication, but now she’s thrown in Vitamin B2 and Butterbur for Migraines (and doubled Vitamin D since I’m still Vitamin D deficient).
I wanted to ask her why the supplements couldn’t wait until I saw Dr. L again, but I didn’t want to be disrespectful. As far as the Butterbur is concerned, she never told me how much to take. It was $22 for a bottle of thirty! I take one a day as per bottle instructions, any more than that is too much money unless it’s a miracle cure and my skepticism reigns. Interestingly enough, I discovered that Vitamin D lowers the effectiveness of Simvastatin! Interactions and side-effects of medications and supplements are ultimately up to us to research unless you have complete faith in your physician(s).
Any medications discussed in this post or blog are my opinions only and should in no way be construed as advice. As with any medication, supplement or treatment, please always consult your physician.
June 2013, Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, is dedicated to Unmasking the Mystery of Chronic Headache Disorders.
The June 2013 Migraine and Headache Awareness Month Blog Challenge is a project of http://FightingHeadacheDisorders.com
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