Migraine

Hi, everyone!

Well, all of your prayers and happy thoughts worked for me--I had a terrific first visit with Jefferson yesterday!

My doctor eliminated some of my meds that were giving me awful side effects. He's putting me back on Topamax and Verapimil--I've tried these before, but never together. And never at the doses that we're gonna try to get to. He gave me some tips to handle the tingling from the Topamax and the constipation from the Verapimil.

THat's the boring stuff...Now here's the good part: He did a nerve block for me in the office. I've had 3 of these before (with my last doc), but this block was an ENTIRELY new experience for me. When he did the occipital nerve injections, I could actually feel the medicine going in and up over the top of my head. In the past, the numbing happened just in the area of the injection--it never radiated to the really sore part of my head. I think my last doc really didn't do the injections properly! This nerve block was incredible--I still feel fantastic today!!

Also, this doctor prescribed a pain medication for rescue. Again, I've never had this before, so the ER was my only option for relief if the migraine ran out of control.

We discussed a spinal tap AND we discussed admitting me to the hospital. I preferred to wait on both of these issues and he agreed that we would wait. (It was nice to feel that I had options for outpatient treatment even if I didn't want to go inpatient just now...)

AND, the nurse told me that they are EXTREMELY careful to be sure that their patients get anything the doctor recommends for their care. For example, if my doctor thinks Botox might be helpful for me, their office will FIGHT like crazy with my insurance until I get it!! It was VERY nice to feel that I have someone to turn to in the office for help!!

Anyway, there are more details, but I'm very tired right now. I picked up a nasty cold along the way, and DH and I are going to lie down for a bit while the kids are visiting Gramma.

Thank you all for thinking of me! Oh, and special thanks to Teri--without her, I don't know if I ever would have found Jefferson!

jenny

Jenny

AWESOME, awesome news!!!! I am sooooooo happy for you honey!!! Sounds like you were very satisfied with your experience and that they really listened to your concerns. Wonderful!

And you got rescue meds!

You just made my day! I am overjoyed for you girl!!!!!!!!!!

That's fantastic news, Jenny. I hope this continues to work for you.

quote:

In the past, the numbing happened just in the area of the injection--it never radiated to the really sore part of my head. I think my last doc really didn't do the injections properly! This nerve block was incredible--I still feel fantastic today!!

Not my head nor a nerve block, but I had tennis elbow and was seeing an ortho for cortizone shots. They hurt like h-e-double-toothbpicks and every time he gave me one, he "popped" through something. I wanted a second opinion and that ortho gave me a shot. I warned him I about pass out with those shots and told him about the popping and he just shook his head - no passing out, no popping. Me thinks the other ortho was doing it wrong.

Hi Jenny,

That's excellent news! I'm so happy for you. Congratualtions on a great visit and I hope they are all just as wonderful!


Pam

That is the coolest ever! I'm glad you had such a positive appointment and that it brought you such hope. That's amazing.

I am sorry to hear about the icky cold, though. *sends virtual buckets o' chicken noodoodle soup* Hope you feel much better soon.

I am so happy that it went so well Good stuff...

Hooray!

Hooray for you!!
I am so happy it went well for you.
Just wondering, how far did you drive to go there?


Sherry

Jenny,

That's fantastic news, darlin! Thanks for taking the time to post for us. As you know, I was out of town, but I wondered how things had gone for you.

I'm thankful for, but not surprised by, everything you said. I felt sure you'd get just that kind of treatment. You MUST feel better all the way around with a good nerve block and knowing that you now have something for rescue.

Thanks y'all!

It's nice to know that I have all of you cheering along with me!!!

Deb--Those popping injections---EWW! How lousy that you had to go through that!! I never would've thought a nerve block could be done incorrectly by my last headache specialist! If someone would've said that to me I would have said they were crazy!! But I definitely feel that my past injections were NOTHING like this one from my new doctor!!! I guess that's why we tell the folks here to keep looking until they can find a specialist with expertise...my new one definitely knows what he's doing!

Droolie--thanks for the soup!! Coincidentally, my MIL made some for me too. The whole family got this cold (we love to share). My DH took to his bed for a day. (He sometimes likes to be cared for when he's sick. I don't really mind--I figure it's about time he has a turn!!)

Sherry, I drove about 6 hours. But it was worth EVERY minute!!! I think next time I'll fly, though. (The round trip flight costs about $100--with tolls and gas, I probably spent that much anyway!)

And yes, I am quite relieved to have a rescue med that might actually work!!

I love you guys!!

BTW--I still feel fantastic, and it's 5 days later (a record for me!!)!

jenny

What wonderful news to hear. I can "hear" the happiness and excitement in your posts

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Celebrate!