Migraine

I have been off work on short term disability due to my migraines and occipital headaches. I have been going to MHNI for treatment since 3/09 after trying to find a treatment approach from 2 other neurologists.

When I started at MHNI it was felt that I could go on an outpatient basis since I don't live very far from MHNI and since I was not in a rebound cycle. I was sent for an MRI of my neck and it was discovered that I have a herniated disc and 2 bulging discs in my neck which is probably triggering my migraines. I had a fascet block done and the anethsologist wanted to do 2 epideral injections in my neck.

It was felt by the disability committee at MHNI that I would benefit from inpatient treatment since I have not been getting much relief from prescriptions. I did receive some relief from the fascet block but I'm not able to get into have the epideral injections before the date of going inpatient.

My question is what am I to expect from going inpatient? What did some of the other members on experience? Good? Bad? I hate hospitals and really don't want to go but if it will help I'm willing to do it.

hey there!

I actually went to MHNI for over 2 years. I just wsn't happy with the results I was getting so I moved on to Diamond. Before I left though, they had set up probably 4-5 tentative admission dates. My first doc just found reason after reason to cancel them. Then my second Doc was putting me in but somehow that got messed up too. I just said enough is enough and now see Dr. Nissan at Diamond headache clinic. There are just some docs that arent ment to treat specific patients no matter how good of a doc they are. I believe the 2 clinics are pretty similar, MHNI usually just keeps you in there for a little bit longer than diamond. Did they tell you 2 weeks or more?

My first appointment in Chicago, I was addmitted into their inpatient program. I only had to stay 1 week. Like I said, I am pretty sure they are both similar, though. I recevied great care. Every one around you is so understanding, staff and patients alike. They all tried to make the stay as comfortable as possible, if a problem came out, they found a way to solve it. If somethin wasn't working, they can change it and make somethin work. It really is great to get the one on one personal care rather than just outpatient treatment. You get the full focus attention on you while you are there, so that you can feel better when you leave. They take the time to figure out what you need and try to get it done.

Some one just mentioned a very good point to me( thanks I am stealing your great advice), the inpatient unit is not a fix, it is a step towards proper treatment to get yourself better. If you aren't getting the results you need as an outpatient, I really recomend trying the inpatient program!

I hate hospitals and was scared to death, but I am glad I did it. In fact, I will be going to Diamonds inpatient program here on monday. When I was there the last time, I came out feeling like a whole new person, it was wonderful. But unfortunately, my preventive meds aren't right yet, so I am goin back for more treatment.

I hope this gives you some of what you were wondering about. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will answer them to the bast of my ability. Good Luck and hang in there.

psk,

I have never been admitted to MHNI's inpatient treatment. I have been admitted to Diamond's inpatient unit 3 times. I don't know how the units are same/different, so I can't speak to that.

But with hospitalization, I found that it was an important step in moving me in a different direction when I was in a bad spot. My intractable Migraines were not being broken by abortives/rescues and I needed more intense intervention.

I don't think hospitalizations are a fix, as Alaura mentioned. I believe they sometimes are a good tool in helping those of us who are not able to get out of the intractable state (hopefully) on a better track. In my experience, hospitalizations were used to intensely treat the intractable Migraine in hopes to abort it and also working closely with my specialist on retooling my daily preventative regimen and acute management of Migraines.

If I were you, I would also ask about what else the inpatient program offers in addition to IV therapy (because that would be availiable at an outpatient program). Do they offer alternative treatments as well, such as biofeedback/physical therapy? Do they offer group sessions/classes ect? Those type of things helped make my experiences more beneficial as I was an inpatient.

I hate hospitals too. I always walked out better than I had walked in, but it was not a fix. In my experience, hospitalizations are meant to get you to a better place than you are now and hopefully you will be able to continue to improve with your newly retooled management program thereafter.

Personally, I am very glad that I had access to an inpatient program when I needed it. It was an important step for me in moving in a better direction toward better daily management of my Migraines.

I am really sorry to hear about the herniated disc/bulging disc that you have. I hope that you are able to find someone who is able to treat that.

Good luck with your decision. I know it is a hard one to make. Either way, I hope you see some improvement soon.

Kelly

Thank you both for your responses. I believe that MHNI's approach is very similar to Diamond.

My migraines, for the most part, can be aborted by my medications but they preventatives just don't work. It is my doctor's opinion (and mine) that my major trigger is the problems I have with my neck. I have stated to my doctor over and over that if this can be controlled I believe my migraines will fall back to a more normal cycle, one or twice a month at the most.

The problem has been that everything that MHNI takes forever. It took me 2 months to get a fascet block done on my neck and then another month before I could meet with the anesthologist to discuss the results from that block. Normally this time delay would be no big deal but I'm on short term leave right now from my job. My employer is getting more and more upset on how long it's taking me to return to work so that's just creating more stress in my life. It's taking me a month just to get a "tenative" inpatient date at MHNI. This was told to me after my doctor and psychologist kept saying how things were going to have to be more agressive. That's why they want to put me in inpatient is to have several procedures on my neck performed and also to try different medication combinations.

I'm glad to hear that both of you had positive experiences from going inpatient. No one will give me any idea on how long they plan to keep me, but the shorterest stay would be definately preferred by me. Anyone I ask at MHNI says that the average length of stay is 14 days.

HEy-

I just wanted to stop in and check on you real quick. Did you decide to do the inpatient program? How are things going for you? I hope you are getting some relief by now!

I just spent 10 days in the hospital again. I am very greatful for the treatment i have recieved. Granted it wasn't a fix and I am still needing improvement, but it was a great way for me to start the improvemnt that I need. I am glad to receive this good of care and have such good medical treatment.

I hope that you are gettin great medical care yourself. Let us know how you are doing. If you decide to go/have done inpatient treatment, I hope it helps you. I would love to hear how you are! You are getting many good thoughts and wishes!
Alaura

Update-

I decided to go inpatient and I'm working on completing my 5th day here at MHNI's inpatient setting. It's a lot of what I expected and a lot different than what I expected. I truely overlooked the ability here to change different medications and try different medication combinations.

MHNI has also been able to get my procedures done on my neck so that's been very helpful or at least it appears it's going to be. I'm sure I will know more in the days to come.

I was lucky for the fact that I was not in a MOH cycle, thanks most part to the information on this site. I was also never abusing my narcotic drugs which has kept me from having to ride that rough ride of detoxing.

I appreciate all the kinds, words, thoughts and prayers.

I am so glad you are getting good treatment! The impatient program is a hard thing to explain, but it is worth every bit when you get the care you need. I have you in my thoughts and prayers as you are there. Please do keep us updated on how you are doing!

I am sorry to hear you have been there 5 days already. I should have checked in on you sooner. I am glad to see that you have access to the internet while you are there. It sounds as though they are getting things going for you. I know that you are in good hands up there, too! Have they been able to help your pain in the few days you have been there? How about your medication, do you feel like you are headed in the direction of improvement?

When you are in the inpatient program, there really are so many more options available to you. They can just do so much and even change plans to find what works best for you before you leave. Like I said before, I don't regret the 2 hospital stays that I have had. I am so thankful to have had that option, it was a stepping stone to success for me. I really am wishing you the best! I know the hospital can be a lonley and rough thing, but I hope the benefits are worth every minute! I hope to hear that you are doing well. Again, do keep us posted!
and
Alaura

quote:

Originally posted by Alaura:
I am so glad you are getting good treatment! The impatient program is a hard thing to explain, but it is worth every bit when you get the care you need. I have you in my thoughts and prayers as you are there. Please do keep us updated on how you are doing!

I am sorry to hear you have been there 5 days already. I should have checked in on you sooner. I am glad to see that you have access to the internet while you are there. It sounds as though they are getting things going for you. I know that you are in good hands up there, too! Have they been able to help your pain in the few days you have been there? How about your medication, do you feel like you are headed in the direction of improvement?

When you are in the inpatient program, there really are so many more options available to you. They can just do so much and even change plans to find what works best for you before you leave. Like I said before, I don't regret the 2 hospital stays that I have had. I am so thankful to have had that option, it was a stepping stone to success for me. I really am wishing you the best! I know the hospital can be a lonley and rough thing, but I hope the benefits are worth every minute! I hope to hear that you are doing well. Again, do keep us posted!
and
Alaura

I met with Dr. Saper this morning and the plan as of right now is to discharge me and let me continue to follow up on an outpatient basis. I only live about 30 minutes from MHNI and it looks like they have found a new preventive for me. I'm going to be taking Methergine daily, probably a beta blocker, and possibly Keppra. I'm not sure on what abortives they will send me with but it sounds like since I have so many issues with my neck that it will include a muscle relaxer.

Thank you again for all your thoughts and hug.

psk,
We're so happy to hear your updates. I dont' know if you've found it yet, but Alaura started a support thread in the supports/vents folder for you. Check it out!

We're thinking of you. I hope all goes well once you get home and the new medications are able to take effect.

Kelly

PSK-
Hi. I have been going to MHNI for many years. Have gone through the inpatient twice and it seemed to help both times but I always seem to end up back at the beginning of it all sooner or later so far as my recalcitrant migraines go dang it! They wanted to admit me again last fall but I had already been off work quite awhile and also we were told no time off from October thru Dec!

Then my doctor- who I loved- left and moved to PA. Now I have a new doc and he wants me to have a surgery done that I am worried about. So he made arrangements for a second opinion at Mayo.

How have things worked out for you? Are you liking the treatment program? I actually live near Diamond but my neuro sent me to MHNI.

BTW, how do you like Dr. Saper (aka in some circles as he who believes he is God or at least his right hand man?)

Be blessed-
Dawn