Migraine

So I've been doing a lot of thinking over the past week, which some of you have probably seen over the past week in my posts. I saw my HA specialist for my second visit, and I think it's time for me to part ways with her. Not necessarily that I don't think she's a competent doctor, but the scheduling issues aren't going to fly with me.

My doc is the *only* neurologist at my HA clinic. That didn't used to be the case. There used to be two, but the other one left the practice in January, which forced my specialist to come back from maternity leave 2 months early. Initially this was good in that I got a first appointment with her quickly, but now her patient load is ridiculous and her hours are irregular. She doesn't work on Fridays and only comes in some Thursdays. Then, she wasn't in today, which means nearly a week she hasn't been in the office. This wouldn't be so bad, but she doesn't have a doctor who covers for her when she's out.

I feel like trying to get treatment shouldn't be such a fight. I've been calling her office since Thursday trying to get in for an IV treatment, but since she hasn't been in they can't just do it for me. In theory she should be in tomorrow so I should be able to finally do it. (I do have an appointment time scheduled.) Plus I couldn't get my MRI results since she wasn't there. And her staff usually can't return my calls for at least a day, sometimes two.

Plus, I can't shake the feeling that she gave up on me when the Botox didn't work out because my insurance declined it.

So, I think I'm going to work on finding another doctor. There's another specialist on the list who's close, so I'll try there next.

In the meantime I do have the IV option to try to help my pain when it gets bad, and I'm about 2 weeks in to my increased Topamax dosage.

Besides, I took the "Is your doc right for you?" quiz - my current specialist got a 4/10, my past neuro got a 9/10. I'd go back to him, but I can't get an appointment with him for at least 3 months and he was just about out of ideas when I last saw him anyway.

Ugh, I wish this wasn't so hard.

First and foremost, here are some much needed

I've been thinking about you and wondering how you were feeling. I'm so sorry you're going through all this mess, MJ, but I'm glad you're getting the IV therapy today

I think you are making a good decision by changing doctors. It just doesn't seem like you guys are a great "fit" and her schedule isn't all that great either.

Good luck with the other specialist, I hope they can get you in quickly! Please keep us posted, k?

Take care!!

I think your right. Time for a new doc. What good is a doctor who doesn't have the time to see you?

Good luck with the new specialist. It is always awful changing doctors, because you never know what you are in for. Keep us posted and keep your head up!

MJ,
You've made the right decision. She has not been as responsive to you as you need her to be at all.

I do hope you get the MRI results today when you have the IV therapy.

Take care and let us know what happens.

Cindy

MJ- my hearts goes out to you-truly!

It's no secret I have no faith in my Doc. I am waiting for my appt at Jefferson in May, and have to utilize my current Doc in the meantime. I consider this my "plan"..

It is a chore so to speak to find a new doctor, but this past week and what you have gone thru, well, noone should have to suffer like alot of us do in this day and age with all the medications and resources out there.

I hope you do look for a new care and BETTER care because you DESERVE better care! In the meantime, I hope you can get into the office today for IV treatment and find some comfort.

I have learned many things from You, and this Forum Family and most important is to not settle with my docs and my appointments, but how to "get the most out of them!"

I wish you all the best.

Lori

MJ!!

My dear! I hope you got to go for your IV treatment today and that the doctor didn't find it "unwarrented" as you were afraid.

I think you are right. Sounds like time for a new doctor.

Good luck my dear!

Keep us posted, ok?

Hugs!!!

MJ, we're behind you on this. We want you to get the best care possible. Good luck.

Hi MJ - I'm glad you're not settling. It's so easy to settle, isn't it? When the alternative is a big search and you feel discouraged by what hasn't worked in the past. It's brave to say this is enough and move on. Good for you! I really hope that IV helps today. Thinking of you!
Megs

MJ

I'm really glad that you've managed to dredge up the courage to look again. I'll be praying that the next one is the RIGHT one.

Tracie

Good luck, MJ. And good work!

Thanks, everyone. Your support on this really means a lot - it helps me feel like I'm making the right decision.

I didn't get a chance to call the new specialist today, but I will tomorrow.

I did get to go in for the IV treatment today, which was good. They gave me DHE and Toradol, and some Reglan for the nausea from the DHE. Unfortunately one of those (I think the Reglan) made me extremely anxious and dizzy. It did bring my pain level down to a 2, where it stayed most of the day even under the fluorescent lights of my office. So that was good. We'll see how long the pain stays low - it's back up to a 3 now but that's much lower than it usually is this late in the day.

Still no MRI results - I forgot to ask while I was there - but I'll call tomorrow and see if I can get them from my doc.

I have a good feeling about seeing a new specialist. Hopefully I can get an appointment without a hugely long wait. I'll be sure to let you guys know what I find out.

Thanks for the encouragement. If not for finding this forum I'd probably be too quick to settle. You guys are the best. Hearing more about how other doctors are set up is one of the reasons I'm going to put in the energy to find a new doc.

I love you guys! Thanks for sticking with me and being there!

Oh MJ, I'm late to this post.



I'm sorry that you this specialist issue is such a struggle. Oh, my heart goes out to you.

Sending much love and hugs your way!

Kelly

Hey MJ,

Sorry I am late on posting on this. But, I know you will find the perfect specialist for you!! I am so glad that you decided to. Let us know how the MRI came out!!

Sending you the most amazing, positive, pain-free, cyer-vibes possible!!

Dar

Well, grr, still did not get to call about my MRI today. (More grr that I didn't get a call from my doc.) I WILL make time to call tomorrow. Work can wait.

Kelly and Dar, thanks for the love, hugs and pain-free vibes. Hopefully tomorrow I can give all of you guys a better update.

I'm so glad the IV treatment helped. What wonderful news. Did your pain level stay down yesterday? that it stayed at a 3 or even better dropped down to nothing!

I'm proud of you for continuing to keep your head up and for looking for a new specialist.

quote:

It did bring my pain level down to a 2, where it stayed most of the day even under the fluorescent lights of my office. So that was good. We'll see how long the pain stays low - it's back up to a 3 now but that's much lower than it usually is this late in the day.