Migraine

Have you considered calling the place where the MRI was done for the results? I ALWAYS get a copy of any test results done (blood work, Xrays...)

It's not that I necessarily know what I'm reading (thank GOD for the internet) but that I know the results are available.

I hope you have great news for us today!

I called the new specialist's office, and they do require a referral. I will be calling my neuro's office after lunch to see if he's willing to refer me there. He is the one who initially referred me to the specialist I'm seeing now. I'm going to let him know it didn't work out. I think he'll be willing to help me out. He knows I've been a difficult case and that he's mostly out of ideas. He also does not have the impenetrable phone tree that my current specialist does, so I can get in touch with him much faster.

I have a call in to my specialist about the MRI results. Haven't heard back yet. Helpless, I was planning on getting a copy of the results anyway to take to my new doc, so I think I'll do that sooner rather than later. Thanks for the suggestion.

Laura, unfortunately my pain level didn't stay down. Yesterday afternoon it was up to a 7. Today isn't terrible though. And the good news is the IV is a reasonable option to help me out if the pain gets too bad.

The other good news is that the new specialist's phone tree doesn't seem nearly as bad as the current specialist's phone tree. I have a good feeling about the new guy (I seem to have more luck with men than women anyway - at least for neuros) so I'm trying to stay positive.

Will update when I know more.

Hi MJ,

Just wanted to let you know I've been thinking about you! I'm glad to hear the IV treatment brought your pain down. I know that some people have to go in for several days of outpatient IV's in a row in order to break a bad cycle. In the past, I've gone in for 3-4 consecutive days, for 4 hours at a time for the DHE, phenergan, and magnesium. Maybe one day just wasn't enough for you???

Anyway, lots of for you!

jenny

I just talked to the nurse's at my neuro's office, and they said it would be no problem to fax a referral over to the new specialist. It's too bad my neuro ran out of ideas - I really liked him and his staff! But I should be able to call tomorrow and schedule an appointment with the new guy.

Jenny, you're probably right that just one IV treatment won't be enough to break the cycle for me. I'm feeling a little wary about them though - it's just too hard to get through the phone tree to go in for even one infusion. I don't think they do multi-day infusions. It also seems like they only do DHE. I could be wrong on that though. That's not to say I won't brave their phone tree again if I feel I need the relief from the IV - I will. Only so much energy every day, you know?

I'm hoping the new doctor has more ideas about this. And I'm not above begging for some relief at this point. My pain has been going on way too long for me just to wait until my preventives to kick in.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed it won't be a long wait for the new doc. Hopefully I'll have some more news tomorrow.

MJ,

That is great that your old neuro will make the referral!!

I agree that your pain has been going on way too long!!! Come-on docs! to the old neuro's phone tree and non-multi day infusions!

Here's to hoping that it won't be a long wait for the new doc.

& in the meantime,
Kelly

I'm excited for you MJ. I know starting over can be frustrating but at the same time, for me anyway, it is like starting a new chapter in a book. I never know what's waiting for me so I get excited about something new and different and better than it was before. I hope that's what you experience too!

Does the new doctor offer IV treatment? I'm so sorry the last one didn't keep the pain level down. Can you go back?

Please keep us updated, k?

quote:

I'm hoping the new doctor has more ideas about this. And I'm not above begging for some relief at this point. My pain has been going on way too long for me just to wait until my preventives to kick in.

We're in the same boat, you and I. Pain going on and on and on and on...let me know how you're doing - I hope things work out well with the new neuro.

Good luck!

I called the new clinic again today. Their procedure is that they'll have a doctor review my chart to determine if they'll take my case, then if they determine yes, they'll give me a call in a few days to schedule my appointment.

Please, please, please keep your fingers crossed for me that I can get in with this new guy. If not I'll have to start looking out of state, most likely.

MJ,

You got it!!! I got my fingers crossed My toes crossed even my legs crossed if that will help!!


Dar

MJ,

I'm keeping my everything crossed for you! And I'm sending lots of thoughts and prayers toward those drs that they'll take your case!

Kelly

MJ-I'll keep everything crossed and continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers!! I hope you can get in

I can relate to having to look for a new doctor. I am at that crossroads myself. I really like my nerologist. He is caring and listens to me and handles my migraines well. However, he is not on staff at the hosptial that I would need to be admitted at (I could overcome that issue) but, his office staff is uncaring and not competent. When I call for a rx his assitant does not give him the message, or when I need infusion it is like pulling teeth to get the staff to care enough to get it done. Doesn't inspire confidence. Its a shame too because I really the doctor and I have been a patient of his for many years now. I have spoke with the doctor about this before, and he in turn spoke with the staff, educated them about the serious nature of status migranous, but they still don't seem to care.

Lori - that's really awful about your doc's staff. I never understand why uncaring people want to work in healthcare. Hopefully you can figure out what you need to do for you.

Dar, Kelly and Laura - thanks for keeping your various body parts crossed! Mine are too. Hoping it's enough!

I will post here as soon as I hear something next week. And if I don't hear in the beginning of the week you better believe I'll be calling them.

Oh, MJ, I sure hope things work out with the new doctor!

I'll send up a few prayers and happy thoughts for you...

jenny

Thanks, Jenny!