Migraine

Dr's appointment went well. Dr. Pettinato seems nice enough. At least he knows what he's talking about when it comes to migraines. I think dragging DBF with me was beneficial. He took me off my muscle relaxer and the melatonin because neither was helping me sleep or helping my headaches. He increased my Verapamil from 240 (which was 3 tablets 2 in the AM and 1 PM) to 360 (1 tablet in the morning) and he gave me Frova to take for a week to try to break the daily headaches. He picked Frova because I told him the last time I took Prednisone all it did was make my head worse. We'll see how the Frova goes. I hope it works because even with the insurance it was $5 a pill... He wants me to take the Frova for a week and go a couple of weeks with the increased dose of Verapamil then call him. If I'm not improving he's going to give me Keppra (which he says hasn't been deeply studied as a help for migraines but it's another anti-seizure drug and it's something he uses as a combo preventative). And maybe he'll add some kind of sleep aid. He says he wants to take an aggressive approach with the meds to hopefully get my pain to a more tolerable level. I've been hoping for that for months. Hopefully he can give me some positive results.

He called me shoulder/neck problems something technical. I wish I could remember what he said except that it started with a T. When he did my standard evaluation after we chatted he made a comment that my head tilts a little to the right. That's been something other doctors have pointed out too. I've had problems with my shoulder since I was 16 and even after surgery I still have problems. He suggested acupuncture or botox to help. I've tried acupuncture before but it's been about 4 years. I may consider trying it again. And I guess he can do it in the office, so maybe I'll plan to do that next time I see him. Botox is another option but insurance doesn't cover it so I probably won't be trying that any time soon.

So we'll see how I do with the Frova and the increased Verapamil. I really hope things are successful. So far no weird side effects to the Frova, although I only took it a couple of hours ago...

Off to the Tea Room for a quick post.
Meli

Meli,

Sounds like a really good visit! It's nice to hear that he understands just how much pain you're in--and that he's willing to take an aggressive apporach to try to get a handle on your pain.

I remember our forum members talking about the cost of Botox earlier...Did you ask your doctor what it'd cost? I'll look around the forum when I have a free minute and see if I can find a link to the info for you. (Or maybe someone else will stop by and know the info first hand!)

I'm really happy for you, Meli!

jenny

Hmmm...perhaps whatever's got your head tilted some is tied to the shoulder thing, and perhaps getting that fixed up might help alleviate some triggering. I know all to well shoulder issues triggering migraine.

Meli,

I looked around a bit on the forum, and it looks like other folks are saying the Botox cost between $1000 and $1500 every 3 months. Lots of $$, but I'm sure it's worth the cost if it helps!

Droolie's right--neck and shoulder stuff are sure to contribute to migraine pain! Maybe you're doc's onto something...It'd be great if helping your shoulder and head position would help your migraine pain!

jenny

Meli- I hope that you adjust to the med changes easily. I am finding that a lot of people like frova. I have never tried it myself, but I hope it works for you. It sounds like you are headed in a positive direction. Have you ever tried physical therapy for your neck and shoulders? I do the same thing, my head is tilted to the right. My muscle issues got so bad that I actually started to lose muscle funtion, but the PT is really helping. Just an idea to look into I wish you tons of luck! Let us know how you do with your meds

on the good Dr visit Meli!

I definately think you should address your shoulder problem, b/c know when I pinch a nerve in my cervical vertabrae it almost always triggers a mig. Have you ever tried Tramadol for your neck/shoulder pain? My PCP gave me Ultram ER for when I pop a disc. It helps keep the muscles around the disc relaxed so the disc can go back in place.

FYI on Botox, a lot of insurance companies cover it for migraine treatment. I know for my ins you have to have tried at least 3 preventives, and 3 abortives.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person with that reaction to steroids. I was on a Medrol pack for a week and it gave me 5 straight days of migs! I hope the Frova works. Have you tried Toradol? My PCP will give me a shot when I have a 3+day migraine. It usually does the trick.

for you!!!

I was diagnosed with scapulothoracic bursitis back in 2001. I did PT, cortisone shots, more PT, more cortisone shots. Had surgery in 2004. Did more PT, chiropractic, acupuncture.... all that stuff. Then I went to a pain management specialist who did trigger point injections and put me on my muscle relaxer and I went back to a chiropractor. I stopped focusing on my shoulder issues when my migraines worsened. My orthopedic surgeon had given up on me anyway. I get a massage every month, which is usually helpful for a few days, but never really alleviates the headaches. I'd love to solve my shoulder problem but I don't know what to do next.

No improvement with the Frova yet, but the doc did say it could take a few days... that it works.

Meli