Migraine

I have been getting migraines since I was 9 (27 now) and we have still yet to figure out a solid trigger. Just when I think I have it, something might blow that theory out of the water. Dr has had me on just about everything it seems b/c after 6 months or so, it stops working. I am starting to wonder if he isn't just thinking I am a hypocondriac (sp?) or trying to get better pain killers (which soooo don't work anyway for me).. I have asked him several times in the last couple months to either up my dose of Topamax (100mg split) or refer me to a neurologist. He assumed when I asked him to up my Topomax that I was wanting to lose more weight from it since I dropped 60 lbs from it in the first 6 months I was on it. So he refused. And he has yet to send me to a neurologist. I can't just go look one up in the phone book b/c my insurance requires the referral. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. All he did at my last visit was refill my topamax and give me Fioricet which doesn't seem to work for me either. Im getting angry at this point b/c I am up to 3 migraines a week. I am 27 and should be out enjoying my life but instead I am either laid up/dosed up with a migraine or staying far away from sunlight as I fear this is one of my triggers.....

I am just not sure what to do at this point. ....

Hi Kira

I'm Dutchess, sorry you are going through all this. I've been through a lot with doctors also. It's not a cool thing,but hang in there. Had some treatment that worked really well for me and some not.

Don't give up there is still a lot of things to try for migrianes. For the first time in months I danced with my daughters. There is also some great reading online.

Try these:

* Migraine Triggers
* Migraine Preventive Medications - Too Many Options To Give Up!
* Migraineur's Guide To a Successful Doctor's Appointment
* Migraine Specialist Directory


Dutchess

Know exactly where you're comming from Kira... and it sucks!
It's tough... sounds like you need to see another doc.. one who will listen to you and value what you have to say... I'm not sure how you go about that in the states... but here it's pretty simple... I'm looking for a new doc because the one I've been seeing doesn't seem to have a clue.. I swear he must have got his medical degree out of a cereal box or something...

It took me around seven visits and a trip to Accident and Emergency to finally get a neurologist referral... and even then it took forever to get a proper consultation... my partner is incredibly angry with how the public health system works as he's the one who ends up looking after me when I'm ill (because I can't do it myself when I'm sick)

I can certainly relate to how frustrating it can be, being laid up in a dark room majority of the week... My migraines come at round the same regularity as yours...and it really takes it's toll on relationships, careers and life in general...

I'm 20 and have been getting migraine since I was around 13- 14 but just over the last year or so they've been getting a lot worse... this year was supposed to be my first year of tertiary in preparation for a teaching degree but I'm having to give that up because I can't make it to lectures and I'm too tired/ill to get my assignments done during the week.. I'm not able to work and I'm living off a sickness benefit to pay rent until it gets sorted which will hopefully be soon...
It's tough but there is so many untouched therapies out there just waiting to be discovered...

So just hang in there sister... we're all in this together...

you could also try alternative therapies like accupuncture or massage therapy or something... I'm thinking of doing that just to try it out...

Let me know how things get on..

Kia Kaha( stay strong)

Aroha Nui (much love)

Hmmm...sounds like this doctor might not be the right one for you. Sooooo...if you need a referral from a primary doctor, and your primary doctor seems totally indifferent to your care and well-being, I'd think it's time to find a new primary doctor, and then seek a specialist referral from them. You deserve a doctor who will care about you and work with you.

I was thinking the same thing as dragondrool mentioned... if you need a referral from your primary, maybe it's time for a new primary. That's probably the best way to get a referral to see a neurologist or migraine specialist. I hope you're able to a new doctor who will do more than refill prescriptions and give you meds that don't work.



Meli

Hi Kira,

First, Welcome to the forum Sorry you are having such a rough time with your primary doctor. Yes, I have agree with Dragon and Meli on this one, it might be time to get a new primary doctor who will be more open to referring you.

Also, you may want to look at the Migraine Specialist list that is on the forum to see if your insurance might cover one of them (Dutchess gave you the links). A nuerologist and a Migraine Specialist are two different types of doctors. A Migraine Specialist is a nuerologist that studies migraines. A nuerologist can study many things like epilipsy, etc. A Migraine Specialist would be better able to help you manage your migraines.

Wishing you the best of luck on whatever you decide

Dar