Migraine

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone has opinions/experience with Dr. Aurora vs. Dr Elliot in Washington State. I have been seeing Dr Aurora for about 6 months now and don't really have any complaints except that I have not made any progress whatsoever. And I do realize that this whole process will take time...

But I'm also so frustrated with being in pain every single day and am wondering if Dr. Elliot might be more aggresive at least in the abortive/pain management department while waiting for the prevention to work.

Of course I am also learning that I have to take control of my own care and I do plan on talking to her when I go in for my next follow up. (Thanks Teri - your book was fabulous!)

Any thoughts Washingtonians?

Hi Dina,

I have seen both Dr Aurora and Dr Elliott, and highly, HIGHLY recommend Dr Elliott.

I only saw Dr A for about 2 months, but did not have a great experience with her. When I saw her (the beginning of last year), her clinic was going through some major reorganizational changes - the other neuro at the clinic had left and she was seeing all of the patients. I had a terrible time ever getting through to her between appointments. For these (and a lot of other) reasons, I decided to see Dr E instead.

I've been seeing Dr E since May of last year, and I've seen more improvement in that time than I have with any other doctor (he's my fourth for my Migraines). I'm a difficult case - constant head pain, daily Migraines, very sensitive to meds - but he's given me a lot of hope through the past year. He's very responsive to my questions, and willing to be more passive or more aggressive in my treatment, depending on what I need. He's willing to prescribe appropriate abortive and rescue meds - when I asked Dr A about rescue meds she simply told me "they don't work" and wouldn't discuss it any further.

Dr E has been very supportive of my wishes. I've been on a medication holiday since I had a terrible series of reactions to meds last fall. He referred me to a local internist with a specialty in herbalism, and has continued to oversee my care even though I'm not currently taking prescription preventive drugs. (That will be changing shortly though.) He always answers all of my questions during appointments, and appreciates that I'm a well-educated patient (not always the case with all docs).

It did take about 6-8 weeks to get an appointment with Dr E, but it was totally worth it. He's a wonderful doctor and all of his staff are great. In fact, all of the dealings I've had with Virginia Mason have been extremely positive. I can't say enough good things about him.

Hope this helps - best of luck to you! Let me know if you have any other questions and I'd be happy to help.

MJ

This helps tremendously. Thank you! Someone I work with had also recommended Dr E. but I currently work closer to Swedish. We are very shortly moving the facility to Woodinville so seeing someone in Bellevue will work perfectly for me.

I had the same issue with rescue meds and Dr A. So the only option I have right now is Migranal which isn't working for me most of the time. And then what do I do the other 5 days of the week?

Thanks so much for your quick response. I'm currently on day 3 of a horrible beast and out of options for home treatment so I guess I'll try to get into Swedish but will also be requesting copies of my records and calling Dr Elliot's office for an appt.

Dina
Live well, laugh often, love much.

Hi Dina and MJ,
I am a new Dr. Elliot !FAN! - I just had my first appointment with him on Monday - so I don't have a ton to add based on long term experience, but do have a few thoughts.

It actually took me less than three weeks to get in as a new patient, and he's seeing me back in three weeks, so scheduling seems to be less booked out than when MJ started - although I could have hit a slow period and this is a fluke.

Dina, you mentioned Bellevue, but I saw him downtown - does he see patients both places? I'm actually on the eastside, and that would be good to know...

I just cannot say enough good things about my first visit. I transferred from another Headache Specialist in the Seattle area who was very intelligent, but difficult to communicate with. Dr. Elliot seems to have all the information AND the ability to convey it. He answered all of mine and DH's questions, explained everything thoroughly - even at one point while he was explaining a plan to me, I said, "okay" and continued to think about what he had said as he wrote the plan down (it was a multi-medication taper schedule), but instead of going back to writing, he asked me what I was thinking (!), we discussed it, and it fine-tuned the plan.

quote:

Dina, you mentioned Bellevue, but I saw him downtown - does he see patients both places? I'm actually on the eastside, and that would be good to know...

As far as I know, he only sees patients out of the downtown clinic. Dina, it's only a few blocks from Swedish, if that helps any.

I also wanted to add that his PA, Rachel, is wonderful. Once you get in to see Dr E, make sure you get Rachel's direct extension - it makes calling in with questions that much easier.

If you would like to read more in detail about my visits with Dr E, check out my posts:

May 2008, first visit

August 2008 visit

September 2008 phone consult

February 2009 visit

April 2009 visit

Bummer for some reason I had thought he was in Bellevue, but no worries I think I would drive to Spokane if I had to!

update - got in to see Dr E two weeks from today! I'm very excited to see how it goes.

We're rooting our hearts out for you, Dina!

Dina,

I'm so excited for you! Good luck and here are some articles you can read to prepare for your appointment:

Migraineur's Guide To a Successful Doctor's Appointment

Coping With Busy Doctors

Great! I hope it goes well .