Migraine

I as well as many others learned that if you are shy and cry easily if you feel intimidated and they find that nothing they are trying is helping that you must be depressed and that is impeding your getting better.

Yes I am depressed from the pain and frustration that my headaches cause. However I feel I am dealing with it very well considering the circumstances.

I went there and tried and was open to everything they offered. When they found nothing was really helping the head doctor said it must be that I’m depressed and that is impeding my headaches getting better. I did not expect to be stereotyped this way. And I saw it happen over and over again to others.

Teri was right when she commented on this particular treatment center. This is the bad part of it. I was warned before I went there by two previous patients. I went with an open mind. To think that in this day and age that this is happening to people who genuinely seek treatment and then have to put up with a so called “headache expert in the field” who chooses to focus on patients who try to explain their pain and instead are told that because nothing they have tried has really helped they must be depressed and this standing in the way of their headache pain. This is a cop out and it should not be tolerated.

If the solution were that easy we’d all be taking antidepressants and feeling a whole lot better. It’s not that simple and that’s what they won’t admit. Don't get me wrong I do believe that the pschological part is very important. But to say that it is standing in the way of your headache pain getting better is an easy way for them to put the blame on the patient. To add to this I was seen by several different doctors each looking at you from different a perceptive. All but one of them looked at me medically. The one who choose to dwell on the depression did so when I wasn’t responding to treatment and because I tried to explain but could not do it without feeling intimidated I was told that I was depressed and they couldn’t help me because of that.

I did notice that of the people who left there feeling better all but one did so because of the nerve blocks they had and not as a result of the IV protocols or meds they were given. Only one person left feeling better because of the IVs and meds they were given. Sorry this is so long but I felt the need to vent for me and for many others who went through what I did at this place.

The good part of it was that there are extremely caring nurses here who do their best to help.

Emily, I am so sorry to hear that you had such an upsetting experience.

It is frustrating to seek help and not get it. I am sorry that you had to go through this. It stinks when you get your hopes up that maybe this time you'll find something that helps, but instead get told that you're just depressed.



I hope you get to feeling better!

Welcome Emily.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Migraine and depression do go hand in hand, but the depression does not cause nor get in the way of improving a migraine.

Can you find another headache specialist to see? I'm glad the nurses were kind to you.

Hi Emily,

I know exactly how you feel. When I was OD on Topamax, they wanted to turn me into a zombie with 200 mg of Seroquel and let me set around twiddling my thumbs for the rest of my life. When that happened, one of the web footed feather face's comments was that he had a "little old lady on 800 mg of Seroquel". I'm not sure what the point was other than if I wasn't a panzie I would be able to take a lot more than 200 mg without setting around like a zombie all day.

It is a tradgey they are able to cop out that easily. Too bad you and /or your insurance co can't get a refund. That is what would happen with any other inferior product or service.

Hang in there, better days have to be ahead, Bob

Hi Emily,

First, welcome to MyMigraineConnection, we are happy you found us.

I'm so sorry to hear about your recent experience. When we are in chronic pain, it is easy to become depressed. Rightly so. And if taking antidepressants would make the depression go away, then our Migraines would go away, according to that doctor. But we know that is not true.

Migraine is a genetic neurological disease. Time to find a headache specialist who understands that and will work with you to find a good preventive plan, not against you, blaming depression.

We are with you... hang in there.

I've got Major Depression in addition to chronic daily headaches and migraine. I can handle my pain better when my mood meds are balanced. I'm taking two antidepressants -- Wellbutrin and Effexor -- plus two meds for sleep -- Moban and Ambien.

My depression is under control. My psychiatrist and I agree on this. But I still have the CDH and the migraines.

I'm glad you realize that this doctor is a turkey. I'm sorry you had to go through it.

Gretchen

Welcome to the forum, Emily.

I'm sorry you had such a crummy outcome with the inpatient stay. It's really sad when doctors would rather label people and pin everything on depression just because they've run out of ideas. It's so much less frustrating if they'd just admit they were at a loss. A little compassion goes a long way to comfort.

I agree with Nancy. It's time to find another doctor who understands and will commit to sticking by you, even when options seem to run short ~ someone who won't be afraid to admit they don't have the answers and won't just brush you off with the "depression" catch-all.

((((( Emily )))))

Thanks so much everyone. The doctor I am talking about is one of the top headache doctors in the country. He runs a very lucartive inpatient treatment center. It was also the first comprehensive headache treatment center in the country as well as the world. If this doctor doesn't get it who does? How can someone who is a top authority in the field treat patients this way? Granted some people do go home feeling better but if you don't it's your fault not his. You're either depressed or suffering secondary withdrawel. As I mentioned the doctors working with him try what they can medically and that's their focus. But they and the patients have to work with someone who blames the patient when all else falls. As if the patient isn't already dealing with enough they have to be put under a magnifying glass and picked apart. This is not how a person sufffering from daily headaches and migraines should be treated and someone needs to stand up to this. Unfortunately I don't think anyone with enough weight can or will and so many more people will suffer even more than they already are. And if you are really depressed before the treatment this will just make it worse. Thanks again everyone for listening.

((((Emily)))),

I certainly congratulate you for speaking out. If those of us who have been victims of incompents don't alert the public, there will be more victims.

I've been thinking about asking for a refund from the dr who wanted to put me on Seroquel because the dx was so asnine! He didn't except insurance either. We had to pay him cash in advance. I'm sure I know why now.

I hope you are keeping a good diary to uncover your triggers. That has been my salvation since the meds and drs have failed so far.

Good luck, Bob

Emily,

First, let's start with a hug ...I know that doesn't make everything better, but it's always nice to have a hug!!

I have been working for 10 years to get my migraines under control. I began with the help of my PCP and progressed through two neurologists and finally to a headache specialist. The group I see is VERY well respected in my community as "the authority" on headache treatment. Unfortunately, I have had terrible experiences with them, including:

1)Spending a 5-day inpatient hospital stay in AGONIZING PAIN! My doctor refused to change my treatment in any way and assumed that, because I was sleeping during the stay, that I was "resting and improving." Unfortunately, I felt every minute of pain!! I was just unable to wake myself enough and clear my head enough to tell them how horrific it was! When my family stood up for me and complained, the doctor called me on the phone and hollered at me, saying he could not get his work done with my family calling him.

2)So, I switched to a new doctor in the group who refers to me as "the failed inpaitent."

3)Nurses often take 3 or 4 days to get back to me (or do not call back at all) with treatment recommendations when my migraines last 4 days or more.

So, I am leaving this group as soon as possible and moving to another. I have thought about standing up to them, as you said. But in my case, simply leaving them for a better opportunity is good enough for me!!

Although many people love my current group, they are just not for me. This may be the case for you, too. But you have to believe that there is someone out there who will listen to you and take the time to help you to feel better!

As for the depression stuff, I have a background in psychology and I think I probably do meet the DSM criteria for depression. However, I KNOW I would not be this way if I were healthy!!! Suffering from chronic pain does tend to depress a person. But as you said, depression is typically NOT the sole reason for our pain!! Treatment alternatives should be available to all migraneurs, even if they are depressed!

Please don't quit looking for help! There is a headache specialist out there just waiting for you! Your job (and I know it's a tough one) is to find him/her!!!

jenny

I too have had terrible experiences from a the "local expert" on migraine in my area. Why is it that almost all of us have to deal with this disease AND fight the doctors that are suppose to be helping us? What can be done to educate the medical community on this issue? One would think that with the the millions of people out there with migraine something could be done......

We are trying...........

Wow, I truly feel your pain. I have had a history of migraines since I was 12 years old and they took a rest for a while until this year. Now the only thing that will stop the pain is bupap or midrin.

This is not the worst part though, this whole thing truly started out last, year(I'm 17 now)when I would pass out for no reason. The cardiologist put me on a mixture of atenolol, florinef, and....the real shocker...PROZAC! He said he promise he's not trying to treat me for any depression in a underhanded kind of way but it's jus another medicine to keep my blood plessure from dropping.

Now back to the migraines, how am I suppose to go to any neurologist with complaints of daily (yes daily, pretty colors, spots, and all) and say "oh yes, I take prozac, but it's for my neurocardiogenic syncope." All they do is question the heck out of my doctor,say they won't do anything until they see the rest of my x-rays, and then recommend that I see a therapist b/c all that I'm going through is so "dramatic".

I'm not depressed and I shouldn't be b/c I am lucky to be alive and I'm lucky to have people that I love still alive! This depression diagnoses is just these doctor's way out of a hard diagnosis. WHy hasen't anybody CONSIDERED that my MIGRAINES could be CAUSING me to FAINT! What's so impossible about that? It's rare, but I'm a rare type a girl! It's hereditary, I have a sister, cousin, and aunt that fainted and had migraines. Can somebody please work with that!?

Welcome Evangela23,

I'm sorry to hear you are having such a rough time now. As your family can prove, Migraine is a genetic neurologcial disorder.Anatomy of a Migraine has great information about the four phases of a Migraine attack, including aura. Fainting is not common with Migraine attacks, but CAN certainly happen, especially if your family suffer the same symtpoms.

I don't know anything about the cardiac issues. I do know atenolol is used for Migraine prevention. But if you are having a Migraine every day, you need to see a better Headache Specialist

Prozac gets lots of mixed reviews, but I really don't understand why he is prescribing it for you....Can you talk to your primary doctor instead of the cardiologist? Since you are 17, are your parents able to help with all this? You have a lot going on, even an adult to handle, but you sound positive, not depressed. Time for new docotors........

Unfortunately, the doctors will want to see all your other tests, xrays and the like to make sure things are ok. That is standard proceedure. Bothersome, but normal.

Talk to your family about seeing a real headache specialist, not just a neurologist. Please keep us posted on how you are doing, and keep up the positive attitude.

Evangela,

Welcome... I think it is terrific that you are so positive considering all the thing you probably experienced in the past couple of years, plus you neurological disorder and the fortitude that you have at a young age. When I was 17, I had great insight, but had difficulty advocating for myself or finding any resources or support (still do!).

However, a therapist isn't a bad idea (and I don't mean a psychiatrist that will throw pills at you). Even if someone has a great grasp on their situations and is really positive, a therapist can help continue to help you manage and figure out what is going. They may have some tricks or strategies that you may have not heard of or help you figure out what works best for you. Medical doctors often don't have the time to go over various triggers, etc (and your area may have many...when I was on the cleanup crew in Feb 06, I got very sick most of the time--I vomited due to various things & was pretty weak throughout the trip...my body had a hard time dealing with stuff in the air both then & when I visited friends & family back in NYC) unless you are very lucky. The other good thing is most therapists talk in a normal language and can help sort out things, if they have a background in medical issues.