Migraine

Hi guys,
Dr Young referred me to Dr Gawel, but the Canadian system deems it necessary to get a canadian to refer you to him too. LOL. So I did. I got the referral on october 4 and today(october 30th) I had the appointment. I must say I was impressed :-) Here's the scoop.

A pleasant and efficient secretary greeted me and took my info and informed me that it wouldnt be long.

Only moments later, The doctor, with a soft spoken manner called me in. He took my medical history and agreed more or less with Dr Young's diagnosis of the hemiplegic type migraines and migraines with aura. He was always very sweet and quiet, seemed to respect Dr Young's treatment protocols of me.

When He did my neuro workup, he noticed the motor weakness. He was also concerned about my blood pressure which today was *for only the second time ever* elevated to 160/100 and my heart rate was up to a rather freaky 180 bpm resting heart rate.

OK OK I have a confession to make... which I also made to the doctor. The doctor asked "how long have you been in this migraine?"
"4.5 days? 5 days? lost track? I think its more like 5.5?" he said " why did you not go to the hospital at the 72 hour mark?" " Cause I thought it might be handier if you were able to see it in action?" He told me he was seriously debating cancelling the appointment and shipping me off to the closest ER. I told him no way! Then he said there might be another way.

So He took me into his exam room and performed a sphenopalatine ganglion block using xylocaine which he said could be used interchangeably with lidocaine. It worked. Not instantly... took about 20 minutes to really kill it. No side effects really to speak of.



Then He took me back into his office and suggested very very strongly that I be admitted into the montreal study for the PFO. " Its a feeling I have that the results of the pfo screening test will be positive" So Then he upped my topamax dose to 125 *vs 100* but suggested I ask Dr Young first, and that with his ok that I be titrated up to 200 mg. He also gave me another pain killer to add to my arsenal for when the migraines hit.

He then sent me off with his research coordinator who explained PFO and the procedure and the study....

And then, off I went, with a clear head! I guess all My head needed was a 4 hr break because the migraine didnt come back even after the drug wore off.

I am now back at my inlaws.... awaiting a penguin slap *or 2 or many* from you guys about my stupidity for not going to ER after the famous 72 hour mark!

Love to you all
Bim

Hi Bim,
I am glad you liked him. Dr Gawel is consider to be one of Canada's best migraine specialists! to you
And about the ER .. you know better

I can't yell at you. If I went every time I hit the 72-hr mark, I'd spend the rest of my life on an IV. I don't even know where mine start and end anymore.

I'm glad you liked this new doctor and that treatment worked! It sounds pretty cool! I've tried to get nerve blocks, but can't find anyone who believes in them enough to do one. It'll be interesting to hear if you qualify for the PFO study. I looked into it because they're doing it in my city, but they said you can't change your medications very much while you're in, so I decided not to. I wouldn't last very long...

Glad to hear you like the new doctor! Even better that he is a bit closer for you then Jefferson is!

Sounds like you are well on your way! Good for you Bim! I'm so proud of the progress you've made!!!!

What wonderful news; a great doctor visit and relief from your migraine!

Good job on the doctors visit.

Bad job on the 72 hour rule!

It's great to hear you had a great appointment. It's also great to hear this doc seems to have your best interests at heart. The fact that he was about to shut down everything appointment-wise in order to make sure you got proper, timely care is very indicative that it's going to be a positive experience working with him. It's also good to know that your doc not only knows about the 72-hour rule but also takes it seriously.

Yes, Bim. You do know better. And yes, you should've taken care of that ER run a lot sooner. You've got to keep taking the best care of yourself possible, and not wait on these things, so that you don't go backsliding on your progress. And yes, I know you know that, too, just as surely as I know backsliding is the last thing you want. Just keep being diligent and do what needs to be done and you'll get there.

Bim-
Glad you found your way to another great doc.

Now- about that ER visit...I know, not fun. (Made one of my own not long ago) But you know better... and with your history, you really need to go. Don't set yourself back to square one on us, ok?

In a way I'm glad that you waited and seen the doc in the middle of a migraine. It showed him what you REALLY go through and got you what you needed.


On the other hand..... you know better, but we still are supportive of you and you remain in our thoughts and Prayers!! Good Luck!!

Gilda