Migraine

I just dumped my second neurologist in five months. After only trying three long term meds he decided I needed to have a psych evaluation. I have no hx of mental illness and can not understand why he would think I need mental health care. Yes I am exhausted, frustrated and plain worn out dealing with migs and persistant daily headaches but not enough to do anything drastic. He said since "all the meds" I have tried so far have not worked he thinks there may be some psych issues. Almost every mig patient I know has had to try dozens of meds over several years just to find one that they can live with. I don't think three in five months is alot.

Has anyone else had a doc try to send them to a psychiatrist?

I was very ###### and walked out. The next day I called the office and informed them I am not comming back and I am letting my referring MD know the story. They need to realize you never lose just one patient but several when they don't get treated well. Bad news travels fast. My MD who actually called me back in person was not happy and had just seen me two weeks earlier. She said I did not exhibit any mental health issues other then being very tired looking and frustrated.

Just had to vent about this one. It was two weeks ago and I am still ### about it.

Edited by moderator: Oops! Please remember to use family friendly language. See our “START HERE” folder for forum guidelines and policies. Thanks!

While I think your neurologist was a bit too quick to dismiss trying any new medications, it's not uncommon for many migrainuers to experience depression.

I fought against myself for a long time, telling myself I wasn't depressed, but it turns out I've been very depressed for a long time. No one talked me into it, but they helped me to see myself more clearly. I'm not saying you need to talk yourself into being depressed, but take into consideration that these things do pop up alongside migraine frequently, and if you are tired and that frustrated, you could have a mild case of depression.

Don't rule out psychiatric help as a possible coping method for migraine. Many of us here use it to help us understand and sort out the issues we are dealing with in having chronic diseases. Sometimes you can't sort out the anger and frustration on your own.

I do wish you luck in finding another doctor who can help you. The best place to look is for a migraine specialist, and those aren't necessarily neurologists, either. Sometimes people have to travel long distances to see them but they are well rewarded by good doctors who listen and work with you to find the best treatment possible. It does take a lot of time and energy, but it will be the best use of time in your life if you really are that fed up with being in pain. That's your first clue to start looking elsewhere, for someone who knows migraine as a disease and won't stop looking for answers.

Be advised, though, some migraine specialists do take a depression inventory since the two diseases are comorbid!

Don't give up!

Brent,

I've never had a neuro give me a psych referral but I had one refer me to a pain management clinic after only trying two preventives. I was a member of this forum so I knew there are over 100 medications that can be used to prevent migraines. While many people choose to try pain management, I chose to continue searching for a better treatment plan using preventives. I fired that neuro and found a new one.

I also began seeing a migraine specialist in January and have seen a drastic improvement in my migraine pattern. You may want to consider seeing a specialist. My specialist has given me so much of my life back, I'm so happy I decided to go see him.

Hang in there! We're here for you

I think you did the right thing. Mental health problems and migraines are two different things. Three preventives is the tip of the ice berg. To me it sounds almost like the neuro thinks you're migraines are all in your head. Not cool.

That being said... Being in chronic pain is really depressing. As Leeloo said, you may reach a point where mental health care can be a useful coping tool.

Good luck with neuro number three.

Brent,
First welcome. I agree that I don't like the sound of your doctor and can understand you wishing to change.

I will say over the years on my own accord I have consistantly seen a therapist and have gotten great benefit from it. Dealing with a chronic disease is tough. I also am a single mom, have now two teenage kids and work full time. Life is stressful. My therapist has been very helpful helping me keep my thoughts and life in balance. She has also been very good at helping me sort though issues with my medical condition. I'm not depressed, unless it's been related to meds I've been on.

My two cents worth is you might find the objective person to talk to very helpful in your life. The doctor suggesting the migraine disease is due to a mental disorder is off his rocker.

Take care,

Cindy

I've had my internist suggest an antidepressant to me, but only after treating me for a long time. I've never had a doctor refer or suggest me to a psychiatrist. You need to decide for yourself whether or not to take this suggestion.
As far as preventives, there are many you can try, you are right- don't give up hope! We're so glad you found this forum, please let us know if you decide to find a specialist who can help you. We're here for you!
Valerie

Thanks! And my apologies for using the "P word" to express my anger. I don't look at docs as gods but rather paid consultants. I hired the last neurologist to help and advise me on meds to treat a physical problem. Along with being told that I needed a psychiatrist I also had a gut feeling he pretty much rubber stamps all migraine patients.

After going through all the MRI's labs, needle EMG, docs, clinics. pharmacies etc I am sure I will end with a psych problem eventually. This is becomming a problem that is bigger then me and I will need help sooner then later to get through it.

But for now it's a medical problem and any doc that wants to tag me a mental health pt is gone. I still have alot of fight left in me but I need the proper weapons and not a "blow off" from an old school doc that does not stay up on current research.

Hey Brent, I'm just catching up on this thread. I can certainly understand your frustration. While psych issues, especially depression, can be comorbid with migraines (as others have mentioned), that certainly does NOT mean that migraines are all in your head! Migraine is a real disease that requires proper medical treatment, and any doctor who tells you otherwise needs his sorry butt fired! It sounds like you're not afraid to do that, so good for you.

It also sounds like it's time for you to see a proper headache specialist. I've seen both of the specialists here in WA, and of the two I would recommend Dr Michael Elliott. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about either of them.

You can find more information about them HERE.

I'll also link you to my post talking about my first visit with Dr Elliott, HERE.

Hi Brent,

You are very adamant about the psychatrist. I once was that hostile to anything psychatric. However, it was only when I agreed to use antidepressants that alot of my symptoms were clarified. For me psychatric help was a huge part of dealing with my issues. Pain and fatigue and frustration are magnified by depression and anxiety.

Psychatriac drugs maybe part of the solution for you, but that doesn't mean that depression is the problem. More and more doctors use these drugs for other problems, off label use.

Keep an open mind to these drugs. Twenty two of the medications on the list LauraHost gave you are antidepressants.

Been there
Mary in NM

Hi Brent -

I would be real mad if I were in your position too. Really there are 2 different issues. Dealing with pain and the recurring nature of migraines and the effects they have on our lives is depressing and it can be very helpful to have someone to talk to, as well as depression being a co-morbid condition that may need treatment.

That is not the same as a dr. saying (I'll paraphrase) "My pathetic little dab at treating you didn't work so I'm dismissing you as a psych case." That attitude is pure garbage - as you rightly said. Good for you for firing his sorry butt so clearly. I hope you find someone GOOD!

- Megs

Thanks! I have had two bad experiences with psychiatrists and I am not about to subject myself to another just because three meds have not worked. The last neuro doc struck me as being somewhat burned out and insisted that Cymbalta is the cure all for migs. and that I was the problem not the med.

The two mig docs listed here are both in Seattle which is a 130 mile round trip for me. But the way things are going I may have to bit the bullet and try at least one of them.

Hi Brent,

I plan to consult a psychologist who specializes in chronic illness sometime later this year just because I believe he/she will be able to help me feel better about my disability situation.

I'm glad I've got Effexor, an antidepressant, in my preventative program. I'm taking it at full therapeutic dosage for depression. Never been diagnosed with depression but I believe anyone with migraine is most assuredly entitled to be depressed if they feel like it!

I smiled when I saw your description of docs as 'paid consultants'. They sure know who pay their bills when you'rethere, don't they?