Migraine

JUST READ THE HORRIBLE TREATMENT SOMEONE ELSE GOT IN THE E-WARD. BEING TREATED AS A DRUG SEEKER. I WISH HEALTHCARE WORKERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE URGENT CARE OR E-WARD, WOULD GET MORE INFORMATION ON MIGRAINE SUFFERERS SO THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN! I WAS IN URGENT CARE WITH ONE OF MY KIDS ONCE(FOR FOOT STITCHES) AND A WOMAN WAS NEXT TO US SUFFERING FROM A MIGRAINE. SHE HAD A PRESCRIPTION THAT HAD EXPIRED FOR IMITREX. SHE HAD NOT HAD A MIGRAINE FOR AWHILE SO HAD NOT BEEN IN TO HER DOCTOR. THE PHYSICIAN SHE SAW BASICALLY SAID "TOO BAD, "HE DID NOT GIVE OUT ANY MEDICATION TO RELIEVE A HEADACHE". SHE WOULD HAVE TO "TOUGH IT OUT UNTIL MONDAY". I THINK BLOOD SHOT OUT MY EYES! SHE WAS CRYING IN PAIN! TO THINK JUST GIVING A TRIPTAN OR SOME RELIEF MEDS TO THIS LADY WAS SO OUT OF THE QUESTION MAKES ME SO SAD! AFTER 13 YEARS OF MIGRAINES I NO LONGER KEEP QUIET TO WELL MEANING BUT UNEDUCATED PEOPLE CONCERNING MIGRAINES! JUST HAD TO VENT SORRY! I AM FEELING LIKE MY OLD SELF, A STRONG PERSON, SINCE TOPAMAX. NO MIGRAINE FOR 1 WEEK!!!!!!!!!!
TRISH

Hi Trish,

First, let me say congrats on being Migraine free for a week. That is wonderful news. Being pain-free is a fabulous feeling, isn't it?

But.... would you do me a favor? Pretty please not post in all capital letters?
Her experience in the ER was totally unacceptable, I agree. Maybe if we can get more funding to train more doctors to become Migraine specialists, this would happen less often.

Nancy one thing I have wondered about is if going to the ER where your PCP or neurologist practices out that hospital seems to make any difference. My thought being that the ER could contact the physican to verify dx or type of treatment to give. That is a choice for me. I know it's not for everyone.

I actually have been very remiss is discussing this issue with my neurlogist since I have so rarely reached that point. But I am going to during my next visit.

Cindy

I've had the best luck in my ER treatment when I've had a recent letter from my neurologist stating that I suffer from severe, sometimes hard to abort, migraines, and am not a drug seeker. He even recommended the type of treatment the ER might consider.

I have always been careful to only go to one Urgent Care and to one ER because, having worked in a hospital, I know that ER personnel sometimes call other ERs checking on "frequent flyers".

When I worked at Scott & White, I was also seen by the physicians there. I know that my PCP had written prominently in my computerized medical records that I suffered from severe migraines and was not a drug seeker, but one weekend when I had to go to the ER I was treated VERY MUCH like a drug seeker. It turns out, the oh-so-bright ER admittance clerk had admitted me under my husband's medical record number, and of course, they didn't believe me when I said the information was there. Mistakes are always so much fun.

Hi Nancy,
Sorry about the capital letters. Guess I just got carried away and kept on going When I read so many similar stories of other migraine sufferers poor treatment, it makes me crazy!
Still migraine free today!
Thanks,
Trish

Oh trish I know.

I get so pumped up sometimes these keyes feel warm!!

Glad to hear you're feeling good.

Hi Cindy,

That sounds like a good conversation to have. Having a plan in advance is always a good idea instead of having to make one in the moment.

Have you seen our forms to make life easier for you in the ER? This may be a way to open the conversation at your next visit. You can find it HERE

quote:

Originally posted by Cindy:
Nancy one thing I have wondered about is if going to the ER where your PCP or neurologist practices out that hospital seems to make any difference. My thought being that the ER could contact the physican to verify dx or type of treatment to give. That is a choice for me. I know it's not for everyone.

I actually have been very remiss is discussing this issue with my neurlogist since I have so rarely reached that point. But I am going to during my next visit.

Cindy

If I ever needed to go to the ER for my migraines, I would only go to the hospital where both my primary doctor and neurologist go. I know their names both carry some weight there, and ER staff would not DARE to mistreat one of their patients. In fact, the times I've been to the ER for one thing or another, they've called my primary doctor on their own initiative, and it's been clear to me they respect her a great deal.