Question:
Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
I have nothing to add to that… it spoke volumes. Thank you, Lavonne Liz – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, Jay……((((((((((((((((Jay)))))))))))))))) i was hoping for better news. Sweetheart, if the doctor is that unconcerned about your pain, you are with the wrong doctor. He can’t rely on specialists to do his job. I’ve been to 56 specialists and i’ve still had my primary care dude do my meds. Rushed is no excuse. I want you to get CARE! You deserve CARE! My husband gets frustrated because his prayers seem to go unanswered. Jesus’ prayer the night before he died went unanswered….so what did He do? He changed the prayer. I pray for help to get through the pain. It isn’t like Christians have less physical ails due to prayer. We get run over by buses, too. We get cancer. We get brain tumors. It isn’t the physical…that seems to be a dealt card. It’s how we get through the situation. everyone has some type of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual, relational…..and some have financial pain on top of that (though we’ve gone through exteme financial problems, including a bankruptcy, i’ve just added that to my "pain types") Prayer isn’t some currancy by which we escape pain. It’s a string of relationship with God, which we strengthen again and again each time we tug/climb it. We learn to go to that rope, to depend on it….to want that above all else. We can yank that string/rope down. I do it in anger at times. But God doesn’t let go. I lean on it a lot. It is a constant in my life, and God has promised to never let it or me go. He hasn’t promised me no pain, but He promises to be with me through it and let me lean on Him if i seek to do so. Jay, you’ll get through it. It’s an ugly journey, our walk with pain. But i’ll take your hand if you’ll let me. ASHM walks together. We carry each other when we can’t walk any further. Then, as we are able, we help carry the next one who struggles. (I rewrote the "Footprints in the Sand" thing. The "two sets/one set" thing is crap. There are a hundred sets in my sand, as my brothers and sisters carry me. I am only made well to help carry them. Christ has no body left but me….no hands, no feet on Earth but me…you…we are His hands, we are His feet. Yet, even if you and i fail Him, the rocks will take shape and do His work.) Sorry for the blab, guys….guess my writing is trying to come back. It’s been gone for a long time. Deep peace, Jay….and to us all, Lavon Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
Lavon, I think you said exactly what I was thinking. I can’t say how many times I spend in prayer as my strength to endure the pain I am suffering. I am also in the habit of being very grateful and full of praise when I have a day with little or no pain. It’s the one relationship that has proven itself day after day after day. Michelle – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, Jay……((((((((((((((((Jay)))))))))))))))) i was hoping for better news. Sweetheart, if the doctor is that unconcerned about your pain, you are with the wrong doctor. He can’t rely on specialists to do his job. I’ve been to 56 specialists and i’ve still had my primary care dude do my meds. Rushed is no excuse. I want you to get CARE! You deserve CARE! My husband gets frustrated because his prayers seem to go unanswered. Jesus’ prayer the night before he died went unanswered….so what did He do? He changed the prayer. I pray for help to get through the pain. It isn’t like Christians have less physical ails due to prayer. We get run over by buses, too. We get cancer. We get brain tumors. It isn’t the physical…that seems to be a dealt card. It’s how we get through the situation. everyone has some type of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual, relational…..and some have financial pain on top of that (though we’ve gone through exteme financial problems, including a bankruptcy, i’ve just added that to my "pain types") Prayer isn’t some currancy by which we escape pain. It’s a string of relationship with God, which we strengthen again and again each time we tug/climb it. We learn to go to that rope, to depend on it….to want that above all else. We can yank that string/rope down. I do it in anger at times. But God doesn’t let go. I lean on it a lot. It is a constant in my life, and God has promised to never let it or me go. He hasn’t promised me no pain, but He promises to be with me through it and let me lean on Him if i seek to do so. Jay, you’ll get through it. It’s an ugly journey, our walk with pain. But i’ll take your hand if you’ll let me. ASHM walks together. We carry each other when we can’t walk any further. Then, as we are able, we help carry the next one who struggles. (I rewrote the "Footprints in the Sand" thing. The "two sets/one set" thing is crap. There are a hundred sets in my sand, as my brothers and sisters carry me. I am only made well to help carry them. Christ has no body left but me….no hands, no feet on Earth but me…you…we are His hands, we are His feet. Yet, even if you and i fail Him, the rocks will take shape and do His work.) Sorry for the blab, guys….guess my writing is trying to come back. It’s been gone for a long time. Deep peace, Jay….and to us all, Lavon Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
JJ, Where are you in MN, central, north, east, west? Close to a larger city? I know not too many of those there in the great white north…you know…it is God’s country 
At least my father-in-law says it is…must be true 
Blessings, Michelle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
Oh, Jay……((((((((((((((((Jay)))))))))))))))) i was hoping for better news. Sweetheart, if the doctor is that unconcerned about your pain, you are with the wrong doctor. He can’t rely on specialists to do his job. I’ve been to 56 specialists and i’ve still had my primary care dude do my meds. Rushed is no excuse. I want you to get CARE! You deserve CARE! My husband gets frustrated because his prayers seem to go unanswered. Jesus’ prayer the night before he died went unanswered….so what did He do? He changed the prayer. I pray for help to get through the pain. It isn’t like Christians have less physical ails due to prayer. We get run over by buses, too. We get cancer. We get brain tumors. It isn’t the physical…that seems to be a dealt card. It’s how we get through the situation. everyone has some type of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual, relational…..and some have financial pain on top of that (though we’ve gone through exteme financial problems, including a bankruptcy, i’ve just added that to my "pain types") Prayer isn’t some currancy by which we escape pain. It’s a string of relationship with God, which we strengthen again and again each time we tug/climb it. We learn to go to that rope, to depend on it….to want that above all else. We can yank that string/rope down. I do it in anger at times. But God doesn’t let go. I lean on it a lot. It is a constant in my life, and God has promised to never let it or me go. He hasn’t promised me no pain, but He promises to be with me through it and let me lean on Him if i seek to do so. Jay, you’ll get through it. It’s an ugly journey, our walk with pain. But i’ll take your hand if you’ll let me. ASHM walks together. We carry each other when we can’t walk any further. Then, as we are able, we help carry the next one who struggles. (I rewrote the "Footprints in the Sand" thing. The "two sets/one set" thing is crap. There are a hundred sets in my sand, as my brothers and sisters carry me. I am only made well to help carry them. Christ has no body left but me….no hands, no feet on Earth but me…you…we are His hands, we are His feet. Yet, even if you and i fail Him, the rocks will take shape and do His work.) Sorry for the blab, guys….guess my writing is trying to come back. It’s been gone for a long time. Deep peace, Jay….and to us all, Lavon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
JJ, Where are you in MN, central, north, east, west? Close to a larger city? I know not too many of those there in the great white north…you know…it is God’s country At least my father-in-law says it is…must be true Blessings, Michelle Hi Michelle, I live in Minneapolis-area. I used to live way up in the arrowhead region (Duluth) and really loved it up there. And I think the arrowhead region is God’s country. The beauty is almost unparalleled as you drive from Duluth up to Two Harbors and then to Lutsen. The massive forests, rivers, creeks, lakes, and assortment of wildlife all contributed to an enjoyable childhood. I like to drive up there and visit my family members for some relaxation. I have several family members who have cabins up there. I have one uncle I used to have a horrible relationship with until we bonded because we both have the same disease: migraine. He is highly photophobic (like me) and wears sunglasses all time (like me). He also takes imitrex nasal spray (like me) and has to lay down for several hours. Unlike me, his migraine isn’t chronic and is controlled to a high degree by exercise and triptans. I’m rambling now I think I will ramble a bit further and address somebody’s question (was it yours) regarding finding a good doctor in this state. Somebody asked me if I ever went down to the Mayo Clinic for treatment. I have never tried them for pain management but see a psychiatrist from the Mayo Clinic (who is excellent). Right now I am trying to ‘rifle’ my way into a pain clinic. There is high demand to get into this pain clinic, especially to see the doctor who I was referred to. I have seen him on two occasions while inpatient in the hospital this summer. I am very confident he will be helpful as well as the pain program in general. My primary care doctor had his nurse get on the ‘beat’ and do a lot of work with the fax machine. Hopefully I can into the clinic within a couple of months. Thank you, JJ (PokerGuyAceAce)
Response:
Apologies in advance if this is too strongly worded…. I’d just like to add that a relationship with God and/or Jesus can take many forms. I had a very hard time with more traditional churches (raised both protestant and catholic), drifted through years of being agnostic, and somehow (probably devine intervention) managed to fall in with the Quakers who are a very accepting and brilliant people. Just like life, a relationship with God (and Jesus) is a journey. I’d like to add that the quaker style of silent worship (or meditation) has been very valuable. I can still attend worship with migraines, and all the time spent in darkened rooms has been put to good use to enrich my life and manage my pain. My wife attends a protestant church and I’ve been completely unable to visit with her because of the noise and synthetic perfumes. If interested, there’s a fairly large meeting in Minnieapolis (and another in St. Paul) with both a silent and ‘programmed’ meeting on Sunday. I’ve never been to it, but we have a snow bird in our meeting here in Florida that told me about it. Quakers aren’t supposed to proselytize, so (not only am I way out on a limb, but) you can expect a safe supportive environment and I seriously doubt anybody will try to convert you or give you a pitch. Most people attend for 10 years before they bother to ask about membership; it’s that type of a group. It may be a place to start. Erik – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh, Jay……((((((((((((((((Jay)))))))))))))))) i was hoping for better news. Sweetheart, if the doctor is that unconcerned about your pain, you are with the wrong doctor. He can’t rely on specialists to do his job. I’ve been to 56 specialists and i’ve still had my primary care dude do my meds. Rushed is no excuse. I want you to get CARE! You deserve CARE! My husband gets frustrated because his prayers seem to go unanswered. Jesus’ prayer the night before he died went unanswered….so what did He do? He changed the prayer. I pray for help to get through the pain. It isn’t like Christians have less physical ails due to prayer. We get run over by buses, too. We get cancer. We get brain tumors. It isn’t the physical…that seems to be a dealt card. It’s how we get through the situation. everyone has some type of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual, relational…..and some have financial pain on top of that (though we’ve gone through exteme financial problems, including a bankruptcy, i’ve just added that to my "pain types") Prayer isn’t some currancy by which we escape pain. It’s a string of relationship with God, which we strengthen again and again each time we tug/climb it. We learn to go to that rope, to depend on it….to want that above all else. We can yank that string/rope down. I do it in anger at times. But God doesn’t let go. I lean on it a lot. It is a constant in my life, and God has promised to never let it or me go. He hasn’t promised me no pain, but He promises to be with me through it and let me lean on Him if i seek to do so. Jay, you’ll get through it. It’s an ugly journey, our walk with pain. But i’ll take your hand if you’ll let me. ASHM walks together. We carry each other when we can’t walk any further. Then, as we are able, we help carry the next one who struggles. (I rewrote the "Footprints in the Sand" thing. The "two sets/one set" thing is crap. There are a hundred sets in my sand, as my brothers and sisters carry me. I am only made well to help carry them. Christ has no body left but me….no hands, no feet on Earth but me…you…we are His hands, we are His feet. Yet, even if you and i fail Him, the rocks will take shape and do His work.) Sorry for the blab, guys….guess my writing is trying to come back. It’s been gone for a long time. Deep peace, Jay….and to us all, Lavon Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other medications). This doctor loves DHE and thinks in my case I need to be taking it IV at home. Well, I might give him another chance since my rehab psychologist strongly recommends I see him again while I wait to get to the pain clinic. Anyway, this is my deal. I feel a heck of a lot better and I have to report since I left the ER I have not progressed beyond pain level 6. I had pain level 6 this morning when I woke up and took my meds, a warm shower, and did some meditation. I am down to a 3 right now. Despite the setbacks and the ‘attitudes’ I’ve encountered I think I’m doing pretty dang good! Thanks, JJ
Response:
Erik, That’s great that you’ve found a place for yourself and feel comfortable with the style. I believe the same thing about the relationship taking many forms. I grew up Catholic and then became a born-again believer. My husband and I are very different in what we like in our church, but I attend with him. I’m much quieter and prefer an environment that is much more reverant in its approach, not unlike Catholics. My husband prefers a louder, hand clapping environment. In any case, my relationship with God is quite intact. Good for you. Michelle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Apologies in advance if this is too strongly worded…. I’d just like to add that a relationship with God and/or Jesus can take many forms. I had a very hard time with more traditional churches (raised both protestant and catholic), drifted through years of being agnostic, and somehow (probably devine intervention) managed to fall in with the Quakers who are a very accepting and brilliant people. Just like life, a relationship with God (and Jesus) is a journey. I’d like to add that the quaker style of silent worship (or meditation) has been very valuable. I can still attend worship with migraines, and all the time spent in darkened rooms has been put to good use to enrich my life and manage my pain. My wife attends a protestant church and I’ve been completely unable to visit with her because of the noise and synthetic perfumes. If interested, there’s a fairly large meeting in Minnieapolis (and another in St. Paul) with both a silent and ‘programmed’ meeting on Sunday. I’ve never been to it, but we have a snow bird in our meeting here in Florida that told me about it. Quakers aren’t supposed to proselytize, so (not only am I way out on a limb, but) you can expect a safe supportive environment and I seriously doubt anybody will try to convert you or give you a pitch. Most people attend for 10 years before they bother to ask about membership; it’s that type of a group. It may be a place to start. Erik Oh, Jay……((((((((((((((((Jay)))))))))))))))) i was hoping for better news. Sweetheart, if the doctor is that unconcerned about your pain, you are with the wrong doctor. He can’t rely on specialists to do his job. I’ve been to 56 specialists and i’ve still had my primary care dude do my meds. Rushed is no excuse. I want you to get CARE! You deserve CARE! My husband gets frustrated because his prayers seem to go unanswered. Jesus’ prayer the night before he died went unanswered….so what did He do? He changed the prayer. I pray for help to get through the pain. It isn’t like Christians have less physical ails due to prayer. We get run over by buses, too. We get cancer. We get brain tumors. It isn’t the physical…that seems to be a dealt card. It’s how we get through the situation. everyone has some type of pain…physical, emotional, spiritual, relational…..and some have financial pain on top of that (though we’ve gone through exteme financial problems, including a bankruptcy, i’ve just added that to my "pain types") Prayer isn’t some currancy by which we escape pain. It’s a string of relationship with God, which we strengthen again and again each time we tug/climb it. We learn to go to that rope, to depend on it….to want that above all else. We can yank that string/rope down. I do it in anger at times. But God doesn’t let go. I lean on it a lot. It is a constant in my life, and God has promised to never let it or me go. He hasn’t promised me no pain, but He promises to be with me through it and let me lean on Him if i seek to do so. Jay, you’ll get through it. It’s an ugly journey, our walk with pain. But i’ll take your hand if you’ll let me. ASHM walks together. We carry each other when we can’t walk any further. Then, as we are able, we help carry the next one who struggles. (I rewrote the "Footprints in the Sand" thing. The "two sets/one set" thing is crap. There are a hundred sets in my sand, as my brothers and sisters carry me. I am only made well to help carry them. Christ has no body left but me….no hands, no feet on Earth but me…you…we are His hands, we are His feet. Yet, even if you and i fail Him, the rocks will take shape and do His work.) Sorry for the blab, guys….guess my writing is trying to come back. It’s been gone for a long time. Deep peace, Jay….and to us all, Lavon Hi everybody, I went to see my primary care doctor today and sort of had a bad visit. I had to make two phone calls today to try to get my medical records (one from MNHI and one from a local pain clinic that was into interventional medicine) sent to the pain clinic so I can eventually get in. I made an appointment two days ago to get in and see my primary care doctor as the instructions stated this is what I supposed to do. When I got to the appointment the nurse seemed rushed and said she tried to call my yesterday but I had my phone off the hook. Apparently they wanted to put me into a time slot later in the day. So, the nurse and doctor appeared rushed. I told the doctor about my high vitals, temp, and sleeplessness and told him if the pain got that bad again I would go back to the ER. He told me ‘don’t.’ I am supposed to suffer I guess if my brain chemistry doesn’t comply and I get one of those cruel multi-day migraines? You know how those migraines are..the slightest sound agitates you and you can’t stand sunlight. You feel dizzy, throw up your food, feel like you have an ice pick lodged behind your eye. You’re afraid your dying if you don’t wish you were already dead. Your pulse is 130 and your blood pressure is 160/110 and you’re writhing in pain. You freak out and go to the ER even though you know you might be treated very poorly by a dismissive arrogant doctor. You’ve taken all your preventatives, drank plenty of water, took your triptans, relaxation exercises, hot baths, ice packs, praying to Jesus or whomever – yet you still are having excruciating pain. I am sure many if not all can relate to a scenario similar to this one. Well, I always knew my doctor hated me going to the ER and he has been vocal about this before. He insisted I find specialists and not have the ER send him information as there was nothing he could do with it. Well, I have already seen the specialists with expertise on head pain disorders. I have an intractible post traumatic permanent migraine and right now the pain can only be mitigated. So, perhaps the doctor just can’t permeate my phenomenal field and understand what it’s like to have permanent migraine pain. Ironically, the pharmacist understood severe pain much better and was VERY helpful. The pharmacist I saw today was battling cancer and took at least fifteen minutes of her time discussing my medications and my fears about a possible negative interaction. If only my doctor could understand pain like my pharmacist. Ugh. I don’t mean to demonize my primary care doctor. Anyway, before he came into the office I decided I was going to pray about it. I prayed to Jesus that I would give up my illusion of control and let him decide what the best course of action was. I prayed that God would help me accept whatever the doctors decided to do and would help me deal with my pain. I asked the doctor to give me ultram 100mgs 2x a day. I told him how my preventatives failed and vicodin had too many side effects. He didn’t say anything except something about me becoming ‘too tired taking that much medication.’ I have complained about medications in the past making me tired which is why I eventually was non-compliant, but ultram doesn’t make me tried. He said he would write a prescription and get me into the pain clinic immediately if possible. So now I have two ER doctors and my primary care doctor fighting the beauracracy for me. Other good news is that the doctor wrote me a prescription for more medication than I anticipated. The prescription reads ‘must last 30 days. Do not call for refills before.’ I don’t know if he was trying to send me a message or something. But I am on a high dose and that could affect liver functioning and of course there is always the overexaggerated ‘habituation liability.’ I am very confident this will represent a good short-term strategy and I have enough medication now to last at least 1.5 months before a refill. Also, I am having IMITREX nasal spray filled and discovered I could take it but not often with the ultram I am taking. Also, I am going to start physical therapy and I’m going to see a headache specialist I used to see (one I didn’t agree with but who referred me to MNHI and who likes the pain clinic and the pain doctor I will be seeing). Maybe we can work something out like teaching me how to use an IV so I can inject myself with DHE? I did this at MNHI and it did have marginal benefit (I think – could have been the other
… read more »
Response:
Hey, Ginnie, my husband has lots of family in the Fargo area. We both grew up in MN…hubby in Northwestern MN and I was in central MN. Yep, those snow stories are true for so many areas of the great white north. I didn’t actually trudge five miles, but I did go one mile from the time I was in kindergarten to sixth grade. Those were the good days when parents let their kids walk to school alone…knowing they were safe…at least back in the 60s they thought so. Michelle
I don’t remember if I’ve said this before, but my mom was born and raised in Waseka, Minnesota, about 100 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, and lived there until her family moved to M/St.P when she was 14. So I’m a once-removed Minnesooooota girl myself. And my great-uncle and great-aunt lived in Duluth their entire lives – he was my dad’s mother’s brother. We visited them a bunch of times – always in the summer! – and I remembered what a beautiful city it was… so I never believed my dad’s Duluth snow-horror stories and
hilly-streets-horror – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – stories, because every image *I* had of Duluth was sunny days and great weather! My dad grew up in Fargo, so his North Dakota snow-horrow stories and the trudging-five-miles-through-the-snow-one-way-to-school were TRUE! And if you decide to go to the Mayo clinic, better call first. Their waiting lists can be extraordinarily long, and you can wait months for an appointment. Now – forget what I just said! I had a Mayo appointment for a problem years ago (unrelated to migraines), but it got so bad 2 months before my appointment, that my boss (whose father was one of the chiefs of surgery at Mayo) told me to just GET IN THE CAR and GO NOW and bust in early. So I did! Apparently that happens a lot up there. They didn’t seem too upset, and even though I just appeared on their doorstep 2 months early AND unannounced, I did get seen the same morning. And they kept me there, and hospitalized me the same day, and it all worked out for the best. YMMV. Ginnie
Response:
I don’t remember if I’ve said this before, but my mom was born and raised in Waseka, Minnesota, about 100 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul, and lived there until her family moved to M/St.P when she was 14. So I’m a once-removed Minnesooooota girl myself. And my great-uncle and great-aunt lived in Duluth their entire lives – he was my dad’s mother’s brother. We visited them a bunch of times – always in the summer! – and I remembered what a beautiful city it was… so I never believed my dad’s Duluth snow-horror stories and hilly-streets-horror stories, because every image *I* had of Duluth was sunny days and great weather! My dad grew up in Fargo, so his North Dakota snow-horrow stories and the trudging-five-miles-through-the-snow-one-way-to-school were TRUE! And if you decide to go to the Mayo clinic, better call first. Their waiting lists can be extraordinarily long, and you can wait months for an appointment. Now – forget what I just said! I had a Mayo appointment for a problem years ago (unrelated to migraines), but it got so bad 2 months before my appointment, that my boss (whose father was one of the chiefs of surgery at Mayo) told me to just GET IN THE CAR and GO NOW and bust in early. So I did! Apparently that happens a lot up there. They didn’t seem too upset, and even though I just appeared on their doorstep 2 months early AND unannounced, I did get seen the same morning. And they kept me there, and hospitalized me the same day, and it all worked out for the best. YMMV. Ginnie
Response:
Ah, the typical Minnesotan…those who stay deserve to be there No complainers allowed as we say in Texas. I like extremes…go from the cold to the hot. I’m certainly ready to move to something more moderate. Well the number I listed came from Teri’s site. If you find you get stuck and want to find him though, I bet we could all pitch in and do a wonder search. Good luck with the doctor. I hope this turns out well for you. Oh, and I know about those Duluth hills…thankfully I wasn’t going up them in the winter. My husbands grandparents lived there for many years. He spent a lot of time navigating those hills in the winter. Take care, Michelle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michelle, I did check out that website where they had all the listings for the head pain experts. I tried calling Thomas McParlin and the number that was listed was outdated. Maybe the number you just submitted is current. The Mayo Clinic always remains an option but I’ve been told by my rehab psychologist, psychiatrist, primary care doctor, ER doctors, and headache specialists that the person I am being referred to is very good. I have already seen him while hospitalized and now it’s just a matter of time before I can get in. He’s a very pleasant guy and my psychiatrist today told me several of his patients see the same guy and have a positive appraisal of him, as he aggressively treats pain and is very intelligent. So this gives me great hope. Of course, I could always go down to the Mayo Clinic if I find that this pain clinic isn’t working out; it does represent yet another option. I am happy to hear that you loved Duluth. I spent my childhood in that city and most of my relatives live up there. If you love winter sports I advise you to go skiing at spirit mountain (down hill or cross country). The city is very beautiful in the winter. Only problem is those oh-so-steep hills can be a little challenging. You don’t need to advise me to stay warm because for some confounded reason I LIKE cold weather. Perhaps it’s because I’m finnish and swedish? Not sure – signed a stereotypical Minnesotan. PokerGuyAceAce (JJ)
Response:
Hi Michelle, I did check out that website where they had all the listings for the head pain experts. I tried calling Thomas McParlin and the number that was listed was outdated. Maybe the number you just submitted is current. The Mayo Clinic always remains an option but I’ve been told by my rehab psychologist, psychiatrist, primary care doctor, ER doctors, and headache specialists that the person I am being referred to is very good. I have already seen him while hospitalized and now it’s just a matter of time before I can get in. He’s a very pleasant guy and my psychiatrist today told me several of his patients see the same guy and have a positive appraisal of him, as he aggressively treats pain and is very intelligent. So this gives me great hope. Of course, I could always go down to the Mayo Clinic if I find that this pain clinic isn’t working out; it does represent yet another option. I am happy to hear that you loved Duluth. I spent my childhood in that city and most of my relatives live up there. If you love winter sports I advise you to go skiing at spirit mountain (down hill or cross country). The city is very beautiful in the winter. Only problem is those oh-so-steep hills can be a little challenging. You don’t need to advise me to stay warm because for some confounded reason I LIKE cold weather. Perhaps it’s because I’m finnish and swedish? Not sure – signed a stereotypical Minnesotan. PokerGuyAceAce (JJ)
Response:
Hi JJ, Yes it was me who asked about Mayo. You might check into some doctors there. Also, did you see the clinic that Teri had on her about.com site. It was the Head & Neck Pain Centers of Minnesota; Thomas H. McParlin, MD at 2365 Ariel Street in St. Paul. Phone: 734-677-6000. I loved Duluth. That was where we spent most of our honeymoon 14 years ago. Our plan is to go back up for our 15th I think. Well at least stay warm and don’t go do any snow shoveling…only make angels Michelle
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – JJ, Where are you in MN, central, north, east, west? Close to a larger city? I know not too many of those there in the great white north…you know…it is God’s country At least my father-in-law says it is…must be true Blessings, Michelle Hi Michelle, I live in Minneapolis-area. I used to live way up in the arrowhead region (Duluth) and really loved it up there. And I think the arrowhead region is God’s country. The beauty is almost unparalleled as you drive from Duluth up to Two Harbors and then to Lutsen. The massive forests, rivers, creeks, lakes, and assortment of wildlife all contributed to an enjoyable childhood. I like to drive up there and visit my family members for some relaxation. I have several family members who have cabins up there. I have one uncle I used to have a horrible relationship with until we bonded because we both have the same disease: migraine. He is highly photophobic (like me) and wears sunglasses all time (like me). He also takes imitrex nasal spray (like me) and has to lay down for several hours. Unlike me, his migraine isn’t chronic and is controlled to a high degree by exercise and triptans. I’m rambling now I think I will ramble a bit further and address somebody’s question (was it yours) regarding finding a good doctor in this state. Somebody asked me if I ever went down to the Mayo Clinic for treatment. I have never tried them for pain management but see a psychiatrist from the Mayo Clinic (who is excellent). Right now I am trying to ‘rifle’ my way into a pain clinic. There is high demand to get into this pain clinic, especially to see the doctor who I was referred to. I have seen him on two occasions while inpatient in the hospital this summer. I am very confident he will be helpful as well as the pain program in general. My primary care doctor had his nurse get on the ‘beat’ and do a lot of work with the fax machine. Hopefully I can into the clinic within a couple of months. Thank you, JJ (PokerGuyAceAce)
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.