How to Talk to Your Migraine Doctor

Many times a person will come to a migraine doctor'sheadaches..when did they start..how frequent are
office, who seems confused as to what they arethey now.. how severe are they?
supposed to bring with them to the doctor's officeTip #5: Tell him or her what works best for your
and what is important and what isn't. I'd like to giveheadaches when you treat them..no matter how silly
you some tips, from the doctor's office point ofyou think it might be, they might find a correlation
view, as to what to expect and what thewith a medical procedure.
expectations are on YOU.For instance, many migraineurs have trigger points
Most migraine doctors are neurologists who specializealong their shoulders from muscle spasms. Patients
in headache. Since this is the most common compliantfind if they have someone dig their fingers into them
in neurology, and the second most common init relieves the pain..then less neck pain and less
primary care (behind back pain), these doctors areheadaches. Physicians then will do trigger point
really busy! The average physician in this position willinjections to relieve the spasms.
see 30-35 patients per day, and about 25 are newTip #6: Discuss your feelings honestly. If you are
consultations, which means more time. If the doctorfeeling depressed or anxious, a doctor needs to
supervises mid-level practitioners, like a nurseknow this in order to treat it properly. Mood, such as
practitioner, he has to see their new patients too.anxiety can really make headaches worse if not
You can see how things get very, very busy and aaddressed.
doctor like this might get backed up. My point here isTip #7: Approach things with an open mind. A fresh
to try and be patient. If you are new to an officelook from a new source might just help you with the
like this you should expect to spend a few hours inheadaches. Don't try to control what the doctor
an office like this for your visit.going to suggest for you. Many patients will try to
What You Should Bring With Youtake the ABC approach (what?). "Well if A doesn't
There are some things you should bring with you onwork then I'll try B, then C." Well most migraine
a first visit to a migraine doctor that will speed thingsspecialists recommend AB and C and maybe D all at
along a bit.once! This is the best approach when treating chronic
Tip #1: Fill out all paperwork before the practitionerpain.
enters the room. This person will then review it withTip #8: Agree to be patient. If you have had
you.headaches for years, they cannot be controlled in a
Tip #2: Remember to include ALL medications, herbsfew weeks..but the can be in a few months, so
and vitamins you are taking OR have previously triedplease give it some time.
for your headaches. Bring a list, with doses included.Tip #9: Don't start and stop therapies recommended,
Tip #3: Have you had an MRI or CT of the brain inthe first week after one or two pills or just one try
the last 6 months? Even if the office didn't tell you toat acupuncture. The brain takes time to adjust (90
bring them bring them anyway. Most times thedays) to new things. Of course if you are having
doctor does not know what the staff said on thesevere side effects to anything, the doctor's office
phone to you and he/she will want to review theneeds to know right away,
films.Tip #10: (last one!)Please don't suffer in silence! If you
If the films are several years old, you probably don'thave a headache that goes beyond 72 hours and
have to bring them.you can't break it with your meds, call your headache
What Doctors Like To Hear From Patientsdoctor. They might be able to prescribe something to
Tip #4: Tell the doctor all about yourbreak the headache quickly.