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What plan of action should I take today?

Hello all, I'm new here and looking for some advice and support. I am on day 3 of being locked in my bedroom (I had to leave work Wednesday at noon due to the pain and vision problems.) This migraine started two weeks ago tomorrow and had a MUCH different onset than normal, so much so that I didn't believe it was a migraine. I went to the ER the same day (which I don't ever do, I've learned to suffer for weeks) because it scared me so much. They did an IV for Tylenol, Benadryl, magnesium, compazine and decadron (sp?) and then sent me home with no testing or further treatment. I woke up the next morning thinking *maybe* I was ok but the full force hit me again by noon. I scheduled an appointment with my dr who saw me last Thursday and said there was nothing he could do because it seems like nothing works, adjusted my neck, and sent me home. I've tried all the at home care possible in the last 3 days. Do I got back to the ER in hopes they try a different approach or go to the urgent care? The urgent care may give me a pain shot (which helps most of the time) but that's all they can do and who knows if they'll even do it. I feel like the ER doesn't take it seriously, gives medication that usually makes me feel worse without getting rid of the migraine, and of course costs a fortune. But I have a very demanding job that I HAVE to get back to Monday. What do I do?

  1. Hi bleedteal,

    Thank you for sharing your story with us and I hope this finds you feeling better.

    Good to hear you sought out treatment when your migraine attack felt different - that's exactly the right thing to do.

    On the other hand, it sounds like you may need to seek out help from a doctor who is more knowledgeable about migraine disease. There ARE other things that can be done to break a nasty migraine cycle listed below;
    Brand name Decadron, or dexamethasone
    Brand name Depacon, valproate sodium
    Brand name Inapsine, or droperidol
    Brand name DHE-45 or dihydroergotamine
    Brand name Keppra or levetiracetam
    ketamine
    lidocaine
    Brand name Phenegran or promethazine
    Brand name Regaln, or metochlopramide
    propofol
    Brand name Ultram or tramadol.
    If it were me, I would seek out the expertise of a "true" migraine/headache expert, one who is certified in headache medicine, which is different from being certified in neurology. Neurologists may be fine doctors but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, epilepsy and others. When you get a moment take a look at this information on how these doctors are different and how to find one; http://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/
    and https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/.

    If you're still not feeling well, talk to your doctor about the above treatments and see if he can work with you to end this cycle.

    I hope this helps!
    Nancy

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