Everyday

By tphreh

1 min read

Have you ever been to the grocery store, bank, restaurant or doctor office and you can tell they are training some one new? Don't get me wrong, we all start some where however I'm tired of being used as a guinea pig. I suffer a vast majority of my days in pain and now I have to watch you poke my arms an undetermined amount of times. I can't wait for the look on people's faces when they hear I ONLY HAVE MIGRAINES,let alone some of the doctors that think your a junkie. I'm trying to hold down a job in more pain then most people would believe. But it gets harder and harder, once I get tired my body just shuts down (migraines are more then just the throbbing pain you see on the surface). I can not nor do I want to walk in anyone else's shoes but please don't judge a migraineures life unless you've lived it. Your comments and facial expressions say more about you then me.

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DonnaFA Member
Hi, Migraine as usual! I can hear your frustration. Have you spoken to your doctor about your feelings? You have the right to request that you are not treated by persons in training. If he is unwilling to honor that request you have the right to find a doctor that does respect your wishes. You may be interested in <a href="https://migraine.com/blog/is-it-time-for-a-new-migraine-doctor/" rel="nofollow">Is It Time for a New Migraine Doctor?</a> for help in finding a specialist, if you are finding your doctor lacking in empathy. We're thinking of you, and sending good wishes your way. We're always here to listen, share information and support. -All Best, Donna (Migrainecom team)
savta45 Member
Hi Migraine as usual, You said a couple of things that rang true for me, & I wanted to comment. Firstly, like Donna said, at least in the medical venue, you absolutely have the right to refuse to have a trainee work on you. They should be telling you in advance that they are a student from such & such school & asking you if you would mind if they draw your blood. You can then say, I'm really sorry, another day I'm sure would be fine, but Right now I have a horrible migraine, I'm feeling sick, & I would prefer an experienced person do this today. Another phrase you used, which makes my blood boil, is when people say "ONLY" a migraine! Really?! Really?! These people have OBVIOUSLY no clue what they are talking about! They are insensitive & inhumane, even at that! These are the kind of people who shouldn't be allowed to adopt a puppy or a kitten, or even a hamster, for heavens sake, as they have no compassion in them! Apparently, they can't get over themselves, & try, even TRY, to think & feel how someone else might be suffering! And, yes! Pain is EXHAUSTING! Day in & day out, trying to cope with it. Trying to get through a day, fighting it, & dealing with the normal stress of the day, the deadlines, the quotas, the demands of raising children. Losing sleep because of the pain. Losing sleep because it makes you nauseated or dizzy or both. Those of us who have chronic migraines have to still try to have lives. People who don't have chronic pain have NO idea! Lucky for them. I had to quit my job & go out on disability, basically retiring early, thankfully, I could afford to do this. But, I struggled for years, just to get to work & stay for my shift, to the point that I knew, if I didn't quit, I was going down the road of being disciplined, & would eventually be fired. I was able to avoid that. Not everyone is.
1. DonnaFA Member
 Hi, Naomisdtr18, thanks for sharing your support! I agree with you, empathy and compassion are sadly in short supply. That's what makes this community an even lovelier place. Thanks for lending your voice to the harmony! -All Best, Donna (Migraine.com team)
karenrudd Member
Agreed. I have been a migraneur for 43 years now. I am part of a subgroup (small hopefully) whose pain is only responsive to opioids. I have literally tried every scientific and alternative method of control from acupuncture to nerve blocks to steroid injections. I am allergic to all 'triptans, Butrans and Cambia don't work, and toradol burns a hole in my stomach. Just to throw an additional wrench in the works, I have had three strokes since December 2015, and have relocated to Florida, necessitating finding new doctors, including neuro, primary and pain management. My severe migraines mimic stroke symptoms so every serious migraine (by my standards, these would leave your average human screaming in agony and begging for unconsciousness) necessitates an ER visit to confirm via MRI and CT that each one is not a stroke happening in real time. All symptoms point to stroke, but aren't. The entire time this is happening there is a hold on any pain meds so neuro tests can be completed and reports finalized. 9 out of 10 times, they will admit me for observation and if I happen to pull someone in training, or new to the ER, HOURS will be added to each step. I am all for teaching new doctors and nurses. In turn, understand that I know what works for, and I'm not begging for new drugs because I want to get high. I'm there because my normal meds are not working, and I am desperate for even a moment of relief. Compassion should be word one in their job description, not suspicion.
1. cancan Member
 Karen..... I sympathize with you, 100%!!! I feel the need to reply to you! I have been a migraineur since I was 4yrs. old. I suffered terribly. My family suffered along with me! I am now 77. In 1968, at age 29 I was given minimal opioids by my Internal Physician, which gave me a wonderful life with my husband and two children. All was just too wonderful! Through the years, I was employed, unafraid of migraines, "since I could get relief" if necessary. I extended myself to take on MORE responsibilities including caring for others. Fourteen years ago, I retired and fell into an unforgiving depression. All who I had cared for had passed away. They were very close friends and relatives. The headaches continued brought on by the depression but so wildly that I lost control of the opioids. (My doctor who mentored me and helped me through the opioids for years, passed away and I was devastated.) After searching, a doctor/specialist who would help me gave me more opioids. But in the state of mind I was in (and he didn't really know me that well) he gave me more than I needed, so I thought he was wonderful! Then I revealed how nervous I was, he gave me Valium. I was so grateful to finally be free of tension. But the headaches returned, so I was taking both, while suffering body pain from Osteoporosis, etc, and aging. Now the bottom line! Since May, I am attempting to withdraw from way too many opioids and Valium. At my age it has not been an easy task! I admitted myself to a hospital and they cleaned me of most of the opioids, telling me it would take time for my body to release it all, especially the Valium. It is the hardest thing I have had to endure in my life! Please, whatever you do, be sure you have professional help guide you with opioids. In the beginning, I was only using them to "abort" an intense migraine during an emergency, otherwise I would recover on my own, even if it meant awful pain and my family didn't need me! So many visits to ER's, so many nerve blocks, etc, to no avail! And just saying to be careful, migraines are debillitating and some of us can be more vulnerable to opioids while searching for relief. The pain of a migraine, hopefully research will find a cure for all sufferers, one day? My thoughts are with you.
2. Joanna Bodner Community Admin
 Dear cancan, Thank you greatly for taking the time to share your personal and extremely touching journey. You have certainly been through so much and have been contending with conditions that unfortunately, many can relate all to well with in the community. You share a very important message regarding depression, opioids and especially seeking effective professional guidance from an HCP. We appreciate your willingness to relay this! Warmly, Joanna (Migraine.com Team).