Saturday, July 11, 2009

Migraine Specialist - Next Step

I've been doing a lot of thinking about true Migraine Specialists lately. Not because I feel I need one at this time, but because we should always reevaluate our situations, keep all of our options open and because of something I'll mention shortly. I also believe in thinking of the next step we'll need to take if something should happen with where we're standing now. How many times have you heard someone say - my doctor is moving out of state or retiring or dropping me? Or that someones Migraines have all of a sudden gotten so much worse? Do you have a plan if one of these scenarios were to happen to you?

I go to a specialist whose practice is about 80 to 90% headache and Migraine patients. I think she's good and by far, better than any of the doctors I've gone to previously. She probably does not have the experience of the world renown Migraine Specialist that you see around, but she continues to have ideas and has never made me feel like she is floundering for her next move or idea for me.

Why am I also revisiting this thought at this time? There was someone on MyMigraineConnection who was contemplating going to my doctor. Although I really like my doctor, in my opinion, it is much too soon to give a full fledged backing of her abilities as we know it can take a long time to get our Migraines under control and truly know the extent of their Migraine capabilities. What I tried to do was offer up my experience with my doctor along with many of the things I really like about her that none of my previous doctors have really given to me. Truly listening to me and even changing the way she normally treats her Migraine patients was one example I had given.

Anyhow, after I posted my experience, Teri Robert had posted a reminder to make sure the post author was looking at all of her options and Teri listed a few true specialists that are not far away. In a different post, the author had mentioned something about the doctor needing to be in her insurance plan. This is something I can totally relate to since I have the same problem. None of the doctors mentioned take my insurance so they would not be an option for me at this time either, but another doctor in Philly is in my insurance plan except that the first visit would have a lot of services which insurance would not cover. I know it would be worth it in the end, but there's a big financial balancing act that has to go on especially with two kids in college now.

After Teri's post, I researched a lot of the Migraine specialist articles. I know I have more questions to ask my current doctor which are on the list for my next visit. I've even gone overboard and color coded the different questions I want to make sure I ask. At the very least, I need to know where she stands if certain situations arise. One of the articles I used in my research was Migraine and Headache Specialists - What's So Special?

Right now, I feel I need to stick with my current doctor. I have a good rapport going with her. As stated above, she hasn't run out of ideas yet and I don't think I've out grown her capacity either. I still get too many Migraines for either of our liking. I do like how every time I come in for a visit, the first thing she asks is to see my new paperwork so she can tell where I am from my last visit. I've never had this enthusiasm before. I don't think I've mentioned before, but she is a Migraineur so she gets it from that respect too.

Keeping my options open, but still liking my current doctor...

6 comments:

Jasmine said...

There's nothing like the feeling of someone on your side. And it's always a plus when your doctor knows exactly what you're dealing with because she also has Migraines.

MigrainePuppet said...

It's definitely nice to feel like you have a doctor fighting with you and someone who 'gets it'. I don't really like that it's another person that has to go through what we do with our Migraines, but if it helps her to be a better Migraine doctor, then hopefully she feels it's worth it too.

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

Just finding a doctor who is willing to take the time and effort required to treat a chronic headache condition is great, and finding one who listens and acts on what she hears in a constructive manner is a home run! And - in your insurance group. Necessary in these economic times.

MigrainePuppet said...

She has been a real treasure so far. It did take a while to find her, but well worth the efforts. And yes, a big bonus that she takes my insurance!

Hua said...

I'm glad to read that your doctor is fighting with you rather than against you. I bet that makes what you are going through much easier.

MigrainePuppet said...

Thank you, Hua. I am happy with this doctor so far. It takes a lot of unneeded stress off of me at this time.