Hey guys,
Haven't posted in a while, but I've been going through a really bad patch with my migraine attacks. Just to catch you up, my PCP's practice had a meeting and decided that they were not going to continue prescribing my migraine medications, since I was only having success with Stadol Nasal Spray(abortive), Lorcet Plus(breakthrough), and Nubain/Phenergan shots(emergency only) - all narcotics, which was their problem. I was told that I was being referred to a "Pain Clinic", which turned out to be a Detox program. After two months of red tape, phone tag, etc...I still had not received a referral appointment. I basically had to go cold turkey, as they also contacted the "walk-in" Treatment Centers in town to make sure they didn't give me any narcotic shots if I came in for treatment.
Since I had to approve my medical records being sent to the referral doctor, I got a copy of a portion of my medical records to see what the doctor would be seeing. My records, which had lots of mistakes, and a few flat out fabrications, were quite enlightning about how the doctors work. It seems that much of my treatment was influenced by some doctors' very subjective opinions, as opposed to objective information. They refused to give me portions of my file, which was pretty much the last straw for me. This facility was no longer working for me in my best interest. I have been having 2/3 migraine attacks a week for quite a long time, exacerbated because of a bad TMJ condition (a whole other story).
The last "migraine specialist" I was referred to, at a Neurology Clinic two hours away from home, got me an appointment at the Pain Clinic at the University of Virginia. The "specialist" said that my condition was beyond her area of expertise. Anyway, I went to the UVa Pain Center and spent about a hour filling out a computer questionaire before seeing the doctor. I was first seen by an intern, and then the doctor joined her after a consultation. The recommendation was that I try steroid shots instead on trying to depend strictly on medication.
I made a return appointment and went back two days later for the shots. They injected the steroids, including a little novacaine, behind my ear, at the center of the base of my skull, and over my right eyebrow(the side I get the pain on). The night before my first appointment (Monday night) I came down with the worst cold I can remember. I haven't had a cold in probably ten years. They gave me the injections on Friday morning, but I'm still so miserable from the cold, I don't know if they are going to help or not. I feel bruised in the locations the needle went in, but I guess that's because they were hitting the nerves up against my skull.
The doctor scheduled me for another round of shots in a couple of weeks, and referred me to a neurologist there at the hospital. Having crapped out with the doctors in my home town, I guess I'll get used to making the hour trip to get better quality care. At least my father is driving me back and forth, since I couldn't get the shots and drive myself.
To wind this up...Have any of you had or heard of someone that has undergone steroid shots to combat migraine attacks? I would greatly appreciate any input on this methodology.
Thanks!
Leigh Ann 