Obstacles to Effective Treatment: Poll Results
The question was asked of our visitors: What do you feel is your biggest challenge when it comes to getting effective treatment?
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You can see the responses to the right.
First, I was glad to see that Lack of support from family and friends only got 2%. That doesn’t mean it isn’t an issue – clearly it is. But it’s good to know that’s not the biggest obstacle most people face, because it really is a difficult one to overcome.
Finances tops the list, not surprisingly, considering the cost of many treatments. Finances of course come into play with other obstacles mentioned as well. What if insurance won’t cover you? Many excellent non-traditional treatments are not covered. And what if a good specialist or treatment is too far away?
A lack of local help was a big issue – combining lack of local specialists and lack of local treatment, 29% considered this their biggest obstacle. Part of this probably relates to the lack of knowledge out there about headache and migraine conditions – a good doctor may be close, but she may not be up to date on the best treatments available.
Frustration with the medical system was another big factor, at 26%. Though related to finances, this can take on added dimensions, as patients try to go through the proper channels to get the proper treatment – only to find dead ends.
Finally, 7% said that the biggest obstacle was myself – I need to decide to take action. Though certainly there are some who have put off getting treatment when they shouldn’t have, there are many issues here as well. What about the person who has been ignored or put down by doctors, and who is reluctant to go back? And what if you’ve tried treatment after treatment – it can be hard to keep going.
There are no easy answers to these issues. Continuing research and education will go a long way in getting the right treatment to the right people at a reasonable cost. More understanding and knowledge for doctors, specialists, and even those family and friends, will make a big difference.
There are answers, there is hope, and now is not the time to give up. It’s time to fight back.
16 November 2009 @ 10:17 pm
I think some of the frustration with the medical system is not only financial, it is the fractured way we are forced to deal with the plethora of specialists. I need a scorecard! The PCP was supposed to be the lynchpin, but when you get specialists that send you to other specialists ad infinitum that connection gets lost and I think you lose continuity of care.
17 November 2009 @ 4:38 pm
You’re right, Emily. It can be very frustrating, especially when you’re almost certain to need several specialists.
I found the book What’s Wrong With Me had some helpful suggestions for putting together your own “team” of medical professionals and helping them work together. Unfortunately, the book can’t be bought new now except in Kindle format.
But you’re right, it’s a complex issue. Finances certainly aren’t the only problem.
22 November 2009 @ 9:15 am
The other issue not listed in the survey that is a huge concern I believe is working and trying to explain this disorder to others – esp. the boss. My symptoms are at times so debilitating that I cannot see – but because I look somewhat “normal” it is not understood. The added stress that can come from a supervisor who does not understand is a complex issue that should also be noted as an obstacle.
26 November 2009 @ 7:51 pm
Hi James,
Nice site. Interesting stuff.
I get a migraine once every two months. It leaves me half-lame on one side, which some people find amusing because I then walk in circles!
When I get these migraines, I also get vivid paintings appearing before me when I close my eyes. Strangely enough, looking at too many paintings in books or in galleries I get migraines soon afterwards.
This link is interesting. I’m a blocked painter – I’ve always wanted to paint, but still lack the courage to commit to painting.
Three days ago, I started writing a list of every important painting-related experience I’ve ever had – artists I’ve met, primary school projects I really enjoyed working on, painters I’ve read about which made an impression on me, things which people have said about my painting which has stuck, etc. Everything. I’ve written 45 pages – including some plans for future art, and words of encouragement.
Normally, it’s pretty hard for me to fill a page on any given topic, so I was quite taken aback by the amount of “stuff” that was blocking any fluid or fluent exploration of painting.
So, importantly, I’ve written some careful and patient guidelines for untangling all of my ideas on the topic, and some instructions to approach my next encounter with art with the utmost of patience.
My current understanding of migraine is that it is “an unfinished thought” – often a painful one, which has not yet been given full articulation.
Has anyone tried counselling as a migraine management strategy? That is to say, approaching migraine as a spiritual issue (and using the counseling process to uncover the details of this issue), rather than a medical one?
Has anyone (and please forgive me if it is expressed awkwardly) seen migraine as a gift, and thus, as a reminder of what’s truly important?
I’m just learning about migraine management here. I’ve had it for over 15 years, but have never really known what to do. I seem to have finally had some luck here, and thought that it was worth sharing.
The idea of having an “unfinished thought”, and exploring it a bit deeper, and working on resolving it seems to be paying dividends.
I’d love to hear about other people’s experience with a “counseling-based” approach, and whether it’s been of any use to people
Cheers
-Paul