migraine doctor Archives - Headache and Migraine News

Medical School - what is your doctor learning?

28 September 2015

Your Doctor Isn’t Ready – poll in the UK highlights global problem

It’s almost proverbial – going to see a doctor because you have a headache. But many people would be surprised at just how unprepared many doctors are to help you.

Statistics collected in the UK highlight this problem again – and it’s not just a problem in one country, it’s a global issue.

Remember now, 99% of us are going to have a headache sometime. In fact, most of us will get one this year. And although migraine attacks are more rare, about 15-20% of us will have a migraine attack sometime. And that means millions of attacks around the world every day.

Migraine has been called one of the world’s top ten disabilities.
Medical School - what is your doctor learning?
So during their years in medical school, just how much training are future doctors getting? Not just training about migraine, but all headache disorders?

In the UK, it’s about 4 hours. Yes, hours. Hopefully they had their coffee that day and stayed awake.

But in the UK there are specialist nurses who focus on headache conditions – they can support the doctor, right?

Sure. There are 23 of them in the UK. And about 8 million migraineurs in the UK alone.

There are doctors specializing in migraine and headache as well – but they also are hard for people to find in many cases.

We are thankful for the doctors who take headache conditions seriously, and who continue their study as they’re able, and who remain open to new ideas and new treatments.

But with a lack of funding, and a lack of training, the system does not seem to be supporting these doctors.

The fact remains that we as patients are ultimately responsible for our own care. But we also need to encourage schools and organizations and governments to take migraine and other headache disorders seriously.

Before you cast the next vote or write the next letter or attend the next board meeting, ask yourself – can I help fight migraine by being a part of the fix?

Source: Shock poll fuels migraine crisis – NHS bosses warned to boost aid for GPs (The Migraine Trust)

9 February 2013

Delayed reaction? Clinics/Doctors in Houston

James Website news 1

I intended to wait for your answers, but not this long! It was in September that I was asking for your recommendations for headache/migraine doctors and clinics in the Houston area.

I did get some responses for the Chicago area – and you can see some of the recommendations from our guests at the Migraine: Chicago treatment options page (yes, it’s more than just Diamond!).

Now before I write any more about Houston, I’ll ask one more time if you have any recommendations. Send me a tweet, write a comment on our Facebook page, or leave a comment here or at the original post. You can also email me here. I’ll try to be a little quicker to pool your responses!

7 January 2010

1% Thursday: Make the call – find a new doctor.

James Uncategorized 0

This week, make the call you know you’ve needed to make for a long time. Find a new doctor.

There are a lot of reasons why people put up with a doctor or specialist. I mean that doctor that you’ve been seeing for a while – but you know you’re not happy with them. They don’t listen, maybe. Or all they want to do is try the latest drug on you – they’re not willing to explore other options. Or maybe they’re even too nice – they’re not willing to tell you what you know you really need to hear.

Why do we put up with it? Well, sometimes we’re just not aware of someone near our area who is better, and time and/or financial constraints are keeping us from making the switch (of course, imagine the financial benefits of getting those migraine or cluster attacks under control!).

But a lot of the time we just don’t want to take the risk. What if the next doctor is worse? Or we just don’t want to bother – all the same questions all over again, getting to know someone new, explaining again…

I understand your hesitation. But putting up with a doctor who is not moving your treatment forward is simply not worth it. Why wait 5 more years to change? Yes, you may need to do a little research. Maybe even try a specialist or two before you’re happy. But the long term benefits are enormous.

"I just don’t have the emotional stamina to do it right now!" – all right, explain your situation to a friend. Have them do some research for you. But take the step. It’s the beginning of the new year, this is your week to make a change that will make a big difference in the months to come. Don’t put it off. Make the call.

For more resources, read Finding a Good Migraine Specialist

What is 1% Thursday?

Every Thursday at Headache and Migraine News (weather permitting) we’ll talk about one measurable, practical thing we can do to make our lives just 1% better. Usually it will be something very easy, sometimes it will be a challenge. Let us know if you try it, or share an idea of your own – and maybe a year from now we’ll see that things have really changed for the better!

29 June 2009

How to be a better Headache or Migraine Doctor

James Tips, Website news 2

Some people love their doctors. Others … well … feel they could be getting better treatment elsewhere. What makes the difference? What makes a good migraine doctor?

In our last poll, we asked our visitors about their migraine doctors and specialists. The question was, I would be happier with my doctor/specialist more if he/she … what?

Here are the answers, starting with the one with the most votes:

"I would be happier with my doctor/specialist more if he/she …"

showed more concern/took me seriously. Doctors tend to be rushed, is that the reason why they sometimes brush off patients? I think there’s something more here though. There are some doctors who still assume that almost every headache is minor, and they aren’t aware of the impact some of these disorders have on their patients lives. Sometimes that’s because patients don’t explain the life impact fully. But other times doctors make assumptions that they shouldn’t. I think this is changing, but there’s still work to be done. This was easily the top answer, chosen by 18.5%, or almost 1 in 5 patients.
was more knowledgeable about my condition. I think more knowledge would help with the first issue as well. Let’s be fair here though. Our understanding of neurology and the brain has exploded in the last 20 years. It’s not possible for every doctor to keep up, and very difficult for a specialist to keep up. You should expect your doctor to be aware of the basics of major conditions such as migraine, but you can’t expect her to know all the latest research and treatments. Patients need to find someone who specializes in their condition if at all possible, and doctors need to be willing to admit their limitations and make referrals.
thought more creatively about issues related to my treatment. This was almost tied with the last one, with about 1 in 8 patients with these concerns. This is a tricky one, but it does point to the fact that medicine is an art as well as a science. There are doctors who just keep going over the same ground again and again, but could get to a better treatment with a little creative thinking, a few creative questions, a little digging. It’s easy to start thinking you’ve seen it all before, but in the world of headache every patient really is unique. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
was open to a wider variety of treatments. The next two are tied, with about 1 in 9 patients answering this way. This may have a lot to do with alternative treatments. Doctors are becoming more and more open to alternative treatments. One reason is that the research is starting to prove that many alternative treatments have real value. On the other hand, some have very little evidence to back them up. Find a doctor who will look at the evidence, and at the very least listen to what treatments you’re considering and offer suggestions or warnings.
explained to me what she/he’s thinking. It’s not only condescending, it’s very frustrating when a doctor won’t work together with her patients. It is essential in today’s world for doctors and patients to work together to find treatments that work. If your doctor won’t take the time to explain to you why she is recommending a treatment or drug, consider looking for another doctor.
listened more. More than 1 in 10 answering the poll put this in their top 3. Let’s put it this way. With all the frustration, misdiagnoses, and patients who go years without proper treatment, something is not being done right. I’m convinced this is part of it. I’m also convinced it’s a two way street. Doctors need to learn to listen, question, and pay attention. Patients also need to learn to come prepared, question, and explain things clearly and succinctly. We all have to do better in this area to fight headache and migraine effectively. Tips for talking with your doctor here and here.
was more up to date on current treatments/issues. These last few were mentioned less, so I’m just going to include this one in the list and then mention the others briefly. About 1 in 13 patients mentioned this one, and it’s certainly related to some of the other points above, so still important. Being knowledgeable, up to date, and open to a wider variety of treatments all go together. Migraine and headache are major issues in today’s society, and doctors need to stay abreast of the issues or send their patients to someone who is.

There were three more that were still important concerns but only mentioned by a few patients. Some said that they wished their doctors trusted them more, which I think goes along with working together. Quite a few also said they wished their doctor wouldn’t give up so easily. Though only a few mentioned it in this poll, this is not the first time I’ve heard this, and it is an important issue. In this day and age, no one is going to live long enough to try every available migraine treatment, for example. No doctor should throw up her hands and say,"Well, we’ve tried it all!"

Some people said none of the above of course, so I’ll leave that up to your imagination (or your comments!). Finally, a few simply wished their doctor was more competent. Thankfully, that was a very small minority.

Most doctors do seem to be working hard, working with their patients and trying to help. I have a lot of respect for the many doctors and specialists who have helped so many.

Still, I know that doctors can do better. I hope those of you reading this will simply take it as data to use to make your practice even better, because I know that the vast majority of you want to help your patients find the answers.

Let’s work together. It’s time to fight back.