Would you be upset?

[Rafiki31]

Or am I overreacting? Here's the long sob story. I have a history of migraines. Over the last year they have gotten way worse and more frequent to the point I'm very worried.i asked to see a specialist and my doctor refused a referral saying it's not necessary. She told me to take nose spray, claritin, and Benadryl. That didn't help at all. And I took so much Excedrine I had stomach issues. She gave me Pepcid and told me to take imitrex. That didn't work. Then she called in zomig. That did work for about 3 months or so but last week I had the worst headache I have ever had in my life. I couldn't be in the light and I was dizzy. It was a sharp pain and I could hear may heart beat in my head. I took so much benadryl, tylenol, aspirin, and Zomig I thought I was going to die but the pain was unbearable. I was home alone, called my husband and asked him ton on home as I ight need the er. When my husband got home my headache had eased up and I was able to sleep a little. So first thing in the morning I called my doctor and Spoke with the nurse at 840 am asking if I could see her. The doctor didn't call me back. I left another message on their message line at 330. By then my headache was mostly gone. No call back. Then it was New Years Day. The day after I called and got voicemail saying it was closed for the holiday. Today I called again left a message with the receptionist at 915am no call back. I also found out that they were open Friday, they just forgot to take that message down, so never called me from wed- now.


I just got a call from cvs that my doctors called in the same medicine zomig, that I have been trying to tell them isn't working. Of course the doctors office is now closed She has not akcnowledged the horrible scary bad headache I've been calling about or called me at all. I am so frustrated. I just want to cry. I have no headache now, but I never want to experience what I did last Tuesday night.

 

[Patience]

I am a migraine sufferer also. Does your insurance company require a referral to see a specialist? If it does, I would schedule an appointment with your primary doctor and request a referral to a neurologist or other specialist while you are in the office. I've found it's more effective to meet with the doctor personally than to just call. If she still refuses, I would change doctors.

After trying many different things, my migraines are much less frequent after being placed on a very small dose of a beta blocker. I hope you find something to help you soon.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Have you considered changing doctors?

 

[ashley0139]

Are you in Canada? Is that why you had to get a referral? Or does your insurance plan require that?

Either way, yes I would be very upset and would look into getting a new primary care physician if possible.

 

[kmb584]

I would be switching my PCP.

 

[lizabu]

You need a new doctor. This one isn't listening to you.

 

[Rafiki31]

My insurance requires a referral and I discussed this with my doctor in person when I started getting Getting 2 or more headaches a week. Since they have been getting worse I've been nervous. She refused and said it was unnecessary, she could handle it.


At this point, I'm so angry with her I want a new doctor. I'm just not sure how to pick one. I had one for years that I liked, and she abruptly left the practice with no notice or explanation, and I was reassigned to this one. I've had her about a year and I don't like her at all. This is the final straw really. She talks to me like I am an idiot. She's very condescending and dismissive.

 

[SirDuff]

Are you in Canada? Is that why you had to get a referral? Or does your insurance plan require that?

Either way, yes I would be very upset and would look into getting a new primary care physician if possible.

No CVS in Canada, so the OP isn't here.

 

[barkley]

Or am I overreacting? Here's the long sob story. I have a history of migraines. Over the last year they have gotten way worse and more frequent to the point I'm very worried.i asked to see a specialist and my doctor refused a referral saying it's not necessary. She told me to take nose spray, claritin, and Benadryl. That didn't help at all. And I took so much Excedrine I had stomach issues. She gave me Pepcid and told me to take imitrex. That didn't work. Then she called in zomig. That did work for about 3 months or so but last week I had the worst headache I have ever had in my life. I couldn't be in the light and I was dizzy. It was a sharp pain and I could hear may heart beat in my head. I took so much benadryl, tylenol, aspirin, and Zomig I thought I was going to die but the pain was unbearable. I was home alone, called my husband and asked him ton on home as I ight need the er. When my husband got home my headache had eased up and I was able to sleep a little. So first thing in the morning I called my doctor and Spoke with the nurse at 840 am asking if I could see her. The doctor didn't call me back. I left another message on their message line at 330. By then my headache was mostly gone. No call back. Then it was New Years Day. The day after I called and got voicemail saying it was closed for the holiday. Today I called again left a message with the receptionist at 915am no call back. I also found out that they were open Friday, they just forgot to take that message down, so never called me from wed- now.


I just got a call from cvs that my doctors called in the same medicine zomig, that I have been trying to tell them isn't working. Of course the doctors office is now closed She has not akcnowledged the horrible scary bad headache I've been calling about or called me at all. I am so frustrated. I just want to cry. I have no headache now, but I never want to experience what I did last Tuesday night.

I understand completely and went through something similar with migraines when I was a member of an hmo. I really liked my doctor otherwise and loved my kid's pediatrician so changing doctors wasn't really an option for me (if I changed from him it would have changed medical groups which would have required moving the kids to a new group as well). my method of dealing with it was a bit extreme but it did work-

I read my insurance papers and saw that if I had an emergent medical need I could go w/o prior approval to a non network e/r so long as I was at least 25 miles from my home. since trips to my local in network e/r always resulted in them contacting my doctor who to my way of thinking didn't take my migraines seriously I just waited until the next nasty one started up at which time dh and I drove to an e/r over 25 miles away from home that I knew was associated with an excellent neurology practice. we checked in and I made sure to say I had been out w/my husband in their town when the migraine hit (so insurance would cover the visit).

the result was a very thorough review by both the e/r doctor and the neurologist on call who took care to get me through the current migraine event, get me set up on initial meds and write me a referral to a neurologist. I called my insurance the next day and explained what had occurred and asked what I should do since the e/r and referral were outside of network at which time I was given the names of neurologists inside my network and told to call them w/an authorization number so they could verify that the insurance company vs. my doctor was making the referral. I had an appointment within a couple of weeks.

 

[SirDuff]

My insurance requires a referral and I discussed this with my doctor in person when I started getting Getting 2 or more headaches a week. Since they have been getting worse I've been nervous. She refused and said it was unnecessary, she could handle it.


At this point, I'm so angry with her I want a new doctor. I'm just not sure how to pick one. I had one for years that I liked, and she abruptly left the practice with no notice or explanation, and I was reassigned to this one. I've had her about a year and I don't like her at all. This is the final straw really. She talks to me like I am an idiot. She's very condescending and dismissive.

I agree with those suggesting a new doctor.

Also, when you get your new doctor (and/or see the specialist), I'd definitely consider prophylactic medications - stuff you take daily (or whatever) to help prevent migraine attacks. I was on one for a while, but had to stop (it was a beta-blocker (which helps prevent the vasoconstriction that causes migraines) but I already have low blood pressure and the medication meant my blood pressure dropped too low). Luckily, the frequencies died down and am okay with treating as needed (for the record, Zomig works for while, while Imitrex was awful - made me totally jittery but didn't stop the pain - everyone is different).

 

[Bluestars]

I agree with the other posters, it's time to find another doctor. You need someone who will listen to you. I do not think you are overreacting at all.

If your headache comes back like that before you have a chance to find a new doctor, I would go to the ER.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes, I would be upset.

Yes, I would fire this doctor. It may be further delay to help, but less of a delay than if you stick with this PCP who seems to be not taking your migraines seriously.

 

[Pumbaa_]

Bare minimum you need something better for pain

 

[JediBonas]

I agree with the other posters, it's time to find another doctor. You need someone who will listen to you. I do not think you are overreacting at all.

If your headache comes back like that before you have a chance to find a new doctor, I would go to the ER.

I agree. I ended up with some scary symptoms a few months ago while waiting to get in to see a neuro and was getting so worried I ended up going to urgent care and getting a CT scan. The cost of the scan before insurance was only $250 and well worth the cost for a little peace of mind.

You definitely need a new PCP who will refer you. My neuro has a headache center and they do not prescribe those meds for frequent migraine sufferers as after awhile they can make them worse, they actual prescribe anti seizure meds.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Change doctors!

How, you ask? Ask friends for referrals. Call your medical provider and ask who is taking new patients that is in your network and ask for a good one. Look on Yelp for reviews. Join an online migraine group and see if anyone there is in your area.

CLEARLY, your current doctor isn't doing diddly-squat for you.

 

[minneylovesmicky]

I agree with other posters - Get a new Dr, one who listens to you and one who will help you.

The stress this is causing you, is not making your migraines any better.

Good luck and I hope you get the right help soon

 

[Ceila]

I would be very upset with my doctor and would be changing PCPs immediately.

As to how to find a new doctor, I would start by asking around. Ask people at work, neighbors, friends in the area, etc. Are you on Facebook? People post on our local page asking for doctor recommendations all the time.

Good luck!

 

[StephMK]

You are not over-reacting and a new doctor cannot possibly be any worse than the one you have been seeing. In your case, if you get another migraine like that, I'd go to the ER. I hope they find something that works to help you.

 

[bedillamouse]

I am also having to look for a new doctor and it's a complete pain!! But if my doctor didn't take my migraines seriously I would be switching to a different doctor right away. My doctor had a shot ( I can't remember the name of it) that if I was in sever pain and the medicine wasn't helping she would allow me to call and then walk in to get the shot. I did not need to go to the ER to get the shot which was nice!

If you get a migraine like that again, please go the ER! They have the ability to run test if needed and I know some who just pure oxygen can make their migraine go away. The ER can provide the pure oxygen if it's needed! Don't doubt your pain or the need for a referral!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The minute that my doctor told me that they would not give me a referral, I would have been changing doctors.

In addition I would go to the ER if the pain was that bad.