So,  I don't even know where to begin...

I met with my new neurologist last Tuesday.  Any neurologist who will sit with a patient for 30+ minutes with a full waiting room is okay in my book.   ;)  He was wonderful, to say the least.  He was very open to everything I had to offer and had a lot to offer himself.  He was even laughing at my jokes about how lovely and soothing his waiting room was in comparison to the harsh fluorescent lighting in the examination room -- not to mention that I was facing a huge window!  He chuckled and said that in 17 years, nobody had pointed that out to him.  I told him that I'd throw that in for free.   :)

He definitely saw me as an extreme case due to the number of migraines... and of course that fact that I'm a female with cluster headaches.  I loved that he didn't question that they were clusters after a thorough round of questions.  I could have cried -- and yeah, I did a little.  It was so nice to talk with someone who understood everything I was saying.

I was very comforted when he said, "We can make this better."  Then he paused.  "But we can't make it better right away."  I was glad that he was so honest.  One thing he did say is that we need to get all of the narcotics out of my system and get my pain receptors back on track and open to working with other meds.  He is putting me on 200 mg. of Topamax (I've been working up to 200 mg. daily since 3/1) and Lithium (can't remember the dosage, and it's downstairs).  He said most doctors would probably not have me on two preventatives, but he sees me as an extreme case.  I'm all for thinking outside the box.  I'd much rather lean towards that way of thinking than deal with some of the doctors I've read about on here who won't even think of coloring outside the lines!   ::)  And my oxygen was delivered about 20 minutes ago!  <doing the happy dance> 

He was quite honest and said that this combination may not be the one, but he did ask for me to give anything that we try at least a couple of months before moving on to something else.

I love this guy.

I never thought I'd say that about a neurologist.  I've had such bad experiences in the past.  If you're reading this and are stuck with one of those pompous idiots, FIND ANOTHER ONE!  I really did think they must all be that way, but I've been proven wrong.  I am happily eating crow.

Groovy.  8-)

Especially about the O2.  :)

Cool beans!

If you haven't done so, please go here: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE and check if your new doctor is listed, if not please follow the link to add him to the list.....let others know where to go.

That sounds like quite a find! It's great that you've got someone who listens, is open with the options and will work with you to get the best results.

As others have said, share the details so that others will get the same treatment.

Racer1_NC wrote on Mar 25^th, 2011 at 7:28pm:

Cool beans! If you haven't done so, please go here: START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE and check if your new doctor is listed, if not please follow the link to add him to the list.....let others know where to go.

Done!

Glad to hear it!
Intelligent and kind doctors make me feel all happy inside! ;)

Thanks for the link, Racer_1NC. I added my doc to the list.