Posted by Barbara D. on February 15, 1999 at 10:44:39:
In Reply to: drugs posted by Barnara A on February 15, 1999 at 05:05:38:
BA,
Until I came down with these demons, I thought anyone with a migraine was just looking for dope. "After" I was diagnosed, I found out that pain meds don't work on mine at all. My attitude has changed completely.
I take Ambien at night to sleep. It will put me to sleep, but HAs can come through it and wake me up. But when I go two or three weeks without sleep, I have to do something. Ambien is NOT habit forming and works about as good as anything else. There is also Melatonin P.M. (at the health food store). I've found that Melatonin puts you in a more "relaxed" sleep. I can actually sleep all night sometimes with it.
The big secret of getting your doctor to prescribe what you need is to "know your doctor". Mine is a sweetheart. He KNOWS me and knows that when I tell him I need something - I need it. A lot of doctors don't know their patients and we (think about it) sound like a bunch of hypocondriatcs wanting drugs. We're NOT, but we DO sound like it and if the doctor doesn't know about CH or doesn't know us, he could draw that conclusion. Even in the ER.
One thing you might do is have your neuro send your GP a report every time you visit. This keeps the GP up on your condition, treatment etc. My pharmicist is great also. If my dr. is out of pocket he WILL go ahead a fill Rx and then call the dr. He knows me well enough to know that I DO need it when I say I do. But I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. It might not work in a large city.
Hope this helps a little
Hugs BD