I need help/a second opinion. :-/
I have been having headaches on an almost daily basis (about 80% of the time, they are at migraine level) since August of 2010. Finally after doing bloodwork and a CT scan, my PC doctor sent me to a neurologist who I've been seeing since January of this year. (Just about a year now.) He has done another CT scan, and an MRI and found nothing other then a herniated disk. He diagnosed me as having Chronic Daily Headaches that on occasion turn into migraines from years of untreated migraines. He's got me on Zonegran, Zanaflex, Relpax (as needed when I first notice a migraine coming on- sometimes it helps but usually not. I've tried just about every other Migraine medicine out there and none have worked at all) and Fiorcet with Codeine for when they are extremely bad. He has also tried occipital never blocker injections in the back of my head (HORRIBLE experience!) and I've tried physical therapy.
Today, I saw him for a regular 6 week follow up as I've been doing. But, for the past 2 weeks straight I've had a severe migraine. He was quite bothered by this... obviously, I am too. Going to bed with and waking up with a migraine every single day is not pleasant. But what he is now suggesting is I think kind of (REALLY) crazy!
First, he suggested getting a spinal tap done. To which I asked if I could be put to sleep for. His first response was no- to which I immediately said no then. He tried to tell me that it wasn't bad, and would only take 5 minutes. NO WAY! I watched a dear friend go through it on many occasions and it was AWFUL. So, now he's looking into if they will do it if I'm asleep.
Next he suggested an MRA, to I guess check for signs of an aneurism? I didn't do well with the MRI. It was very long, and it physically hurt my head, with the loud banging noises. (Had a severe migraine when they did it) I'm assuming if I had an aneurism, and I've been having these headaches for about a year and a half now, I'd already be dead. Is this test really necessary?
THEN... he suggested the possibility of getting a pace maker! He was serious, and at that point I just laughed. He said something about the wires going from the heart to the brain and that it can help with migraines and headaches. I can not believe he would even suggest that! Something so radical just seems crazy to me.
Please, any thoughts, suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
PS- I'll be 27 next month and am female.
I have been having headaches on an almost daily basis (about 80% of the time, they are at migraine level) since August of 2010. Finally after doing bloodwork and a CT scan, my PC doctor sent me to a neurologist who I've been seeing since January of this year. (Just about a year now.) He has done another CT scan, and an MRI and found nothing other then a herniated disk. He diagnosed me as having Chronic Daily Headaches that on occasion turn into migraines from years of untreated migraines. He's got me on Zonegran, Zanaflex, Relpax (as needed when I first notice a migraine coming on- sometimes it helps but usually not. I've tried just about every other Migraine medicine out there and none have worked at all) and Fiorcet with Codeine for when they are extremely bad. He has also tried occipital never blocker injections in the back of my head (HORRIBLE experience!) and I've tried physical therapy.
Today, I saw him for a regular 6 week follow up as I've been doing. But, for the past 2 weeks straight I've had a severe migraine. He was quite bothered by this... obviously, I am too. Going to bed with and waking up with a migraine every single day is not pleasant. But what he is now suggesting is I think kind of (REALLY) crazy!
First, he suggested getting a spinal tap done. To which I asked if I could be put to sleep for. His first response was no- to which I immediately said no then. He tried to tell me that it wasn't bad, and would only take 5 minutes. NO WAY! I watched a dear friend go through it on many occasions and it was AWFUL. So, now he's looking into if they will do it if I'm asleep.
Next he suggested an MRA, to I guess check for signs of an aneurism? I didn't do well with the MRI. It was very long, and it physically hurt my head, with the loud banging noises. (Had a severe migraine when they did it) I'm assuming if I had an aneurism, and I've been having these headaches for about a year and a half now, I'd already be dead. Is this test really necessary?
THEN... he suggested the possibility of getting a pace maker! He was serious, and at that point I just laughed. He said something about the wires going from the heart to the brain and that it can help with migraines and headaches. I can not believe he would even suggest that! Something so radical just seems crazy to me.
Please, any thoughts, suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.
PS- I'll be 27 next month and am female.