The ceiling and walls were spinning. As I awoke in the steaming New York City heat one weekday in August 2007, a wave of nausea overcame me. My ears were ringing to the point of deafness. My neck muscles felt sore and tender. I felt pain at the back of my head.
What was happening?
One Journey, Many Health Care Professionals
I first consulted my primary care physician, then two otolaryngologists and one neurologist. They were puzzled by my symptoms, so I kept questioning and researching. I talked to as many health care professionals as I could. Finally, an occupational therapist suggested an evaluation by a vestibular physical therapy team from the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine.1 When my physical therapist insisted that I see a headache specialist, I was baffled. The word “migraine” had never before crossed my mind. But I trusted my physical therapist, so I picked up the phone.
Five long months elapsed between my initial phone call and the day of my appointment with one of approximately 300 physicians in the country who are board certified in headache medicine.2 The wait was excruciating. I kept on, thanks to encouragement from my physical and occupational therapists. Without their support, I probably would have given up.
At my first visit, my headache doctor diagnosed me with basilar migraine and started me on preventive medication. It had been over two years since that August morning. I was both shocked and relieved by the diagnosis. But it brought hope for effective management and an ongoing relationship with a trusted and competent physician. The arduous journey was worth it. I discovered the name of my pain. I found an explanation for my symptoms. And I found some relief thanks to medication and daily stress reduction.
What I Have Learned Along the Way
- Migraine comes in many forms. Seek out health care professionals who will validate your concerns and refer you to others. Think of each one of them as a link in a chain.
- Believe in your ability to find a headache specialist who will understand your symptoms and become your partner in wellness. Never give up.
- Successful migraine treatment requires a team approach. Build your own health care team over time.
What was your journey to diagnosis like? What have you learned from it?
Annabelle Favet was diagnosed with basilar migraine four years ago but has been a sufferer since her teens. She enjoys educating others about the many faces of migraine, a reason that prompted her to join the National Headache Foundation.
References:
1. Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, part of NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY.
