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HeadWay, Issue #166 -- Are You "Out of Options"?
June 21, 2018
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In this issue:

Are You "Out of Options"?

Say what?! Musculoskeletal Disorders


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Are You "Out of Options"?

What do you do when your doctor says that you're "out of options" for treatment?

I've been looking through your questions, and was going to take a break from answering. But I just had to write this article, because I've had more than one person ask this question lately (including HeadWay subscriber Cris from the USA).

I am very disappointed to hear that doctors - even specialists - are still telling migraine patients that they're "out of options". Maybe I'm going to upset some people with this article, but there is no way anyone alive today is "out of options".

I actually wrote at Headache and Migraine News on this topic, mostly referring to drug treatments (I'll direct you to that article in a moment). But what about diet? What about physiotherapy, and a host of other treatments?

Could it be that some doctors are looking for a "pill" that will give an instant cure? And so once they've tried the main categories and don't see major improvement, they give up?

You, the patient, are under no obligation to give up. I'm sorry to hear that some doctors are giving up, because I know that there are many doctors who aren't. You need to find those health specialists who will not give up on you.

When you find that doctor who won't give up on you, tell others about them. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

For those who have struggled with many, many treatments (like yours truly), it's hard to give a blanket solution. But one of the main purposes of this newsletter and Headache and Migraine News is to help you make informed decisions. To try to best treatments first (for the very reason that there are so many options!).

Here are a few places to start, to get informed and figure out where to go next:These articles have links to more information and resources.

Cris, who was one of the people asking this type of question, added pointedly, "Please don't say 'learn to deal with the pain'".

Well, Cris, I think that most people with migraine and headache conditions already know a whole lot about "dealing with pain". Let's stop telling people to "just deal with it" and start letting them know the truth. Finding good treatments can be hard work. But there are many, many good treatments out there.

You are not out of options.

Say what?! Musculoskeletal Disorders

Musculoskeletal Disorders, or MSDs, refer to disorders or damage/injury to the joints and other tissues of the body in the limbs, back, and neck. If that sounds a little vague, it is. However, a recent study suggests that people with migraine may also be more susceptible to MSDs.

Some MSDs that you might be familiar with include rheumatoid arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, bone fractures, and back pain.

Thanks for reading!  Remember, if you have feedback or ideas for future issues, visit the HeadWay MailRoom.  Your password is nomoache.
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