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National Migraine centre

2 replies

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 02/10/2014 18:50

Has anybody seen them?

Really struggling with 13 year old ds migraines and we have an appointment next week.

OP posts:
wildrover · 02/10/2014 21:57

I visited the National Migraine Centre in 2011. I've had migraines for about twenty years (since starting my periods) and things were worsened by a head injury in my early 20s. I'd tried everything and knew it all, or so I thought.

I spent a long time talking to a very polite female doctor. Instead of telling me of interesting migraine drug treatments or experimental surgery, she told me that I worked too hard and too long, and that I didn't eat enough, drink enough or rest enough.

She was adamant that my migraines weren't all hormonal - that of the 15 or so migraines I was having a month only 2-3 could be hormonal. She told me to have bigger, regular meals and to cut back on work (I'm in IT, so lots of screens!)

To be honest, she riled me. But I listened. Then went away and had to admit to myself she was right. So I made quite a few lifestyle adjustments.

I still get hormonal migraines 2-3 days a month. And when I put myself under crazy work stress, eat badly and don't sleep properly, I get way more migraines. Screens are also an enemy.

My experience was of a doctor not scared to say it like it is - she wasn't there to palm me off with pills or recommend botox. She wanted to get to the root of what was causing my migraines. And she wasn't scared to go back to basics. I've visited so many migraine specialists and been treated by lots of neurologists, but this doctor was the clearest and most honest I've met.

Having said that, I've tried to pass her advice along to people I know who are in the same work-stress-migraine-painkillers loop that I was stuck in, but they'd much rather hear about Botox or electronic gadgets.

My experience of the clinic is very subjective - I imagine each doctor has a different approach. So I wish you luck with your daughter's appointment.

Morven11 · 03/10/2014 00:56

Yes, good luck. I took DS to the clinic for some months because of recurring headaches. He was told that his headaches were neck headaches and probably induced by hypermobility joint syndrome. Exercises were prescribed.

Most of all, we were taken very seriously - finally.

DS is pretty much in the clear now - they come and go but it's so different - he can study, work, everything really.

Have you looked at the website/seen their newsletters (which you can subscribe to)? Hope all goes well for your DD.

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