New Medical Research Puts Women With Migraines On Notice About Cardiovascular Risk
April 17th 2008 22:48
I get news updated every day on my website mymigraines.com and the article I read today really has me concerned.A Harvard study involving 28,000 women 45yrs of age and older,followed them for an average of 12 years.Dr. Orly Avitzur, medical adviser to Consumer Reports said "“This is a very significant study by Harvard researchers that essentially puts women on notice that, if they’re having migraines on a regular basis, they’re at greater risk of having a stroke,” “Women are at a disadvantage to begin with because they’re less likely than men to be identified by their doctors as high-risk for cardiovascular disease. Women who have frequent migraines need to be aware of their susceptibility and stay extra vigilant about warning signs.”
“While more research needs to be done to assess whether migraine prevention might lower cardiovascular risk, it’s still essential that we help men and women learn to manage migraines and spot migraine triggers to prevent them from occurring in the first place,” says Avitzur.
Now,I have to say,I am vigilant about warning signs....I am a chronic migraineur,transformed migraines,whatever term you want to choose.I am never without pain.And my pain level is extremely high.There is no relief for me.My doctor sent me to the hospital with a letter saying I was being treated for migraine and following my treatment as I should be doing.She also said in the letter that I should be put in the hospital,right from the er and treated for my migraine inpatient.
The nurses were insulted.They would not look at the letter.They didn't care,which is what they told me,about the letter.I guess they thought I was looking for special treatment.I was,the treatment I needed.I believe as does my doctor,that I need to be in the hospital on an iv until they find the right combo of meds to break my pain cycle.
I can tell you,I do not have health insurance.I can also tell you,I don't know if that would matter.I really didn't get any better treatment when I had insurance.
For those of you who think,oh,I 'm ok,I have insurance,a little warning.I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem.I had my insurance,it was cool,I was covered.That was,until the insurance company decided that it was pre-existing.Which it was not.No one in my family ever had thyroid issues,I was shocked to find I had thyroid problems.
So,my insurance company stopped paying my endocronologist,they never paid a penny to my internal med dr,who by the way was also my gp,and my gyn.It didn't matter to the insurance company,any visit to that doctor,they didn't pay,any test,they didn't pay.Any test ordered by that doctor for anything,they didn't pay.
I was extremely sick at the time,thyroid nodules,I was sick like I had the flu all the time.I felt like I was going to die anytime.All that money I paid my insurance company,I could've just paid the doctor.So,I cancelled my insurance.After all,I lost all my doctor's,the bills were sent to collections,I got phone calls.The stress of it made me even more sick.
Here I am now,no insurance.My brother had a stroke last summer,he's only 3 yrs older than me and they said the only thing they could come up with was genetics.My brother doesn't have weight problems,he was walking every day,he eats fairly healthy,doesn't smoke or drink.
My sister is 6yrs older than me and has ms and parkinson's.Our grandmother had parkinson's.My brother had his stroke at the same age our dad had his first stroke.Our mom had a number of illness'.It's not like I have great genes.My oldest brother has 100% blockage in one side of his neck.
Why go on like this,well,what am I suppose to do with this wonderful information from this study?Migraine has got to be one of the most disrespected disesases around.I don't care if they do a thousand studies with thousands of people validating it as a real disease.You go for help to the er,you're greeted with "Oh,a headache,how long have you had this headache?" The last time I went,I swear they were testing me to see if my answer would change.They asked me that question at least 8 times.
I'll ask the question for all the woman out there wondering as I am,NOW WHAT?So What? How many studies are you going to do?And why?You've got the info,what good is it?
I wonder if it was men that were the bigger numbers?Asking that,believe me,I'm not taking anything away from men who suffer,I just wonder....after all,when women go for any kind of help,they are so emotional.I went to the neurologist,I had been in so much pain and hadn't slept in so long,I was crying when he came in.I was mad at myself because I had seen him before and promised myself I would not be emotional.I had my head in my hands,didn't see him,he leaned over and said "Hello??Are you depressed??"
Where do we go from here with this information?Should I print out the article and keep it with the letter that I keep with me from my doctor saying I am a migraineur(so they don't think I'm a drug seeker)being treated by her.
Do you think they'll look at it next time?
“While more research needs to be done to assess whether migraine prevention might lower cardiovascular risk, it’s still essential that we help men and women learn to manage migraines and spot migraine triggers to prevent them from occurring in the first place,” says Avitzur.
Now,I have to say,I am vigilant about warning signs....I am a chronic migraineur,transformed migraines,whatever term you want to choose.I am never without pain.And my pain level is extremely high.There is no relief for me.My doctor sent me to the hospital with a letter saying I was being treated for migraine and following my treatment as I should be doing.She also said in the letter that I should be put in the hospital,right from the er and treated for my migraine inpatient.
The nurses were insulted.They would not look at the letter.They didn't care,which is what they told me,about the letter.I guess they thought I was looking for special treatment.I was,the treatment I needed.I believe as does my doctor,that I need to be in the hospital on an iv until they find the right combo of meds to break my pain cycle.
I can tell you,I do not have health insurance.I can also tell you,I don't know if that would matter.I really didn't get any better treatment when I had insurance.
For those of you who think,oh,I 'm ok,I have insurance,a little warning.I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem.I had my insurance,it was cool,I was covered.That was,until the insurance company decided that it was pre-existing.Which it was not.No one in my family ever had thyroid issues,I was shocked to find I had thyroid problems.
So,my insurance company stopped paying my endocronologist,they never paid a penny to my internal med dr,who by the way was also my gp,and my gyn.It didn't matter to the insurance company,any visit to that doctor,they didn't pay,any test,they didn't pay.Any test ordered by that doctor for anything,they didn't pay.
I was extremely sick at the time,thyroid nodules,I was sick like I had the flu all the time.I felt like I was going to die anytime.All that money I paid my insurance company,I could've just paid the doctor.So,I cancelled my insurance.After all,I lost all my doctor's,the bills were sent to collections,I got phone calls.The stress of it made me even more sick.
Here I am now,no insurance.My brother had a stroke last summer,he's only 3 yrs older than me and they said the only thing they could come up with was genetics.My brother doesn't have weight problems,he was walking every day,he eats fairly healthy,doesn't smoke or drink.
My sister is 6yrs older than me and has ms and parkinson's.Our grandmother had parkinson's.My brother had his stroke at the same age our dad had his first stroke.Our mom had a number of illness'.It's not like I have great genes.My oldest brother has 100% blockage in one side of his neck.
Why go on like this,well,what am I suppose to do with this wonderful information from this study?Migraine has got to be one of the most disrespected disesases around.I don't care if they do a thousand studies with thousands of people validating it as a real disease.You go for help to the er,you're greeted with "Oh,a headache,how long have you had this headache?" The last time I went,I swear they were testing me to see if my answer would change.They asked me that question at least 8 times.
I'll ask the question for all the woman out there wondering as I am,NOW WHAT?So What? How many studies are you going to do?And why?You've got the info,what good is it?
I wonder if it was men that were the bigger numbers?Asking that,believe me,I'm not taking anything away from men who suffer,I just wonder....after all,when women go for any kind of help,they are so emotional.I went to the neurologist,I had been in so much pain and hadn't slept in so long,I was crying when he came in.I was mad at myself because I had seen him before and promised myself I would not be emotional.I had my head in my hands,didn't see him,he leaned over and said "Hello??Are you depressed??"
Where do we go from here with this information?Should I print out the article and keep it with the letter that I keep with me from my doctor saying I am a migraineur(so they don't think I'm a drug seeker)being treated by her.
Do you think they'll look at it next time?
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