If your headaches have interfered with your daily activities or include nausea and/or light-sound sensitivity, it is very possible you are dealing with migraines.  However, we treat not only several types of migraines but also non-migraine headaches and there are options to help whether migraines or not!

Most often, the simple answer is no.  There are rare cases in which another medical condition is found to be the cause of migraines/headaches, but this is typically the exception to the rule.  A thorough evaluation and physical examination at the onset of your treatment can help identify these rare cases.  Many times no additional tests are needed to diagnose and treat migraines, but if further testing is needed this will be reviewed with you in detail at your first appointment.

Today, there are actually many options available to treat and prevent migraines – many of which are newer over the past few years.  These include monthly injectables, Botox for migraines, and new classes of oral medications.

Most of the time, these imaging tests are not necessary.  A thorough assessment and evaluation will be done at your first appointment and will include recommendations and orders for imaging if needed.  If bloodwork is needed, this can be done in our office and results will be available in just a few days in most cases.

Migraines are many times complex and may have several contributing factors, so identifying a single cause is rare.  We will discuss lifestyle factors such as stress, sleep habits and cycles, other medical conditions, and family history, and together we will develop a treatment plan that addresses these factors and is realistic for you – but most importantly, one that helps with the migraine pain and helps you regain more migraine-free days.

Yes!  There are several other ways.  Today’s migraine prevention and treatment options also include monthly injections, injections that are given just every 12 weeks, dissolvable medications that are used as needed, and even IV treatments every 90 days.

Today we have many new options to choose from, most of which are much more tolerable than those of the past.  In addition to that, there are different routes to explore; for example, a medication for acute migraine treatment may have side effects if taken orally but may be better tolerated in injection or nasal spray form.

The answer is a resounding NO!  From the perspective of a fellow migraine sufferer, I can certainly tell you that anyone who has ever said those things to a person suffering a migraine is most definitely not someone who has ever had a migraine of their own.  If the treatment plan we develop together does not address your migraines, we will continue to work together to change and adjust it.  I won’t give up if you don’t!

This is typically dictated by your insurance carrier.  If your insurance requires that you have a referral, please ask your primary care provider to send one over to us via fax at (910) 238-2310.  If your insurance does not require this, we will not need one in place to get you scheduled for an appointment.  We recommend that you check with your insurance provider as they vary.