My New Migraine Specialist!

When I see a new doctor, I try very hard not to get my hopes up too high because, usually I am let down.

This was not the case with the Migriane Specialist I saw yesterday. Dr. Mascellino was wonderful! She is taking me off the Lexapro - she was excited to see that I wanted to try Zonegran, since I'd done well on Topamax for a little over a year. So, once I can get to the pharmacy, I'll be starting Zonegran! Of course - even though I had called the other neuro's office that I had been seeing for about a year like 3 times before this appointment to make sure they sent over my records - they, of course had not.

She called over and got everything faxed over while I was there so she could review what had been done previously - it took two calls because the first they only send old neruo's office notes and did not include the lab work I'd had. So the next call was for them to send the REST of my file.So - full neuro work up and here is what we are doing:

Tapering off Lexapro and starting Zonegran - which can be done at the same time. (She said tryciclics and anti depressants are not her fist line of prevention - and are a last resort.) She also said no Verapamil for me since I had a hard time with Inderal, and although they are different classes of drugs, with my BP on a normal/low - she didn't want to go that way.

We are keeping the Frova, Xanax and Zanaflex since they all work like a charm for me. She switched my rescue from Vicodin to Vicoprofen? I am not too familiar with that one, but it is the same strength as the Vicodin with a different make up. I had stressed my concern w/ MOH which I usually get from Acetaminophen.

She is adding in Parafon Forte for my TTH as needed and also ordered all new blood work with metabolic work up, check my vitamin D since I've been taking 1000 IU since June. She also ordered MRI's, MRA's with and without contrast. I will be doing that later, once they are precerted.

All in all - I really like her! She was surprised that I had tried so little as far as preventives, seeing as I've been going to a neurologist in some form or another for 10 years. She said "don't worry - there are soooo many more we can try!!" (That's when I pulled out Migraine Preventive Options: Too Many To Give Up! and said, "Yes, I know!" She loved the list! I don't know if she is familiar with My Migraine Connection, but when I see her next month I'm going to pass it along to her.

She is also the first doctor to want to COPY my Migraine and Headache diary which is wonderful because having it in my file and looking at it is a heck of a lot better then skimming it for a second like all the others did, if they even cared!

Shawn came with me and thought she was good too. I was happy he was there, because he brought up things I forgot about. Also, it was great to have her ask if during my Migraines I get weakness or tinging - she was checking to see if I had Hemiplegic Migraine which was great, since I don't think any of the other doctors I'd seen previously ever asked! They also never ordered any testing what so ever - I had to request blood work with my last neuro.I think that is about it!

She is really nice and does know her stuff! I was really impressed considering I had not heard of her before.So, she wants to see me in a month, just to touch base and see how I am doing with the Zonegran. I think that is great too!

So we will see how it goes! I will keep you posted once I get my testing all done.