Migraines | ExpatWoman.com
 

Migraines

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 08:47

Ladies, if you get them, which doctor are you seeing here in doha? Am quite desperate now.

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 16:01
Both are under control with meds, and I'm feeling so much better than when I was first diagnosed. I have a lot of weight to loose and hopefully that will make me less dependent on meds. I am determined not to let the diabetes progress to the point of insulin, to the extent that I can control that. kitune, I've sent you an email -- assuming the address I have is still current? Let me know if you don't get it. And hope you find a workable solution through on of these doctors!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 14:32
I attend dr Fathi for my blood pressure in internal meds... And I'm covered with my insurance. Plus I'm covered for medication 100% It's just dr maher I'm being charged for... So far have paid 3000 over last 2 weeks for blood tests and seeing him (500 first visit 300 every other visit) I will make an appointment for dr Tarek. I'm not very happy to have paid that money when another doctor n the hospital could have seen me. Thank you for letting me know about this. How are you doing with both your high bp and diabetes?
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 14:03
momoyum Dr. Tarek is the only Dr. I see, and he treats me for both issues. He has me do ocmplete blood workup every few months and monitors my blood pressure -- as far as he is concerned, all of the issues are interrelated (and all tied in to weight as well, which he also monitors). I'm with QIC for insurance and except for some small co-pays (which are an issue between QIC and Al Ahli) my visits and tests are all covered. I get my prescriptions filled at an outside pharmacy, because at Al Ahli they are only covered 85%, but at other pharmacies in QIC's network they are covered 100%.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 09:23
I hope you get some relief soon.. RachelA I am also on meds for high blood pressure and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. I'm going to dr maher but can dr Tarik look after me for both? My insurance does not cover dr maher as his dept is classed as a clinc but I'm covered in internal meds section..
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2012 - 01:40
hi kitsune i totally sympathise. my migraines started when i was about 10.. my daughter's started at 8. i was under a neurologist for some time. i found huge and almost immediate relief after he put me on a very low dose anti-depressant. i was headache-free for about a year, but they slowly came back. if it is any relief at all, they tend to 'burn' themselves out in your mid to late 40s. i am imminently 48 and from a state of near-constant headache, i have one only once every few months. not to alarm u, but are u familiar with the research on migraine being connected to hole in the heart. you might want to get that checked out. good luck.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 21:17
That would great if Rachel can send you expatdoctormum's details as I can't find them! I was also going to say, my cousin's condition got a whole lot worse after the Depo Provera (contraceptive) injection, so definitely stay away from that. I hope you have some solution to this soon, it must be miserable :(
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 19:44
You can definitely go to the main appointment desk at Al Ahli to book an appointment with him. Make sure to specify Dr. Tarek Sheikh in internal, as apparently there is another Dr. Tarek in another department. He's not an endocrinologist but I do believe that hormonal issues are one of his specialities -- he does treat quite a few paitents with diabetes, and I really recommend him highly. If you share your frustration with regard to other doctors, he'll be really understanding (I had a really bad experience before I saw him and he was great about it). And he will absolutely listen to you. The other Dr. that amy77 mentioned is wonderful also (I know her as a friend, never been treated by her medically but I wouldn't hesitate!). I'll send you her email. Good luck!!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 16:18
Thanks amy77 yes you are spot on, I have started to suspect it may be hormone related. I'm not on doha mums, could you post me a link to the doctor you mention? Thanks for the feedback, I just want it to stop
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 15:52
Kitsune, you probably know all this already I am sure.....but starting migraines at 12 and having a gap in them whilst pregnant suggests some hormonal role? (Sorry, I know you probably already thought of this, but just trying to help). There is some officially named condition where the migraines are linked to the menstrual cycle - I can't remember the name, but I heard of it because my cousin has an extreme version which resulted in seizures and it took her years to get a diagnosis. In the end, she undertook the difficult to decision to have a hysterectomy and has been better ever since. I only suggest it because maybe a more specialist endocrinologist type doc might help. Have you tried that expatdoctormum person who has recently started practising here and posts on Doha Mums?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 13:04
Thanks ladies. I have had them for years, ever since I was about 12. I had them totally under control though. The usual combination of meds and diet and lifestyle etc etc. when I got pregnant with my daughter, they disappeared completely and I didn't have even so much as a headache for a few years. But the migraines are back, and far worse than before. Nothing I do seems to make any difference, I've tried everything. I keep a food diary, a headache diary, I avoid known triggers etc etc. I can't tell you how despairing I feel. They are slowly eating up my life. Because that's how it is. I am out for days ate time. And I miss everything that happens while I'm flat out. And I heard my daughter playing with her dolls the other day and she told the one 'we have to be quiet mummy's sick' and I just don't want this to be impacting my life so badly. I just really really want some sensible, practical solutions. The last doctor I saw here told me its all in my head and that many woman have this problem. And diagnosed meds that I already told him aren't working!!!! Rachela, how do I go about seeing doctor tarek? Do I just go to al Ahli and ask for him? Thanks, sorry for the rant
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 12:21
Hi I also suffered for years with migraines and gave up the usual chocolate, coffee, cheese but no good. Then i was asked if i drank alot of orange juice, small oranges which i did as i deemed it to be healthy!! Gave them all up and (touch wood) not had one since. Worth a try maybe and apologies if you have already but as i know anything is worth a go!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 09:20
I suffered from migraines for years -- you have my total sympathy. About 3 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and hypertension, and am on meds for both. Since going on the meds, i haven't had a single migraine. I never actually discussed it with my doctor, but I am pretty certain this wasn't just random coincidence. I see Dr. Tarek Sheikh at Al Ahli -- he heads their internal med department, and has a very holistic approach (ie treats the person, not just the symptoms or the disease). He doesn't specialize in migraines, but I would recommend a complete physical and blood workup as it just may reveal an underlying cause. Hope you get it sorted!