So sadly, it takes like 12+ years to become a doctor, so chronic illness sufferers can't exactly go about self treating. Therefore, we are stuck going to a gazillion doctors until we find one that is a decent human being. Doctors can be SUPER annoying, but also amazingly helpful. To survive the whirlwind experience of being diagnosed with chronic disease, a good set of doctors that you trust is vital. Especially when you are a teenager, finding a doctor who knows the right balance between the adult and child patient is critical. In addition to finding a good doctor, it is also really important to find the right type of doctor. There are so many different types of doctors, knowing the right specialist to go to is really difficult. Below I have listed some suggestions for specialists a chronic migraine sufferer might want to see:
1) Primary neurologist
2) Headache Specialist
3) Otoneurologists: Doctors who specialize in the vestibular system, dizziness, hearing, etc. These doctors are especially good for Migraine Associated Vertigo patients
4) ENT
5) Allergist: Through my journey I have realized that having an allergist is pretty important when you have a chronic illness. To start, many of the medications to treat illnesses have side effects, and distinguishing between allergy and side effect is obviously important. Also, I have found that some allergies of mine actually contribute to my migraines. Identifying these allergies and learning to avoid them when possible has helped to reduce the frequency of my migraines.
6)Developmental Optometrists: Typically, most people visit eye doctors, but I have found that developmental optometrists have a better understanding of how migraines effect the eyes.
7) Physical therapist: PT's can help to retrain the body to work and cope with debilitating migraine symptoms. For example, sometimes I struggle with reading because my eyes are unable to track the words as I'm reading them. When I visited my PT, we developed a system where I cover the lines of a page I'm not reading so that I can better focus on the line I am reading. Having a PT can help you find tricks to the trade.
8) Other Specialists: If you have any secondary concerns, it's great to see a specialist in the field. Sometimes making an appointment with a specialist for the mildest concern can be really useful (Example: I want to a GI and found out my medicine was robbing my body of a vitamin I was also taking -- a little counterproductive if you ask me!)
It takes a village.