WHY won't the doc write me a script for toradol?

[XUfan]

I suffered from migraines for years, until my doctor and I figured out that they were hormone related. I charted them, and found that they occurred at the same times during my cycle each month. I was put on a daily dose of Inderal (a blood pressure med) which kept them from happening. After my hysterectomy when I was 31, I no longer had migraines, so they took me off the Inderal.

As to the ER Dr issue. I worked in a hospital pharmacy for 18 years. I can tell you that it's very normal for ER doctors to NOT give out prescriptions to patients. The rule at our hospital was that they could have a 24 hour supply (48 or 72 on weekends) of whatever the doctor was prescribing. After that, they had to go to their family doctor for any more meds. This keeps the ERs from becoming a substitute for a family doctor.

[kleenaechs]

I have had migraines my whole life (I will be 51 this month). I have had them so bad that I thought my head would explode, however, I have never gone to the er for one ever. I have not had health insurance for 15 years, but even when I had it, I never asked for a shot to stop one. I guess it never occurred to me, even though death is welcome thought when you are in that much pain. I usually just get in a cold dark room and put a wet rag on my head and pray I fall asleep.
Over the years I have tried many medications and changes in my lifestyle to help my headaches. I have them much less than I used to, but I doubt they ever really be gone from my life. The lifestyle changes helped the most, more than any drug. I think I tried them all at one time or another and some pretty strong stuff too. They even tried beta blockers and other stuff, not just pain killers. At one time I took so much medication, I realized it was making my headaches worse, so I stopped everything. These days I usually only take Excedrine Migraine formula (or generic brand). It actually works better than any prescription I have ever used. If that doesn't help, then I just tough it out. I know it can be really tough, but I haven't died from one yet.
Worse than me having one is watching my daughter have one. That really almost kills me!

[puakinikini]

As to the ER Dr issue. I worked in a hospital pharmacy for 18 years. I can tell you that it's very normal for ER doctors to NOT give out prescriptions to patients. The rule at our hospital was that they could have a 24 hour supply (48 or 72 on weekends) of whatever the doctor was prescribing. After that, they had to go to their family doctor for any more meds. This keeps the ERs from becoming a substitute for a family doctor.

This is my experience, as well. ER docs make it a practice to not write prescriptions as then people could go to every ER in their city and get meds for all different things and no one would be any wiser or would be coordinating their care.

[kleenaechs]

I forgot to ask in my post above, why do you not have a primary care doctor? I don't have insurance and have not had it for 15 years, but I do have a doctor. Way cheaper than the er and you get better care in long run because a doctor knows you and your case.

[Onward]

This is my experience, as well. ER docs make it a practice to not write prescriptions as then people could go to every ER in their city and get meds for all different things and no one would be any wiser or would be coordinating their care.

I was going to say the same thing. I remember reading an article that said ERs were writing fewer prescriptions and writing them for smaller dosages the rare times they do write them. They have no way of knowing how many ERs a person had visited to get scripts, so they encourage people to get scripts from their personal physician who has their medical history on file.

For me, when I have a migraine I do the dark room/cold cloth/wait to conk out thing.

[cheapchick]

Just curious if you tried getting your ER bills covered by the hospital? I did this once when I had a $3500 bill. The hospital had a charity fund and I filled out the paperwork and the bill was gone...whew!

[cheapchick]

And if you pay cash you can negotiate your bills...true! Ask for a discount!

[TheWoman]

I was put on a daily dose of Inderal (a blood pressure med) which kept them from happening.

This is what I use. I went from 3 migraines or more a month to almost none and when they happen they don't seem to be as bad. I am no longer in constant fear of a migraine happening and my life is so much better.