I saw the AFNP at the neurology office yesterday and let me just say that I hadn’t realized how much anger I had at the ENT for just brushing me off on someone else with the migraines — I mean… it was like… he didn’t tell me what to expect or anything.Â? I also didn’t like what my PCP told me that sometimes they just change patterns.Â? So… I went into my neuro appointment yesterday completely and utterly terrified.Â? I’m talking “balled up in a waiting room chair and shaking” terrified.Â? A parishioner had prayed with me before I went in and I finally called Jon to pray with me and my pulse was still 106 when they measured it.Â? (Normally, I’m around 70-72.)

Finally, the AFNP walked in and let me just say… prayers were soooooo answered with her.

-She was warm and actually shook my hand and told me about herself.
-She complimented how I’d filled out the forms.Â? (Stroking my ego is always appreciated.)
-She spent a good hour going through EVERY possible angle of things with me and let me ask anything I wanted without making me feel stupid.
-She gave me the right to say “yes” or “no” to possible treatments and ideas.
-She let me talk without interrupting me.
-She talked to me while examining me.
-We made the treatment plans TOGETHER instead of her dictating to me.

So… she doesn’t agree with the Topamax and thinks that a beta-blocker would be better because of my anxiety (especially as my pulse did eventually drop after she had sat with me for awhile).Â? I suggested doing the change after surgery and she totally agreed (also complimenting me for my good sense there).Â? She also thinks that a lot of this is TMJ-related and once we get that a little more under control, I need to keep a headache diary.Â? (I actually was able to spell off a migraine today.Â? Go me, especially as I’m forbidden to take any anti-inflammatories for the next week or so because of the impending surgery.)Â? I see her again in 3 months and if the headaches aren’t better, we’ll do an MRI and re-evaluate other treatments.

I saw my PCP today and she’s in complete agreement with all of this (and has talked with the AFNP and asked me for her name so that she could maybe refer others to her).

Coupled with Confession on Saturday, I really feel like some weights have been lifted off of me.