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"Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

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heavyhead	Jun-13-01, 00:26 AM (CMT)
"Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
Has anyone here ever heard this radio show? It is the same one that airs on MTV (though I do not watch it) Tonight I was kinda listening in the car when I heard them say something about migraines. I turned it up. I had missed the begining but what I heard made me MAD!! Some man called to ask a question about his headaches and prescription drug use. This is what Dr. Drew had to say. 1. The man should not be taking pain killers, he probably has a drug habbit/ is an addict. 2. The man claimed that Imetrex did not work. Dr. Drew said it works on all migraines. He was basically calling it the miracle drug. He told the man he probably did not suffer from migraines if the Imetrex did not work for him. 3. This one infuriated me!! Dr Drew then says..."Ya know it's very easy to create a headache when you want something bad enough" Then the boys in the studio had a laugh about it! They were basically saying that this man was "creating" his headaches to get pain medication! 4. The man claimed that he has suffered from migraines since an auto accident. He had gotten a few before, but now he has daily pain. Dr. Drew then says that migraines cannot be gotten because of an accident. They are probably stress headaches. Then he says no one gets daily headaches like that and his were probably because of the drugs he was taking, like rebound headaches and withdrawl or again created in his head. Does this make anyone else mad???? I can find fault with everything this supposed doctor said. For one, if you did have an accident and suffered cronic pain from it, I can imagine that it very well can trigger daily migraines! Another thing.....Imetrex does NOT work for me, and I have learned does not work for others here. Just because this drug does not work for this man does not make him eihter a drug addict and it does not prove his headaches are not migraines. Duh!!! People DO suffer from daily migraines and headaches. I for one do. Granted they are not always the excruciating type, but they are almost always there!! Plus...I get a very limited amount of pain killers. I get about 20 for a 2 month period. Not enough to suffer from rebounds everyday. Yes, they can cause rebounds like everything else...but you can get daily pain from just "living" I guess what I am trying to say is that I have head pain everyday...and I don't take medicine everyday. Not even every other day..or third/fourth/fifth day. Daily headaches are NOT always caused by drug use. Anyway..I guess this got my goat today. Reading the thread about the Excedrin ads earlier got me thinking and it was inronic that this topic came up tonight on the radio. I have a bad enough time explaining how I feel to my friends, family and husband. I don't need a doctor on the radio to send out the wrong message to millions of people at a time. Infact, I was embarrassed that my husband was listening to it. It made me feel completely invalidated. I'm sorry for the long post. I just really needed to vent. have a good night everyone hh
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Table of contents

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Richard, Jun-13-01, (1)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Sherrie, Jun-14-01, (41)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., leebones, Jun-13-01, (2)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Christa, Jun-13-01, (3)

Write to Dr Drew, mo_marie, Jun-13-01, (4)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., debrapaul, Jun-13-01, (5)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Christa, Jun-13-01, (6)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Norma, Jun-13-01, (7)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Rose, Jun-13-01, (8)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., sheri2u2, Jun-13-01, (9)

RE: ROSE: neck pain w/ migs after c..., Melonie, Jun-13-01, (10)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Sherrie Allen, Jun-14-01, (38)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Melonie, Jun-13-01, (11)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Melonie, Jun-13-01, (12)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Painfree, Jun-13-01, (13)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Melonie, Jun-13-01, (14)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., VickiG, Jun-13-01, (15)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., heavyhead, Jun-13-01, (16)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Melonie, Jun-13-01, (17)

My email to Dr. Drew, Rose, Jun-13-01, (18)

BRAVO!! Well done indeed!, mo_marie, Jun-13-01, (19)

RE: BRAVO!! Well done indeed!, sheri2u2, Jun-13-01, (20)

No, VickiG, Jun-13-01, (24)

RE: My email to Dr. Drew, totweet1064, Jun-13-01, (21)

RE: My email to Dr. Drew, Melonie, Jun-13-01, (22)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., ladybugs2, Jun-13-01, (23)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., VickiG, Jun-13-01, (25)

my letter, heavyhead, Jun-14-01, (26)

<<>>, mo_marie, Jun-14-01, (27)

RE: my letter, tenilla, Jun-14-01, (29)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., bearsmom49, Jun-14-01, (28)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., VickiG, Jun-14-01, (30)

response to totweet, heavyhead, Jun-14-01, (32)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Ann Morris, Jun-14-01, (31)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., leebones, Jun-14-01, (33)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., totweet1064, Jun-14-01, (34)

RE: Response, Melonie, Jun-14-01, (35)

RE: proactive public awareness, basketcase, Jun-14-01, (36)

RE: proactive public awareness, Melonie, Jun-14-01, (37)

RE: proactive public awareness, heavyhead, Jun-14-01, (39)

RE: proactive public awareness, Rose, Jun-14-01, (40)

RE: proactive public awareness, ejvill, Jun-15-01, (42)

RE: proactive public awareness, Painfree, Jun-15-01, (43)

RE: Oprah, Melonie, Jun-15-01, (44)

RE: men and migraines, basketcase, Jun-16-01, (54)

RE: proactive public awareness, tenilla, Jun-15-01, (45)

RE: proactive public awareness, tenilla, Jun-15-01, (46)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., ladybugs2, Jun-15-01, (47)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., Melonie, Jun-15-01, (48)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., ladybugs2, Jun-15-01, (49)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., ladybugs2, Jun-15-01, (50)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., totweet1064, Jun-15-01, (51)

I had a few words for MR Drew..., debrapaul, Jun-15-01, (52)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., SusieQ, Jun-16-01, (53)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., basketcase, Jun-16-01, (55)

RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misun..., NikiRocks, Jun-16-01, (56)

colored ribbons, Oprah, a book, pho..., mo_marie, Jun-16-01, (57)

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Messages in this topic

Richard Jun-13-01, 00:36 AM (CMT)

1. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Great vent and I agree with everything you said. there has to be a way to educate the public about the reality of migraines.
Richard

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Sherrie Jun-14-01, 11:14 PM (CMT)

41. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Rose,
Your e-mail to Dr.Drew was done 1st class. GOOD JOB!

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leebones Jun-13-01, 01:46 AM (CMT)

2. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

I agree with what you and richard both said. I suggest that we get this doctors email address or website and flood him with just how wrong he is.He is definately hurting our cause by belittling what people are telling him. He should not be allowed to broadcast that kind of crap. It is late now, but tomorrow I will look around and see if I can find a address to send too. Good post HH.
Wendy

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Christa Jun-13-01, 06:48 AM (CMT)

3. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

I usually like Dr. Drew BUT, he is very one sided and rigid in his thinking.
He is a shrink that specializes in addiction, so there is the bias right there. Not to defend him at all, but there are lots of so called regular doctors who feel the exact same way. Luckily they don't have a national damn radio show to broadcast their ignorance though

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mo_marie Jun-13-01, 07:14 AM (CMT)

4. "Write to Dr Drew"

Okay you all...perhaps it's time to take some action! I'm also very tired of hearing people pooh-pooh away the suffering of migs! I've never heard of this Dr Drew before...someone give me some info? Is there an address-e-mail for his program that we could all send a message to? I feel it is time to bombard the media with the truth...we are here~and we're not going away...DEAL WITH IT!!
Perhaps someone could draft a couple of letters (as examples)that we could send to local newspapers, radio stations, tv news stations etc.
The more of us that speak (gently) with persuasive facts about migs...the sooner we'll all feel less of the stigma society puts on us. If the medical professionals have trouble understanding this disease, you can bet the "sheepole" are ignorant as well.
Open to your ideas, June

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debrapaul Jun-13-01, 08:00 AM (CMT)

5. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

LAST EDITED ON Jun-13-01 AT 08:01 AM (CMT)
THIS JUST MAKES ME SO MAD! I can't believe they let someone so ignorant call himself an "expert". This just goes to show you...if you've never had one or have someone close to you that suffers, you don't know what you're talking about! I agree with Wendy-we need to bombard the radio station with email and letters. Think what this "doctor" does to people he treats for "addiction". Or someone who has never gone to a doctor for the migs and heard him talking on the radio. This is why alot of us can't get disability or help from the many doctors that we see one after the other. There are many people who feel this way, but until the medical community ALL understand that there is chronic pain, we will continue to be humiliated and degraded for something we can't help. It takes enough time for most of us to get our families to understand (if we're that lucky)-we don't need to have "experts" telling the entire nation this. Sorry, but I also had to vent!
-debrapaul

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Christa Jun-13-01, 08:54 AM (CMT)

6. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Here is his website, we should all send him e-mails telling him exactly how we feel about his advice.
www.drdrew.com

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Norma Jun-13-01, 09:15 AM (CMT)

7. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

I know nothing about this Dr. Drew, but the fact that he is supposed to be an addiction expert explains alot. People see what they expect to see. When I went through treatment for my addiction back in the 80's which was secondary to the overuse of prescription meds for headaches, I ran into this at every turn. No one would even consider accepting the fact that I tooks drugs daily because I was in pain daily. I think there is a huge difference between people who become addicted using recreational drugs, and those who develop tolerance and dependence using their meds to relieve pain. No one suggests that you can't have arthritis pain everyday, or back pain.
Norma

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Rose Jun-13-01, 09:24 AM (CMT)

8. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Thanks for the address Christa, my email is on the way! I have been diagnosed with daily chronic headaches/migraines due to trauma from a car accident when I was 6 years old. I have damage to my neck and a very strong family hx of migraines. The imitrex shots/pills rarely touched the pain and because my migraines are complicated by the neck trauma, even when my migranal spray works I'm still dealing with the neck and head pain. I also intend to send an email to the makers of excedrin and give them a piece of my mind! Not that I can spare any but it's a good cause!LOL
If we stick together on this and really bombard the guy with our expertise we may just get an apology? I won't hold my breath but a person can dream can't they? MIGRANUERS UNITE!!!!! Peace, Rose

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sheri2u2 Jun-13-01, 09:29 AM (CMT)

9. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Christi, thank you for the web site. It doesn't look like Dr. Drew wants any feedback because the feedback page is out of order..... but you can bet I'll keep trying and give him a piece of my mind (what's left of it anyway),
Take care everyone
Sheri

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 11:47 AM (CMT)

10. "RE: ROSE: neck pain w/ migs after car accident"

Rose,
Have you seen this site?
http://www.headpain.com
What you described above made me think of it.
Take Care,
Mel

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Sherrie Allen Jun-14-01, 10:59 PM (CMT)

38. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

I lived in a very isolated area, everyone knows how I've suffered, if some of them read this Dr. Drew message about migraine's, they could give him one he'd never forget! Oh, we do live 6hrs from the nearest Dr! How sad this is in this day of age.

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 12:04 PM (CMT)

11. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

ERG!!!!
That is sooo infuriating!!
Well, I went to Dr. Drew's web site, scrolled down and clicked on feedback. It brought me straight to my email with his addy and boy did I give him something to read, including some info regarding National Headache Awareness Week, the online class for doctors Migraine Course, and of course an invitation here to speak directly with migraineurs to get a first person education. Let's see if he decides to show, ya right!
So anyway, go there, to feedback and let him know how you feel!!!
Mel

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 12:27 PM (CMT)

12. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Here is one of the mails I sent him:
Dr. Drew,
Seems as though you need an education on Migraine. I took the liberty of pulling this up for you.
http://www.ama-assn.org/med-sci/course/migraine/index1.htm
Pardon my ignorance in this area, but aren't you required to take refresher/inservice courses anyhow to keep your degree active? Well, I guess we all have some areas of ignorance in our lives. Your radio show regarding the gentleman with migraines made your ignorance public.
Might I also invite you to:
http://www.migrainepage.com
Ronda's Migraine Page, a fabulous site where people with migraines meet daily to post their trials, successes and vent about the lack of understanding and knowledge the general public has about this debilitating disease.
With frustrated respect,
Melonie, an 8 yr. migraineur.

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Painfree Jun-13-01, 01:05 PM (CMT)

13. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

The following is the email which I sent to Dr. Drew. I just thought that I would share my opinions with you all.
Obviously, you are quite naive about migraines so I would like to direct you to a site where you might be able to expand your mind. The migraine website is a site where you will be able to learn from actual sufferers how debilitating this condition can be. You might want to pick up a medical journal upon occasion as well as I am aware of a great many articles which have been written about this condition. Another avenue you might like to explore is speaking with perhaps the National Headache Society or maybe even a good neurologist, if you would like, I would be happy to suggest a few.
Before you go off half informed on national broadcasting in the future you might like to be a bit more informed about your subject matter. I'm sure as ignorant to this subject as you are, you presumably do not even realize that there are stroke victims in our country who have suffered a stroke due to migraines. Your suggestion that Imitrex should help all migraine sufferers is as far from true as possible. This also goes to show how little you know about this condition. People who suffer from the type of migraines I suffer from can be sent into a stroke by taking a vasoconstrictor such as Imitrex. I certainly hope that your brilliant idea has not killed someone. In the future do NOT make such ridiculous statements without facts. If, indeed, you do have a medical license, much more of this stupidity could prevent you from continuing to practice in the future.

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 01:09 PM (CMT)

14. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Painfree,
AWESOME! You go girl!!
Mel

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VickiG Jun-13-01, 01:48 PM (CMT)

15. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Here's my letter!
Dear Dr. Drew,
I was greatly disturbed by the advice you gave the migraineur on your radio show. As a 13-year migraineur who has had a constant migraine for over 3 years, I can tell you that migraines really can happen all the time. I have the diagnosis of five different neurologists to back me up. Your statement that people use migraines to get drugs may be true in a very small percentage of the migraine population, but is certainly not representative of most of us. In fact, I rarely take drugs for my migraine, which is so debilitating that I had to drop out of my Ph.D. program because of my inability to keep up with the reading. Unfortunately for me, nothing works, so why bother taking anything and loading up my system with stuff that doesn't help me? I even went for six months once without taking any drugs whatsoever because they had run out of ideas.
To say that imitrex helps all migraineurs is unfortunately for you, showing your ignorance. There are types of migraines that can actually lead to a stroke if they take imitrex, and anyone with a heart condition is advised against it as well. In my particular case, the first two times I tried the injection (the pill and nasal spray might as well have been a placebo), it really was the wonder drug. However, the third time I tried it, my head pain got much worse, my throat constricted, I felt like I was going to burn up, and I probably would have preferred to die at that moment. Imitrex just isn't for me.
It is such misinformed statements from people like you that make it hard for us migraineurs to gain the respect of doctors, people in the emergency room, and the public in general. According to the September 15, 2000 supplement to Consultant, a medical journal, "Roughly 25% of migraineurs experience at least weekly severe attacks and 35% experience at least monthly severe attacks; 40% have severe attacks less frequently" (S26). In fact, the World Health Organization conducted the Global Burden of Disease Study and discovered that "migraine was ranked in the highest class of disability and was matched with active psychosis, dementia, and quadriplegia" (S28). However, despite the evidence that migraine is a real condition that debilitates many of us, there are people like you who continue to perpetuate the myth that migraine is simply an excuse to get drugs or get out of doing something.
I hereby demand that you publish a retraction of your statements and stop sabotaging those of us who truly do suffer.

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heavyhead Jun-13-01, 02:48 PM (CMT)

16. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

OMG!!
I am soooo impressed and so proud of all of you. Those were some GREAT letters! Thank you all for writing.
Later, when I am feeling better, I will write one myself. I don't think I can do a better job than any of you already have...but the more letters the better!!
I am glad I wasn't alone in my frustration.
Job well done everyone! I will post what I wrote later today!
Hope today is a pain free day
hh

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 02:50 PM (CMT)

17. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

WOW Vicki! Do you think we have his attention?!
Mel

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Rose Jun-13-01, 03:35 PM (CMT)

18. "My email to Dr. Drew"

Dr. Drew,
You need to stick to being the "Love Dr" on MTV as it is obvious you are out of your league when it comes to migraines. I am a 30 year complicated migraine sufferer who suffers from chronic daily headaches. Imitrex is NOT the wonder drug you seem to think it is, never worked for me yet I can get relief SOMETIMES from migranal nasal spray. It is because of people like you that there is the drug addict stigma attached to anyone with migraines! By dismissing the poor gentleman who called you for advice on migraines as a potential drug addict, you have offended me and everyone else who suffers from this horribly misunderstood disease and I believe an apology and retraction is in order. If you want to talk to real sufferers who can back everything up with medical evidence and good old fashioned experience come to Rondas migraine page and click on the discussion board - we'll be happy to educate you if you are willing to learn!
Respectfully,
Rose

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mo_marie Jun-13-01, 04:10 PM (CMT)

19. "BRAVO!! Well done indeed!"

Boy, am I ever proud to be associated with you people! Let's keep up the "ranting"...the squeaky gate does get oiled sooner or later! Keep the pressure on and we're bound to get some type of feedback...even if it's negative. I'd love to see him respond to some of the posters here...talk about "out of your league"! Thanks fellow-migs, June

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sheri2u2 Jun-13-01, 04:23 PM (CMT)

20. "RE: BRAVO!! Well done indeed!"

Anyone think Dr. Drew will take the time to e-mail us back with a response??
Sheri

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VickiG Jun-13-01, 07:43 PM (CMT)

24. "No"

I seriously doubt that he'll have the guts to respond to us, if he even gets the emails himself. They'll probably be sorted out through his staff and will never reach him anyway. But we never know. If enough of us write, it may wake someone there up. If all of us wrote to him, I bet he'd be getting more complaints than he has gotten in a long time for a lot of shows!

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totweet1064 Jun-13-01, 04:27 PM (CMT)

21. "RE: My email to Dr. Drew"

Hi Dr. Drew, I believe from everything I understand that you are the reason that I can walk into my local emergency clinic and be told that I am drug addict. I believe that people like you are the reason that I have to sit at home in the dark, and in the quiet, because I am in so much pain from my migraine that I can't even think straight. I believe that people like you are the ones responsible for me not being able to get something for the pain of my migraines. I believe that people like you are responsible for the way that people think that we should be able to take an aspirin and get over it. I believe that you are responsible for the jobs that we have lost because we have missed work and our employers don't understand because you are telling them it is not possible to be hurting the way that we are and as much as we are. I believe that it is people like you that are telling everyone that the imitrex is a miracle drug and if you really have a migraine that this will get rid of it. I have a heart condition but I have taken the chance of taking imitrex to see if it would work for me just to try to get some relief. And the imitex did not work. I believe it is because of you that people have this mundane idea that this stuff must just be our excuse to not work, to not participate actively in our families, to lay in the quiet and darkness of our homes and miss out on 90% of our lives just because WE WANT TO, not because we are suffering, but that WE JUST WANT DRUGS. Do you realize that if we just wanted drugs we could probably go out on the street and get them instead of seeking medical help for a problem that our neurologists and the National Headace Society exists? I am sure that it would probably be even cheaper than the medical insurance and the Dr.s Visits and the test and the trips to the emergency room, and the medications that we have to take daily. But of course I don't think that you did your background work before you talked to this man with the migraines. I suggest that you do a little bit of research on the subjects that you do not know anything about. I also cordially invite you to come to visit our site at www.migrainepage.com to speak to real live people that are suffering everyday from this condition.
Sincerely,
Patty Chaney

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Melonie Jun-13-01, 04:33 PM (CMT)

22. "RE: My email to Dr. Drew"

ouch.......
AMEN Patty!
Mel

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ladybugs2 Jun-13-01, 04:54 PM (CMT)

23. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

sent my email in...he just ticked me off. we have enough trouble with society for him to be breeding ill thought towards migrains sufferers. I wrote it to Mr. Drew, becuase I didn't think he earned the title of Dr. when he spoke to that gentleman.
I told him why too.
aaarrrrggggggggg!
Debra

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VickiG Jun-13-01, 07:45 PM (CMT)

25. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Good for you, Debra! I like the idea of calling him Mr. Drew instead of Dr. Drew. I wish I had thought of that!

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heavyhead Jun-14-01, 08:04 AM (CMT)

26. "my letter"

Here is my letter to Dr. Drew. I am afraid he will never read it, but it made me feel a lot better to write it!
Dr. Drew,
This is yet one more letter from a migraine sufferer who is angered and frustrated from your recent radio show. I will also admit that I am
the one who brought this issue to the attention of the migrainer's community at Ronda's page.
Many letters to you expressed anger and frustration. I think many of us feel that way, but please give the opportunity to explain to you my
reasons for writing.
The life of a migraine sufferer is not an easy one. It is compounded by a misinformed and skeptical medical community. Countless people
have been turned away from helpful treatment or inappropriately labeled as drug addicts. This must stop.
I believe someone in the position you are in should be more responsible with the advice and information you give. How many doctors
reach the kind of audience you do. With your recent statements about migraines and drug use, you have set our community back 10 years.
I for one was embarrassed that my husband was there with me to hear your show. I have suffered from migraines since early childhood, I
am now 28 years old. I have 25 years of experience under my belt. Over this period of time it has difficult to explain to friends, family and
co-workers, the type of pain I so often feel and the impact it has on my life. If I had a dollar for every time I have heard random uninformed
advise, I'd be a very wealthy woman. "You must be giving yourself headaches," "it's all in your head," "maybe it's something you ate," "take
an aspirin and you'll be fine," "you just want pain killers." Have you any idea what this does to one's self-esteem? It is hard enough going
through life with daily pain, yes there are some of us who suffer daily, but then to also find no support or understanding, it makes the
situation that much worse.
I'd like the chance to address a few of the subjects you briefly discussed on your program.
1. Many people do suffer from daily migraine or headache pain, myself included. Granted, the pain each day might not be excruciating, but
it is limiting.
2. Although rebound headaches are common, you can suffer from daily pain even though no medication is involved. I am also included in
this category.
3. There are many "triggers" that bring on migraine attacks. They vary from person to person. Common triggers are MSG, hormone
fluctuation, stress, unrelated pain such as neck or back pain, heat, cold, exercise, lack of sleep, and the almighty "mysterious" trigger. It is
not uncommon for those who have been in a car accident to suffer from migraines as a result. I know a few off hand who visit Ronda's
migraine page.
4. Imetrex, this vascular constrictor does not work for everyone. Again, myself included. Infact the times I have taken it, it progressed my
headache and made it much, much worse. I have 2 trips to the ER to prove it. Many have had this experience. For some, it doesn't work at
all. For many it can be life threatening and can lead to stroke or heart attack. To say that one does not suffer from migraines if they have no
success with this drug is wrong, plain and simple.
5. This for me, and many others is the most important point to make. There is a great misconception about the use of opiate drugs to treat
pain. For many of us, this is the only option left. I have tried just about every newfangled drug on the market. I have altered my diet, tried
herbal and homeopathic remedies....none of which worked. Still, I cannot find a doctor to give me the pain relief I need. Why??? Because
there seems to be some kind of fear in the medical community about prescribing these drugs. So what do I do? I live with the pain. Day in
and day out. Over the counter drugs are not a good option. For one, they can be more toxic to the system, and two, they can lead to some
very nasty rebound headaches.
I think I speak for many migraine suffers when I say, my quality of life is so poor now, what do I have to lose by taking narcotics? I feel
like crap everyday. I am limited everyday. What could pain medicine do to me? I understand the addictive qualities of these drugs. I realize
the potential for abuse. But for the person in chronic pain the potential benefits outweigh the negative side effects. After all, many of us
migrainers are already limited by our pain, we are already depressed by our situation, we are already tired and irritable from our lack of
sleep. The neurological problems we have make us forgetful, tongue twisted and spacey. What possible side effects could we get that we
don't have already. At least we could have the chance of living without the pain for a while!
I suppose the long and short of the reason I am writing to you is because I feel like you are perpetuating the myth of migraines. We do not
make up or pain. We are not all drug addicts, and we do indeed suffer. More then some will ever know.
We are a community of misunderstood people who deal with a lack of compassion everyday. We do not need people in positions like
yours to misinform the public.
I believe a retraction is in order. I think an apology is due. And I think that you should stick to giving advise only in the areas you are well
informed on.
I invite you to visit our forum. You will find first hands accounts of migraine sufferers. Perhaps it will be enlightening.
http://www.migrainepage.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
Thank you for your time,
Johna Spalding

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mo_marie Jun-14-01, 08:40 AM (CMT)

27. "<<>>"

WELL DONE,ALL!! It would be wonderful if there were a response...perhaps we can hope for a few him to take a furtive glance toward Ronda's page as a "lurker"! Even that much would be a "wake up" call! "Migraineurs UNITE"!!
(hmmmm...what color should "our" special ribbon be for migraine-awareness?!) bye for now, June

Top

tenilla Jun-14-01, 10:01 AM (CMT)

29. "RE: my letter"

I haven't had time to read all the posts re Dr.
Drew's ill-informed remarks, but I thought your
letter was excellent.
My sense is that it is not just Dr. Drew, whoever
he is, who suffers from the unfair prejudice that
migraine sufferers just want drugs. I am still
receiving a bill from a neurologist who told me
to take Excedrin Migraine, which, as we all know,
is exactly the same as extra strength Excedrin.
I think even family members who have seen me vomit
(retch, actually) with migraines still think they
are in my head.
It does help to read these posts. I do not feel
so alone.

Top

bearsmom49 Jun-14-01, 09:11 AM (CMT)

28. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Hi! I have a word for that man but I don't think we are allowed to use that langauge on our posts.
He evidently doesn't know what he is talking about. Or he sounds like a salesman for Immetrex. It also doesn't work for me.
I can understand exactly how you feel. Exactly!!!
I try to expalin my pain to my S/O. He doesn't have a clue. He will help me when I am down but I don't think to many people believe us in the firt place. Then to have your husband hear something like that would just tottally invalidate everything you have told him. Maybe your husband ignored it. I hope he did. I hope you spoke to him about how you felt. Have some pain free time. Dawn

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VickiG Jun-14-01, 12:19 PM (CMT)

30. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Great letter, Heavyhead! It was very informative and pretty even-toned, too. I really liked it.

Top

heavyhead Jun-14-01, 12:58 PM (CMT)

32. "response to totweet"

Totweet wrote this in her(?) letter and I thought it was a very good point.
"Do you realize that if we just wanted drugs we could probably go out on the street and get them instead of seeking medical help..."
My brother-in-laws brother was a drug addict. Supposedly it would cost him $10 to go out and get his Heroin fix. $10!!!! And I am assuming that drug is far more potent than my vicodins. Which, by the way, cost me $12 for a bottle of 20 plus the visit to the doctor everytime I need a refill. Which comes out to a roundabout cost of $100!!!
Now I am not saying that going out onto the street to get illegal drugs is an option. I am trying to get healthy, not kill myself. But if all I wanted was drugs, it would be a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to do it this way!
Am I making sense?? I am seeing red at the moment so I could be on some strange tangent. But when I read totweets letter again it really struck me.
hh

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Ann Morris Jun-14-01, 12:56 PM (CMT)

31. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Imitrix does not work for me either. He is full of bolona!

Top

leebones Jun-14-01, 04:31 PM (CMT)

33. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

I sent my email off. But I am wondering if anyone has had a response.
wendy

Top

totweet1064 Jun-14-01, 04:36 PM (CMT)

34. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

No response yet.
Patty

Top

Melonie Jun-14-01, 10:28 PM (CMT)

35. "RE: Response"

Nope, no response here. I do have my doubts, bu I remain hopeful.
Mel

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basketcase Jun-14-01, 10:37 PM (CMT)

36. "RE: proactive public awareness"

i took the liberty of writing to oprah and referring her folks to this page-i suggested they do a show on migraines since majority of sufferers are women and since we go so mistreated and misunderstood. they're always doing stuff on menopause, other health and wellness related stuff. why not us?
how about others writing with your stories and encouraging her to let us be heard and helped. she has such a public service pull...

Top

Melonie Jun-14-01, 10:48 PM (CMT)

37. "RE: proactive public awareness"

What a fantastic idea
Basketcase! Public awareness
would definately help to
bring migraines out of the
dark ages. It'll probably take
me a week or so to put together
a letter for her show. I will
give it a whack though.
Mel

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heavyhead Jun-14-01, 11:03 PM (CMT)

39. "RE: proactive public awareness"

Basketcase....
You are a genius!!
First off, I love Oprah. Her shows are classy and she herself is spiritual, sincerely concerned and progressive.
Let us know if you get a response!
hh

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Rose Jun-14-01, 11:13 PM (CMT)

40. "RE: proactive public awareness"

Great idea basketcase!!! I haven't heard from MR drew either. Really doubt we will but it sure felt good givin him the what for!!!!! Peace and love to all my fellow soreheads!! Rose

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ejvill Jun-15-01, 11:00 AM (CMT)

42. "RE: proactive public awareness"

It is a great idea we need to make as many people aware that this is a disease that does change lives.
I am a male and I too have suffered since childhood with frequent migraines and I am 42 and suffer with daily and am now disable from this terrible disease I know it affects more women than men.
Oprah is a good show that touches alot of people I hope they do another special on migraines--but remember it affect men as well as women

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Painfree Jun-15-01, 12:16 PM (CMT)

43. "RE: proactive public awareness"

Did you have an address, website, or email for Oprah? I think that she might be a great way to get the word out.

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Melonie Jun-15-01, 01:17 PM (CMT)

44. "RE: Oprah"

http://www.oprah.com/

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basketcase Jun-16-01, 08:49 AM (CMT)

54. "RE: men and migraines"

evil- i would never forget anyone who suffered from migraines, i promise you that. i just meant that oprah kind of puts herself out there as a show to help women(i.e. i havne't seen her do much on men's sex dysfunction but have on women). besides, any migraine publicity is an improvement for us all!

Top

tenilla Jun-15-01, 01:18 PM (CMT)

45. "RE: proactive public awareness"

I am here again. Still haven't time to read all the
43 posts but I am sure I agree with all of you.
As if Dr. Drew weren't enough, my sweet, 81-year
old mother told me about an article in Kansas City
Star yesterday that said that 1000 mg. of Tylenol
was more effective than anything else in treating
migraine. I forgot to bring the article to work,
but I believe it was something picked up about
the study by syndication. According to the article, they got a lot of people with migraines
to take either Tylenol or placebos. Who with a
real migraine would even think of participating in
such a study?
I think physicians, even compassionate physicians,
already thought we were addicts. Now it seems
with Dr. Drew, the so so annoying and insulting Excedrin Migraine commercials (and I
believe I have seen Motrin Migraine commercials)
and this asinine study that no one will ever
appreciate what we live with.
One of these posts asked what color ribbon we
would choose for migraine awareness. I am beginning to think it is going to take that.
If anyone is interested, I will post more details
of the Tylenol study next week.

Top

tenilla Jun-15-01, 01:24 PM (CMT)

46. "RE: proactive public awareness"

One more thought for what it is worth: Larry
King did have a show about migraines about
a year ago. He had a panel of several well-known persons
who professed to live with migraine, but I think
the only one I really believed was the actress Lee
Grant. (I suppose that part of our problem is
that if you have never had a real migraine there
is not reason you would not think that a bad
headache was a migraine.)
Anyway,someone might write to his people and suggest that he do another show and perhaps suggest a doctor or a sufferer who actually knows
what migraine is be on show.

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ladybugs2 Jun-15-01, 02:44 PM (CMT)

47. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

My email to Dr Drew isnt going through, it is being bounced back to me...anyone else having this problem?
Debra

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Melonie Jun-15-01, 03:20 PM (CMT)

48. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Debra,
Are you clicking on Feedback at the bottom of the Dr. Drew homepage?

Top

ladybugs2 Jun-15-01, 07:14 PM (CMT)

49. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Yes I sent the email about two days ago, but today I got a message saying it has been undeliverable.
Just wondering what was up with it...Debra

Top

ladybugs2 Jun-15-01, 07:16 PM (CMT)

50. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Yes I sent the email about two days ago, but today I got a message saying it has been undeliverable.
Just wondering what was up with it...Debra

Top

totweet1064 Jun-15-01, 09:03 PM (CMT)

51. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Hey everyone, I dropped a line to Oprah today. They sent me a form letter of course saying they could not answer every one. But maybe if everyone here sends her a letter maybe they will catch at least one of ours and it might actually get somewhere. We can all hope. But as far as the emails to Dr. Drew, mine hasn't came back undeliverable or anything, they might not have liked all of the feedback that he was getting. Or maybe we filled up his mailbox, I know sometimes that happens, if his mail is full it will send it back undeliverable, at least that is what happens to mine. If I were you I would keep trying because eventually it will probably go thru.
Patty

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debrapaul Jun-15-01, 10:16 PM (CMT)

52. "I had a few words for MR Drew..."

I sent my email to MR Drew also. I refuse to refer to him as a "doctor". What a jerk! I reminded him that migraine disease is the number one reason Americans miss time in the workplace. I hope he responds...you know, I think he will-he's just that arrogant and hung up on himself. We'll see. The letters posted are great! GOOD FOR US!
-debrapaul

Top

SusieQ Jun-16-01, 01:24 AM (CMT)

53. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

You know what?.......we're surrounded by idiots!! I wish for that man to experience the worst migraine that any one of us has had in our entire life and intensify it by 100!!! Susie

Top

basketcase Jun-16-01, 08:51 AM (CMT)

55. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

i know! no wnder we get migraines!

Top

NikiRocks Jun-16-01, 04:16 PM (CMT)

56. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"

Thisjust makes me sick! If this guy had ever had even one migraine her would not be this way!!!! I would never wish the migraines on anyone else, but after you read or hear something like this you kind of understand where all the bad reactions to the headaches from co-workers and the like comes form! lets all stick together on this one. We cannot let them win!

Top

mo_marie Jun-16-01, 06:32 PM (CMT)

57. "colored ribbons, Oprah, a book, photos and veils,"

Hi everyone, just been re-reading all these posts/responses and I think there are lots of great ideas here to get the message out...we're here, we hurt,we want to be understood!
Perhaps we can combine all of these ideas and unveil them at a special event (such as a program with Oprah or 20/20 or 60minutes etc). We need some real visibility. Allecia (from previous posts) is hoping to work on her book on Migraineurs, some of you write creatively, Richard does some stunning photography, someone else has created a home-business selling bridal veils on e-bay (sorry, can't remember who just now) and there are many,many other talented (yet "invisible")Migraineurs out there! If we put all that talent in one place and have a united front~
we may just get the word out...MIGRAINES ARE NOT JUST HEADACHES! Migraineurs are not uneducated, untalented slackers, nor are we drug addicts, etc. We are people who hurt, deeply and privately much of the time, because we are misunderstood. In this age of "political correctness" and "acceptance" it is not acceptable for us to continue to be treated in this way!
I thank you all for taking action and hope that we can continue to seek to educate others. Wishing you all well, June

Top

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Richard	Jun-13-01, 00:36 AM (CMT)
1. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
Great vent and I agree with everything you said. there has to be a way to educate the public about the reality of migraines. Richard
	Top


	Sherrie	Jun-14-01, 11:14 PM (CMT)
	41. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Rose, Your e-mail to Dr.Drew was done 1st class. GOOD JOB!
		Top

leebones	Jun-13-01, 01:46 AM (CMT)
2. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
I agree with what you and richard both said. I suggest that we get this doctors email address or website and flood him with just how wrong he is.He is definately hurting our cause by belittling what people are telling him. He should not be allowed to broadcast that kind of crap. It is late now, but tomorrow I will look around and see if I can find a address to send too. Good post HH. Wendy
	Top


	Christa	Jun-13-01, 06:48 AM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	I usually like Dr. Drew BUT, he is very one sided and rigid in his thinking. He is a shrink that specializes in addiction, so there is the bias right there. Not to defend him at all, but there are lots of so called regular doctors who feel the exact same way. Luckily they don't have a national damn radio show to broadcast their ignorance though
		Top


	mo_marie	Jun-13-01, 07:14 AM (CMT)
	4. "Write to Dr Drew"
	Okay you all...perhaps it's time to take some action! I'm also very tired of hearing people pooh-pooh away the suffering of migs! I've never heard of this Dr Drew before...someone give me some info? Is there an address-e-mail for his program that we could all send a message to? I feel it is time to bombard the media with the truth...we are here~and we're not going away...DEAL WITH IT!! Perhaps someone could draft a couple of letters (as examples)that we could send to local newspapers, radio stations, tv news stations etc. The more of us that speak (gently) with persuasive facts about migs...the sooner we'll all feel less of the stigma society puts on us. If the medical professionals have trouble understanding this disease, you can bet the "sheepole" are ignorant as well. Open to your ideas, June
		Top

debrapaul	Jun-13-01, 08:00 AM (CMT)
5. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
LAST EDITED ON Jun-13-01 AT 08:01 AM (CMT) THIS JUST MAKES ME SO MAD! I can't believe they let someone so ignorant call himself an "expert". This just goes to show you...if you've never had one or have someone close to you that suffers, you don't know what you're talking about! I agree with Wendy-we need to bombard the radio station with email and letters. Think what this "doctor" does to people he treats for "addiction". Or someone who has never gone to a doctor for the migs and heard him talking on the radio. This is why alot of us can't get disability or help from the many doctors that we see one after the other. There are many people who feel this way, but until the medical community ALL understand that there is chronic pain, we will continue to be humiliated and degraded for something we can't help. It takes enough time for most of us to get our families to understand (if we're that lucky)-we don't need to have "experts" telling the entire nation this. Sorry, but I also had to vent! -debrapaul
	Top


	Christa	Jun-13-01, 08:54 AM (CMT)
	6. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Here is his website, we should all send him e-mails telling him exactly how we feel about his advice. www.drdrew.com
		Top


	Norma	Jun-13-01, 09:15 AM (CMT)
	7. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	I know nothing about this Dr. Drew, but the fact that he is supposed to be an addiction expert explains alot. People see what they expect to see. When I went through treatment for my addiction back in the 80's which was secondary to the overuse of prescription meds for headaches, I ran into this at every turn. No one would even consider accepting the fact that I tooks drugs daily because I was in pain daily. I think there is a huge difference between people who become addicted using recreational drugs, and those who develop tolerance and dependence using their meds to relieve pain. No one suggests that you can't have arthritis pain everyday, or back pain. Norma
		Top


	Rose	Jun-13-01, 09:24 AM (CMT)
	8. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Thanks for the address Christa, my email is on the way! I have been diagnosed with daily chronic headaches/migraines due to trauma from a car accident when I was 6 years old. I have damage to my neck and a very strong family hx of migraines. The imitrex shots/pills rarely touched the pain and because my migraines are complicated by the neck trauma, even when my migranal spray works I'm still dealing with the neck and head pain. I also intend to send an email to the makers of excedrin and give them a piece of my mind! Not that I can spare any but it's a good cause!LOL If we stick together on this and really bombard the guy with our expertise we may just get an apology? I won't hold my breath but a person can dream can't they? MIGRANUERS UNITE!!!!! Peace, Rose
		Top


	sheri2u2	Jun-13-01, 09:29 AM (CMT)
	9. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Christi, thank you for the web site. It doesn't look like Dr. Drew wants any feedback because the feedback page is out of order..... but you can bet I'll keep trying and give him a piece of my mind (what's left of it anyway), Take care everyone Sheri
		Top


	Melonie	Jun-13-01, 11:47 AM (CMT)
	10. "RE: ROSE: neck pain w/ migs after car accident"
	Rose, Have you seen this site? http://www.headpain.com What you described above made me think of it. Take Care, Mel
		Top


	Sherrie Allen	Jun-14-01, 10:59 PM (CMT)
	38. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	I lived in a very isolated area, everyone knows how I've suffered, if some of them read this Dr. Drew message about migraine's, they could give him one he'd never forget! Oh, we do live 6hrs from the nearest Dr! How sad this is in this day of age.
		Top

Melonie	Jun-13-01, 12:04 PM (CMT)
11. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
ERG!!!! That is sooo infuriating!! Well, I went to Dr. Drew's web site, scrolled down and clicked on feedback. It brought me straight to my email with his addy and boy did I give him something to read, including some info regarding National Headache Awareness Week, the online class for doctors Migraine Course, and of course an invitation here to speak directly with migraineurs to get a first person education. Let's see if he decides to show, ya right! So anyway, go there, to feedback and let him know how you feel!!! Mel
	Top


	Melonie	Jun-13-01, 12:27 PM (CMT)
	12. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Here is one of the mails I sent him: Dr. Drew, Seems as though you need an education on Migraine. I took the liberty of pulling this up for you. http://www.ama-assn.org/med-sci/course/migraine/index1.htm Pardon my ignorance in this area, but aren't you required to take refresher/inservice courses anyhow to keep your degree active? Well, I guess we all have some areas of ignorance in our lives. Your radio show regarding the gentleman with migraines made your ignorance public. Might I also invite you to: http://www.migrainepage.com Ronda's Migraine Page, a fabulous site where people with migraines meet daily to post their trials, successes and vent about the lack of understanding and knowledge the general public has about this debilitating disease. With frustrated respect, Melonie, an 8 yr. migraineur.
		Top


	Painfree	Jun-13-01, 01:05 PM (CMT)
	13. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	The following is the email which I sent to Dr. Drew. I just thought that I would share my opinions with you all. Obviously, you are quite naive about migraines so I would like to direct you to a site where you might be able to expand your mind. The migraine website is a site where you will be able to learn from actual sufferers how debilitating this condition can be. You might want to pick up a medical journal upon occasion as well as I am aware of a great many articles which have been written about this condition. Another avenue you might like to explore is speaking with perhaps the National Headache Society or maybe even a good neurologist, if you would like, I would be happy to suggest a few. Before you go off half informed on national broadcasting in the future you might like to be a bit more informed about your subject matter. I'm sure as ignorant to this subject as you are, you presumably do not even realize that there are stroke victims in our country who have suffered a stroke due to migraines. Your suggestion that Imitrex should help all migraine sufferers is as far from true as possible. This also goes to show how little you know about this condition. People who suffer from the type of migraines I suffer from can be sent into a stroke by taking a vasoconstrictor such as Imitrex. I certainly hope that your brilliant idea has not killed someone. In the future do NOT make such ridiculous statements without facts. If, indeed, you do have a medical license, much more of this stupidity could prevent you from continuing to practice in the future.
		Top


	Melonie	Jun-13-01, 01:09 PM (CMT)
	14. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Painfree, AWESOME! You go girl!! Mel
		Top


	VickiG	Jun-13-01, 01:48 PM (CMT)
	15. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Here's my letter! Dear Dr. Drew, I was greatly disturbed by the advice you gave the migraineur on your radio show. As a 13-year migraineur who has had a constant migraine for over 3 years, I can tell you that migraines really can happen all the time. I have the diagnosis of five different neurologists to back me up. Your statement that people use migraines to get drugs may be true in a very small percentage of the migraine population, but is certainly not representative of most of us. In fact, I rarely take drugs for my migraine, which is so debilitating that I had to drop out of my Ph.D. program because of my inability to keep up with the reading. Unfortunately for me, nothing works, so why bother taking anything and loading up my system with stuff that doesn't help me? I even went for six months once without taking any drugs whatsoever because they had run out of ideas. To say that imitrex helps all migraineurs is unfortunately for you, showing your ignorance. There are types of migraines that can actually lead to a stroke if they take imitrex, and anyone with a heart condition is advised against it as well. In my particular case, the first two times I tried the injection (the pill and nasal spray might as well have been a placebo), it really was the wonder drug. However, the third time I tried it, my head pain got much worse, my throat constricted, I felt like I was going to burn up, and I probably would have preferred to die at that moment. Imitrex just isn't for me. It is such misinformed statements from people like you that make it hard for us migraineurs to gain the respect of doctors, people in the emergency room, and the public in general. According to the September 15, 2000 supplement to Consultant, a medical journal, "Roughly 25% of migraineurs experience at least weekly severe attacks and 35% experience at least monthly severe attacks; 40% have severe attacks less frequently" (S26). In fact, the World Health Organization conducted the Global Burden of Disease Study and discovered that "migraine was ranked in the highest class of disability and was matched with active psychosis, dementia, and quadriplegia" (S28). However, despite the evidence that migraine is a real condition that debilitates many of us, there are people like you who continue to perpetuate the myth that migraine is simply an excuse to get drugs or get out of doing something. I hereby demand that you publish a retraction of your statements and stop sabotaging those of us who truly do suffer.
		Top


	heavyhead	Jun-13-01, 02:48 PM (CMT)
	16. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	OMG!! I am soooo impressed and so proud of all of you. Those were some GREAT letters! Thank you all for writing. Later, when I am feeling better, I will write one myself. I don't think I can do a better job than any of you already have...but the more letters the better!! I am glad I wasn't alone in my frustration. Job well done everyone! I will post what I wrote later today! Hope today is a pain free day hh
		Top


	Melonie	Jun-13-01, 02:50 PM (CMT)
	17. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	WOW Vicki! Do you think we have his attention?! Mel
		Top

Rose	Jun-13-01, 03:35 PM (CMT)
18. "My email to Dr. Drew"
Dr. Drew, You need to stick to being the "Love Dr" on MTV as it is obvious you are out of your league when it comes to migraines. I am a 30 year complicated migraine sufferer who suffers from chronic daily headaches. Imitrex is NOT the wonder drug you seem to think it is, never worked for me yet I can get relief SOMETIMES from migranal nasal spray. It is because of people like you that there is the drug addict stigma attached to anyone with migraines! By dismissing the poor gentleman who called you for advice on migraines as a potential drug addict, you have offended me and everyone else who suffers from this horribly misunderstood disease and I believe an apology and retraction is in order. If you want to talk to real sufferers who can back everything up with medical evidence and good old fashioned experience come to Rondas migraine page and click on the discussion board - we'll be happy to educate you if you are willing to learn! Respectfully, Rose
	Top

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	mo_marie	Jun-13-01, 04:10 PM (CMT)
	19. "BRAVO!! Well done indeed!"
	Boy, am I ever proud to be associated with you people! Let's keep up the "ranting"...the squeaky gate does get oiled sooner or later! Keep the pressure on and we're bound to get some type of feedback...even if it's negative. I'd love to see him respond to some of the posters here...talk about "out of your league"! Thanks fellow-migs, June
		Top


	sheri2u2	Jun-13-01, 04:23 PM (CMT)
	20. "RE: BRAVO!! Well done indeed!"
	Anyone think Dr. Drew will take the time to e-mail us back with a response?? Sheri
		Top


	VickiG	Jun-13-01, 07:43 PM (CMT)
	24. "No"
	I seriously doubt that he'll have the guts to respond to us, if he even gets the emails himself. They'll probably be sorted out through his staff and will never reach him anyway. But we never know. If enough of us write, it may wake someone there up. If all of us wrote to him, I bet he'd be getting more complaints than he has gotten in a long time for a lot of shows!
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	totweet1064	Jun-13-01, 04:27 PM (CMT)
	21. "RE: My email to Dr. Drew"
	Hi Dr. Drew, I believe from everything I understand that you are the reason that I can walk into my local emergency clinic and be told that I am drug addict. I believe that people like you are the reason that I have to sit at home in the dark, and in the quiet, because I am in so much pain from my migraine that I can't even think straight. I believe that people like you are the ones responsible for me not being able to get something for the pain of my migraines. I believe that people like you are responsible for the way that people think that we should be able to take an aspirin and get over it. I believe that you are responsible for the jobs that we have lost because we have missed work and our employers don't understand because you are telling them it is not possible to be hurting the way that we are and as much as we are. I believe that it is people like you that are telling everyone that the imitrex is a miracle drug and if you really have a migraine that this will get rid of it. I have a heart condition but I have taken the chance of taking imitrex to see if it would work for me just to try to get some relief. And the imitex did not work. I believe it is because of you that people have this mundane idea that this stuff must just be our excuse to not work, to not participate actively in our families, to lay in the quiet and darkness of our homes and miss out on 90% of our lives just because WE WANT TO, not because we are suffering, but that WE JUST WANT DRUGS. Do you realize that if we just wanted drugs we could probably go out on the street and get them instead of seeking medical help for a problem that our neurologists and the National Headace Society exists? I am sure that it would probably be even cheaper than the medical insurance and the Dr.s Visits and the test and the trips to the emergency room, and the medications that we have to take daily. But of course I don't think that you did your background work before you talked to this man with the migraines. I suggest that you do a little bit of research on the subjects that you do not know anything about. I also cordially invite you to come to visit our site at www.migrainepage.com to speak to real live people that are suffering everyday from this condition. Sincerely, Patty Chaney
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	Melonie	Jun-13-01, 04:33 PM (CMT)
	22. "RE: My email to Dr. Drew"
	ouch....... AMEN Patty! Mel
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ladybugs2	Jun-13-01, 04:54 PM (CMT)
23. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
sent my email in...he just ticked me off. we have enough trouble with society for him to be breeding ill thought towards migrains sufferers. I wrote it to Mr. Drew, becuase I didn't think he earned the title of Dr. when he spoke to that gentleman. I told him why too. aaarrrrggggggggg! Debra
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	VickiG	Jun-13-01, 07:45 PM (CMT)
	25. "RE: Dr. Drew perpetuates the misunderstanding of migraines on national radio"
	Good for you, Debra! I like the idea of calling him Mr. Drew instead of Dr. Drew. I wish I had thought of that!
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	heavyhead	Jun-14-01, 08:04 AM (CMT)
	26. "my letter"
	Here is my letter to Dr. Drew. I am afraid he will never read it, but it made me feel a lot better to write it! Dr. Drew, This is yet one more letter from a migraine sufferer who is angered and frustrated from your recent radio show. I will also admit that I am the one who brought this issue to the attention of the migrainer's community at Ronda's page. Many letters to you expressed anger and frustration. I think many of us feel that way, but please give the opportunity to explain to you my reasons for writing. The life of a migraine sufferer is not an easy one. It is compounded by a misinformed and skeptical medical community. Countless people have been turned away from helpful treatment or inappropriately labeled as drug addicts. This must stop. I believe someone in the position you are in should be more responsible with the advice and information you give. How many doctors reach the kind of audience you do. With your recent statements about migraines and drug use, you have set our community back 10 years. I for one was embarrassed that my husband was there with me to hear your show. I have suffered from migraines since early childhood, I am now 28 years old. I have 25 years of experience under my belt. Over this period of time it has difficult to explain to friends, family and co-workers, the type of pain I so often feel and the impact it has on my life. If I had a dollar for every time I have heard random uninformed advise, I'd be a very wealthy woman. "You must be giving yourself headaches," "it's all in your head," "maybe it's something you ate," "take an aspirin and you'll be fine," "you just want pain killers." Have you any idea what this does to one's self-esteem? It is hard enough going through life with daily pain, yes there are some of us who suffer daily, but then to also find no support or understanding, it makes the situation that much worse. I'd like the chance to address a few of the subjects you briefly discussed on your program. 1. Many people do suffer from daily migraine or headache pain, myself included. Granted, the pain each day might not be excruciating, but it is limiting. 2. Although rebound headaches are common, you can suffer from daily pain even though no medication is involved. I am also included in this category. 3. There are many "triggers" that bring on migraine attacks. They vary from person to person. Common triggers are MSG, hormone fluctuation, stress, unrelated pain such as neck or back pain, heat, cold, exercise, lack of sleep, and the almighty "mysterious" trigger. It is not uncommon for those who have been in a car accident to suffer from migraines as a result. I know a few off hand who visit Ronda's migraine page. 4. Imetrex, this vascular constrictor does not work for everyone. Again, myself included. Infact the times I have taken it, it progressed my headache and made it much, much worse. I have 2 trips to the ER to prove it. Many have had this experience. For some, it doesn't work at all. For many it can be life threatening and can lead to stroke or heart attack. To say that one does not suffer from migraines if they have no success with this drug is wrong, plain and simple. 5. This for me, and many others is the most important point to make. There is a great misconception about the use of opiate drugs to treat pain. For many of us, this is the only option left. I have tried just about every newfangled drug on the market. I have altered my diet, tried herbal and homeopathic remedies....none of which worked. Still, I cannot find a doctor to give me the pain relief I need. Why??? Because there seems to be some kind of fear in the medical community about prescribing these drugs. So what do I do? I live with the pain. Day in and day out. Over the counter drugs are not a good option. For one, they can be more toxic to the system, and two, they can lead to some very nasty rebound headaches. I think I speak for many migraine suffers when I say, my quality of life is so poor now, what do I have to lose by taking narcotics? I feel like crap everyday. I am limited everyday. What could pain medicine do to me? I understand the addictive qualities of these drugs. I realize the potential for abuse. But for the person in chronic pain the potential benefits outweigh the negative side effects. After all, many of us migrainers are already limited by our pain, we are already depressed by our situation, we are already tired and irritable from our lack of sleep. The neurological problems we have make us forgetful, tongue twisted and spacey. What possible side effects could we get that we don't have already. At least we could have the chance of living without the pain for a while! I suppose the long and short of the reason I am writing to you is because I feel like you are perpetuating the myth of migraines. We do not make up or pain. We are not all drug addicts, and we do indeed suffer. More then some will ever know. We are a community of misunderstood people who deal with a lack of compassion everyday. We do not need people in positions like yours to misinform the public. I believe a retraction is in order. I think an apology is due. And I think that you should stick to giving advise only in the areas you are well informed on. I invite you to visit our forum. You will find first hands accounts of migraine sufferers. Perhaps it will be enlightening. http://www.migrainepage.com/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi Thank you for your time, Johna Spalding
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	mo_marie	Jun-14-01, 08:40 AM (CMT)
	27. "<<>>"
	WELL DONE,ALL!! It would be wonderful if there were a response...perhaps we can hope for a few him to take a furtive glance toward Ronda's page as a "lurker"! Even that much would be a "wake up" call! "Migraineurs UNITE"!! (hmmmm...what color should "our" special ribbon be for migraine-awareness?!) bye for now, June
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	tenilla	Jun-14-01, 10:01 AM (CMT)
	29. "RE: my letter"
	I haven't had time to read all the posts re Dr. Drew's ill-informed remarks, but I thought your letter was excellent. My sense is that it is not just Dr. Drew, whoever he is, who suffers from the unfair prejudice that migraine sufferers just want drugs. I am still receiving a bill from a neurologist who told me to take Excedrin Migraine, which, as we all know, is exactly the same as extra strength Excedrin. I think even family members who have seen me vomit (retch, actually) with migraines still think they are in my head. It does help to read these posts. I do not feel so alone.
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