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helpmate	Nov-25-02, 02:57 PM (CMT)
"Diamond Headache Clinic"
Has anyone ever been to the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, for migraines? I am considering taking my wife and am curious if anyone had gone and what their experiences might have been. My wife also suffers from two herinated disks in her neck, but the doctors say that is unlikely to be causing the migraines...I disagree. Anyone with a similar experience?
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RE: Diamond Headache Clinic, donjonrn61, Nov-25-02, (1) RE: Diamond Headache Clinic, Mary217, Nov-25-02, (2) RE: Diamond Headache Clinic, TS, Nov-25-02, (3) RE: Diamond Headache Clinic, TS, Nov-25-02, (4)

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donjonrn61	Nov-25-02, 03:52 PM (CMT)
1. "RE: Diamond Headache Clinic"
I've been to Diamond Headache Clinic and it's done a lot for me. I've also been "divorced" from DHC for being late on my payments when I ran into a problem with my insurance carrier, so make sure you've got the finances to support the stay before you ever get into it. A lot of insurers won't pay for the biofeedback, art time, even some of the counseling sessions, so really check that part out if money may become an issue for you because you WILL get a letter in the mail one day telling you you've been DIVORCED and your phone calls will no longer be accepted and you will no longer be allowed to be seen, even after you make an attempt to reconcile financially with them. You can still pay, but they don't have to play because they are private practice, for-profit! Now let me tell you the great stuff. Before you leave there, if you become an inpatient for awhile which I personally believe is to your wife's advantage, you will have every opportunity to know in-depth about every medication that crosses your lips, all diet information you could possibly want, ways to reduce stress and induce relaxation with biofeedback and exercise, the enjoyment of comraderie of knowing you are NOT by any means alone in this struggle with the migraines, and the family is very much encouraged to be part of all the learning process (I was there over Thanksgiving '98 & since there were only 4 of us on the floor they allowed him to share my room until I could be discharged on the Monday after). Dr. Merle Diamond was my doc, and she picked up on a physical anomoly in the back of my skull which was not a problem at that time, but 6 weeks later had turned me into a walking seizure. She lined me up with an excellent neurosurgeon who met with my family (my husband & I had to fly in from TN everytime I went) and myself, did the surgery, and it did get rid of the seizure activity. The physicians work together well and at the time I was going there, from Nov. 98 to Nov. 99, they were all migraine sufferers themselves and were willing to share that knowledge and their personal struggles with you. I'm a nurse, so I did take off points for the quality of nursing care in many cases. The only thing they did was push drugs in a drug cart at the appointed time. I mean that literally - that's all they did. They did not do any kind of assessment unless you were going to be getting a med that might drop your blood pressure, then they would check that one thing. Yet you frequently got meds late and got to hear all about WHY your meds were late - "you know who whining down the hall" type of gossip. They were very unprofessional, were ornaments at the front desk, and spent most of their time making sure who had the "magical key" to the smoking room that was only to be opened so many hours a day. Boy, were the nurses watchdogs on that place, but they couldn't get your dinner to you hot or your meds to you on time!Ha!Ha! If you want to come away feeling that your money was well spent and you've got knowledge to fall back on for future reference, plus from my experience a dedicated physician as long as she received my monthly check on time, Diamond was a quality place for migraine care. - Donna
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Mary217	Nov-25-02, 04:18 PM (CMT)
2. "RE: Diamond Headache Clinic"
Hi, I was never a patient at the clinic you're asking about, my experiences are from 2 hospitalizations at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. But since that wasn't your question, I won't give any details. I can, however, speak about having problems with 3 cervical discs for which I had surgery fo r fusion. I was experencing numbness in my left arm and hand, and severe shoulder pain in addition to daily migraines. C5 -C6 were fused using a portion of my right hip bone for the graft. I also had another disc, often referred to as "hangman's" which was inoperative. Initially, I had great results postoperatvely. However the graft failed to hold properly, so after 6-8 months the migraines returned with a vengance, along with a new symptom. The numbness and pain was now in my right arm/hand. The docs can't really determine what is causing the most problems for me. Just my thoughts, but IF only C5 and C6 were involved I'm 90% sure I would have the surgery again. Having had that relatively pain-free time was worth its weight in gold! lol JMHO, but I think your wife's doctor could be mistaken. At least it worked for me, however short the time. Your wife might want to look into this further with a good neurosurgeon. If either of you have any questions, please feel free to ask here or e-mail me at Thumper217@webtv.net My best to you both for finding some relief! Take good care, Mary.
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	TS	Nov-25-02, 08:15 PM (CMT)
	3. "RE: Diamond Headache Clinic"
	LAST EDITED ON Nov-25-02 AT 08:18 PM (CMT) I have never been a paitient at the Diamond Clinic, but the Doc I work for really likes it and he is always telling me new stuff from tapes he gets from them. When I first started this board, I had the same question. I can't remember who all said they had been. Only a few. Hope everything goes well!! Teresa PS: I would suggest Merle (not sure how to spell her name) She is a migraine sufferer herself, though I'm sure her Dad or whoever else may be there would be good too! I just always feel better with a Dr. who has experienced the same thing I'm seeing them for.
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	TS	Nov-25-02, 08:24 PM (CMT)
	4. "RE: Diamond Headache Clinic"
	Sorry, I forgot to mention about the discs. I also have a disc problem in my neck and really think it plays a big part on my migraines at times. I have been told the same thing, that it's not likely. I got hit spuare on the head with a bale of hay and have had trouble since then!! The Dr's say I should be having pain down my arms instead. Well, by the book I am suppose to, but that's not what I have. I notice if I sleep on my stomach I get a bad migraine from my neck being bent back. I worked at the school cafeteria for a while before I went back to the office, and the way I stood when I worked at the cash reg. I would ALWAYS end up with a really bad one before the couple of hours were over. I know they say NO, but I'm right there with you thinking YES! Teresa
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