-
I have a right to be taken seriously by my physician when I go for
treatment of my headaches.
-
I have a right to complete and thorough medical examination, including a
medical history and complete neurological evaluation.
-
I have a right to appropriate diagnostic testing, including neuro-diagnostics,
CT scans and MRI scans, if necessary, when my headache is first evaluated,
and when the headache pattern or severity changes.
-
I have the right to be referred to a specialist - for example, a
neurologist, a headache specialist, or a headache clinic if my headaches do
not respond to my primary physician's treatment, or if my primary physician
feels a specialist's care is needed.
-
I have the right to receive specific headache therapy, if needed, instead
of non-prescription drugs, narcotics, or combination analgesics that may
increase the problem.
-
I have the right to ask for a comprehensive, written treatment plan that
will tell me exactly how to use my preventive medications and non-drug
preventives and, complete instructions on what to do when a headache occurs.
-
I have the right to return for additional help whenever my treatment plan
seems to be inadequate to control my headache.
-
I have the right to be treated courteously and responsibly in emergency
room, if a severe headache fails to respond to my usual treatment plan.
-
I have the right to expect my insurance company to recognize migraine as a
legitimate medical illness as any other illness such as diabetes, arthritis,
etc.
- I have the right to expect those around me - family, friends, co-workers, and others who come in contact with me to make an effort to understand my illness and to cooperate with me in my efforts to live a full, rich life.
____________________________
Reprinted, with permission, from the web site of
the American
Council for Headache Education
(www.achenet.org)
