Headache in Vermont

Submitted by vtluvsbrady t3_zh70l6 in vermont

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with the neurology department at UVM medical center. I have been getting headaches and saw my primary care physician who ordered a CT scan, X-rays etc that all came back negative. This was a relief but it was also disappointing not having an answer to the root cause of my problem. Anyway I was referred to the headache clinic at UVM. I called today to get my appointment and they are scheduling appointments 18 months out. This is so very disappointing as these headaches are really debilitating and being told I have to wait over 18 months to be seen seems ridiculous. Has anyone else had any experience with this? Any advice would be appreciated.

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merikus t1_izkkutg wrote

Get a referral to DHMC: https://vtdigger.org/2022/12/04/dr-richard-bernstein-health-care-at-uvm-medical-center-the-long-wait/

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vtluvsbrady OP t1_izknpzi wrote

Thanks for the link. I’ll definitely be calling my primary to get a Dartmouth referral!

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nixxon t1_izl7ovi wrote

This is really the best option. Neurology at UVM is impossible to deal with. I go to Boston, but I'm sure Dartmouth would be fine too. Asking you to wait 18 months is laughable.

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deadowl t1_izmdnlt wrote

The head of Neurology at UVMMC last I knew was previously in the same role at Dartmouth, kind of sucks that there are staffing issues at UVMMC.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_izmjzic wrote

It's all services right now. Can't get help because help has no place to live.

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squidsquidsquid t1_izl1siy wrote

My experience with DHMC has been no better than my experience with UVM.

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merikus t1_izl20ew wrote

That is unfortunate. I’ll be honest, I’ve had nothing but excellent experiences with UVM. My appointments happen fast, my tests are scheduled quickly, and they have been excellent advocates with my insurance company. But it does appear my experience may be an outlier.

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squidsquidsquid t1_izl4b6v wrote

It's an outlier for the entire US medical system at this rate. I've been trying to deal with DHMC and get a diagnosis for the last year+ and it's just been a solid nightmare.

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bonanzapineapple t1_izlyujb wrote

I have plenty of experience with DHMC, both good and bad. But my experience with their Neurology headache clinic has been fabulous. I would definitely recommend, but I also get I'm just one person and others may have experiences that differ

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squidsquidsquid t1_izm0l79 wrote

I'm glad to hear it. I've been dealing with derm, rheum, and allergy and I no longer have a dermatologist at DHMC because my experience was so bad. They've been shit for primary care as well. Knowing the departments that *don't* suck is just as valuable as knowing the ones that do, so thanks for your insight into neuro. I had my neuro stuff done at Gifford, which was... fine. A lot of their nurses were wearing a lot of incredibly potent perfume which always blows my mind, but the actual appointment wasn't a disaster.

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bonanzapineapple t1_izqbtiu wrote

Oh having primary care at the dhmc main building is horrible... Their satellite clinics are slightly better. And yeah, not all depts created equal

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squidsquidsquid t1_izr8yel wrote

Yeah my PCP is not at the main building, but it feels like the problems are the same. DHMC bureaucracy/ managed care is just shit across the board, satellite office or main location.

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zombienutz1 t1_izl3y7e wrote

I think it's hit or miss. I've been lucky to get into my primary when I need to and get quick appointments when I'm referred to specialists. I have not had to deal with UVM's neurology dept though. I would suspect they are understaffed since it's a demanding field.

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SnooMaps1313 t1_iznxcfn wrote

Same, I've had great experiences with the people there and the care me and my family have received.

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HappilyhiketheHump t1_izkud4r wrote

Call your legislators and ask them why the Green Mountain Care board as well as the certificate of need process the legislature created has allowed this to happen.

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trueg50 t1_izl2niw wrote

Those two forces are exactly why much of this has happened. Making growth expensive and time consuming has its costs.

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tunanoodle14 t1_izldmz8 wrote

Consider seeing a physical therapist while you’re waiting to get in with neuro - the folks at Catamount PT specialize in headaches and TMJ disorders!

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hotseltzer t1_izlqvtf wrote

Seconding this. They helped me so much with my TMJ disorder and tension headaches, and I'm still able to use the skills I learned to keep things at bay when I'm feeling particularly stressed

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thrownawayvtvt t1_izl6u3y wrote

Go to Dartmouth. I had headaches everyday for 4 months and they found a mass on my pituitary gland after a CT and MRI. Neurology at Dartmouth go me in 2 weeks later and endocrinologist got me in 1 week wait. UVM said it'll be a couple of months. I can't wait that long. Even Dartmouth was like wow, it could spread, we don't know if it's benign or not, waiting could spell lots of trouble. UVM didn't seem to care. I hate UVM medical center. I don't know what happened they used to be good.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_izmkc7z wrote

Staffing. Had mass retirements the past few years. Can't get staff because they have nowhere to live. Most of the staff is contract workers who don't mind short stints in motels or campers.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_izmk9v0 wrote

Staffing. Had mass retirements the past few years. Can't get staff because they have nowhere to live. Most of the staff is contract workers who don't mind short stints in motels or campers.

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grnmtnboy0 t1_izlm3ei wrote

I suffered migraines as a kid and still get them from time to time. Most people think that headaches are neurological in origin but quite often they are vascular. That means that the blood flow isn't going as smoothly as it should. What helped me was light cardio to force the blood to move. Give that a try, it won't hurt

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ADinosaurNamedBex t1_izlywfi wrote

As others said, I was seen by Dartmouth who were able to do an initial work up and rule a ton out while I waited to get in to the headache team. Dartmouth has some technology no one else in New England has, which is cool.

I finally got into UVM for a video appointment because I am seeing an ophthalmologist and he personally reached out. If you can get your foot in the door through a sub specialty, that may also help.

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Trajikbpm t1_izmfa7f wrote

Honestly call around. UVM is a crap shoot and it's their own fault

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_izmjwcg wrote

Really? I have MS and have generally had good experiences with the neurology department. I'm not trying to debate with you. I'm just pretty shocked because 18 months is obnoxious. Makes me nervous to have a flare (as if flares aren't nerve wracking on their own).

Side note, did you get MRIs with contrast? One of my earliest MS symptoms was debilitating migraines.

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Hemmschwelle t1_izste7y wrote

Established patients like you have priority. New patients have to wait until the system has capacity.

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Jerry_Williams69 t1_iztp43m wrote

I've only been a patient for 1.5 years. Sounds thing things went downhill fast.

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commander_lampshade t1_izl2iv1 wrote

18 months out for an appointment at the headache clinic. The mind boggles at how pathetic that is.

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vtluvsbrady OP t1_izln7cz wrote

Tell me about it. They won’t even schedule the appointment either. I was told they would call me when I made it far enough down the list to schedule. They said not to expect a call until 2024

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bean_vt t1_iznvzgm wrote

You could also try Dr Katherine Wayman. She's part of UVM but not in the headache clinic. Still might be a wait, but two friends have seen her and liked her. One got in relatively quickly off the waitlist. That might've changed, though, given the state of things.

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vtluvsbrady OP t1_iznzgx5 wrote

It’s funny you said that because I was researching neurologist and came across her and she had excellent reviews. I called and spoke to her receptionist who was really nice and helpful but was told she doesn’t specialize in headaches. She told me I’d have to call the “headache Clinic” at UVM. I don’t understand why I can’t just see a neurologist. I would think they could at least order some testing to help figure out what’s going on.

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bean_vt t1_iznzzpg wrote

That's a bummer. I knew she was a general neuro, but she has seen some of my friends with headache and migraine. And she seemed up on latest headache treatments. Maybe she's overwhelmed with patients, too. I hope you find a way to be seen soon. These wait times and delayed access to treatment are incredibly frustrating.

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xgrave_rotx t1_izm3br1 wrote

I’ve had a migraine disorder for 10 years, the first doctor that found something that worked for me is a neurologist that works with Rutland Hospital surprisingly, I went to Dartmouth for years

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deadowl t1_izmagd2 wrote

UVMMC's neurology department wait times is not a secret.

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manyapple5 t1_iznewev wrote

If you’re seeing a provider in the greater UVM network, ask your pcp for an e-consult. They can query neurology about what to do next for your headaches while you’re waiting for the referral. Should get a response within a week.

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athiker98 t1_izo14gg wrote

Try Neurologic Associates of Vermont. They had me in within a month.

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MarkVII88 t1_j02dikr wrote

Try to get in with a Chiropractor. They have an entirely different perspective than your primary care physician and may be able to help you very quickly.

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1DollarOr1Million t1_izks64h wrote

2 people I know suffered from really bad migraines and it was due to the dramatic shifts in barometric pressure that we get. Most people are unaffected but for some it’s killer. Both had to move south where the shifts are not so bad. One moved to Savannah GA and the other to Orlando.

Something to look into.

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whaletacochamp t1_izlzt20 wrote

This is like pretty much exactly what OP DOESNT need. Random people surmising what may be causing their headaches because they can’t see a doctor soon.

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Smirkly t1_izlmrjf wrote

I needed to see someone about eczema. I needed medicine NOW. Six months was their best. I went to a private guy and same thing but, i talked to the staff, said I'll come if there is a cancellation. Next day I was in. I'm old and not charming, but face to face is powerful.

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BeefcakeRenigus t1_izlonud wrote

Consider yourself lucky for even being scheduled. Cardiology at UVM has been holding my referral for weeks and won’t schedule me. Dartmouth or Boston are options. When we moved here I was told about how great the healthcare system is. Lies.

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ADinosaurNamedBex t1_izlz5tf wrote

My doctor referred me to the cardio team at Timberlane (link here) and they were great. Got in quickly, they had Saturday hours, and the test results were up in MyChart so it’s all synchronized.

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BeefcakeRenigus t1_izmbptb wrote

Wow thank you so much! I’ll call my doc Monday and have them move the referral. I really don’t want to deal with UVM and thought I had no other choice. Thank you!!!

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ADinosaurNamedBex t1_izmc94s wrote

Of course!! When possible, my primary has been referring me out of UVM. I’m happy to share any intel!

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BeefcakeRenigus t1_izyf5nz wrote

Can’t thank you enough for this tip, again. I’m already scheduled for this week at Timberlane. It took them less than 4 hours to look at my referral and get me in for testing.

UVM can kick rocks.

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vtluvsbrady OP t1_iznnr0l wrote

No I’m in the same boat. They would not schedule me. I was told I’d be contacted once i made it further down the waiting list. Was told not to expect a call until 2024 to just schedule an appointment

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NonDeterministiK t1_izm5wv2 wrote

Is it sudden and new? Source of headaches can originate elsewhere in the body. I'm not in VT at the moment (overseas) but started getting severe migraines for a week and couldn't sleep. Also noticed I had a bite mark near the groin. Turns out I got bitten by a f***ing tick which introduced a pathogen (not lyme) which migrated to my head and eventually can cause encephalitis.

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00_Kamaji_00 t1_izndrni wrote

Yeah I have a skin issue that I really need to be seen for and the Dermatology department at UVM scheduled me in June🤦🏻‍♂️

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commander_lampshade t1_izp4ne4 wrote

Try calling Four Seasons Dermatology directly if you haven’t yet

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00_Kamaji_00 t1_izphy23 wrote

Oh thanks for the recommendation! Never been to a dermatologist so that’s helpful. Also lol at people downvoting me describing my situation of a long wait. Not sure why that’s controversial.

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TillPsychological351 t1_izq8f0l wrote

Has your primary tried any treatments? If you're getting migraines, that should be within the scope of primary care to manage.

I generally only refer headache cases to neuology if the patient doesn't respond to the usual basic treatments, or if its a more complex syndrome.

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Weary_Commission_419 t1_izlppxy wrote

If this is a relatively new problem, you might consider a few other options while you wait. What are your triggers? Foods, stress, location, not sure? Maybe test for Lyme and other tick borne infections? Lyme can cause migraines and increase sensitivity to the things I mentioned above, which could trigger headaches.

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bean_vt t1_izns4d3 wrote

If you go to DHMC, make sure you call the headache clinic not general neurology. Headache specialists are just more knowledgeable. I see a really good NP there. There might still be a wait as they lost a headache specialist and to my knowledge, haven't replaced her.

Unfortunately, wait times to see a headache specialist are LONG, because of a shortage of those with specialized training (~700 across the US).

One option, if it's financially feasible, are telemed headache specialists. In addition to my DH headache doc, I see an amazing one through Neura Health. The consult is out-of-pocket. He can prescribe in Vermont and that would go through insurance. If they end up thinking you need any testing, they can work with your PCP to order it.

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