neurOasis

Yes, even doctors need to learn new things.  Surprised?  I'm sure it is no revelation that doctors DO NOT know everything.  In fact, I would venture to say most of us aren't even extremely smart.  Bright?  Yes.  Genius?  No. 

I always teach my medical students and residents that the best doctors are scientists.  We observe and learn.  I mean, someone had to describe the first migraine or stroke or Parkinson's Disease (yep, you're correct, that one was described by Dr. Parkinson in the 19th century).  I have become a good headache specialist largely because I have learned from my patients.  I have listened, examined, heard all types of different symptoms and have learned how to diagnose and treat migraines and other headache disorders in a way that no book could ever teach me.  The first patient who told me her "hair hurt" taught me the nature of something called "allodynia" - a condition where the skin becomes so sensitive that otherwise insignificant stimuli are felt as painful. 

Well, I have also learned from my own experiences with migraines - which, by the way, I started having AFTER becoming a headache specialist!  For the past week I have had the strangest symptoms and could not identify the source.  (Maybe I should have seen a doctor?)  Well, it dawned on me finally today that I was having a low grade headache each time the symptoms came - a feeling of tingling and dizziness as if I had hyperventilated.  So, I thought perhaps I was having new types of migraines than I am used to having, and I injected myself with Sumavel (really a miracle drug!) and the symptoms went away. 

So, the light touch of God's finger tapped me on the shoulder today and got my attention.  I have always thought of these types of symptoms as perhaps being due to migraine in some of my patients but now I know for sure.  I learned something new from the universe today.  Thanks.