Thanks for that information and personal account of MHNI and welcome.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade but I was a MHNI patient, too, for many years and spent three weeks at the Chelsea hospital and I left no better than when I arrived.

In fact, I quit going to MHNI because their answer to my headaches was constantly trying different medications that essentially didn't help them at all. In fact, the side-effects were as bad as the migraines.

I left Chelsea feeling totally frustrated because they basically kicked me out, telling me they couldn't help me. I know I couldn't stay forever, but the way I was essentially shown the door when nothing THEY tried worked didn't sit well with me.

Good luck to those who try to get help from MHNI because I've heard many wonderful stories about what they've done for some. But, I for one, didn't get any help, which just might be my fault.

After all, I've been told so many times "it's just a headache, live with it." that I'm starting to believe it even though anyone who tells me that has never suffered through the lifetime of headaches I've suffered and really doesn't know what the heck they are talking about.

Thanks for the blog, Kerrie, I have a feeling I'm going to spend a lot of time here reading about a problem that affects many others, not just me, like I sometimes think when I'm in one of my dark moods during a nasty migraine.

Dear sharkmfc,

I'm glad that you shared your experiences as well, but I can NOT agree with you that any of it is your fault. I too go into a pit of depression when I cannot get on top of my migraines, especially when my migraines are followed by whatever viral or bacterial infection is floating around. I feel like I owe everyone around me an apology, yet I cannot seem to figure out how to avoid all of this.

I currently believe that you should try everything that you can afford to try, because different things have worked for different people. My prayers are with you!

Blessings!

What a frustrating experience. I know inpatient clinics aren't effective for some people, which is why I've never bothered. Particularly with Famous Headache Clinic that most people rave about. Sometiems I wonder if they are mostly effective for people who feel like they've tried everything, but have really only scratched the surface. I know that doesn't apply to everyone, including Vicki, but it's a thought I've had.

Your headaches certainly aren't your fault! I know it can feel like they are, but no one is truly at fault for this. Some people are just so special that they elude typical treatments.

Hang in there. You'll get through this -- we all will. (How's that for platitudes? But I really mean it!) There's a great quote from Winston Churchill: "When you're going through hell, keep going."

Take care,
Kerrie

Just my experience and my doctor's analysis:

Hello, my name is Kate. I went to MHNI 4 years ago and had a good experience. I felt great (comparitively) for 3 or 4 months. I was keeping up with everything they asked. And when everything came back, nothing had changed in my behaviors or environment that gave me any answers as to why it got worse again. But it did and after years of working with my doctor and neurologist, they suggested I go back to MHNI.

This is what changed about MHNI:

1. They no longer keep you inpatient until you are doing better. It took them a little over a month (which was unusual even then) - but they were willing to give it as long as it takes to help me. This time, when I tried to get in, they said that they rarely keep anyone over a week now - and the max is 10 days (I guess they changed it to a week only a few months ago). So they insisted I be off all daily narcotic/opioid medication (which THEY put me on) before going in. That kind of pain to me is unimaginable. ON them it is unbearable.

2. Dr. Saper (who was intregal in my treatment there the first time) no longer sees patients every day, usually only once during their stay.

3. They are money hungry. They told me I had a bed when I went to see them (having to pay $375 out of pocket) - only to find out they didn't. And then denied me treatment because of the complexity of my case.

4. They lied to every medical professional involved in my case. And to me. They told all of us that they would have me inpatient in 2 days. Two days later they told us the same thing. That continued for 3 months. I had my hopes so far up. And then it ended in them saying they weren't taking me at all.

5. They have incompetent residents who are taking your information on the initial visit. The one who "interviewed" me colored my whole face on the paper she was using and when I told her I had pain behind my eyes. When I asked her to fix it she crossed out the entire face. When the doctor came in all she talked about was my facial pain no matter how many time I told her I don't have facial pain.

Four years ago I would have recommended it to EVERYONE with chronic head pain - but that place is not the place I went to 4 years ago. My doctor said (when I was crying, devestated that the gave up on me), "They have become very money hungry and have taken on too big of a patient load to truly care about their patients. I will never send another patient there."

I will be going to Cleveland Clinic's iMATCH program in 2 weeks (I would appreciate any stories of experiences there if anyone has any). I just pray they will be able to help. I have a feeling surgery is going to be my only option. We will see. (Honestly that would be better than living my whole life on narcotics and ER visits.)

Hope that helps any decision making about MHNI. Thanks. (Just keep your eyes open if you go there - sometimes we get blinded by our desperation and I think that is what allows MHNI to compromise care.)

-Kate

Thanks for sharing your story, Kate. What you've been through sounds absolutely awful.

Headache specialists have told me consistently that their patients who go to inpatient clinics are usually better for a few months, but the symptoms usually come back and the clinics aren't so helpful for second-timers. Even the inpatient clinics appear to blame the patients when they can't be fixed!

Kerrie