Question
I feel ratings are there for a reason and should be used accordingly.  I was completely honest when giving my ratings.  Your profile suggested to me that you were qualified in general medicine and therefore would be more than able to give answers on drug dosage, just as a general practitioner would.  I did, however, commend you on your timeliness and politeness which were not a problem.  I am sorry that you found my ratings offensive.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi.  I am 26 and have suffered with migraine for around 7 years.  For
the most part they were few and far between with my 'aura' symptoms (I
think this is the correct term) (visual disturbances, pins and needles,
confusion) coming around 24 hours before and being much worse than, the
pain itself.  I saw my GP who gave me Imigran which I have to say I
have never really found helpful.
Last week I felt a migraine coming on (the first in about 6 months).  
It began with a large blind spot in my left eye and pain in the right
side of my head.  I had no more of my usual 'aura' symptoms.

My visual disturbance lasted around three hours and the pain became
gradually worse - to the point where I felt like I had something much more
serious than a migraine.  However, within around 8 hours, the pain
lessened and disappeared completely within about 36 hours.  6 days later
(yesterday), I found myself again with a large blind spot in my left eye
and the pain coming back.  I was terrified of going through the 8 hours
of agony again and so in desperation, took 3 Nurofen tablets (Ibuprofen
200mg.) in a hope to hit it hard and stop it fully developing.  I knew
the recommended dose was 2 tablets but took 3 anyway.

My main question is, can I do any long term damage taking 3 of these at
the onset of a migraine.  They seemed to work and I did not take any
more tablets in the same day.  I plan to do the same again, if I feel a
migraine coming on as I cannot cope with the pain I experienced last
week.

I know you cannot advocate exceeding the stated dose of medication but
I just want to know if I am doing more harm than good.

Also, can you see any reason why my migraine symptoms would suddenly
change and start coming more frequently?  I have had no change in
lifestyle, diet, medication etc.

Could these new 'migraines' actually be something different?

I would be very grateful for any amount of help you can give.  

Many thanks

Michelle


-----Answer-----
Dear Michelle,

Your negative rating is interesting.  It shows that when you don't get what you asked for, you sometimes punish the other person, even if they were honest with you and even if they offered you something better.

No one could have been clearer than to say that they were not qualified to answer drug-related questions, yet you rated me a 5 on clarity.  The article to which I referred you provides a clear understanding of the origin of headaches, yet you rated me a 5 on knowledgeability.

As I said, interesting.  Why might someone react as you did?

with regard,
Lawrence Gold


with regard,
Lawrence Gold


Answer
You may use the word, "offensive"; I prefer the word unfair.  The distinction may be subtle, but it is significant.

In my profile, I indicate only that I am trained in rehabilitation of musculo-skeletal injuries and stress-related disorders.  Perhaps the Publications list in my profile led you to believe that my practice must be in general medicine, and some people make the mistake of calling me, "Dr. Gold."

In any case, drugs are not your solution.

Please see the articles on headaches and on pain meds at somatics.com/page4.htm.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold