Preparing Yourself for a First Visit

The headache physicians at our clinic are world-renowned, and each is committed to finding the right balance of treatments for your specific headache condition.

There will be a lot to accomplish in our first visit. Our doctors may prescribe a series of outpatient treatments, or they may recommend admission to our private Inpatient Unit at Saint Joseph Hospital. There, you will receive the intense and immediate treatment necessary to stabilize your headache condition and create an effective, long-term outpatient plan.

We felt it was important to emphasize the following points and recommendations before your first visit:

• This will be a diagnostic and treatment experience unlike any you've had before. The questions will be more specific about headache, and the initial examination will take longer. The first visit takes three to four hours, and it may require more than one visit to gather all the necessary information to create a full medical profile.
• Our care begins with the collection of a thorough medical history. We provide our forms online to give patients plenty of time to prepare. Involve your family or caregiver in this process, if needed. Ask them questions about their observations of your headaches. This conversation may help you identify some additional headache triggers.
• A nutritional assessment will be conducted to help determine if eating behaviors contribute to the headache pattern. Observe your own eating habits for several days so you know exactly what and when you eat.
• Some tests already performed by other referring physicians may need to be repeated. Please be patient through the testing process. It takes time; but it's worth it!
• You will be asked to keep a daily headache calendar, recording headache severity; the amount of and types of analgesics used; the degree of relief obtained; and provocative factors, such as diet, menstruation and menopause.
• Your headache specialist may want you to stay at the hospital for a few days to get your headaches under control. If this is recommended, make sure to visit our Web page for tips to prepare.

Based on the total evaluation, the clinic physician will recommend an individualized treatment regimen that includes:

• The medication component: your clinic physician will suggest a program of specific therapeutic agents. Patient response is closely monitored to evaluate efficacy and minimize side effects. Doctors must be aware of all medications and natural supplements you are taking to ensure no adverse drug interaction occurs;
• • A lifestyle-modification component: the patient is instructed in the areas of diet, recreation, sleep patterns and other habits linked to headaches. As you age, changes in this combination of factors can dramatically impact a headache condition. For most women, the body's biological and physiological balance shifts dramatically at the peri-menopausal, menopausal and post-menopausal stages;
  • A biofeedback-training component: this  non-pharmaceutical approach enables the patient to be an active participant in their treatment and in alleviating headache symptoms. Approximately 70 percent of all patients benefit from this proven treatment approach. It augments other therapies, and is particularly useful for patients in whom stress is a major contributing factor to headaches, or who may be taking medications for another condition and cannot use standard headache therapies.

Preparing Your Loved Ones and Caregivers for Your First Visit

The great news is, your time with Diamond Headache Clinic will get you on the right track to understanding and coping with your headache condition. We understand your loved ones and caregivers want to see you feel better, so we have provided this list of tips to help you talk to them about what to expect:

• The initial examination process is lengthy. Be ready to spend at least three to four hours at the clinic on the first visit. Only the patient will participate in the examination process, unless otherwise specifically requested. Loved ones and caregivers must wait in the reception area.
• Assure your family that they will play an active role in your long-term wellness and treatment. You will receive a specific plan once the initial diagnostic session is complete. 
• You will have regular contact with your headache specialist, and follow-up visits may be necessary based on treatment plans.
• If hospitalization is required, visit our Web page for tips on preparing your loved ones for your Inpatient Unit stay.
• The clinic is located on the near-northside of Chicago. This well-established community is a safe location that offers plenty of hospitality and shopping options within walking distance while family or caregivers wait.
• Parking at the clinic is convenient, easy to locate and affordable. Covered-garage parking with validation is available.