AboutJ.R. Strecker, B.S., D.C. Expertise I can answer questions related to the signs, symptoms, causes, types, management, treatment, and prevention of headaches and migraines. It is critical to accurately identify the type and cause of the headache to maximally reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of the headache.
Please note: Due to the limitations of email communication, I cannot answer questions seeking a potential diagnosis or a second opinion. Without exception, any answers given may be used for educational purposes only. If a question is asked, you, the questioner, inherently agree to not use the answer for any type of evidence against another individual or to outweigh the advice or opinion of another healthcare professional. You, the questioner, also inherently agree to remove Allexperts.com and its affiliates and the author of the answer, Dr. JR Strecker, DC, from any harm or liability.
Experience I have extensive experience with chiropractic in an integrated system. I have treated patients at Venice Family Clinic, the nation’s largest free clinic and a teaching clinic for the UCLA medical system, in a heavily researched pilot program incorporating chiropractic and acupuncture with allopathic medicine. I am currently focused on private practice.
Organizations American Chiropractic Association.
California Chiropractic Association.
Publications Dr. J.R. Strecker’s Practice -- featured story (Front Page of Business Section), The Palisadian Post. Oct. 25th, 2007. (Dr. Strecker not the original author).
Education/Credentials Bachelor’s of Science, Human Biology (Cleveland Chiropractic College).
Doctor of Chiropractic, Cum Laude Honors (Cleveland Chiropractic College).
Awards and Honors Youngest chiropractor in professional history to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree
Past/Present Clients Consulting Chiropractor for Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy – Pacific Palisades, CA
Question Hello,
My boyfriend has been plagued with vicious migraines and nausea over the past two months. He is 26 and has never had this problem before, but it at least once a week he wakes up with a body encompassing headache that makes him vomit and he is unable to recover for a full 24 hours. He has been to his doctor, who has prescribed migraine and nausea medicine, but it doesn't seem to be helping. Is there a specialist he should be seeing? Do you have any helpful advice? Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Answer Disclaimer: please do not take any of my advice without at least consulting with your doctor(s) first. If necessary, print this email in its entirety for your doctor(s) to read. In addition, please do not attempt to use this website or my advice as a substitute for your healthcare needs, as a substitute for the advice of your doctor, or as a substitute for any legal advice. There is no way a thorough health evaluation or assessment of any medical condition can be properly made via email. Please only use the contents discussed as a guide or tool to address your health matters with your doctor(s). If any of the information I provide conflicts in anyway with the information your doctor(s) provide, it is always best to default to the information provided by your consulting doctor(s) or to seek additional opinions from qualified, licensed healthcare providers as needed.
Hello A.,
I’m sorry to hear about the situation. My only concern is that the headaches are new in onset. Make sure to talk about this with the doctor if your boyfriend has not headaches before in the past. Your boyfriend may need further evaluation by a neurologist – not necessarily because of his symptoms, but because you said the medications are not helping him. Since the headaches initially sounded like migraines, it makes sense and is normal protocol for the doctor to have prescribed migraine medication. This is common before referring out to a specialist. However, if the medications or treatment is unhelpful, this is when most patients get confused, understandably so. Not all patients are sure of what to do next. What you should do is follow up with your doctor because he or she may have a secondary differential diagnosis. So in other words, doctors are taught to treat and diagnose conditions in order of likelihood, unless it’s life and death. This is why no referral was made at the first visit.
At this point, I cannot give you or suggest to you a diagnosis (for several reasons), but I can suggest your boyfriend go back to the doctor for further evaluation. The doctor might refer out to the neurologist, special imaging or tests, or try a different medication, depending on how the evaluation goes.
