My Migraine and Headache Blog

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

08/29/2010

Another Senseless Death - "Headaches" Really Can Kill.

Unbelievable. In 2008, the then nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Moen was experiencing what seemed like an endless headache along with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and a stiff neck. As anyone in extreme distress would do, she went to see a doctor in hopes of finding help. Her outcome was anything but helpful.

Elizabeth's journey began on January 21, 2008, when she went to the Mankato Clinic in Mankato, Minnesota, to find relief from the relentless headache and additional symptoms she was having. Dr. Davidson examined her and immediately sent her to the hospital. She stayed for four days and was released with a diagnosis of Migraine, but did not feel much better.

Moen continued to suffer until February 4, 2008, when she went back to the Mankato Clinic. She was again evaluated by Dr. Davidson who still insisted she was experiencing Migraines. The doctor gave her additional pain medication and sent her on her way. As Moen continued to suffer with horrible headaches, a stiff neck and plagued by her original symptoms, my question is this - Were any additional tests run to find out why she had a stiff neck in addition to her horrible head pain? Three weeks, no relief with all those symptoms, and the doctor did not look any further? This is the part I can't wrap my head around.

Dr. Davidson didn't schedule any follow-up visits for Elizabeth, didn't inform her that having prolonged head pain, a stiff neck and various other symptoms could be anything more than a Migraine. So, on February 14, 2008, when she couldn't stand her extreme head pain and abnormal nausea any longer, she was admitted to the hospital. It was only after her convulsions began, that another CT scan was finally performed, finding a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was airlifted to a larger hospital that was better equipped to handle emergencies of this type. But by this time, it was much too late. Elizabeth was already brain dead. She was kept "alive" so her organs could be donated. Only two weeks after she turned 20, with her entire life in front of her, she was gone. Why?

Seeing as Elizabeth spent four days in the hospital and had testing done - and I'm assuming she did - shouldn't more conclusive tests have been run when she saw the doctor at the Mankato clinic the second time? Did she have a lumbar puncture (LP) performed to rule out meningitis? I mean come on, I am not a medical professional by any means, but do know from raising two children (isn't it common knowledge?) that a stiff neck and prolonged headache may be a real problem - such as meningitis. So if an LP wasn't done in the hospital, or at the Mankato Clinic, why not? It certainly sounds as if there was enough "evidence based" medicine to at least run an initial CT scan, which they did when it was too late. Was it a matter of time? Money? What? Elizabeth Moen seemed to have many of the symptoms of a subarachonid hemorrhage, but she is dead because no one found it in time.

I just don't understand......and am so sorry for this family's seemingly senseless loss.

Sadly,