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Medical and travel expenses to Germany for chronic migraines

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Hi, my name is Kristina and I am from Vancouver Canada. I have been experiencing headaches starting around 2011 after I graduated high school. I didn't think anything of it as it was occasional and usually a Tylenol or advil would help. In 2016 I graduated University with a certificate in Public Safety Communications. I wanted to be a dispatcher/call taker for BC Ambulance. After graduating I started getting more headaches more frequently where a normal Tylenol wouldn't work and I would have to resort to Tylenol 3. I was put on different medications that didn't help at all. I started experiencing really bad neck pain and then a headache would come soon after. I tried acupuncture, dry needling, massage, chiropractor, and a physiotherapist to help. Nothing would work and in 2020 my doctor referred me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with chronic migraines. He didn't bother to ask me about my neck at all and prescribed me with magnesium pills. To no surprise, magnesium did not work for me. In 2023 is when my headaches/migraines too a turn for the worst. I would wake up with a headache or it would come on during the day at work or when I came home. There was no pattern as to why this was happening. In August they got so bad I ended up having to go on disability because I was getting migraines everyday for months where I could barely function. My doctor sent me to a pain specialist clinic where they tried nerve block injections between my C1-C4 thinking it could be cervicogenic headaches. Unfortunately this procedure did not work and almost made it worse. I was put on Aimovig which is a auto injector that can help with migraines but unfortunately that did not work. I ended up calling a walk in clinic because the headaches were so bad and he referred me to a different neurologist. I saw her in January of 2024 and she told me to try botox. I got my first dose of botox in April and the first 5 months was really good. I finally went back to work after 11 months off. I still had headaches and migraines but not nearly as often or severe. In October of 2024 I noticed that the botox wasn't working as well as it did the previous months. She suggested to get them every 10 weeks instead of every 12 weeks. She also prescribed me with Ajovy which is another auto injector to help with my headaches. Unfortunately both have not been helping and the headaches are coming back almost daily. I feel like I have tried everything in my power. I have been told that botox only works for primary headaches not secondary. Which means if my headaches are caused by another underlying issue, the botox will not work. I feel like I have tried everything and have been told it's chronic pain that is a life long issue and to use heat for my neck pain. I am tired of the Canadian medical system and want to go out of the country for help. For just one day I would love to not be in pain. The emotional, physical, and mental struggles is something I wouldn't wish on anybody. I was fortunately able to get in touch with Dr. Hedge Topka who is the head of the department of Neurology in Hamburg Germany. Unfortunately it will cost 5500 Euros which is about 9 thousand dollars Canadian. I do not have that kind of money and I am hoping if anybody can spare even a little I would be forever grateful.

Thank you
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    Organizer

    Kristina Fuchs
    Organizer
    Langley, BC

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