For years, Lexi Livanos lived with the crushing weight of chronic migraines. The pain wasn’t just an occasional inconvenience—it dictated her life. Throbbing headaches, sensitivity to light and sound, and nausea would send her retreating to dark rooms, missing out on work, social events, and everyday activities.
Despite seeking treatment from a well-known headache center, Lexi felt trapped in a cycle of pain and frustration. She was prescribed the same medications for years, though they no longer provided real relief. Her doctors didn’t seem interested in adjusting her treatment, even as her symptoms worsened. She was forced to function through the pain while waiting for appointments that often led nowhere.
Livanos’ breaking point came when her migraines became daily and debilitating. The medication that had once helped wasn’t working at all anymore. She was calling her doctor’s office in distress, but nothing changed. She even ended up in the emergency room, but instead of effective follow-up care, her specialist continued to dismiss her concerns. She felt helpless—like this was just how life was going to be.
Happily, everything changed when she enlisted the help of Guardian Nurse Kelli Axner, BSN, RN. For the first time in years, Livanos felt truly heard. Nurse Axner understood and validated her pain and frustration, and she used her clinical and administrative expertise to successfully navigate the healthcare system to get Livanos better care.
With Axner’s help, Livanos sought a second opinion with a new neurologist who was ready to take an aggressive approach to breaking her migraine cycle. Unlike her previous doctors, the new doctor actually listened to her concerns and experiences.
Together, they started from scratch, evaluating Livanos’ symptoms, triggers, and treatment history with fresh eyes. Instead of just prescribing more pills, they introduced new therapies, some of which Livanos had been denied (for no medical reason) by her previous doctors:
- Botox injections – A widely used treatment for chronic migraines that her previous doctors never considered.
- Nerve block injections – A therapy that significantly reduced her migraine frequency and intensity.
- Emergency infusions – Instead of sending her to the ER when her migraines spiraled out of control, her new care team provided at-home infusion treatments to stop attacks before they became unbearable.
With a new regimen in place, Livanos wasn’t going to bed in pain and waking up in pain for the first time in years. She could return to work and plan for vacations without the fear of migraines ruining everything. Most importantly, she felt hopeful — something she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Livanos’ Advice: Advocate for yourself. Don’t assume your doctor knows best just because they’re the expert. If your treatment isn’t working, speak up! No one knows your body like you do.
Seek a second opinion. If your doctor isn’t listening, find one who will. You should feel like your doctor is working with you, not just handing out prescriptions and sending you on your way.
Consider a nurse advocate. Having someone like Guardian Nurses in your corner can help you navigate the system, get appointments faster, and ensure your concerns are taken seriously.