How often should I get CAT scans for my migraines?

I have only done CT scans or MRI scans on patients who have migranes as a tool for ruling out another process. The causes of routine migranes (many believe that chemical imbalances can cause migraines) do not show up on these scans. But, if you were having migranes due to a brain tumor, that would be seen on a scan. Once another process has been ruled out, there really is no reason to do follow up scans.

"A physical exam and lab tests may be done, not to necessarily diagnose migraine, but to rule out other causes for the headaches. Imaging tests that can produce an image of your brain such as computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help to rule out brain tumor or other structural causes of headaches, but are not useful for identifying migraine."

http://www.medipedia.com/conditions/migraines/

find a different doctor who will talk to you.
that’s a simple question that will get a simple answer from any doctor who cares even a little about you.

Yes. Every 6 months will let the neurologist know if there are any good or bad or no changes at all to your brain. They use MRI to look for annurisms or more.

Duke is the best.

I also get migraines and I’ve only had one CAT so far. The doctor I saw told me that I would need to have a CAT done again ONLY if they progressively got worse than what they already were. He put me on medication, but usually what I do now since I get them so often is take regular headache medicine when I feel the onset of a headache.

As you have pretty old history, I don’t think frequent CT scans are indicated. If attacks are well controlled, scans will always come negative. Why to expose yourself unnecessarily? I mean, leave it to your doc. If you develop any new symptoms then it is different.
Good luck!

No one should have CAT scans "routinely". You should only have a CAT scan if it’s needed to help diagnose your problem. If you already know the problem is migraines then there’s no need to do further scans unless something changes which could indicate a different problem.

CAT scans deliver a substantial dose of radiation. Having too many can actually put you at increased risk of tumours.

There’s a new development in migraine therapy:
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html