Headache specialists in Atlanta

Jessica:  Dr. Leslie Kelman of Headache Specialists of Atlanta (in the St. Joseph's Hospital Complex) was recommended to my mom.  We have seen him twice with her and so far, I am so not impressed.  I liked him a little better the second appointment but he truly hasn't done much for her.  The first appointment, he basically looked at the meds she has been on for years, rolled his eyes and told her that he felt her neurological status (decreased) was due to the meds.  The only answer he gave her for her headaches was to inject her neck with steroids which haven't helped.  It is true that she has many problems but he really wouldn't try to help.  The second appointment, he performed a great neuro exam and basically said he didn't know what was wrong with her but that we should ask the pain mananagement doc to get her off of all her meds and see if they helped the headaches. 

Anyway, for what it is worth, I think he is worth a shot.  I know he is not a believer in any kind of pain meds or by mouth meds at all but does like to try many different kinds of injections.  I will say that his waiting room is packed and most of the patients that I have seen are elderly and several that I spoke with had nothing but good things to say about him.  One lady told me he had saved her life.  His Nurse Practitioner does a very thorough history and exam before you see Kelman the first time and he does a great neuro exam in the room.  At least he exams the patient well.  He doesn't like a lot of input from family so by the second appointment, I learned to just there and watch (very hard for me to do but thought it might get us somewhere).

I also have a friend who just took her 12 year old daughter who has become debilitated with migraines to Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.  She was impressed at the appointment but so far, the daughter has only gotten worse (after 6 weeks on her meds).  That is another place that believes in preventatives but that apparently doesn't believe in meds for the pain but does have an awesome reputation.  I think they use a lot of biofeedback, diet, exercise, etc.  I know many on here have had great success with them.

Good luck and let me know if you see Dr. Kelman.  I would love to know what you think about  him.  I have been contemplating seeing him myself but am happy now with my neurologist in Fayette County - he is awesome!

Just had to say that I saw Dr Kelman for a while for an ongoing chronic pain issue with my leg, but left when he deliberately inflicted pain on my leg to "prove" that my hands could move better than I claimed during a time that my hands were cramping up. It was so traumatic, and yes, I did whatever I could to stop him from hurting me. I couldnt do much with my hands, but while I was screaming & hyperventalating in pain, he was happy he had proven my hands were ok- they werent.
Years later-recently, an issue with my head and spine has left me bedridden. Ive spent weeks in hospital including Emory and Shepherd Spinal Cemter among others and no one can help me. Im in so much pain and as my last option, went to see Dr Kelman. I havent seen him for years. This time, i cant speak or see, my ears are covered, I cannot sit upright in the wheelchair andmy husband says she is in a great deal of pain, naiseus and having' trouble breathing, please allow her to lay down. Dr kelman wouldnt let me lay down, wouldnt let my husband answer medical questions, insisted I spoke for myself, and began yelling at me and my husband. We were forced to leave right away. He called my husband some not-nice names and said I was being dishonest.
Do not see Dr. Leslie Kelman! Dr. Kelman is terrible! Dr. Kelman is thought to be a respected physician or was once- but after being his patient for years, I left because of his sadistic bedside manner, his unsympathetic staff, and after trying him again years later, I see maintains a lack of understanding for those who come to him for help.