Nia returned to her spot on the couch and looked to Alvis expectantly. The old man had pulled out a different file now. Since they had been meeting for a longer period of time, there was a bit more of a focused energy about him now.
"Last we talked you were still having migraines. Have those subsided at all?"
Nia sighed and shrugged, "I don't know. I mean...My head doesn't really hurt right now but I also can't remember when it stopped hurting."
The man's brow furrowed, "Well, that's not the worst answer but it's not very reassuring either." He paused for a moment, clearly in deep thought. "Nia. I think that we should look into getting you some stronger pain medication." His words were clear and deliberate.
The girl stared at her hands in her lap as she began to fiddle with the skirt of her dress. "I guess that's not a bad idea."
Alvis was pleased with that response so he took a breath, glancing at his notes again before speaking, "I can prescribe you something to try. However, it will only be a trail and after 30 days of usage..." He paused, waited for Nia to look up to make eye contact and then continued, "You will have to go see a doctor to determine if you need a dosage change, be sure there are no adverse side effects, and that you are safe to continue usage of the medication."
At the word doctor, Nia's whole body tensed up. As she listened to the his explanation she could rationalize exactly why this made sense. However... She wasn't sure she would be ready for that.
Sensing her hesitation, Alvis spoke again. "Now, before you get too worked up about this, after the 30 days you can always decide to quit the medication and not go see the doctor." That made Nia relax a bit. There was a way out of the doctors visit but...
"But... If the medication works and I want to keep taking it... I have to go see a doctor?" She asked quietly.
Alvis nodded, "Yes."
Nia mulled this over for a moment. She wasn't really afraid of the doctor. The doctor she had seen last time was quite nice in fact and she had found him a good individual. However, she was afraid of herself and having another one of those "episodes".
"Okay. I will try the medication." She wasn't committing to a doctor's appointment. Just to try the pain medication.
Alvis gave a small smile and quickly wrote out the prescription and handed it to Nia. "Give this to the receptionist and she will get you what you need." Nia thanked the old man and then left.
She got her prescription and then began the walk back to her room. She held the bottle of small white pills in her trembling hand as her shoulder started to twitch.
"One problem at a time." She mused to herself.
