Woman Has Six Brain MRIs for Migraines—Then Doctors Look Somewhere Else
After years of searching for answers in her brain, Stephanie Benedetti's search led somewhere she never expected: her jaw.
For over a decade, Stephanie Benedetti, based in Phuket, Thailand, endured debilitating migraines that left her bedridden for days. These migraines, which occurred weekly or bi-weekly, lasted between two to four days and were accompanied by symptoms such as facial swelling, jaw pain, and gastrointestinal issues. Despite consulting more than 20 doctors and undergoing numerous tests, Benedetti received no definitive explanation for her condition.
She visited neurologists, dentists, endocrinologists, naturopaths, and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, among others. After six brain MRIs, extensive blood testing, and various treatments, Benedetti spent more than $1 million on healthcare over 15 years. Her situation reached a turning point when she sought a cone-beam computed tomography scan, or CBCT, after focusing on her brain for years.
A dental clinic in Melbourne, Australia, identified abnormalities around old wisdom-tooth extraction sites in her lower jaw and recommended surgery. The diagnosis of cavitations, areas of abnormal bone associated with previous extraction sites, remains controversial within dentistry. Despite the uncertainty surrounding cavitations, Benedetti underwent two surgeries, which resulted in the cessation of her chronic migraines.
Nine months after her first procedure, Benedetti has not experienced another migraine. She emphasizes that her experience should not be taken as medical advice but hopes to encourage others with unexplained symptoms to continue seeking answers.
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