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Topic: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues (Read 278 times) |
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Jeepgun
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I just got back from my neurologist. I think I need to find a new neurologist. This guy keeps on calling them migraines, and prescribed me Imitrex pills that supposedly are quick-dissolving, rather than giving me the injections. I inquired about oxygen and he said that pure oxygen contributes in some way to Alzheimer's, and that I looked healthy enough, and didn't look like I needed oxygen. I swear to God, I wanted to seize him by the neck and choke the shit out of him. He even wrote the script for Imitrex for migraines. WTF?!?!   
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Melissa
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #1 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 10:04am » |
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Ya, I would definately say get a new neuro!! On the OUCH site, there are 3 recommended docs listed for TN. The link is here: http://www.clusterheadaches.org/doctors.htm Just scroll down till ya find TN. I really hope you can get some leadway on getting proper treatment quick!
 mel
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #2 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 10:34am » |
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Thank you, Melissa... I'm sitting here with tears of frustration in my eyes. I did send off an appeal for help to a Dr. Brandes in Nashville from the list, so I thank you. Here is the text of the letter I sent:
Dear Dr. Brandes & Staff:
I live in TN, am 35 years old, and have suffered from cluster headaches for over five years. I am currently seeing a neurologist who calls them "cluster migraines," and keeps trying to treat me for migraines. I am at my wit's end. I have been in this cluster-cycle since early March, and I'm getting 4-7 of them per day, at all hours, including (and especially!) the middle of the night. Right now, my neurologist has me on a prescription for 500mg of Depakote per day, and he told me to take an extra one if I get a bad cluster headache. The Depakote kept me pain-free for three days, and then this past weekend was nothing less than absolutely hellish.
I returned to him this morning and he gave me a sample prescription for Imitrex pills for migraines, and said that the injectors would deliver too much medication. I inquired about getting a tank of oxygen with a high-flow regulator and non-rebreather mask, but he said that I looked healthy, and that high concentrations of O2 were linked somehow with Alzheimer's Disease.
As I left his office, I was on the verge of tears... I found Dr. Brandes' name on an internet listing of recommended neurologists who are familiar with cluster headaches, and I am appealing to you for help. I tried phoning Dr. ____ in _____, but they said that he was booked up for a month, so he isn't taking any new patients. (another neurologist in my local area)
Please, please help me. I can't stand this anymore...
Thank you in advance. I look forward to your expeditious reply.
Best Regards.
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forgetfulnot
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #3 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 10:39am » |
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Hey Jeepgun, I gave up on those pinheads years ago. If your GP is willing to work with you print this out for the next time you go in.
http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/general/management_of_ch.htm
My GP is cool with everthing in this and I can get in to see him usually within 24 - 48 hrs. Right now I'm on o2, Imitrex Inj., verapamil and lithium. Without the extra expense and long wait to see a Neuro.
Lee
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 10:41am by forgetful » |
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #4 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 10:50am » |
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Thank you for this information. I will take it to my GP and see if she can help me. Nashville is over an hour away, and if I can avoid it, I would rather not make the trip. Thank you again.
-Frank
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Melissa
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #5 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 11:29am » |
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Frank, that letter is very well written, is there any way for you to fax it to Dr. Brandes office? Perhaps that will expidite things. In the meantime, I agree with Lee's advice, and see if your GP can help you. If not, you can always try the alternative treatments, i.e. cold packs, hot towels (wet and heat in the microwave), cold or hot showers, lots of hot strong coffee, breathing the air conditioning on high from the vents in your vechicle (if you have A/C), sometmes vigorous exercise helps such as running, ummmm, I'm trying to think of other things that have helped me get through in the past when I had no meds at all.... If I think of anymore, I'll list them here for you! Hang in there...
hugs,
mel
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 11:30am by Melissa » |
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #6 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 12:16pm » |
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Thank you, Melissa. Nashville is over an hour away, so I'm going to try my GP instead, armed with the print-out of the medical information that was posted earlier. Thank you again.
So far, since yesterday morning, I've been pain-free. (Keeping my fingers crossed)
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forgetfulnot
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #7 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:20pm » |
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on Apr 5th, 2004, 10:50am, Jeepgun wrote:Thank you for this information. I will take it to my GP and see if she can help me. Nashville is over an hour away, and if I can avoid it, I would rather not make the trip. Thank you again.
-Frank |
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I might add one thought, my GP is fairly young and eager to learn, I still eased the document into the conversation. Forced feeding is not recomended. He took the bait and here we are now. Just a heads up .......
Lee
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:21pm by forgetful » |
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #8 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:31pm » |
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Thank you, Lee. I'm usually about as subtle as molotov cocktail, but I'll try to be just a little more suave about it. 
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bobkip
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #9 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:39pm » |
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Jeep, absolutely can that stupid shit of a neuro. And great advice from the others. I have found that an understanding GP is worth is worth all the idiot neuros that have their heads set in concrete. Tho there are good neuros goes without saying but finding one can be a real pain in the head. O2 and Alzheimers? Outrageous.
Kip
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| « Last Edit: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:40pm by bobkip » |
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #10 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 3:44pm » |
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The dude is a Vanderbilt-trained neurologist, no less. I wanted to seize him by the lapels of his white coat and scream, DAMMIT, MAN!! EDUCATE YOURSELF!! 
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thomas
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #11 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 4:44pm » |
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I will kick his ass when I get into town. (your neuro) What an idiot.
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FZfan
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #12 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 5:06pm » |
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agree with Lee on this one. A good GP is much easier to find than a good neuro. Not to mention cheaper.
Treatment of this disease is so individualized, a good GP armed with the latest information is probably just as valuable as a good neuro. But that's just MO.
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #13 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 7:39pm » |
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Thanks, everyone. I printed out the medical report on clusters and if I get another one, I'll make an appointment with my gp and give the report to her, and then see what treatment options she's willing to pursue.
So far, I've been pain-free since yesterday morning, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Hang in there, everyone!
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Charlie
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #14 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 8:00pm » |
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Yes. If it's your idea, it's no good or dangerous. Sounds like a yutz who thinks if you don't have brain posters around Your office, you are an idiot. I'll never get why these creeps give you such a hard time making appointments. I don't have that kind of trouble here.
Anyway, here is the technique again. Along with the other things, I hope you can make it work too:
Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique
What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this method but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.
I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.
Perhaps it will help if you think of it as a slight expanding of the artery into your arm while at the same time literally trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.
This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck
Charlie
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Lobster
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #15 on: Apr 5th, 2004, 8:06pm » |
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In full agreement with those who are directing you toward a common sense GP. My GP is open to any ideas research I take to him from this board. We discuss each one, and he politely nixes any he feels are a bit too agressive at that point.
A good GP is better than a mouth-breathing neuro.
Wrokk
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #16 on: Apr 6th, 2004, 7:40am » |
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Thank you, Charlie. I'm definitely going to try that technique. Thank you!
Wrock, I had a rough night last night. Two headaches... *sigh* I'm going to give my GP a call today.
Thanks again.
-Frank
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Linda_Howell
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #17 on: Apr 6th, 2004, 11:05am » |
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Something else you might want to know about is that at the last convention we were told that in Medical school Dr's get all of....are you ready for this?......5 f-ing hours training on headaches!!!! 5 hours. For all types of headaches.
I have more education on headaches than that in my right eye.
LindaH
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Kindness, is gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.
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Jeepgun
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Re: Grrrrrr... Neurologist Blues
« Reply #18 on: Apr 6th, 2004, 12:29pm » |
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on Apr 6th, 2004, 11:05am, Linda_Howell wrote:
Something else you might want to know about is that at the last convention we were told that in Medical school Dr's get all of....are you ready for this?......5 f-ing hours training on headaches!!!! 5 hours. For all types of headaches.
I have more education on headaches than that in my right eye.
LindaH |
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FIVE??? FIVE?!?! Grrrrrr.... Thomas, I think I will accept your offer to kick his ass when you come into town, thank you. 
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