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Topic: Serious ER Question(s) (Read 618 times) |
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TomM
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Serious ER Question(s)
« on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:19am » |
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1) Why go to the ER for CH?
I have never gone to the ER for CH and was curious as to why someone would go when they post "...they held me until the Tox Screen came back and showed I didn't have illicit drugs in my system. " I've read this many times and also heard that a psych eval is around the corner.
2) How many of us go to the ER for CH?
TomM
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catlind
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #1 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:27am » |
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I've gone to the ER for migraines, and when I'm out of O2. My local ER knows I have clusters and what they are, so they are very good at giving me O2 and usually a shot of phenergan, that will occassionally help.
Primarily it's toradol and phenergan for a migraine, but going to the ER for a CH doesn't always help. The waiting is usually longer than the attack at most ERs, not at the one by me, usually in and out of there in under an hour.
Cat
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Melissa
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #2 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:27am » |
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1) I've gone to the ER twice for CH, and it was when they were kip10's that felt like I was going to die. The 1st time I went we didn't know what they were and they gave me shots of pain meds. Well, those didn't do anything for me and I didn't feel relief until I threw up in the sink.  The 2nd time I went, I hadn't gotten my O2 or meds yet, so I sucked on O2 while there, and it was gone in 15 min.
2) I haven't been back there for a CH since.
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jcmquix
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #3 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:33am » |
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I went one time to a Walk in Med Center, that is supported by the Hospitial... I layed in there for 30 minutes, Thrashing and Grabbing my head, I was wet with sweat, and my Temp was like 103 & my BP was off the Scale..
They made me go to the ER, I told them that it was CH and I asked for a shot of TREX.. The nurse said she would be right back, I Rolled around for another hour, then the HA went away, then the nurse comes in like 2 hours later to give me a shot of TREX. I told her never mind, the HA was gone. Then the Dr & Nurse went out of the room and I over heard them talking and saying that I was just looking to get Drugs and/or Attention...
So I got up and left the ER and I swore that unless I was dying that I would never go back to the ER on my own.
Thats what I pretty much learned, was that if they see something they do not understand, they think you are there looking for Drugs and/or Attention.
I can roll on the floor in the privicy of my own bathroom, not there in front of them.
God Bless
Charlie
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TomM
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #4 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:44am » |
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Cat, as always, you keep it real and in perspective. Yeah, by the time you get what you need/want the attach is over. Mel and Charlie, your responses are what I've heard many times before.
So why go? I feel I'm beating my head against the wall trying to understand.
Nevermind. Thank you for the replies.
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Woobie
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #5 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 8:48am » |
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The only time Ramon ever went to the ER for a CH was when we didn't know what the hell it was........ Ramon thought he was dying or had a brain tumor or something.
They gave him a shot of demerol or something --- didn't even touch it. The CH passed, we went home. Next day went to Family doc... he got hit in the Docs office... Doc saw it - and diagnosed CH right away.
I went home - looked up CLUSTERHEADACHES on the web, found CH.com - been here ever since.
Never went back to the ER.
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DonnaHar
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #6 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:07am » |
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I went a couple of times too with Kip 10's....way before anyone knew what a ch was. And like the rest of you, it was over by the time I got to see the doc.
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lionsound
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #7 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:18am » |
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Wait a minute here....
Sometimes it it totally necessary to go...and I don't think it has all to do with the pain relief itself.
Sure I've had high kips when I didn't go and one's when I did and the difference was my mental state. At some point I was way over medicated and and mentally and physically cooked and I needed immediate attention.
CH for hours (or back to back)and migraine....too many prevents, trex up the wazoo....over at least a week of pain...something was gonna give and it would have been me. I have PTSD as well and going to the ER is a huge trigger for me....I hate it.
So why go? Sometimes it's about taking care of myself, and sometimes it's not about me at all. Sometimes, if even for a few doped up hours, I need to hand it over to someone else. And sometimes, I need to realize I have a husband and two kids and now pregnant, if nothing else I need to take care of me for them. I need to try to throw a curve to my noggin.
You are not a wuss or stupid for going to the ER!!!Sometimes it's the bravest thing you can do.
I've heard the horror stories too and have been offered a tylenol for my CH. I have since learned in medical situations to be my best advocate and demand what I need and bring my hubby and my med chart and my doc's card and a card from my doc's office that lists ER meds for me.
I haven't been to the ER in a year. I was two steps away last month and my OB said no....she was concerned about me and baby in waiting room...and tried to treat with me scripts at home, which I didn't take. If it wasn't for clusterbuddy support i would have completey fallen apart.
So I guess to each his own and lots depends on you and the ER you happen to land in. You can bet that the ER that is nearest the the convention next year is going to get a little lesson on CH before we get there.
-lionsound
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| « Last Edit: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:20am by lionsound » |
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Melissa
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #8 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:30am » |
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on Oct 21st, 2005, 8:44am, TomM wrote:
Ya know Tom, sometimes there IS a good visit to the ER. They're not ALL bad. That 2nd trip to the ER for me was worth it. I did have to light fire underneath the admitting persons ass, but they did responded quickly after my 30 second broken, firey speech about being in intense pain like someone is ripping apart my eye, temple & jaw out  . My husband checked me in while they whisked me to a room to huff on the O2. That way he gave them my info. and I got relief.
Rori's right when she said this:
Quote:| So why go? Sometimes it's about taking care of myself, and sometimes it's not about me at all. Sometimes, if even for a few doped up hours, I need to hand it over to someone else. |
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hugs,
mel
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LadyElaine
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #9 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:34am » |
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I was Chronic for 21 years I am now eposidic. I have gone to ER before. Some times I would have clusters back to back. I did not have more than 20 minutes between attacks. It was rare but it did happen a few times. When I did not think my body could take any more pain, ER is where I went. If they ever come back to back again I will. Your post is right to a point about ER. You have to understand not everyone is alike, some don't have insurance and they ride it out till they can't take it any more and then its a trip to ER. Some people have a low tolerance for pain. What might be a kip 4 for one might be a kip 10 for others and when they hit our kip 10 they are out of control. ER would be a good thing.
Your right waitting for help in ER sucks and for most, the pain is gone by the time doctors see them.
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TomM
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #10 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 10:19am » |
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on Oct 21st, 2005, 9:18am, lionsound wrote:Wait a minute here....
You are not a wuss or stupid for going to the ER!!!
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That never crossed my mind nor was ever written by me.
on Oct 21st, 2005, 9:18am, lionsound wrote:Wait a minute here....
Sometimes it's the bravest thing you can do.
-lionsound
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No truer words have ever been written.
on Oct 21st, 2005, 9:34am, LadyElaine wrote:| You have to understand not everyone is alike, some don't have insurance and they ride it out till they can't take it any more and then its a trip to ER. Some people have a low tolerance for pain. What might be a kip 4 for one might be a kip 10 for others and when they hit our kip 10 they are out of control. |
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Elaine--that was the "Ding! Ding! and lightbulb I had" hence, my nevermind.
We, CH'ers, are unique in our own right but do have similar traits. That, too, was my lightbulb.
TomM
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| « Last Edit: Oct 21st, 2005, 10:38am by TomM » |
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thomas
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #11 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 11:21am » |
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on Oct 21st, 2005, 8:19am, TomM wrote:1) Why go to the ER for CH?
I went a few times during the 3 years I was undiagnosed, because I literally thought I was going to die from a brain tumor or something, there was no way that much pain could be anything other than a life threatening condition. After I got my diagnosis, and had insurance, my gp. prescribed some preventives but no abortives. So the 2:00 am killers were too much to take, my gf would take me in to get some relief, so I wouldn't wake up the kids.
2) How many of us go to the ER for CH?
I haven't been in many years since I have found a treatment program that works for me as far as decreasing the number and severity of my hits. But just like anything, "different strokes for different folks".
TomM
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Religion and sex are powerplays. Manipulate the people for the money they pay. Selling skin, selling God, the numbers look the same on their credit cards. Triptans cause rebounds. Learn it, believe it, live it. I use triptans as the absolute LAST RESORT when treating my CH.
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PollyPocket
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #12 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 11:40am » |
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Only 1 ER trip for me, Dec '96... when I was totally piggin' out on chocolate and we didn't know that the C word was what was my big trigger.. didn't have a clue till then.
I spent 3 hours in K 10 hell till I passed out from the pain, woke back up after I don't know how long, and it started all over again. I was screaming at my now ex hubby to get help (who by the way refused). After about an hour I guess of me begging for help, he finally called an ambulance and I spent 7 hours in the ER. 2 in the waiting room, again nearly passing out from the pain, then 5 on o2 and some IV, . Mighta been morphine, I think that's what it was.
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cootie
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #13 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 11:53am » |
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If serious enuff cries for help come in various ways. I used to listen to Brad roll off the bed upstairs and hit the floor pounding and screaming and crying like a baby for an hour or two !! We had NO IDEA what the hell was wrong.....we went that usual sinus anxiety allergy route. Seeing what a high kip can do to a person I think fear speaks for it'self if one lasts too long.......fear of alot of things.....the pain, harming yourself thrasing and what if it never stops. Brad's never went tho......and we've both found out the BILLS we end up with when one of us do go. Insurence and pain sucks Pam
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E-Double
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #14 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 11:59am » |
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Back to back to back to back to back to...................
Then having a friend (ROARRRRRR) convince me that it is ok to "hand it over to someone else"
I needed a break because nothing was working and my day and my livelihood was withering away.
Only been there once and it was needed.
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Lizzie2
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #15 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 11:59am » |
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Well I've gone to the ER and had attacks while there, but generally didn't go to the ER just for the CH in the first place. I tend to go when my daily migraine reaches the level of absolutely unbearable and/or I'm getting more CH than I can possibly tolerate.
The ER where I go gives DHE and other headache related meds. The last time I went with a k10, the nurse gave me O2 via nasal cannula, and I'm not knocking him because that's the only thing RN's can legally throw on someone without an MD's order, but I was trying to tell him not to bother as it was just pissing me off more than anything else! So both times I went in the last year for headache, I was able to get O2 via nonrebreather. The only other thing that pissed me off was that the attending decided to do the neuro exam complete with shining the light in my eyes during an attack. I was very close to hitting him, as you can imagine!
The waits are the worst part. But I've also waited 3.5 hours for cardiac problems and abnormal EKGs (and thank god I was finally taken back because I lost the ability to speak for myself within an hour of being back there...) and I also waited awhile when I was having a massive nosebleed. Granted it was probably only 20 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity. If I wait and the hit ends, invariably another comes on while I'm back there. As I did go for increasing frequency of CH along with the severe migraine.
I don't generally go to the ER for CH or severe migraine, but I do believe it's important for anyone to go when they can't handle it on their own anymore. Sometimes we just feel completely out of options, ideas, patience, etc. I've never seen a psychiatrist in the ER....but I see one outside the ER so if I had to talk to one there, I'm sure it wouldn't buy me a week in a psych hold LMAO
Time and a place for everything....
Carrie
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zanychef
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #16 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 3:25pm » |
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i've been to er once and never again it was 10 years ago
i'd been released from hosp that morning after being treated for ch later that evening i went to k10
got to er same neuro saw me who had treated me the past 4 weeks as an inpatient started doing a full diagnosis on me again when all i needed was o2
i nearly killed him when he took a pen and ran it on my trig!!!!
never went back needless to say
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plenty of time to sleep now me headaches aint too bad
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lionsound
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #17 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 3:34pm » |
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on Today at 10:18am, lionsound wrote:
Quote:Wait a minute here....
You are not a wuss or stupid for going to the ER!!! |
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on Oct 21st, 2005, 10:19am, TomM wrote:
That never crossed my mind nor was ever written by me.
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Okay.
I know you didn't write it, Tom. Glad you didn't think it either.
I know sometimes people can feel that way...and I hope they don't.
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maffumatt
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #18 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 5:40pm » |
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I have been twice. Once before I knew what it was and the second time was when I was put on Depkote. Second day on that and I was getting high kip hits one after another. I really thought something BAD was wrong with me.........
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eyes_afire
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #19 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 5:56pm » |
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Not even a realistic option for me. First, I would have to find a way to get there, then I'd have to convince my insurance company to pay for it. ... so I'll continue to slowly hoard a 'Doomsday Stash' of imitrex.
--- Steve
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Kevin_M
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #20 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 6:04pm » |
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on Oct 21st, 2005, 5:56pm, eyes_afire wrote:| ... so I'll continue to slowly hoard a 'Doomsday Stash' of imitrex. |
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Yep, and a half dozen e-tanks.
Never used it but I have a card with a 24-hour number on it for the ER to verify treatment from the institute.
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BlueMeanie
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #21 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 6:50pm » |
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I never went, but the first few CH's, I thought seriously about going. Of course I thought I was dying with a tumor or something. My wife would cry the whole time because I refused to go. After I realized that they'd be gone within an 1-1 1/2 hrs. (pre-trex days), I never thought about going since. Thanks to trex, it's usually only 15-20 minutes now. 
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Charlie
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #22 on: Oct 21st, 2005, 9:54pm » |
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I wish that everyone had the kind of attacks (if they have to have the horror at all) that I endured. The only time I considered an ER was when I got hit the first time. Mine usually lasted 20 minutes, sometimes 30. This and the technique I learned made going to an ER a moot thing.
Also, because I had lots of experience with epilepsy, I was diagnosed by a neurologist that knew WTF he was doing. I hadn't realized how rare this is until I found all you crazed individuals. I was in tears when I read the guestbook the first time. I had to come here to see what bunch of bizarre characters CH seems to attract. 
Thanks kids.
Charlie 
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Jonny
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #23 on: Oct 23rd, 2005, 1:19am » |
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30 years chronic and never been to the ER, for two reasons.
1) I know it would be over by the time I was seen.
2) I could not sit in a waiting room full of welfare fucks and illegal aliens staring at me while under attack without killing someone.
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KingOfPain
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Re: Serious ER Question(s)
« Reply #24 on: Oct 23rd, 2005, 8:00pm » |
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Kip 10
3:15 a.m.
Was taken to the E.R. because nothing, I mean nothing stopping or slowing down the beast [O2,imitrex,maxalt,verapamil,etc...].
Stadol and phenergan[phenergan to tolerate the stadol].
Administered 30 minutes after I got there.
Worked like a charm.
Of course, I was zonked out.
Slept it off, you might say [the attack].
We do what needs to be done when needed.
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