Clusterheadaches.com Message Board (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Going to a Neuro for the first time
(Message started by: cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 3:58pm)

Title: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 3:58pm
Yall probably dont know me except from the "newly diagnosed" string on the newbie board.  But I still have questions.

I have never been one to go to the doctor and am always a little nervous.   My Doc of IM made a referal to the Neurologist as y'all suggested. I am going to a neuro for the first time and he supposedly specializes in HA's.  Anyway I hate needles and pain and scared to death of electricity and I know this sounds a little stupid especially from an educated man but in my mind a Neuro visit will involve all of the above and cause me more pain.  Tell me the real deal and what to expect.  what am I supposed to expect from this first visit?

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by thomas on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:01pm
hmmmmmmmm usually a first time appointment with a neuro is all verbal, they may take your blood pressure, though. ;)

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:04pm
Thanks Thomas, I need a little reassurance.  I am Tired as hell right now and Docs scare the crap out of me.  I hate the SOB's

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by Jonny on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:06pm
Dont sweat it bro, ive seen many a neuro in the last 12-13 years and have never gotten a needle.....never got anything but meds.

.............................jonny

Edit: BTW...the neuro works for you, you have the right to say no to anything you dont want!!

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:12pm
You gotta Help me here... I don't do doctors.  Do I ask for something or does he recomend something or do I tell him what seems to work for those in here.  Or should I write Him a prescription for a visit to this web site?

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:15pm
I guess I'll Check if there is anyone in my area that may know this Doc

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by Jonny on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:23pm

on 10/01/04 at 08:22:39, E-Double wrote:
Welcome to our family dude!!

Sorry you have to be here but it is truly an amazing place.

There is tons of info that will help you do battle and an infinite amount of support.

Did your doctor prescribe meds? Preventative and Abortive

Like everything else in life we are a bit different so there are many different types of meds that people respond to. The most "popular" seems to be Verapamil used as a preventative.
For abortives medicine Triptans (imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, amerge, and some others are used) The most popular appear to be Imitrex injections and Zomig nasal Sprays.
Get Oxygen (see the link to the left)!!! For many this is a godsend. It is cheaper than "meds" and is used as an abortive as well.

I know you have tons of questions and are feeling overwhelmed. I've been there myself, having suffered (i hate that word) with these things for nearly a decade but only getting diagnosed and finding this place in June of this year.

Hang in there man. Read and research as much as you can. Information will me one of your weapons to fight the good fight.

Best to you new brother!!!!!

Eric

P.S. You can write me anytime if ya need.


This is great advice from, Eric......follow it

..................................jonny

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:52pm

on 10/05/04 at 15:58:32, cwp2002 wrote:
I hate needles and pain and scared to death of electricity and all of the above cause me more pain.


Don't worry CWP.

There is nothing that can give you more pain than a Cluster Headache. If you can handle a CH, than you can handle a neuro.

When you find out that a shot of Imitrex rids a CH in about 10 minutes you'll love shots. The electric chair is just to see if you're answering the neuro's questions without lying.  ::)

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by don on Oct 5th, 2004, 4:56pm
He may look into your eyes, he may whack in the knee with a little hammer, he may ask you to visually follow his pen as he moves it around.

Thats about it.

He will, if he is a good neuro, ask you to describe your symptoms in detail and may, or may not, ask you to keep a headache diary.

He will then probably prescribe some meds.

Chances that he will hook you up to an old telephone box is remote.

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by cwp2002 on Oct 5th, 2004, 6:30pm
Ya Know, I've told y'all this before, your sense of humor is sick..... But I like it.  If only the clusters were this much fun.  Thank you for putting my mind at ease.  I don't guess I really thought that they would hook a car battery to my nuts.... But Hey some people like that you know!  

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by E-Double on Oct 5th, 2004, 6:44pm
Did anyone tell you not to forget to bring your own astroglide?

The docs tend to do a dry prod ;)

It'll be fine. Stay Strong


Eric

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by Charlie on Oct 5th, 2004, 7:21pm
Relax:

There is nothing as boring as a neurological exam. The one good thing about them is that there is no pain, electric shocks, and I've never gotten a needle from one of these twits. Even the hospital tests like EEG only look scary. I've never in my 45 years of visiting these characters had any pain or have I had them unscrewing the top of my head.

Dullsville. Don't sweat it.

Good luck.

http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/doc14.gif
Charlie


Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by thebbz on Oct 5th, 2004, 8:40pm
Oh ya , dont forget to breathe. Dont be afraid to ask your own questions ....write them down. Try to get him the information you feel is important. You are a team. He is knowledge and script and you are CH and communication. Make sure he or she is listening. Best of luck. ;;D ;;D
BB

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by stevegeebe on Oct 5th, 2004, 8:47pm
Why has nobody mentioned the craniotomy part and medulla oblongata biopsy extraction?  

Welcome cwp2002.

The only thing that really bothered me was the smell of burning bone as the paddle bit began its decent through the upper part of my skull.

Oh!...and watch out for that little rubber hammer thing.

You'll be okay.

Steve G

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by don on Oct 5th, 2004, 9:28pm

Quote:
medulla oblongata biopsy


Is that the one when they run a hook up your nose to pick off a bit-o-brain for the biopsy.

I specially like that part.

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by K-9 on Oct 5th, 2004, 9:56pm
Don't forget what Jonny said bout them "working for you".  That's true.  When I was at Diamond HA clinic, Dr. Urban brought interns in with him during my visit.  He asked me if I would be willing to take nitro-glycerin in the office to show the interns a Cluster.  I told him, "yeah, sure, You give me that, and I get to kick you in the balls as hard as I can, and the interns can take notes on who gets up first!!!!!"  (true story)  You don't have to do shit that a Dr says!!!!  Good luck to you.

Chuck

Title: Re: Going to a Neuro for the first time
Post by Charlie on Oct 6th, 2004, 12:54am
WTF couldn't one of those rectal apertures snarf down the nitro?  http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/furious.gif

Charlie



Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.