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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Help with Headache Homework
        
(Message started by: fuligin on Sep 12^th, 2005, 1:59pm)

Title: Help with Headache Homework
Post by fuligin on Sep 12^th, 2005, 1:59pm

So it's been a long time coming, but I've finally got an appointment with a neurologist. To pass the time, I've been researching headaches, filling out quizzes, and just generally being my analytical self. (It's better than sitting around anticipating the next attack anyway.)

I've been trying to get a head start by doing a "headache journal" and trying different OTC things I've seen. I'm not really sure what they'll be looking for in the journal, though, so I started a sort of blog to keep track. My question is, would anyone mind looking it over and letting me know if something's unclear? Or if I'm not keeping track of something that might be relevant? It's not 100% technical in tone, but I'm trying to keep it light so I don't take myself too seriously.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. It's at http://www.livejournal.com/users/rock_squirrel/ and you don't need to sign up for anything. Thanks!

Title: Re: Help with Headache Homework
Post by fuligin on Sep 13^th, 2005, 9:47pm

Wow, okay. Not sure if I've said something wrong or I'm not getting what the purpose of this message board is. I'll have to assume it was me since it's one of very few posts with 0 replies!

Good luck to everyone anyway. :-/

Title: Re: Help with Headache Homework
Post by AussieBrian on Sep 13^th, 2005, 11:38pm

G'day Fuligin,

We're in different time zones so I missed the first post. Like yourself I don't really know what's expected of a headache journal but I suppose the more you write down the more you've got to back on.

Had to giggle at "A man, a plan, a canal". It's from the longer phrase "A man, a plan, a canal - Panama" and it's called a palindrome - a sentence that reads the same forwards or backwards.

Either way, keep up the good work. Information is the only real defence we have against this beast, so go for it.

Kindest regards always,

Brian Down Under.

Title: Re: Help with Headache Homework
Post by pattik on Sep 14^th, 2005, 9:38am

fuligin--from what I read on live journal, you certainly have the symptoms of CH--especially the regularity thing. You should take a serious look at the use of Oxygen. But do as much reading as possible about it, including the link on the left. Many members of this board have had good results with it. It needs to be used with a non-rebreather mask with at least 8LPM. Welcome to the board, and ask as many questions as you need. There is a lot of cumulative experience here.

Patti

Title: Re: Help with Headache Homework
Post by fuligin on Sep 14^th, 2005, 9:41pm

I appreciate the responses. I saw the neurologist today. I think "atypical migraines" is the only possible diagnosis he mentioned himself. He didn't mention cluster headaches at all until I asked about oxygen. The oxygen he dismissed as "well, it helps for cluster headaches which I don't think you have" and "it's very inconvenient with the bottles and the...". He gave me a prescription for Maxalt, which I hope does not share side effects with Imitrex injection (hate that stuff).

We'll see. I emphasized to him that the only really intolerable part of the headaches was the first 30 minutes or so. But on the Maxalt website, it's advertised as working in "as LITTLE as 30 minutes". Huh?

Title: Re: Help with Headache Homework
Post by AussieBrian on Sep 15^th, 2005, 5:41am

And welcome to the roundabout. We've all been through it, mate, and sympathise completely.

What concerns me the most, however, is his attitude re O2. I'll stand corrected, but I'm sure that it's a reccommended treatment in migraine anyway.

Importantly, it seems you still don't have a definite diagnosis and this really, really matters. If you're being treated for one type of headache while you really have another type then you're poisoning your body and perhaps making things worse while another problem is being left unsolved.

I'm not one for giving advice but I reckon you're best off going back to square one. Take the Cluster Quiz over on the left, visit a new doctor, get other opinions. Bloody run-around, I know, but may well pay off in the long run.

Keep us posted and best of luck,

Brian.