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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> I'm new
        
(Message started by: Jenna on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:01pm)

Title: I'm new
Post by Jenna on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:01pm

Hey guys! I'm thinking I most likely have cluster headaches. If anyone lives in Tennessee, can you PLEASE give me a name of a doctor who knows SOMETHING about this. I've been going to the same doctor for YEARS and she says that my headaches are just depression... of course I'd be depressed if I had a headache this BAD!
I'm new to TN, and don't have any doctors yet. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by thomas on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:08pm

Most of us will BE in TN this weekend. ;;D

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jenna on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:18pm

on 07/12/04 at 16:08:18, thomas wrote:

Most of us will BE in TN this weekend. ;;D

I noticed that, how fun!

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by don on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:46pm

Tennessee

Dr Thomas Miller
Nashville

E. Arthur Franklin
Memphis

Jan Lewis Brandes
Nashville

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jenna on Jul 12^th, 2004, 4:53pm

Thank you so much!

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jayne on Jul 12^th, 2004, 5:16pm

Doc Miller is no longer practising medicine.
You might want to try the lady that fixed me up niceley.
Her name is Doctor Constance Johnson and she is based in Clarksville TN and is worth the drive. I am not at home at the moment, but I will post her office # later when I get back.
She has been the best doc so far for me in Nashville. Doc Brandes takes forever to get an appointment. MONTHS.
Where abouts in TN are you?
Jayne

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jayne on Jul 12^th, 2004, 5:27pm

Here you go.

Dcr Constance Johnson MD

Headache Care Centre
Clarksville

tel 931-647-2828

They are closed on Fridays. Doc Johnson knows her stuff!!!!

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jenna on Jul 12^th, 2004, 5:56pm

Jayne, is she the one that was on the Channel 4 news the other night? That's how I found out about this website.

I live about 15 minutes Chattanooga side of Murfreesboro

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by alleyoop on Jul 12^th, 2004, 8:14pm

Jenna,

If you want to IM Jayne, just click on her name at the top left side of her post. That will take you to her profile page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Send this member a private message.'

Hope that helps. ;;D

........................alley

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jayne on Jul 12^th, 2004, 8:22pm

I am so glad you found us through that news segment. Yes that was Dc constance Johnson they were interviewing and I was the lady that is the sufferer.
If there is anything I can do for you, please feel free to email me. We could exchange #'s and I will call you if you would like that.

Jayne_salters@yahoo.com

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by don on Jul 12^th, 2004, 10:13pm

Jeepers Jen. You just got here and already you know a celebrity!

A celebrity with a Southern drawl.

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Charlie on Jul 13^th, 2004, 1:25am

Welcome aboard Jenna. I hope you have some luck and that you'll stick around. You'll find some good ideas here. Here's one that helped me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this 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 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

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jenna on Jul 13^th, 2004, 2:16am

Thanks guys, ya'll have been so much help and so friendly! I've been having these headaches since I was in 7th grade (I'm 18 now) and have been on every medicine imaginable. I've read that Imitrex is supposed to help, but it never worked for me, it ended up making my pain worse.
I'm going to call around tomorrow and try to get an appointment to see someone, Jayne- I'm going to try the doctor you recommended first.
My mom told me today that her dad had Cluster Headaches, is is heritary?

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by floridian on Jul 13^th, 2004, 8:36am

Quote:

My mom told me today that her dad had Cluster Headaches, is is heritary?

It is partly hereditary. If an immediate blood relative has clusters, your chances of getting them increases from 2/1000 (the overall rate of clusters among everybody) to around 15/1000 to 30/1000. But there are other things involved, and it doesn't seem to be a single gene.

A history of head injuries, sinus problems, jaw problems, and sleep apnea are also more common in clusterheads. These are not causes in the traditional sense, but they seem to make things worse or contribute in some way.

Title: Re: I'm new
Post by Jayne on Jul 13^th, 2004, 9:49am

ok Jenna, I feel very confident that Dc Johnson will help you.
The offer is always open, if you want to talk to me, just let me know. It is sometimes a lot quicker on the phone and you could ask me all the questions you want to. If your mum wants to talk to me she most certainly can.
Good luck dear and please keep us informed of your progress.
Love Jayne

P.S when you mentioned imitrex, did you mean injectables or tablets??