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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Pleased with my GP appt.
        
(Message started by: taraann on Apr 22nd, 2007, 7:13am)
Title: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by taraann on Apr 22nd, 2007, 7:13am
I saw my general practitioner on Friday.  He really impressed me.  Prior to this  current rough time I've been having the family practice would not touch anything to do with my headaches with a ten foot pole cause of how they complicated they are even to the neurologist.  But Friday was the first time I saw the actual head of the family practice.  (it's a group practice)  He had taken his lunch break and researched as much of my headache history as possible, almost all the local docs and hopsitals are on the same computer system up here now, and he also learned as much as he could about cluster headaches that he could during his itme.

He wants to work with my neurologist to help make me comfortable and get me back on track.  I was on the last 3 days of my 10 day prednisone taper and he changed that so I will actually be on an additional 14 days  of steroids (right now I'm at 30 mg twice a day). Plus he wrote me a script for more dalmane (sleeping aid), dilaudid, and checked to make sure I had enough topamax until I see the neuro.  He knows that I might need an iv infusion or shot of steriods to get the steroid level back up there again cause that's what works best for me in the past when I am on a taper.  

He was so very compassionate, willing to learn, and attentive.  I wish I had pushed to see him in the past when I couldn't get into the neuro (I had just given up on the gp cause of his collegues, who are very nice but very leary of anything to do with my headaches).

My jaw xrays are fine.  He also said I still am not healed from my car accident back in February.

Ok well that's my update.  Fingers crossed that I don't have to go back to the ER for a strong dose of steroids to kick off this "new" game plan.
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by ClusterChuck on Apr 22nd, 2007, 7:19am
Be careful, Crash, you don't want to be on prednesone for too long!

I am SO glad you finally have someone who will put up with your bitchiness work with you.

Chuck
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by purpleydog on Apr 22nd, 2007, 9:47am
I am soooo glad your GP is willing to work with you on these, TA. You must be feeling some relief at that. And I am glad your jaw is ok.

I realize you are doing all you can to deal with your head and family at the moment, but it would be a good idea to document what happened at the hospital with those nurses. Not only is that behaviour totally inexcusable and unprofessional, but it was an invasion of privacy too, which affects HIPPA laws. What if a family, or anyone else had been walking by the nurses desk? Wonder where the nursing supervisor was.

But I glad you're doing so much better!  [smiley=hug.gif]
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by Mac_Muz on Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:01am
taraann, If they need another victim ummm patient to examine let me know...

Hopin' you feel better... soon?
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by Yorky on Apr 22nd, 2007, 11:09am

on 04/22/07 at 07:13:04, taraann wrote:
I saw my general practitioner on Friday.  He really impressed me.  Prior to this  current rough time I've been having the family practice would not touch anything to do with my headaches with a ten foot pole cause of how they complicated they are even to the neurologist.  But Friday was the first time I saw the actual head of the family practice.  (it's a group practice)  He had taken his lunch break and researched as much of my headache history as possible, almost all the local docs and hopsitals are on the same computer system up here now, and he also learned as much as he could about cluster headaches that he could during his itme.

He wants to work with my neurologist to help make me comfortable and get me back on track.  I was on the last 3 days of my 10 day prednisone taper and he changed that so I will actually be on an additional 14 days  of steroids (right now I'm at 30 mg twice a day). Plus he wrote me a script for more dalmane (sleeping aid), dilaudid, and checked to make sure I had enough topamax until I see the neuro.  He knows that I might need an iv infusion or shot of steriods to get the steroid level back up there again cause that's what works best for me in the past when I am on a taper.  

He was so very compassionate, willing to learn, and attentive.  I wish I had pushed to see him in the past when I couldn't get into the neuro (I had just given up on the gp cause of his collegues, who are very nice but very leary of anything to do with my headaches).

My jaw xrays are fine.  He also said I still am not healed from my car accident back in February.

Ok well that's my update.  Fingers crossed that I don't have to go back to the ER for a strong dose of steroids to kick off this "new" game plan.
30mg 2 times a day...is that a usual dose ?....just curious, i seem to be doing the same as you, meds wise....but im on 6x5mg...daily.(dont think its enough...)
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by DonnaHar on Apr 22nd, 2007, 11:20am
Please do some homework on Prednisone.  It is a very potent and sometimes problem causing drug.  Don't be unaware of what is being given you.  It might be great for you, but again, may be harmful.

Do some research.
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by taraann on Apr 22nd, 2007, 11:35am

on 04/22/07 at 09:47:37, purpleydog wrote:
I am soooo glad your GP is willing to work with you on these, TA. You must be feeling some relief at that. And I am glad your jaw is ok.

I realize you are doing all you can to deal with your head and family at the moment, but it would be a good idea to document what happened at the hospital with those nurses. Not only is that behaviour totally inexcusable and unprofessional, but it was an invasion of privacy too, which affects HIPPA laws. What if a family, or anyone else had been walking by the nurses desk? Wonder where the nursing supervisor was.

But I glad you're doing so much better!  [smiley=hug.gif]

My gp was in awe at even the jaw injury happening while I was in the hospital.  I plan on documenting Sam took some pics of my face a couple days after we left the hospital (I posted one of them) but I had negelected to take pics of my arm, shoulder and leg.  They still have bruises but they are very faded.  I'm procrastinating a bit right now, but it's just until I get through this week.  And all the appts and such.  I am also in the middle of lawyer crap from my car accident.   I hate lawyer shit, and it's just not me to even use a lawyer for the car accident, but I am.  I'm actually considering asking the lawyer what he thinks of my whole hospital experience.  I sound all sue happy don't I?  I am just so fed up lately and vengeful and well bitchy I guess!


Quote:
30mg 2 times a day...is that a usual dose ?....just curious, i seem to be doing the same as you, meds wise....but im on 6x5mg...daily.(dont think its enough...)

All meds and med doses are on a case by case basis, everyone's bodies reacts differently to things.  Steroids are terribly hard on our bodies.  But for me so far steroids offer me the highest chances of a break.


Quote:
Be careful, Crash, you don't want to be on prednesone for too long!

I am SO glad you finally have someone who will put up with your bitchiness work with you.

Chuck

There must be something special about my bitchiness that ppl just LOVE!
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by taraann on Apr 22nd, 2007, 11:38am
I just got off the phone with the doc and he wants me to go to the ER (diff hospital thank gawd than the one I was admitted to!) to get a big IV dose of steroids and to try to drop my pain down and stop my vomiting.

Wish me luck. :'(
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by artonio7 on Apr 22nd, 2007, 12:51pm
Good luck Tara. Prayers are coming your way.

With warm regards,
Tony
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by lionsound on Apr 22nd, 2007, 9:12pm
PF's  on the way! I hope it works!
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by andrewjb on Apr 22nd, 2007, 9:24pm
:). chin up lady, your on the right road. andrew
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by UN solved on Apr 22nd, 2007, 9:34pm
Sounds like you've found yourself a pretty good doc !  That always makes everything better  ;)

Sorry you're still not feeling better though. 60mg or Prednisone a day is a pretty good dose.  I'm also currently on a taper. I started at 80mg a day and I'm dropping it by 10mg per day. I may extend it a little bit, but not much. I know how bad the side effects can be if you mess with it too much  :(   I guess your out getting your iv infusion ... I bet it's Solu Medrol (?)   ( also one of my faves ). I hope it helps.

Take Care

UNsolved

PS .... sue the crap out of them ppl !! they'd sue you if the shoe were on the other foot !!  goodluck and don't forget to send me my cut  ;)
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by taraann on Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:02pm
Well I'm home and I suppose I shouldn't be :-/ they wanted to admit me (felt like an ambush lol) but I just got out of the damn hospital, school vaca just started, the weather is gorgeous, and I miss my babies!  I got the solumedrol plus dilaudid and phenergan (my best friend is phenergan lol, the only med that has stayed faithful all these years and has always worked the same as long as I can hold it down)  But I am still struggling like crazy with hits ... I have been switching sides off and on and that is such a rarity for me, today it is on the wrong side and it's all been 8-10's.  It just seems so much harder to handle when the beast wants to shake things up a bit more.  CHANGE IS NOT GOOD  ;)

THanks for all the prayers and vibes.  My mother in law took one look at me when I got home and asked why in the hell I was home from the ER still in pain!  I am getting such short minute breaks in between hits it's friggin unreal.  The hit I was experiencing when I got home was about a 4 so I was happy with that.

Trying hard to be positive or atleast keep my morbid, sick, twisted sense of humor going.

I love you guys I truly don't know what I'd do without you all to come and talk to or read about!
Title: Re: Pleased with my GP appt.
Post by andrewjb on Apr 22nd, 2007, 10:50pm
have you tried the phenergan as a saposetory ? s/p  check with your doc ? best of..............andrew.


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