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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> new to this
        
(Message started by: qrtsncups on Apr 4^th, 2006, 7:58am)

Title: new to this
Post by qrtsncups on Apr 4^th, 2006, 7:58am

Hi, I am pretty new to this. I had an attack yesturday and need to go to a dr for this asap. I talked to a specialist and I need to have other test run. What is included in these test. The problem I have is I don't have health insurance. What do you do if that happens?

Title: Re: new to this
Post by Bob_Johnson on Apr 4^th, 2006, 9:10am

There is no diagnostic test for Cluster. Likely, he wants a bran scan to elminate some problems which can appear as cluster symptoms.

All you can do is be honest with the doc: If you don't have $, just tell him. In truth, the chances that a scan would produce anything are very small and the risk, therefore, of not having it are not great--unless you have a history of stroke or serious circulatory issues.

If you get a firm Dx of Cluster, start learning.

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

--
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: new to this
Post by qrtsncups on Apr 4^th, 2006, 9:16am

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly. I really do appreciate everything you said. I have been in contact with a headache clinic and told them of my situation. Just graduating and starting a new job is not a good time to have this happen to you. I will look into the book and I have read up a lot on the site here. I am just nervous about it happening again. I was literally freaking out cause I had no idea what was going on.

Title: Re: new to this
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 4^th, 2006, 9:48am

Don't freak out, you are not alone. We are a bunch of well informed individuals, not doctors, and you can come here and lean on us as much as you need.

Get your diagonsis. Take the quiz on the left. Bring hte document that Bob gave you to your doc appt, it has great info.

Keep us posted.
PF wishes.
Jose

Title: Re: new to this
Post by Scott S on Apr 4^th, 2006, 10:39am

New to this site as well, but certainly not new to CHs. Sorry you had to find us.

I understand your sudden onset of the headaches as I was what I thought a very healthy individual until about 5 years ago I started waking up in the middle of the night, the same time every night, for weeks on end with an absolute searing pain across my left head, temple, eye, and nose only to have them disappear just as quickly after seveal weeks. Until then I had no idea what a CH was, only knew about migraines. I went to my general practitioner and he diagnosed it just by my description, confirmed by a neurologist with whom I sometimes work. I did not need any further testing to confirm.

I would say to f/u with your plans of checking out a headache specialist/ clinic and be very specific with your symptoms and even bring along a journal as recommened above.

Hope a little confirmation of your concerns from personal experience helps ease your mind and get you giong in the right direction.

Be well,
Scott