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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Finally went to the Doc 
        
(Message started by: Tam Tam on Nov 6^th, 2006, 7:19pm)

Title: Finally went to the Doc
Post by Tam Tam on Nov 6^th, 2006, 7:19pm

Knowing full well that I just can't live on the prednisone I finally broke down, printed all the good stuff from the board here and went to see my doc. He's just a GP but generally he's really good, very caring and through, just a good guy overall. I figured that if he wanted to send me to a neurologist he could just refer me to someone! Anywho, the bad news....he didn't know crap about cluster headaches. The good news? he was willing to listen and read and learn.

He wrote me prescriptions for all the Imitrex I want ( my insurance covers it but at $5 a shot, it's not a cheap! ) I already have very low blood pressure so instead of Verapamil he put me on Neurontin for beginners. If that didn't work he said we would try something else after he read all the stuff I gave him. ::) I suppose I can't ask for more than that.

So far, so good. 4 days on the Neurontin, I'm totally off the prednisone, and I haven't had a single episode, not even a shadow since Saturday morning!

however, the side effects from this stuff....jjjeeeeeezzzeeeee! I hope they go away!
Anyone else try the neurontin for this and how was it for you??

Tam

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by BB on Nov 6^th, 2006, 7:55pm

Hello Tam

Sorry to hear you have CH but I am glad you have a good GP who is willing to listen and to learn :)

Glad to hear that Neurontin is working so well for you. My husband is on Lyrica which is similar to Neurontin. It doesnt stop all the pain for him but it reduced the intensity and because he has trigeminal neuralgia it worked for that.

The main side effects he had with Lyrica is tremor of the hands, blurry vision and slight dizzyness. They get better once you have stayed on the meds for a while.

Good luck with everything and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by Jonny on Nov 6^th, 2006, 8:06pm

You are so lucky you have the doc you have, Tam......most would turn their nose up at reading your print outs.

Good for you!!!!

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 6^th, 2006, 8:39pm

Awesome to have found a doc who listens! It's a beautiful thing. My two cents worth since verapamil isn't a good option, I use lithium. When on cycle it stops 90% of them. O2, cafergot and imitrexs are my backups. Good luck, and thanks for education yet another GP!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by Redd715 on Nov 6^th, 2006, 9:32pm

I was on Neurontin for a short period of time, supposedly for the CH aniety induced insomnia. Had no effect on sleep nor the headaches. Also didn't think it was smart to take Neurontin AND Topomax together. But I did for a few weeks with no positive effects at all.

Glad it's helping you though. No two people react the same to the same meds.

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by BlueMeanie on Nov 6^th, 2006, 10:15pm

Good news that the new meds are working. Sometimes a GP is willing to work with you just as well as a neuro as long as they are open minded. Glad you found one.

on 11/06/06 at 19:19:44, Tam Tam wrote:

He wrote me prescriptions for all the Imitrex I want ( my insurance covers it but at $5 a shot, it's not a cheap! ) Tam

Had to put a smile on your Trex cost. :) I pay $20 a shot with insurance and $65 after my 4 shots a month allowance.

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by Tam Tam on Nov 6^th, 2006, 10:26pm

Wow! Do I feel lucky! I really am blessed to have great insurance. It's a PPO and not cheap either so I guess they get you one way or the other, don't they??

I don't have a limit on the Imitrex, and as I said it's $5 a pop, but we pay $500 bucks a month for this insurance!

Greedy bloodsuckers! I wonder if it's cheaper to get the Imitrex in Mexico?? I'll have to check it out next time I go.

Tam

Title: Re: Finally went to the Doc
Post by RichardN on Nov 7^th, 2006, 1:06pm

Hi Tam Tam

Great news re your visit to your doc . . . and his willingness to research CH. I just wish he had given you the 02 script also.

There is one link . . .SOMEONE POST PLEASE . . . which is a recognized medical HA book (symptoms,treatments, therapies,etc) covering many ha's INCLUDING CH . . . .and recognizes 02 as viable abortive. If that's not the one you took . . . please copy and drop it off at his office (give him time to look it over) and call him back the next day . . . if you can get the 02 . . . and it works for you . . .you can save the Imitrex for the hits the 02 doesn't reach.

Again, so very glad you've found a doc willing to listen . . . which means that he AND his staff will very likely be able to help others (especially if they ever see you in the office have a Kip 8+ . . . . THAT'll get you in ahead of everyone else in the waiting room . .lol)

DO push for the 02

Be Safe, PFDANs

(02 pushin') Richard