Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Finally going to headache clinic
        
(Message started by: rhanauer on Mar 15^th, 2007, 9:02am)

Title: Finally going to headache clinic
Post by rhanauer on Mar 15^th, 2007, 9:02am

Looking for any tips for an upcoming neuro visit 4/10. Thx to anyone who takes time to read this -- it's my first post in yrs. My all-too-familiar history is this: Had CH since my mid-20's (~30 yrs); first sign was that small amt of alcohol would sometimes trigger killer HA. Developed pattern of 2-3 clusters/yr w/multiple nite hits, mainly between October & March, lasting ~4-6 wks. Tolerable shadow pain in daytime but sleep-deprived! Saw a neuro 1x in 70's who Rx'd Cafergot which never really worked. Also saw an ENT then who tried antibx assuming sinusitis & offered septoplasty (which I didn't do since he wasn't confident it would help HA). Spent years thinking HA's were related to allergies/sinusitis (which I do also have) but was convinced CH is a separate beast when I found CH.com ~'98. At that time my PCP referred me to another neuro who sadly had no experience w/CH. He Rx'd O2 at my request which does usually help shorten hits (use concentrator dialed to max 10 LPM). The only preventative he Rx'd was Amytriptyline which didn't work. Went into a cycle last month that was esp bad, O2 took way too long to work, so I went on a Prednisone taper (which stopped HA after 3 days on 60 mg; I'm down to 20 now & hoping hits don't return) & finally got referral to HA specialist, Dr Herbert Markley's Central NE HA Ctr in Worcester, MA. From info I'm reading sounds like maybe I should try Verapamil for prevention, & maybe Imitrex for acute hits. Appreciate any feedback. The supportiveness of this community is comforting -- wishing you all pain-free days/nites!

Title: Re: Finally going to headache clinic
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 15^th, 2007, 10:44am

I like this article because it gives you something around which to discuss your options.

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

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

Title: Re: Finally going to headache clinic
Post by thebbz on Mar 15^th, 2007, 11:13am

Throw the concentrator away..get a bottle of 100%02 and a clustermasx..try the o2 again at 12 to 15 lpm. You may be surprised. Your reading has you dialed in pretty good. Good luck with the doc.
jb