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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> They're back :(
        
(Message started by: LeCollectif on May 29^th, 2007, 5:12pm)

Title: They're back :(
Post by LeCollectif on May 29^th, 2007, 5:12pm

Hi folks,

After three years of being CH-free, they've come back to haunt me. Three years ago, I went to see my GP about them and she insisted that they were migraines. I then insisted that, symptomatically, they weren't migraines, but clusters. She continued to oppose me and gave me some free samples for migraine relief. Oddly enough, they worked. And since taking them, I haven't had any pain until recently.

Problem is, I don't remember what they were called. Is there any medication that is effective on both migraines and clusters? I remember the pills were pink and triangular, but that's about it.

Also, can anyone recommend a good doctor in the Vancouver (Canada) area who is knowledgeable in our shared ailment? I find that most doctors have little, if any, idea about them.

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by Linda_Howell on May 29^th, 2007, 7:29pm

All cluster headache meds were prescribed for Migraines..or Epilepsy, depression or some other ailment. We have no drug we can call our own. We have to piggy-back on the Migrainers meds. usually.

The OUCH site is down right now, so I can't access my links, but maybe someone in Canada will see this and recommend. a good Dr. for you.

Linda

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by LeCollectif on May 29^th, 2007, 7:50pm

Thanks, Linda.

I'd go ask my doctor for some more, but I live on the other end of the country now, so that complicates things.

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by Linda_Howell on May 29^th, 2007, 8:32pm

I will put in a call to Margi.

She's Canadian ya know. Eh? ;)

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by Lotus on May 29^th, 2007, 9:53pm

Hi and welcome,

Sorry to hear your headaches are back. Hope the meds work as well this time for you.

Could they perchance be ergotamine tablet ? or imitrex/imigran tablet? These are commonly prescribed for both migraines and clusters.

Generally tablets take too long to work well for clusters but if they helped you a lot then thats great.

Please come back and let us know what they are and how you go with them.

Painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by dougW on May 30^th, 2007, 12:24am

Sorry you're back. :-(

Dr. Gordon Robinson, Neurologist, I think he works out of UBC.
He spoke at the Vancouver OUCH convention years ago.
Great guy, get the referral from your GP.
I'm told he has taken patients on if you call and tell him you have clusters.

Come on over here and some others from Vancouver may be able to give you his number.
http://www.freepowerboards.com/cdnclusterheads/index.php

Email/PM me if I can help.

Doug
Vancouver Island

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by Linda_Howell on May 30^th, 2007, 1:23am

Thank you Doug..I knew one of yuo Cannucks would see this and respond.

You're in good hands now LeCollectif

Linda

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by sandie99 on May 30^th, 2007, 4:13am

I'm so sorry that they're back... :(

But I'm glad that you found your way here - you will find a lot of information here and I'm sure that our canadian memebers can help you finding a doc who knows a lot about accurant ch treatment.

Wishing you lots of PF time,
Sanna

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by Margi on May 30^th, 2007, 9:59am

Greetings - I'd say those were Imitrex pills by your description. They will help with cluster but they take a long time to kick in. My husband has used the Imitrex spray with much quicker results, although Imitrex is a double-edged sword in that it does abort attacks but it's very common to hear that it also increases the frequency of attacks.

Doug stole my answer because I would have pointed you to Doc Robinson too. He is wonderful. He spoke at one of our conventions a few years back and he's a very good cluster doc.

I'm confused though - your profile says Toronto, yet you're looking for a doc in Vcr? Isn't that kind of a long commute? :-/

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by MR_FLOOR on May 30^th, 2007, 11:23pm

Sorry your CHs or but maybe your next cycle will be 4 years, those pills must be Imitrex,try the injections instead they work must faster then the pill.Good luck and I hope your next remission is longer then the last. ::)

Dave

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by LeCollectif on Jun 28^th, 2007, 6:33pm

Delayed replay, I know. Sorry. After about a month and a half long cycle, they seem to have subsided again. Thank God.

Because I'm in a new province and haven't set up my health care yet, going to the doctor was out of the question. But, as those issues will soon be in order, I will consult a doctor and ask for a referral.

As for the pills, well, when you're used to just toughing the demon out, any relief, even if it's not instantaneous, is great. I took them when I felt the shadows. At that point the headache would escalate into a bad one, but only for a few minutes. I can deal with that.

I appreciate your advice and sympathy very much.

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by GrandPotentate on Jun 28^th, 2007, 10:31pm

Here's to more PF days.

I also moved after the last cycle, and had to go through the ordeal of getting re-diagnosed. I finally got referrals, and got an appt and met a good knowledgeable neuro 2 days AFTER the cycle ended. We had a nice chat, and plan to meet again next spring before the next cycle.

Maybe I need to go down to Gitmo!

Title: Re: They're back :(
Post by michael on Jun 29^th, 2007, 6:35am

I use Imigran Radis tablets (English name, don't know what they would be called in Canada).

The tablets I take are 100mg and are white and triangular.

The 50mg tablets are pink and triangular.

Mike