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Title: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by kyitb on Sep 6th, 2007, 7:45am Been getting hit hard lately! Started this weekend and has really been doing a # on my psyche and body. Was awoken around 1am with the beast finally at 3am I decided to drive myself the 5 or so city blocks it is to the ER. I could not take another minute of the pain, I needed relief. As I drive the pain is intense but I'm able to drive straight and make it to the hospital. I walk inside in terrible agony and motion for a pen and paper. I wrote down my condition and how long it's been going on. I'm placed in a wheelchair and sent to the back. When I get these things I need to keep moving there is no laying down. Which is exactly what they need me to do. They take my hand away from the temple (when they are this bad I like to apply alot of pressure to that area. I don't even know if it makes me feel better it just makes me feel something else) give me an IV and tell me the dr. will be in shortly. I'm in extreme pain for the next 5 minutes then it decreases by the time I see the doc i'm fine. I've never been so pissed for one to go away! I felt like a complete idiot! 20 minutes ago I was moaning and crying like a baby, now i'm fucking fine! The doctor gave me a scrip for hydocodone and sent me on my way. It's like the beast just loves fucking with us. At least this time the nurse didn't accuse me of being drunk! Now for the question ... I've been on a taper for 2 weeks now. How long till it starts killing the beast? |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by chewy on Sep 6th, 2007, 7:58am What kind of taper and what dosages? |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by kyitb on Sep 6th, 2007, 8:04am prednisone ... Have them sorted out by days I take them already so i'm not sure of the mg anymore. Probably would be helpful info but i just don't know. I'll look around for that info ... |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by E-Double on Sep 6th, 2007, 8:15am if you are on just a pred taper and not a preventative then chances are it will resume full cycle. This occurs for many. Pred is used as a transitional med to utilize while a preventative such as verapamil reaches therapeutic levels. Good luck! E |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 6th, 2007, 11:20am Treatment of Primary Headache in the Emergency Department Harvey J. Blumenthal, MD; Michael A. Weisz, MD, FACP; Karen M. Kelly; Renae L. Mayer, MD; Jeffrey Blonsky, MS4 Headache 43(10):1026-1031, 2003. © 2003 Blackwell Publishing Posted 01/06/2004 Abstract and Case History Abstract Background: Each year many patients present to an emergency department for treatment of acute primary headache. We investigated the diagnosis and clinical outcome of patients treated for primary headache in the emergency department. Methods: Patients treated for acute primary headache in the emergency department completed a questionnaire related to their headache symptoms, response to treatment, and ability to return to normal function. These responses were compared to the treating physicians' observations of the patient's condition at the time of discharge from the emergency department. Results: Based on the questionnaire, 95% of the 57 respondents met International Headache Society diagnostic criteria for migraine. Emergency department physicians, however, diagnosed only 32% of the respondents with migraine, while 59% were diagnosed as having "cephalgia" or "headache NOS" (not otherwise specified). All patients previously had taken nonprescription medication, and 49% had never taken a triptan. In the emergency department, only 7% of the patients received a drug "specific" for migraine (ie, a triptan or dihydroergotamine). Sixty-five percent of the patients were treated with a "migraine cocktail" comprised of a variable mixture of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, a dopamine antagonist, and/or an antihistamine; 24% were treated with opioids. All 57 patients reported that after discharge they had to rest or sleep and were unable to return to normal function. Sixty percent of patients still had headache 24 hours after discharge from the emergency department. Conclusion: The overwhelming majority of patients who present to an emergency department with acute primary headache have migraine, but the majority of patients receive a less specific diagnosis and a treatment that is correspondingly nonspecific. |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by BlueMeanie on Sep 6th, 2007, 1:40pm Do you not have a quick acting triptan ? That I know of that is about the only thing other than O2 that will kill the beast and usually pretty quick for most. ER's are not going to help a CH because, as you've experienced, by the time you wait for relief, the CH is over. Sorry you wasted your time. |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by kyitb on Sep 6th, 2007, 7:01pm I'm currently working on insurance to get all the meds and O2 stuff taken care of it. Till then i've discovered a new relief. PAINKILLERS!!! I was prescribed Hydorcodone by the ER doctor. I've yet to fill the prescription but, I have indulged in the 3 that he gave me to take home. I feel normal for the 1st time in a long time. I don't mean drugged up normal, I recognize that's not normal. I mean, I don't have the pressure in my head that's constantly there. I realize that painkillers do nothing to abort an attack. However, they are doing wonders for the pressure and my overall mood. Anyone else take painkillers for release of the constant pressure? |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 7th, 2007, 9:24am Pain meds are rarely effective with Cluster so your experience is exceptional. Problem is that the med you used is not one to be used for long periods and the abortive meds are both more effective and safer for long term use. http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf 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) |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by kyitb on Sep 7th, 2007, 12:11pm I'm not in any way saying that it is curing my ch. In fact I got one last night that woke me up and one early this morning. I know that painkillers don't do anything for ch but, it sure did do alot for me emotionally. I'll take the happy times anyway I can get them. Not filling the script now however. Got to find another way to get happy .. |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 8th, 2007, 7:14am What's going on with your insurance? You need to tools and you need them fast. It's just not necessary to fighting the beast naked and defenseless. I feel your frustration and I'm glad you are strong enough not to fill the perscription. Hang in there. -Dennis- |
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Title: Re: Another useless ttrip to the ER ... Post by Mark C on Sep 8th, 2007, 9:41am ER for CH, in my experience has been about useless, narcotics, for me, about useless, Bob........priceless!! ;;D |
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