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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> First Visit to a Neuro in Over 10 Years...
        
(Message started by: KatzPurr on Mar 25^th, 2008, 8:49pm)

Title: First Visit to a Neuro in Over 10 Years...
Post by KatzPurr on Mar 25^th, 2008, 8:49pm

Ok, so I thought I would share about my visit to the neurologist today, which went much better than expected. Generally speaking, I have never been a fan of most doctors. My experience in dealing with this beast for 32 years has yielded very little in the way of decent relief and so during my last two cycles I made the choice to deal with the pain without seeking new meds etc... Since my last bout of ch was 3 years ago and the one before that 2 years, and the one before that maybe 3 years, it has been about 10 years since I actually had any new medical intervention. I have simply stuck with what has worked most often, which is oral Imitrex. Of course when my ch are at their highest peak and worst intensity, nothing has worked except injectable Imitrex, but I have not always been able to obtain it in the amounts needed.

When I went to the neuro 10 years ago, he was fairly knowledgable and certainly interested in helping me, but his bedside manner was something left to be desired. He tried medication after medication without any success. Even prednisone only kept the beast at bay until I tapered off the steroids and then we were back to square one. Ultimately, I think he was as frustrated as I was, but of course he wasn't the one who had to suffer my agony. I eventally talked him into getting me set up with O2, but it didn't work and I was quite disappointed, since it had aborted a ch in the ER years prior. Some of you recommended that I re-visit the idea using non-breather mask with a higher flow rate and so I was armed with some new info. when seeing the new neuro.

In any case, this new neuro doc is great. He is mild-mannered, caring and I like him a lot, which is a welcome departure from my past experiences. He was more interested in letting me choose what options I wanted to consider instead of making me a guinea pig. Since I feel I am nearing the end of this ch cycle, I have opted to continue with Imitrex as my primary abortive. He gave me a script for several injections and two samples of the nasal spray, which did work btw, when I got hit earlier today. He is also helping me get set up with some O2, but that may be a bit more of a challenge due to wrangling with the insurance co. for approval. In the meantime, I feel very confident he is willing to do or try anything I desire, so I'm pleased.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you all an update and thank you once again for your invaluable support.

P.S. Oh... something I forgot to add that I think is way kewl. The neuro took a few minutes to show me something fascinating in a medical book he had on hand. He mentioned that ch are one of the few headaches that actually show up on a PET Scan. It was amazing really to see several hot spots on the side of the brain where the ch was occuring in the patient. [smiley=cool2.gif]

Title: Re: First Visit to a Neuro in Over 10 Years...
Post by kevmd on Mar 25^th, 2008, 10:23pm

glad things went well for you. I'm not even sure if my insurance covers the o2. After 2 phone calls I got frustrated and took the advice of some people here to get it at a welding shop. Its pretty cheap. You may want to look into it. If it doesn't work then your not out a whole lot of money.