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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
        
(Message started by: angeldust on Oct 24^th, 2006, 8:44pm)

Title: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by angeldust on Oct 24^th, 2006, 8:44pm

hi there,
after being diagnosed last week with cluster headaches by my gp i came out of the surgery ver stressed and confused :o but after seeing this site and talking to a few people on here i think i know what i need to control my madness [smiley=laugh.gif]
the thing is my gp hasnt had a patient with this condition and she admitted that she was unsure of how to treat it .........
i want to see her and suggest to her about the injections and oxygen but i feel a little awkward :-[ as i feel like i will be telling her her job ,
i know this is silly but does anyone have any suggestions???
how to approach my gp but not sound as if im being pushy???
pls help
ami x x x

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by BB on Oct 24^th, 2006, 9:17pm

Hello Ami,

I am a GP and I always listen to what my patients have to say about their conditions and if I am not sure of something I check it out.

I suggest that you print out the information from this Board and give to her to read, also ask her to refer you to a neurologist. There are medical books published on CH that you can buy too.

As a doctor she has access to medical information if she bothers to look it up. She can also ring and talk to the neurologist to get some education herself.

If she is a good GP, she will listen and be willing to learn.

Good luck with it all. PF wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 24^th, 2006, 9:45pm

Quote:

i feel a little awkward as i feel like i will be telling her her job ,

BS...Physicians get exactly 5 (five) hours of training in headaches during their medical education. FIVE freeking hours, and that includes ALL headaches.

If you read everything here, you will be as...if not MORE knowledgeable than he/she is regarding clusters.

Do not let them intimidate you. Go prepared and knock-em dead. ;)

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 25^th, 2006, 3:20am

know how you feel hun - as do most people on here im sure . .

check your pm's !!

Chops

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by Bob_Johnson on Oct 25^th, 2006, 12:18pm

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

==================
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: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by eddie on Oct 25^th, 2006, 12:37pm

BE PUSHY, tell the doc what you need.

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by TxBasslady on Oct 25^th, 2006, 5:31pm

The doc works for you.

Print out everything you think you need and take it with you next time you go. If you're doc doesn't welcome the info, then maybe you should consider another.

My gp doesn't know about CH...but he was very open to reading any and all materials I supplied him. Even today, that info is still in my file at his office.

I keep a headache diary....it's a valuable tool that allows you to go back and see what worked/didn't work. It helps to identify an upcoming cycle, if you're one that has a cycle. My hits are always random...I don't have a cycle, but I'm episodic.

Definitely take the 02 info...02 has been a godsend to me. It's the cheapest of all the treatments, and much easier on the body.

Best wishes to you,

Jean

Title: Re: THE DREADED DOCTOR ...LOL
Post by sandie99 on Oct 26^th, 2006, 5:22am

Ami,

welcome! :)
I'm so sorry that you have ch. But don't worry, this is the best place to come for new information about medications and treatments.

And DON'T feel bad about advicing your doc. There are plenty of docs who have no idea and when you tell what you have learned, you'll help her to treat her next ch patient better (although we're not the same).

During my ch years I've met many docs, 4 of the neurologists. After giving many meds a shot, I trust just Red Bull and other similar energy drinks when I get hit. It's your head, so in the end, it should be up to you what kind of treatment you get. Learn a lot, ask a lot, and most of all: ask for that treatment you want.

And remember... if the first thing you try fails, then there are plenty of others to try. :) Whenever you need advice or just to vent, remember that here's always someone to talk to. :)

Best wishes & PFdays,
Sanna