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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
        
(Message started by: busker on Aug 15^th, 2003, 10:57pm)

Title: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by busker on Aug 15^th, 2003, 10:57pm

At times, as I'm sure many others know, the pain of these headaches is so intense / debilitating that I consider visiting an urgent care or emergency room. To this point, I have resisted that urge as I have doubts as to whether any staff at such a spot would have knowledge as to how to treat the condition. Does anyone have any info regarding the 'usefulness' of visiting an ER during an intense attack? Thanks for your help,

Busker

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 16^th, 2003, 8:28am

ER visits are a real waste of money, resources, and time. It's clear from many messages here, that the ER route is generally not a satisfying experience because of delay, having to educate the staff about CH, etc.

The question is: what are you doing/using to abort the attack?; are you taking any meds to prevent?

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Prense on Aug 16^th, 2003, 8:45am

ER has the treat and street mindset. They will typically dope you up on demerol or something like that and send you on your way. It is a very unpleasant experience.

Chris

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by tommyD on Aug 16^th, 2003, 9:16am

I suppose if you educate the ER people first, they can learn to get the oxygen tank and the proper mask out when they see you coming.

Some folks have had good luck getting O2 at fire stations and ambulance garages. Go visit them, take some donuts, schmooze them up, tell them your problem. These folks like to help, and might let you suck O2 for free. Offer a donation if they are a volunteer or community-supported unit.

-tommyD

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by busker on Aug 16^th, 2003, 2:26pm

Thanks for the feedback. In response to Bob Johnson, I am currently on prednisone, which seems to help some, and am scheduled to see neurologist next week. Thanks again,

Busker

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by kbbogo1 on Aug 16^th, 2003, 4:58pm

My thought is that by the time you get to your "breaking point" and are ready to head to the ER, in just a few more minutes, your pain will start to go away on its own. That's what I remind myself of when I am at a kip 10+ with no meds and staring at insanity eye to eye. One time I did make it to the ER (before I was diagnosed) and they made me wait for 40 min because all I had was a "headache". Then they couldn't decide whether I had a mental problem (wacko ch behavior that comes from a kip 10!), a brain tumor, or a migraine. Lucky for me, I puked all over their waiting area, so they went with the migraine notion first and gave me LOTS of Demerol. Didn't stop the pain at all, just calmed me down so they didn't put me in a straight jacket. ;D
But, I went to the ER last year (after being diagnosed, but still not on the right meds yet) for a bad one. I told the doctor I had clusters and he immediately gave me an Imitrex injection. Instant relief and well worth the $375.00 ER charge! Up to you - if you are desperate.

Good luck at the Neuro,
Kim B

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 17^th, 2003, 9:01am

Busker: If you have read many other messages on Pred. you will have seen this warning: it will abort a cycle quickly (assuming adequate dose--but that's another round of messages). However, CH very often returns when you stop using it.

WHILE taking the Pred. your doc should also be starting you on one of the preventive meds which you will use for some months. IF you have not be started on one--ask now. Don't wait until you stop the Pred.

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Prense on Aug 17^th, 2003, 9:32am

on 08/16/03 at 16:58:23, kbbogo1 wrote:

My thought is that by the time you get to your "breaking point" and are ready to head to the ER, in just a few more minutes, your pain will start to go away on its own.

True for some, but when you get hit with a 8, go back down to a 4 then back up to a 7, then down, then up...that can go on for hours. The individual hits do not last more than a couple of hours or so, but the up/down roller coaster can go on for the better part of a day for some.

Chris

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by taraann on Aug 17^th, 2003, 10:31am

I would avoid the ER if possible.....I went just last week cause I was having a severe migraine riding in between 3 hr long CH's and was unaware a migraine caused the temp vision loss in my right eye, coldness in my right face, weakness on right side, etc....so I called my doc who wanted me to go to the ER for a CAT scan. While on the way there the heat in the truck got me started on another CH hit (a bad one) when the doc saw me she sent me to the cat scan (very very hard to be still for that while having a ch hit) then told me I just had a headache and sent me home.....I walked out in tears, was a horrible waste of time, energy, and money IMO

But ya never know u might luck out...

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 18^th, 2003, 2:58pm

the first time I took the walk (driving is absolutely impossible) It was a 9-9,5 with no relpax left, I was crying all the way to the hospital and when I reached the ER after 15 mintes the pain started fading. I asked for a relpax for an imminent rebound but they told me I had to get a receipt >:(

hope not to get to the second walk...

PFDAN

painfull murazza

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by Timberlea on Aug 18^th, 2003, 7:37pm

I have visited the ER twice. Once about 15 years ago I was having an everlasting excruciating attack that just wouldn't stop, so my husband took me to the ER, of course when we got there my attack was gone. They wouldn't give me anything (just in case I was a junkie, and believe me, I did not look the part), anyhow, all he would give me were Tylenol 3's, needless to say, I didn't even take the prescription. The second time was two weeks ago, I was desperate and up north at our trailer. My husband took me again, this time the doctor wanted to put me on IV to stop the cycle, but I wasn't in the middle of a headache at the time and I told him I thought this would be a waste of time, I'm assuming this may be good for a classic migrane headache? Anyhow, he prescribed me Naoproxen, which did nothing. Actually this is the second doctor who prescribed me Naoproxen and I was wondering if anybody else had ever been prescribed this for Clusters - I personally find it to be totally ineffective.

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by UnsolvedEquation on Aug 18^th, 2003, 11:47pm

Hell No ... If i'm outta Imitrex, I'm going staight to the ER for some Imitrex, Stadol or Demerol. Screw having all that pain if I can avoid it. I've already had enough of it !! I'd rather be out of it !! (But I do hate having to go there...that sux 2)

Title: Re: EMERGENY ROOM VISITS
Post by NewHeadPLZ on Aug 29^th, 2003, 3:00pm

I've been to the ER three times. My wife then (now ex-wife) had to drive me twice. The pain was so bad I damn near pushed the dashboard through to the engine compartment. Damn thing was never the same.

Anyway, the ER was well educated on Clusters and immediately gave me an Imitrex shot and put me on O2. Both times, the pain never completely left, that's how bad they were. But they were no longer a KIP 165+

The third time was at a different hospital and our office clerk drove me. By the time they got all the paper work filled out, the headache was gone.

So, I guess it depends on which hospital you go to.

Now that I've got O2 at home, and a tank in my car at all times, I've never had to go to the ER again.