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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Advise on Cluster Headaches
        
(Message started by: ram2003 on Sep 8^th, 2003, 10:11am)

Title: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by ram2003 on Sep 8^th, 2003, 10:11am

???
Hi folks,
I am currently taking Maxi-Melt(orally disintegrating tablets) And Naproxen for CH. It seems to control the pain but the pain seems to reoccur in a certain pattern. Am I on the right path? How Do I find a CH specialist in Charlotte,NC

Ramdas

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by judyw on Sep 8^th, 2003, 3:07pm

Welcome Ram...Sorry you are here, but best place in the world for information, understanding and support...Have you checked the medical info link on the left or OUCH for medical referrals given by members here of doctors they have had success with...OUCH information is also for copying and sharing with family, friends, and medical support...If no one is listed here for your area, start calling and ask until you find someone who knows something about CH...Please feel welcome to post, email, or chat with sharing, questions, or just to vent...someone will respond I am sure...Lots of questions can be answers by clicking on Search...There is also a chat at a sister site headachesupportgroups.com where you can meet many from here for chat and information...Wishing you a pfdan...judyw :)

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by ram2003 on Sep 8^th, 2003, 3:10pm

Thank you.
Ramdas :)

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by Lori on Sep 9^th, 2003, 8:12am

Yes, I agree..just call the neuros in your area and simply ask the nurse/receptionist if the doctor treats CH. You need to be specific. Tell them CH is not migraines. Ask how many CH has he treated. IS he successful with getting their pain under control. A few straightforward questions. If they don't want to answer them, call the next neuro. Also click on the OUCH link to the left. Then click on CLUSTER HELP, then on MEDICATIONS. Read and print up the info.

Keep us posted!

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by Cooked Brain on Sep 9^th, 2003, 9:22am

welcome to the board ram!

keep posting also on the general board, tell us more about yourself...

hope you will do beter soon

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by jmorgan52 on Sep 11^th, 2003, 12:33pm

Hi Ram

sorry you also have to be here. The recurring same time of day pattern for CH is usual for most here. It seems to me that there are some who get the CH pains every few hours and other like me (and you) who get it at about the same time once or twice a day. I find the time shifts as I move through a cycle. 11am and then 11pm or 2pm and 2 am are typical for me at the start, and then 5am an 5pm later in the cycle.

I tried the maxalt melt tabs and they were pretty useless. The injectable Imigran/Imitrex is the best for me. The pain goes away completely within 10 minutes and does not usually return for at least 24 hours (for me) The inj is painless and really easy to do with an auto injector. It is idiot proof for those who fear the jab. Discuss this option with your Dr. The pill and nasal spray form were useless for me.

Good luck in the hunt for a Doc who understands this shit!

John

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by ram2003 on Sep 11^th, 2003, 1:16pm

Hi Folks,
You guys have been really helpful.
Thank you for all the help.
Ramdas

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by Prense on Sep 13^th, 2003, 10:34am

Ramden, welcome aboard!

Please tell us a little about yourself...what have you tried in the past, etc. Also, are you chronic or episodic?

As far as the Naproxen...I do believe that is a NSAID. Normally, Predisone is used in a tapering fashion for QUICK intervention of a cycle and verapamil (calcium channel blocker) is used simultaneously as a longer term preventative.

Maxalt did nothing for me at all...contrary to what one might think, the non-dissolvable tablets should work quicker (I am still trying to figure that one out). Either way, if it works, I would doubt that there is complete pain relief in less than 15 minutes. As John previously stated, the imitrex injections are FAST. Compared to a CH attack, the injection is in fact painless. Also, O2 works wonders for many here in about the same amount of time as the trex injections.

You do not need a neuro to prescribe all this. If you are concerned of a mis-diagnosis, then see a neuro first. Otherwise, get a GP to hook you up (you wont wait near as long for a GP appt vs a neuro appt), then see the neuro later.

Chris

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by Prense on Sep 13^th, 2003, 10:36am

To answer your other question about finding a doc...click this link.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/doctors.htm

Title: Re: Advise on Cluster Headaches
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 15^th, 2003, 5:40am

I'm not aware of a headache specific clinic in Charlotte but there are ones in Hickory and Greensboro.

Call the two major medical centers in Charlotte: they will have a person to refer you to speciality services. Try the Yellow Pages to see if a headache clinic is around.
Take a look at: www.nchealthinfo.org; massive source of info covering the state.
-----------------------------
Found these names later in the day after posting the preceding.

Two clinics in Charlotte: Carolina Headache Center, 704/343-0696; Charlotte Headache Clinic, 704-377-9323