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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> Back From The Drs!! * Again *
        
(Message started by: CryingInPain on Aug 29^th, 2003, 1:58pm)

Title: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by CryingInPain on Aug 29^th, 2003, 1:58pm

Woohoo Cooked thanks for the vibes!!
I met my new Dr today. He actually seems to have a heart!! I took my printouts and was armed with knowledge he sat down gave me a caring smile and let me ramble.
I was so proud of myself...I went in there told him what I wanted and what I needed. ( No baseball bat needed Chuck hehe ) Spouted out some CH's facts and he smiled and said well what is our planned course of action. I said I want Imitrex Injections and O2 he said well sounds fine to me but let me check with the Addtending....I was sooo excited
Then he came back in and said well we have a problem, you are a smoker and we are not allowed to prescribe O2 to smokers it is againt our rules and our insurance company will bite our heads off if we do but if you can prove to me by our next appt ( in one week ) that you have stopped smoking I will give you the O2. And he gave me Imitrex NasalSpray. He said he would like me to try this it is less invasive and not as dangerous but if this also does not work he will give me the injections at the next appt.

Soooo I am getting closer and found a Dr that may not be ALL up to date on CH's but has a heart and some compassion!!
My next appt is on the 8th and if I can quit smoking and the spray doesnt work I will have my O2 and Injections *Jumping up and down *

~Hugs~
Jen

Thank you to EVERYONE that has helped me in getting my Drs to listen and giving me the courage to stand up to them!

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Linda_Howell on Aug 29^th, 2003, 2:17pm

Good work Jen !!!!! high five to you.

Now Jen....as bad as smoking is for our health, a lot of us here smoke. A lot of us here use 02. I have it right beside my bed at all times. I'm not 2 yrs. old and I know the dangers of fire and 02 and take very careful precautions to not mix the two, as I'm sure you would also. So stop the filthy habit if that's what you want to do, but if I were you I would come back in a week and tell him that I've stopped smoking. Good luck hon.

LindaH

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by JDH on Aug 29^th, 2003, 2:26pm

WTG Jen, sounds like a good start.
Whether you have stopped smoking or not I think I'd tell the Dr that you did or are at least are trying...we won't tell.
The only thing dangerous about the o2 might be if you were smoking while using it (duh). I don't see much danger in having it in a seperate room where you don't smoke.
Also push for those injections, I think you'll see a big difference from the nasal spray.
Good luck and hopin' the worst is behind you.

pfdan's

Jim

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by stevegeebe on Aug 29^th, 2003, 2:42pm

Jen,

Your plan seems as though you will be able to obtain o2. I had not had the same bullshit that you are up against.

Don't tell the jerks that you have candles, a gas stove and that sometimes when it rains, lightning strikes anywhere around your house.

Just read and follow the precautions.

Steve G

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Jayne on Aug 29^th, 2003, 2:57pm

awesome Jen. Just keep pushing until you get what you deserve.. Even if the nasal sprays work for you. I would say they don't so you can the the injections. You can make the injections work for six headaches as apposed to two if you use the imitrex tip. DON"T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.
Love Jayne

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 29^th, 2003, 5:18pm

hi JEN

Im absolutely DELIGHTED on your half! you had all the courage in yourself, we just helped you use it. I knew you would do well today :) THings will only get better from now on, Im really happy for you :)

be well and keep us up to date

pfdan to everyone

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by badfly on Aug 29^th, 2003, 9:58pm

Thats great stuff Jen !! ;D :D :) :D ;D

Its great that you have the spray now (the coffee will still get that to work faster, and hide that awful awful taste :-(). Also a tip with the spray, clear your nose well before using it and generally use the nostril opposite the side of your face that gets the CH. A good clear nostrill will speed time to relief considerably.
I must still urge you to push your doctor for the injections. The spray is fast relief, but not like the injection. To me its a matter of quality of life. Sure the xtra 10 min (might as well wait another 20 and be med free ...) wait for relief wont kill ya, but it is agony. Agony like that wears one down and degrades ones confidence and positive outlook. I would be honest with your doc (my opinion). If the spray is helping you then he should be pleased and this should also REINFORCE your argument that you NEED the injections. If the doc says somthing like, "well 15 minutes is not bad, and the xtra cost of the injection doesnt warrent it," be indignant. "What!? You are saying that you would prefer that I suffer a little longer rather then spend an xtra x dollars ?!". Also as far as the nasal spray being less invasive, I dont quite know what he means by that. I promise you that if he woke one night at 3am with some spectral beast playin a tune on his optical nerv, the last thing he would be worried/thinking about is which is the least invasive treatment, he WOULD GO FOR SPEED. As far as less dangerous, I havnt a clue where he gets that from. I would be interested to hear his reply.

Nevertheless you have done FANTASTIC work and are well on the way to taking controll. You should be proud of yourself!

Wishin you mega mega PFDAN !!!

John

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Donna on Aug 29^th, 2003, 10:24pm

Like the rest of the family, I am very happy that you are making headway.

The only way o2 and smoking won't mix is if you light up in the same room.........o2 does inifltrate your furniture and bedding and make it more flamable. Otherwise, quiting smoking while suffering or trying to adjust to new meds just causes added stress just when you don't need it. If you want to quit, wait until you get your meds working for you.

Proud of you, girl!

Maybe you ought to make a copy of this thread and show it to him.

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Mastifflvr28 on Aug 29^th, 2003, 10:47pm

Oh crying!! That is great!! ONE step closer. Good girl!!

Good luck on the quitting smoking, good luck on the oxygen (gotta get through their policy)

and good luck getting injections...we KNOW you will!!
Mast

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by paul_b on Aug 29^th, 2003, 11:07pm

Good begining. That is the way to assert yourself. Go get em tigar.

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by FrankF on Aug 30^th, 2003, 11:51am

O don't know what the docs problem is with smoking and O2. I occasionally smoke while puffing on the O2... no problem. The problem (as stated above) is that O2 saturates your hair and clothing and furniture in the same room... and if you carelessly dropped a cigarette on your shirt or sofa... you would go up in flames faster than if O2 was not being used. But simply smoking while you are using O2... nothing bad is going to happen.

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Prense on Aug 30^th, 2003, 11:57am

Awesome!

I am hoping for similar results when I "finally" see my new doc. I am hoping for an appointment next week. *crossed fingers*

Chris

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Cooked Brain on Aug 31^st, 2003, 10:25am

hi chris,

if you need some advice just drop a line on the board, it's the advice best you will get anywhere ;D

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Linda T on Aug 31^st, 2003, 1:41pm

Good work. I'm glad you're finally making some headway.

I'm with Donna - hard enough quitting smoking when you're stress free - while in the middle of a cycle it would seem damn near impossible (for me anyway).

Do what you gotta do to get the O2!

Good luck. Linda T

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by Prense on Aug 31^st, 2003, 7:23pm

Thanks Cooked...I am armed to the teeth with data. I just need to get in to see the doc to use it! :P

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by tsayswhy on Aug 31^st, 2003, 11:20pm

Hi jen i hope i have as much luck as u did going tuesday to see doc. and about smoking LIE get what u need to do the job and put a smile back on your face good-luck

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by ClusterChuck on Aug 31^st, 2003, 11:39pm

Jen, now that I have read your post, I understand what you were talking about in the chat room. SCREW the bastard! Quit smoking when YOU are ready to! That is the only time you will successfully do it anyway.

Don't put that trusty baseball bat away, I think you might need it just to get your point across to him. You don't WANT the O2, damn it, you NEED the O2. Throw that head up, get those shoulders back, get those knockers up, and don't leave until he gives you what you need! You got a back bone, USE it!

You GO girl! I know you can do it!
Chuck

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by taraann on Sep 1^st, 2003, 1:05pm

Great news Jen!!! I have my appt with the neuro on the 8th too!!!! I'll be thinking of you ... keep us posted!

Title: Re: Back From The Drs!! * Again *
Post by ozzman on Sep 2^nd, 2003, 9:54am

Jen,

I wouldn' t go as far as Frank and smoke and inhale O2 at the same time. BUTT, I smoke in the garage, and have the )2 in the living room. After I'm done with the O2, I wash my face with water (I have a goatee) and then prudently wait about 10 min, in case my clothes are saturated as well. (I've been known to drop hot ashes on me on occasion LOL). Just last week the Medical Supply company sent a Certified Respiratory Therapist to make sure etc. She asked if I smoke, told her yes, but never, ever around the oxygen. She asked me about smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc. No prob. Knowledge is key.

On the subject of quitting smoking, let me tell you what. I tried in January after the a massive 10 that lasted for three hours. I tried for 5 days. Not only was I miserable from the Prednisone and Verap, plus clusters, the quitting took a heavy toll. Till my wife had enough and said, either you deal with all of this or go back to smoking. So I went back. Quit when you're ready, and preferably not during cycle.

Ozzy