Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Supporter's Corner >> Supporter's Corner >> I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help)
        
(Message started by: Shearbear on Oct 20^th, 2002, 11:55pm)

Title: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help)
Post by Shearbear on Oct 20^th, 2002, 11:55pm

::) Hello I have just found this site and I think it is great. My partner has not been dignoised with clusterheadaches but the research that I have done tonight I believe that he has been expeirencing clusterheadache atackes. How can I help him he is in so much pain and he can't stop crying. He cannot take the pain anymore, that is what he keeps telling me. It was really bad tonight during this last week his head was hurting daily and last week he felt the way he did tonight but he said tonight was even worse. I know he needs to see a Neurologist but we do not have Innsurrance at this time. I don't know what to do.

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Steeno + Bell on Oct 21^st, 2002, 12:25am

Even if you cant get to see a Neurologist - your boyfriend should go the doctors as soon as. I bet if you look on 'where we live' (home page) you will find a member living in your area - thats what I did - I then contacted them to find out which doctor they went to - at least that doctor already knows about cluster headaches. As for helping you just have to be there when he needs you and in the next room when he doesnt. My fella has had them for about 4 years - its an absolute nightmare for him - fortunately he has just finished a 6 week bout - which was eased loads with Cathegot (sp?) although I hear this doesnt work for everyone. Good luck ! :)

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Ree on Oct 21^st, 2002, 12:10pm

Hi Shearbear... Thanks for jumpin in there Steeno & Bill I couldnt get to the site was having Internal Server Errors. You give great advice. First print up any information from this site that you find comparable to what your guy is going through. Call his primary care physician and have them either refer you to a Neurologist, or maybe find one here inquiring. He needs to be first diagnosed. Keep track of his attacks. He needs to be put on a preventative like Neurontin or Verapamil or Cafergot... there are lots... they even use slight antidepressants or blood pressure meds. Then he needs help to abort the attacks... Like Imatrex pills injectables or nasal spray... Inject is fast and nasal spray is next for quickness the pills take about 20 mins to 1/2 hour by my experience... Zomig is also good. When you get to the Neuro... get samples... your insurance company might hold back on the amount of meds they will allow...keep in touch if you want to email me do so at Ree16angel@aol.com in the subject line put that you are from ch.com ok... keep coming and keep us posted on your progress... and read read read there is a wealth of information here... good luck Ree

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Steeno + Bell on Oct 21^st, 2002, 5:59pm

Dear Shearbear

As Ree said - try to keep track of when the attacks are happening. We have been travelling during the whole time Stuart has had CH and that meant that every new doctor wanted to pretty much start all over again - something we found really good to show them was a diary over a month or so - you need to put down everything that he ate that day - did he have a beer or a cigerrette and put the kip scale in. I also went to the doctors with Stuart - they seemed to take alot more notice when it was two people explaining how bad he was. Once he is diagnosed - arm yourself with all the knowledge from here and speak to the doctor about which to try first - think by the sound of it most ch sufferers on here try loads of alternatives before (and if)they find any relief.

One other thing Ree - as said Stuart is Ok at the moment - should he be taking a preventative even if isnt experiencing any symptons - he is one of the luckier ones - if there is such a thing as in so far his attacks have only been once or twice a year for 6 weeks.

Bell

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Ree on Oct 22^nd, 2002, 6:58pm

Hey Bell did you get your privat instant message i sent you??? If Stuart doesnt have any symptoms for a while I would call the doc and see about weaning off the preventative... thats what Dave does... I think if it has been longer than a month or so... try that and let me know... that way when he starts to show symptoms again he can depend on the preventative... some stay all the time on the preventative... ask around...ree

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Steeno + Bell on Oct 22^nd, 2002, 7:38pm

No I didnt receive any other mail ???

Stu doesnt take any meds at all whilst he is ok - we thought especially with Cafegot its best to try and leave them to when you need them. We heard that for most people Cafegot only works for a couple of bouts (if that) - I just thought I would ask about taking some sort of meds during the free time incase there is any chance of never getting another bout - or am I just dreaming :-/

Hows your Dave at the moment ?

Thanks for the replies

Bell

Title: Re: I think my partner has clusterheadaches ( Help
Post by Ree on Oct 24^th, 2002, 9:49pm

Hi again... I saw your post so I wanted to answer. MY head problem is acting up tonight... too much stress lately and I had strep this week. I should sleep but this is my escape so here I am.
Ya thats what I was trying to say in my last post. Some have to stay on preventatives... When Dave is ok (goes into remission) he weans off the preventative. You asked how he is right now... Very Medicated . He is on Clonazepam... to sleep... Neurontin as a prevent and Zyban (trying to quit smokin AGAIN and its an anti depressant) I'd say he is very MELLOW, PATIENT (new deal for Dave) and TIRED. Totally out of character but keeping the attacks at bay. He is determined not to get them this year. (Had a random attack on Sept 13th FRIDAY of all days... hasnt had one since, this has never happened to him before) If he makes it to Christmas I would say the cycle has MAYBE passed. I dont know I would have to ask someone that this has happened to. Wish him luck~~~ree