Went to see a neurologist to day for the first time .
Dr. A. Chaudhuri at Brentwood Community Hospital

He asked me a few questions about how I feel , I told him that I'm out of cycle now allthoe I still get a few shadows which I explained to him but I don't think he was really listening to me , he kept talking over me all the time ,
and then he said something about tacs? whatever they are?

but on a more positive note he did say he would send my GP a new script for a drug they use for epilepsy which my GP could give me when I need it, but I don't remember what it was.

he also said if that didn't work I can get my GP to refer me back to him .

That was about it . I was hoping for a bit more dialog or may be a bit more interest, but it seemed he was late for something and wanted to get away  :(

oh he did also tell me my MRI came back as normal which is good news.

on the whole I really don't know what to think about the whole thing . You wait for ever for an appointment and then they don't seem to have time for you.

Nigel

edited cos I really should check my spelling before I post

Quote:

...but I don't remember what it was.

That's 100% your fault. Write it down if you can't remember.

Sounds to me like you are going to need to step up the level of control over your interaction. How many times do we have to go to doctors before we realize that we're the ones utilizing their services, not the other way around.

Yes I know but it was something he said when he was talking over me so I didn't catch it , my wife was with me and she didn't hear either.

He did say that he would send me a copy of the letter that he's sending to my GP so it will all be on there.

I knew I should have taken my dicta-phone in and recorded what was said cos I'm bad at remembering stuff any way , that's why I took my wife.

still Ill chalk that one up to experience and know what to expect next time I see him.

Nigel

Ask for a copy of everything he writes in your chart. In this country patients are entitled to a copy of everything in their chart. Not sure about there.

I'm not sure but I think you can get access here but it will probably be on the usual NHS 6 months if they are not to busy ;D

Ok I've got the letter and my nuero says I may have a variant of SUNCT bu I think I need to go and have a chat with my GP cos after looking up SUNCT it just doesn't seem to fit .

any how the prophylaxis he has RXed is Gabapentin (Neurontin) . any one had any experience with that ?

I've googled it and it doesn't sound to good but then most things don't when you read the blurb so any input would be most welcome.

Nigel

Was on Neurontin for about 6 months - did little to nothing for my CH (doesn't mean it won't for you - some have had good success). All it did was make me stupid.

Thanks Brew
I'm all ready stupid so ill give it a try when nessasarry and hopefully noone will notice  ;D
Sorry about the spelling , I'm on my mobile and the smell cheker won't work for some reson.

Nigel

I've been following this class of meds (gab.) in the medical literature and have yet to see any reports which would suggest this is a good first-line med to use. Simply no evidence that it's as effective as the long established meds.

But also getting a sense that you would benefit from some help working with your medical system. Would susggest exploring your OUCH group and discussing the longer message with your local doc.
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Message: "Dyno", Tenby, Wales, UK, Aug 9, '09:
[Bob-excludes Wales per Dyno]
looking at their website it looks like a better alternative  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Why not ask to see the top man in the country - Dr. Manjit Matharu at UCL. Under Patient Choice - look at the link below - you have the right to choose who you see.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE.

and this - copied from the OUCH(UK) website

Quote:

You can ask your GP to refer you to one of our hospitals for treatment
Central to the government’s healthcare policy is that patients should be given the opportunity to be more involved in making decisions about their healthcare. If you and your GP agree that you need to be referred to see a specialist, then you have a choice of at least four local hospitals or clinics. Since May 2006, that choice has been extended. You can now also choose to go to any Foundation Trust in the country, including UCLH. Whether you’re from Cornwall or Camden, as a patient you now have the right to choose UCLH. You can ask your GP to refer you to one of our hospitals for treatment.

[Source: UCL website]
===============================

City of London Migraine Clinic [and other types]  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE
========
========

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Thanks Bob Ill look up those links when I can get to my pc . Mobiles alright but a3*2'' screen is hard work .

My wife laughs at me being on this site all the time but I've learnt so much here it is by far the best source of information on ch cos you've all been there .Thank you all so much for your help.

Nigel

Btw I've got the spell checker working  ,yay.

didnt he give you any O2, or a script for it.  how about an abortive, such as imitrex.  it seems that he wasnt very helpful.

good luck
chris

Yes I agree with Chris. If he didn't even mention 02 or Imitrex or Varapamil or lithium etc etc, he sounds like an old school uneducated neuro who has not kept up with CH's. I would fire him over here, but over there, where else are you going to go?

my GP rxed imitrex jabs, which work a treat , and verap but unfortunately i couldn't tolerate  more even 40mg a day so it didn't help much .

I'm going to try and get an appointment to see my GP and have a chat with him about it , but it's not easy to get a non emergency appointment cos they only book two weeks in advance and he's very popular.

Any how thanks for your in put , it's grate to have such a valuable source of info and good will.

Nigel

Nigel:

There are other medications similar to Verapamil (calcium channel blockers) that could be tried.  I'm not a doctor, but I've used at least 3 of that class.  The one I remember the name of is nemodipine.

A quick view of Wikapedia brought up:

Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Aranidipine (Sapresta)
Azelnidipine (Calblock)
Barnidipine (HypoCa)
Benidipine (Coniel)
Cilnidipine (Atelec, Cinalong, Siscard)
Clevidipine (Cleviprex)
Efonidipine (Landel)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Lacidipine (Motens, Lacipil)
Lercanidipine (Zanidip)
Manidipine (Calslot, Madipine)
Nicardipine (Cardene, Carden SR)
Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat)
Nilvadipine (Nivadil)
Nimodipine (Nimotop)
Nisoldipine (Baymycard, Sular, Syscor)
Nitrendipine (Cardif, Nitrepin, Baylotensin)
Pranidipine (Acalas)


Ray