My husband has suffered for 10 yrs w/ CH. Hes been ok for 8 months and now they're back. Hes been prescribed so many rx, they dont work, or relieve the pain for a couple minutes and then the pain comes back worse, some meds has caused a suffocating feeling in his throat.We have been to several Drs and none are familiar or want to prescribe O2. The pain is so severe, its brought him to his knees.This week has been week 3, and we have slept maybe 10 hrs in a week. We have insurance and I dont care what it costs out of pocket, he just needs some relief.I'm so tired and my heart is so heavy for him and everyone that suffers from CH. Please help.. I live in the San Joaguin Valley in California. I can drive to Sacramento or any surrounding. areas. I've searched ouch site and posted a message, though I cant find a Dr list..maybe I'm just tired : (

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Look for "Physician Finder" search box. They will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.

6. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

Hi Synda,

A couple things:

• There are folks on this message board who just get their O2 at a welding supply place (no prescription required) and bypass the ignoramus doctors who don't know what they're doing. The welding O2 is reputed to be the exact same stuff as the medical O2.

• If you haven't seen the latest info detailed in the recent Newsweek report regarding the non toxic and potentially very effective psychotropic approach to shutting down and preventing CH episodes, you might find it interesting. There are folks here and on the message board at clusterbusters.com who have had impressive success with this method. Here's the link to the article:  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE
  

The OUCH site has these for Sacramento:

Dr. Olana Albera
Dr. John Bessell/Kaiser Permanente

This link should take you to the OUCH Dr list.

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Scroll down to 'sufferer recommended Doctors."

Good Luck, Don