Also known as: Finally, A Neurologist I Love

Well, I now have my official diagnosis of Cluster Headaches.

He also thinks my other neuro is a moron for thinking these were migraines and for using the "90%" thing to rule out CH.

He's given me Verapamil, but wants me to stay on Topamax til he gets back to me about taking Verapamil with the Zoloft I take (not that I wouldn't ditch the Zoloft in a heartbeat if I have to....). My blood pressure is also on the low-ish side, which we would have to watch.

Also Maxalt wafers, but again there may be problems with the Zoloft (I'm thinking bye-bye Zoloft....)

For now, he wants me to take Voltaren Rapid right before I use the O2. (Voltaren is diclofenac potassium, just in case it's not called that in other parts of the world...) as it might help kill it too.

We're going to discuss the next step when he gives me a call about my Zoloft.

So now I'm happy  :D

And he prides himself on the fact that he was Dr Goadsby's first boss  ;D ;D ;D

Damn cool when you find a doc that knows something about CH.  :)

Good to hear you've now got a diagnosis so you can get on with getting on top of this.

Maxalt wafers take about 10-15 minutes to take effect as they need to be digested. Imitrex injections are going to be a lot more effective.

I've confused about the voltaren (diclofenac) as this is an anti-inflamatory, which is unlikely to help with CHs. I too was given this before I had CHs diagnosed and it did little other than to really irritate my stomach (very common side effect).

So awesome you found a doc you love!  I've found that near impossible, it's so great to hear that good docs are out there!  Happpy for you :)

That's great news melby. Oxygen and a doc who cares, you're heading for easy street now!

Joe

Mike, I hope you don't know too many people in Christchurch  :'(

I'm confused about the Voltaren too. But this morning, 1000mg taurine + 142.5mg caffeine + 50mg voltaren = dead CH (not particularly severe though). Not sure which bit worked, but for now I'm happy that I don't have a headache so that will do  :)

Just another aside.... does O2 make your insides rust faster??????

And another little aside.... My new wonderful I-Wanna-Kiss-Him Neuro says that nearly every CHer he has ever treated smokes - but he theorises that CHs cause smoking, not the other way around......

Hey Mel,

Great news!  It's always a relief when you find a neurologist that knows how to treat patients with CH.  I'm just a little surprised he didn't prescribe oxygen therapy.  Did either of you discuss using oxygen therapy as an abortive?

It's a lot less invasive than the triptans, it costs less, there are no contraindications with other CH meds and it can generate aborts just as fast as the triptans if the flow rate is high enough.  And no...  it won't rust yer insides...

Again, good on you for finding a good neurologist.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Hey Batch,

I'm already using the O2, which he was very happy about, so he just wants me to keep going with that. He was surprised that I'd already found my way to O2 on my own :) I suppose talking about emailing online doctors, getting advice from online message boards, having stand-up arguments with neurologists and having a friend steal an oxygen tank from a hospital seems a little Greys Anatomy-ish (except I didn't end up with Dr McDreamy.... *sigh*)

Glad to hear that my insides won't rust. I'd be starting to dream about Wizard of Oz..... A scarecrow with a brain so defective that it might as well not be there (not just the CH, but also the epilepsy and the maybe-MS), and a rusted up Tin Man.......

:)  Very glad you've found a neuro who's so willing to work with you.  You're well on your way to a pain-free future.

Wish everyone here could be so lucky.

Best wishes,

George

Melby29 wrote on Feb 22^nd, 2011 at 6:28pm:

Mike, I hope you don't know too many people in Christchurch  :'(

I don't but luckily for all the people I know who have friends and family there, they have been lucky.

I've been putting details in this topic:

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