Does anyone here go to a pain management clinic or see a psychiatrist to help them through all of this? Was thinking about seeking out help from both and was wondering if anyone has done this and what their outcome has been.

Alot of times you cand find a Neurologist that also does pain management Headache Treatment centers normally.

The collective experience here appears to be: pain management clinics treat pain but have little working knowledge about the dynamics of headche, therefore, poor results; ditto, the majority of neurologists.

With neuros we have fomal studies of their level of education in headache. It's remarkable few hours over the period of medical school and speciality training. (The whys are the subject of another chat.)

What has emerged are post-training programs which are creating neurologists with the depth of training, leading, therefore, to experience, which we need.

So, we encourage, if at all possible to locate such a doc.
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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.
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If you don't have access to a trained specialist, a number of us have been blessed to find a doc who is open to learning from US. We are in a position to feed good medical literature to you with you giving to your doc. By educating them, they are in a better position to treat you.

The worst action is to stick with a doc who lacks skill, training, INTEREST. Studies have shown that many folks have taken years and multiple docs to find someone who can help them. So, bottomline, being assertive with your searching and open communication with your doc is the first step.

Second step is that you have to be serious about learning about Cluster, treatments, etc. so that you can: find a good doc, be able to evaluate the treatment being offered, and assertive in not just sticking-and-hoping when progress is not coming along.
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Psychiatrists have nothing to offer re. treating headache. IF, however, a secondary depression/anxiety problem has developed as a result of the primary headache problem, you may wish to consider seeking help. In most situations, I'd suggest a psychologist or counselor who works in the various forms of cognitive therapy. These are very good approaches to help with this situation.

Thanks Bob. Was thinking of the psychiatrist because a couple of times i had seriuos thoughts of killing myself during and episode. And i guess i just need someone to talk to. family members and friends just dont seem to understand. just needed someone to let my feelings out too i guess.
will check out the ouch website. just got here to arizona and trying to find a good neurologist.

While you're in the process of getting settled, take a careful look at this:

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

Bonnie lee wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2012 at 4:41pm:

Thanks Bob. Was thinking of the psychiatrist because a couple of times i had seriuos thoughts of killing myself during and episode. And i guess i just need someone to talk to. family members and friends just dont seem to understand. just needed someone to let my feelings out too i guess. will check out the ouch website. just got here to arizona and trying to find a good neurologist.

I have no idea what the protocol around here is about this, but your comment about feeling suicidal at times causes me to feel that it's important that you know about clusterbusters. It changed my life. Literally. This is the first time in 12 years that I have avoided a cycle and it is truly miraculous to me.

I encourage you to learn about that option and see if it's right for you.

kika wrote on Jul 3^rd, 2012 at 5:17pm:

Bonnie lee wrote on Jul 2nd, 2012 at 4:41pm: Thanks Bob. Was thinking of the psychiatrist because a couple of times i had seriuos thoughts of killing myself during and episode. And i guess i just need someone to talk to. family members and friends just dont seem to understand. just needed someone to let my feelings out too i guess. will check out the ouch website. just got here to arizona and trying to find a good neurologist. I have no idea what the protocol around here is about this, but your comment about feeling suicidal at times causes me to feel that it's important that you know about clusterbusters. It changed my life. Literally. This is the first time in 12 years that I have avoided a cycle and it is truly miraculous to me. I encourage you to learn about that option and see if it's right for you.

No protocol to sweat Kika, we refer people there all the time! ;)

Joe

will check it out. Thanks

Bonnie Lee, I want you to know what you are feeling, especially at the height of a major KIP attack, is normal. That kind of pain produces its own responses directly related to our desire to not be in pain. At that moment suicide sounds reasonable and logical: a part of us accepts this as one possible solution to ending the ordeal. Later on, when things are going better, we realize we'd rather stick around for awhile. Long periods of unremitting pain can be a real challenge. I went through a 3 year period of daily hits, high KIP levels, and few aborts. It became harder to convinve myself in the between times that life could still be good. It was a major challenge, and a point of conversation between me and God, and me and my mosted trusted loved ones. This site helped tremendously. There are ways to manage the attacks, although no cure is in sight. Realize what you feel is part of the CH joy, and not unusual. Focus on the better moments when the pain is at its lowest ebb, and it will give you strength to endure. Also, contact any of us anytime you need a boost of moral courage. God bless. lance

Thanks Lance. I think about the last time i thought about it and its kinda funny. I took the bottle of veramapil in one hand and had the ice pack crushing into my skull with the other and my 5 pound chihauhua was sitting on the bed looking at me (he is always my buddy when i have a episode. always there when i need him) and the look he gave me was like.... "You arent really gonna do that are you?" and i saw that look and i threw the bottle across the room and the pills went flying everywhere.
How could i leave my little buddy? i had to get through this. I have never thought about doing anything like this ever before in my life and when there is no pain i dont think about it. i have a great life all around. doing a little better since i upped my topamax. been a week pain free and the last one was like a kip4 i can live with that any day

I went to a headache/pain clinic that my neurologist referred me to.  I saw a neurologist there  who confirmed that I had ch and that I had tried everything possible to prevent ch and at the right doses except for one medicine, topamax.  I had tried it at 200mg and he had me try it again at 600mg.  It didn't do anything for me so I went the pain management route.  It has literally given me my life back for the last 12 years I have been pain free.  I was getting hit 8x a day and chronic.  I was suicidal.  I strongly recommend you talk to your dr about this and go see a therapist and/or phyciatrist.  I was put on effexor for major depression.  I was taught biofeedback and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the anxiety that accompanied the attacks.  I was also given ativan and klonapin for anxiety issues.  It helped turn my life around and get a grip having someone to talk to and confide in.  I also kept a journal. So there is help out there you just have to find it and go for it.  I hope you find peace in all this.