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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Good Headache Doc in the Pittsburgh, PA Area? http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1341693715 Message started by JenD on Jul 7th, 2012 at 4:41pm |
Title: Good Headache Doc in the Pittsburgh, PA Area? Post by JenD on Jul 7th, 2012 at 4:41pm
I'm new to this so I'll try to remember all of the info that I'm supposed to put in a new post.
My question is pretty straightforward though...do any of the Pittsburgh, PA area clusterheads have a recommendation for a good doc? I have been bounced around from doc to doc with other medical conditions and really don't feel like riding that roller coaster again...but I feel like my headaches would be easier to manage with a proper diagnosis. I am 32 and had my first REAL headache about 7 years ago. They always happen in the summer and the onset is always somewhere between 1 and 3pm lasting for up to 3 hours. They seem to be tied to barometric pressure and heat. Coming down with an attack in the middle of the work day, everyday for weeks is as you can imagine, not good. The pain is mostly on the right side, but tends to radiate through my entire head and the back of my neck. It is sudden and constant. Within 15 minutes of an attack it becomes nearly impossible to keep my head up or look at anything. As the attack continues, all of my joints start to ache. Sometimes I get a warning that the headache is coming because my fingers get so sore. When it's over it's over, but the achy joints can linger. I used to cry a lot during an attack, but my Husband suggested trying not to cry as that seems to make it worse. Lying in a dark quiet room, focusing on clearing my thoughts, and waiting it out seems to help. Water and cold compresses help too. I don't get any nausea or auras or other classic migraine symptoms, but my symptoms don't seem nearly as severe as much of the cluster info would suggest, so my PCP was not sure what the diagnosis should be. My PCP put me on Imitrex a few years ago, and it worked great, but I stopped using it when I became pregnant. Luckily, I didn't have any attacks that summer or the year after. (Could have been all the water I was drinking??) But now...I am in the process of weaning my 17 month old and had my first attack yesterday, followed by another at the exact same time again today and I can't take anything stronger than tylenol. I'm very nervous that I'm starting a cluster period. In the past they have lasted 7 to 14 days at a time with 1-3 day breaks for a total duration of 1 to 2 months. Right now I work part time from home and can set my own hours. Unfortunately, taking care of my busy toddler is not a task that I can put off! My husband is super supportive, but even he can't drop out during work to take over for me everyday. We don't have any family in the area to lean on either. Any doc recommendations or coping methods that are safe for a breastfeeding Momma would be so much appreciated! (Sipping water from a Mason jar right now!) |
Title: Re: Good Headache Doc in the Pittsburgh, PA Area? Post by JenD on Jul 7th, 2012 at 5:03pm
I would LOVE to take a trip to New Zealand, but it's probably not in the cards right now. :(
That list had two docs in my area. Thank you. I will be calling them on Monday! |
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