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.

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. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or 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. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or 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.

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

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

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


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

Joe

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

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.