Posted by Robin on May 11, 1999 at 16:47:33:
In Reply to: the pain is unbearable posted by Lydia Parlier on May 11, 1999 at 16:38:07:
YES, there is hope and relief (not a cure) in sight. 1) What type doc are you going to? You need a neurologist. Possibly your insurance will require a referral from your general practitioner before they will cover the neurological treatments. 2) Determine what this doc knows about cluster headaches and what his/her attitude is. If not encouraging - RUN to another doc. You've been suffering too long to be jerked around by the medical community. 3) I presume you have read some of the previous posts and have noted the symptoms we all have. Clusters are so very much alike but at the same time very dissimilar among certain sufferers. 4)Take note of the medications that have helped us. These too vary by patient. Personally I am on 540 mg Verapamil & 300 mg Serzone daily. This combination is sort of effective most days. (I've been up since 3:43 AM when the demon awakened and I've been hurting all day long. You win some and just slog some out). Oxygen is very effective for me as an abortive. This is a big help for many - Read posts about O2. We care - hand in there. Take control of this thing. We'll all help all we can.