Posted by A Dame (205.188.193.48) on July 25, 1999 at 20:06:07:
In Reply to: Arrogance of doctors on the subject of cluster headaches posted by Dawn on July 25, 1999 at 13:13:15:
I agree with you. I was actually diagnosed in the late 70s with "Clusters". I most likely had them a long time before that, however, they labeled them Migraines with a family history of them. As a young teenager my parents tried everything. My Dad was an inside pharmaseutical salesman to al the doctors in town and my mom was a nurse. They tried Caffergot, DHE-45, I really can't remember what all they did try and maybe back then they knew so little about them, they may not have tried them in a controlled setting or monitored me more closely. I really can't remember. I went through a period of time at age 18 that I was having them all the time. Demerol & Phenegran was the only thing that worked. Talwin made me sicker and didn't relieve the pain in my head. If they ever gave me that I would be back in no time worse off than ever. I'm sure that the doctors in the ER thought I was hooked on the demerol, but I wasn't. I have never done any type of drug in my life and still don't. Only when I have these darn things and now I am trying so hard to find something that does the trick and doesn't leave you all drugged up and hung over. Back then, they blammed it on female problems........Ha, Ha. I no longer have those parts and my headaches are worse now than they were then. When you have to visit an ER in the middle of the night or on weekends, they do look at you like you don't know what you are talking about, when in fact you know more on the subject than they do. IF ONLY WE COULD SOMEHOW TRANSFER THE PAIN WE ARE EXPERIENCING OVER TO THEIR HEAD AT THAT EXACT MOMENT, THEN WE WOULD GET WHATEVER IT TOOK TO END THIS MISERY!!!!!!!!!!These doctors would be the first one to beg for durgs of any kind to ease the severe pain immediately.
Some of these doctors now think they are GOD! They have no compassion. I haven't experienced that in a while. I have a new GP and she is willing to learn all she can to help me. I did not like the Neuro I had. He was young and you couldn't tell him anything. He knew it all or so he thought. I would not repeat my follow up with him and waste my time and money. Do they think we would spend this kind of money if we were not in serious trouble?
I am so glad to be a part of this support group. I am finding out so so much. I am also glad that I am not alone anymore.
I am the exception. I began having "Migraines" at age 12 or 13!!!!! Finally diagnosed around 78 or 79 (that doc is dead now, too bad, he understood). I am not chronic yet. Please dear God, don't let be become chronic. I have been pain free for a long time.......However, December 28th 98 ended that. I have been plagued ever since. I have had some let up, but I was not writing it down or anything. After hearing from all of you and knowing you all are experts, I know I need to be documenting all this information.
I sure hope my oxygen helps. I use to open a window and breathe very deep when I felt one coming on. Now that the heat index is over 100 down here in the south, that doesn't work.
When I was a Chairside Dental Assistant back in the 70s I would lay back in the dental chair and hook up to the oxygen and sometimes my dentist would cut on the nitro to go with it. It relaxes you and helps a lot. However, none of us have access to nitro and it is very dangerous if not properly watched by a professional. My headaches wake me up, I don't have them come on in mid day much anymore, unless it in a mode.