Posted by A Dame (205.188.196.59) on August 18, 1999 at 16:32:27:
Neuro's office had a cancellation, called me during an attack yesterday, wanted to know did I want it, I told her you betcha! My appt. was Sept. 1 after my gallbladder surgery on August 25. My surgeon and my PCP really wanted me to see the Neuro before being put to sleep on the 25th, just couldn't get in, but I did....It all worked out.
While waiting had the opportunity to meet the Merck Sales Rep. He asked me how I liked the Maxalt once he found out I was taking it. I told him it didn't seem to be helping me. He said it was for Migraine sufferers and didn't seem to know much about Clusters. I knew this, because he said they give Midrine for Clusters, don't they? Ha Ha. So I knew he was no help.
I went prepared on my visit to Neuro...New to me, I was new to him. He knew already I was Robin's Aunt (he has been treating Robin for some time now). We just didn't know each other had them. (Neice by marriage).
I had copied all the section on Medical Information, Kip Scale, Post from DocGreg dated 8-17-99, Post from Stephen Brown. Setphen he read your post while I was there and wrote me a Rx for the ER that I had Cluster Headaches and if I presented myself there to treat me with DHE-45 IV and repeat if necessary immediately. Very good idea....Thanks Stephen...He loved your post too...
1. List of current Meds & details
2. List of Surgeries & dates
3. Copy of all Medical Information Section
4. Kip Scale
5. Post from DocGreg
6. Post from Stephen Brown - 8/17/99
7. List of Rx needed new Rx for.
8. List of Questions to ask him.
9. Oxygen Problem (unit I have not enough liters)
10. Insurance Card
We discussed my headache history, surgery history, meds I have tried and results, family history of headaches, family cardiac history...etc.
First of all, he said we must get the oxygen correctly diagnosed and proper equipment. Now have a very big tank installed (in my bedroom) with a moisture attachment and all the other stuff that goes with it. They also gave me a different kind of mask that saves on your oxygen. They left me 3 portable E tanks for when I go out of town or whatever...All this took about 10 minutes...The other company came to pick up their equipment. They really didn't know what they were doing...Feel better about that now.
New Meds....
1. Imitrex Injection
2. Imitrex Nasal Spray
3. Verapamil 180 mg. for 2 weeks re-evaluate up dosage if necessary.
4. DHE-45 Nasal Spray (he gave me free samples)
5. Amerge 2.5 mg. (1 tab 2 times per day) 1 week
6. Motion Sickness Pills (generic Dramamine)
($3.99 for 100) instead of 6-10 Amitryptline a night. (took the bottle for him to see ingredients)
7. Oxygen with moisture (10-12 liters per minute PRN)
10-15 minutes each time
I am to report back to him in two weeks and we will discuss doubling my Verapamil if need be at that time. He suggested me going on steriods for 1 week, but I explained to him that I only wanted to do steriods as a last resort.....Do not like them. Makes me too hungry....Could eat the back end of a mule when I take that nasty stuff.
Very nice meeting....Even the office manager asked me if I had gotten rid of my headache that I had when she called me the day before about my appointment.....Felt good about appointment for a change.
Peaceful days and painfree nights.
A Dame