Posted by Jayne May (205.188.193.37) on April 17, 2000 at 12:47:03:
Hi all! I have been an episodic sufferer for 15 years. I am coming off a two year remission and was twice visited by the evil one last Friday and again last night at bedtime. This is undoubtedly the worst pain I've ever experienced, even worse than when I broke my back. I felt for a brief moment last Friday that my world was about to cave in when I felt that all too familiar shadow. A previous doctor suggested cluster headaches about 10 years ago - but never offered medication. My current GP seems to disagree with the cluster theory and treated me two years ago with amitriptyline and claritin and insisted I quit smoking. I did all that - but still suffered for about 6 months until I went into remission. I called her office this morning, and thanks to this site, requested that she prescribe a Lidocaine nasal spray and Imitrex injectable. I am still waiting to hear from her. I told my husband that I refuse to suffer with these again - and that I am going to see every freaking doctor and try every medication I can get my hands on until I get relief. I've suffered with this for years without ANY medication, because I either had no insurance or a KOOKY doc! Well, I have insurance now and I won't give up. I even promised my husband that I wouldn't kill myself - even if they got BAD again. At the end of my last episode - I was getting between 4 and 5 attacks per day that lasted anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Does anyone have any suggestions other than Lidocaine and Imitrex? I see that some use oxygen - and wonder how that works? Any other suggestions? Incidentally, the DEMON returned last Friday while I was at the dentist having a crown put on that was too high and hit the upper tooth that my pain centers around! I am considering having the top tooth pulled out. The dentist x-rayed the top tooth, and told me that the roots of this tooth were unusually large and were deeply imbedded into my sinus cavity. Has anyone else had this type of experience? I look forward to hearing from you all - and thanks for having this informative sight where everyone can be so helpful! God save us all...