Posted by Teviah Sachs (205.188.198.161) on April 21, 2001 at 18:24:05:
In Reply to: Ativan vs. Imitrex posted by Kimberly on April 21, 2001 at 13:27:45:
Don't be afraid Kimberly. I have had and MRA, two MRIs and a Cat Scan...there is nothing to be afraid of. If you want they may let you have some music while it goes on. They just want to rule out anything awful. CH are rare, but the things they want to rule out are much more rare and would show other symptoms which you don't have. It is just a precaution. As for Ativan, I don't know, but try the Immitrex tip listed on this website...it works like a dream most of the time. Also, take time when things get stressful to take lots of breaths...till your chest feels a little cold and your head is a little dizzy. You will be hyperventilating and really oxygenating your body and brain...I ahve found this helps during the day. Especially when I feel that tickle in the back of my neck or above my eye which means a CH might be coming on. Also, think about getting an oxygen tank at home. I am sirry about your insurance company...mine sucks too.
I am new to this site too...but already I have found a little bit of peace in my otherwise stressful series. Each time you have a headache, try to focus for one minute, just one minute o blocking out the pain. It was a tip given to me, and that one minute of calmness seems to help me through. THen I take half of my immitrex and wait. Don't rearrange your life over these CH's...live your life, or else you will lose yourself in the pain. Make your husband and step mother understand. Show them the literature on this...no neurologist will disagree that CH's are the most terrible pain they confront in their patients.
And use this site...it has, in just a few days, done wonders for me to know there are others out there who understand, and to whom you don't have to explain...these are not "headaches" these are CH's and we know and understand you here.
Keep fighting!
-t