Posted by Malcolm on April 17, 1999 at 13:54:12:
After 17 or 18 years of cluster free living, the monster stikes again. I remember years ago when I finally found a physician that was knowlegable enough about the condition to prescribe ANY medication that produced results, he said we don't know enough about why it starts and could just up and stop at any time. It did. Now I'm back in the hunt for a Doc that is knowlegable and concerned, tough to do I know. Last time I hung in there and kept going until I found one. About 5 including 2 neurologists. At that time I found nothing to abort the clusters. Bad thing is I don't remember all of the different meds I tried. Prednisone is one, caffergot, and pain meds. Like most of you I trudged to emergency rooms in the middle of the night and ended up with shots of demeral. Two instances that come to mind are when one of MY Docs refused to give me anymore pain killers, said don't come to the emergency room 'cause I won't prescribe anything addictive! Another time I sat and waited for the on call Doc to arrive at the hospital for about an hour. He gave me shot and the nurses wheeled me out side as I was vomiting in one of those little kidney shaped plastic bowls. I walked to my car and drove myself home and slept for two days. So far this time I've tried a shot of Imitrex and was instantly nauseated and felt like I was imploding. Guess that's why they asked if I had family history of heart problems. They gave me an oral dose and nasal spray for the next one and didn't touch it. Now they've prescribed Stadol, a narcotic nasal spray that just takes the edge off. Well, thanks to you all for the great postings, it's a relief to find those that can talk "cluster talk" and understand what you're saying. I'm new here so email if you wish, I always answer back and hang in there, hey someday they may just stop. Like mine did.
Malcolm