Posted by Robert (12.74.144.88) on January 09, 2002 at 10:32:23:
In Reply to: headaches posted by rebecca on January 09, 2002 at 09:57:09:
Before I was diagnosed I would go to the ER and as usual....you get a pain shot and a script for pain pills.....oh joy. After a few visits I wound up cursing the ER staff for telling me the wouldn't treat me anymore. I'm sure there are plenty of old timers on this board that can tell you the best steps to take for CH treatment..but, here are my "newbie" tips. I would print out at much information as you can find through this site, grab all his ER receipts, and find a good physician or neurologist for starters. To immediately convince the doctor he isn't just seeking pain medication he should try to trigger an attack during the doctor visit (I know this is pure hell, but it gets the point across). Drinking a beer or something should work just fine..Doctor's can usually tell you are in pain by increased pulse rate...not to mention the actual symptoms of the cluster. (Sweats, red eye, nasal congestion) I didn't get taken seriously until I had an attack at my doctor's office yesterday. He was running around the office like a chicken with his head cut off trying to find me a pain shot and some abortive CH medication. By all means, print out any information you can find on CH meds....both preventive and abortive..and pray the doctor will prescribe them. Above all, keep up with this site. I've been reading information through this site for 6 months to a year and without it I don't know what I would have done.