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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Get a 2nd Opinion!!
        
(Message started by: Margi on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:08pm)

Title: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by Margi on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:08pm

And yet one more reason to be sure of your diagnosis, even if a doctor tells you you have cluster headaches!

I've heard from a gal who posted here recently, after being told by her doctor that she had clusters. The only atypical symptom she has is that she could hear her own pulse all the time. She actually goes through most of the rest of the cluster symptoms. Her doctor had given her a triptan (imitrex or zomig, I can't remember) to treat her headaches. I urged her, through email, to do a little more research and get a second opinion as to what was going on.

Well, gang, it turns out this gal doesn't have clusters. She has Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM) which is a malformation of blood vessels and is meeting with a neurosurgeon in January to discuss surgery. They will not allow her to take any meds because it may mask the symptoms of impending stroke!

Had she taken the triptans as the first doctor had prescribed, it could very well have vaulted her into an emergency situation and theoretically could have taken her life!!

I can't stress enough how important it is to get a diagnosis from a CLUSTER KNOWLEDGABE doctor before you take any of the cluster meds.

I know some of us oldtimers are labelled to be too judgemental if we hear of atypical symptoms. So be it. This is why, ok? :o

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by echo on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:12pm

Excellent point Margi. Self diagnosis is never a good idea, and a medical diagnosis from a non-expert doctor can be just as dangerous - if not more so.

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by tanner on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:31pm

WOW...
great point and great catch margi, i would hate to think that someone like the lady you mention might be lurking and use what they read here to talk their gp into prescribing a potentially dangerous drug or treatment!
i would like to see more discussion on this subject and how to guard against it.

tim

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by Bob P on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:33pm

Margi:

Do you charge by the hour or the visit?

I still need 2 more new OUCH members. Gotta get this over with today so I can quit counting.

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by Margi on Dec 18^th, 2002, 2:42pm

For YOU, Bob? I'll give ya the family discount. ;)

I wish we were back in the days of paid memberships. Because today I would sponsor Firebrix and Mopar as our 2 new members. Any supporter that will willingly tend to her sufferer's potty needs goes WAY above and beyond the call of duty, in my books!!! :o

That woman deserves a medal.

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by Bob P on Dec 18^th, 2002, 3:44pm

She should call him Firebrix (especially after Mexican food).

Title: Re: Get a 2nd Opinion!!
Post by RevDeFord on Dec 18^th, 2002, 8:43pm

I would like to see this post addressed to ALL New People and made sticky at the top of the board. It can't be stressed enough....

No, Jonny and Slammy. Sit down, I don't mean that kind of sticky. ;D