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(Message started by: Renee on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:31pm)
Title: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Renee on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:31pm
I have an appt tomorrow with houston headache clinic's dallas office (dr. mathews)  that was made prior to my appt with dr watts at dallas neuro clinic.  

I'm thinking about going ahead and seeing dr. mathews as dr watts gave me o2, indocine and verapamil but no abortives at all and gave me an rx for hydrocodone but max of only 10 tablets per month.  Well..no CH i've ever had would hydrocodone help and 10 tablets is laughable, like i'm a druggie or something.  >:(

Any opinions, comments?  [smiley=huh.gif]
I know I need an abortive, not a narcotic that will just cause a rebound.

pf vibes for all   :-/
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by thomas on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:32pm
Get some abortives used to treat ch, and inform your doc that you don't need those f'in narcs.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Tiannia on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:38pm
I would go sweetie. Get as much help as you can.  The hyrdocodone will not help the pain and 10 a month wont cover it when you do get hit.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by jonny on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:40pm
Zomig 5 mg works ok for me if I catch it in time.

Thats about all I got to say seeing that 02 works 90% of the time for me.

lets go folks......this lady needs to hear what abortives work for you!!!!

What works for one may not work for another but at least she will have a list.

...............................jonny
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by thomas on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:44pm
zomig, axert, amerge, O2, imitrex,
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Renee on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:49pm
jonny,

i see ya tell it like it is.   ;;D   thanks

yes, i'd like a list of abortives that seem to work on many.  i have the o2 which is stopping many of the ch but not the shadows and the verap was not started until today and now i'm so sleepy i could fall asleep at my desk.  i already have bp normally of 90/60 and add the verap and i should be near nothing in the blood pressure category.  did i say i'm sleepy???   [smiley=laugh.gif]
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by jonny on Dec 17th, 2003, 5:54pm

on 12/17/03 at 17:49:05, Renee wrote:
the verap was not started until today and now i'm so sleepy i could fall asleep at my desk.  i already have bp normally of 90/60 and add the verap and i should be near nothing in the blood pressure category.  did i say i'm sleepy???  


I wouldnt worry about the Verap, it takes days to build in your system. I had normal BP when I started taking Verap and still do (Ive been taking everyday for 13 years)..........Just watch out if you feel weak and/or dizzy.....call your Doc then.

.................................jonny
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Linda_Howell on Dec 17th, 2003, 6:01pm


O2 and Imitrex are the only things that have worked for me Renee.

and BTW....02   IS an abortive.

LindaH
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Cluster_head on Dec 17th, 2003, 6:16pm
For me, O2 will abort an attack nearly every time,  but never did anything for the shadows.  I'm surprised your doc would only give you 10 hydrocodon.  Last time I saw my neuro I left with scrips for 60 ms contin, 40 Percocet, and several refils of Stadol.  Its all still on the shelf.  I'll save the narcs in case I accidentally cut off my arm or something.  They never really seemed to help my attacks.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Bob P on Dec 17th, 2003, 6:17pm
First and foremost - O2
Then any triptan or ergot.

At the first sign of an attack I drop a tab of Imitrex, or Amerge, or Maxalt, or Zomig, or Cafergot and slap on the O2.  The O2 either kills the attack or at least holds in down to a dull ache until the med kicks in.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by pubgirl on Dec 17th, 2003, 6:36pm
Hello Renee

I do the same as Bob. Take a Zomig pill and wack on the 02 while the Zomig takes its time to work, then if I get a 'remainder headache' or a bit of a rebound after the oxygen, the Zomig takes care of it and seems to keep me clear for quite a few hours.

I also sometimes use Imitrex(Imigran) nasal if it hits at full force, but it's hard work getting many of these from my Doctor so I tend to try and save those to carry around with me in case I get an attack while I'm away or out.

Wendy
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Prense on Dec 17th, 2003, 6:46pm

on 12/17/03 at 17:44:09, thomas wrote:
zomig, axert, amerge, O2, imitrex,


About the best list you are gonna find right here.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Callico_Kid on Dec 17th, 2003, 9:41pm
Verap and Lithium as a preventative.  Verap by itself did me no good.  

O2 and Lidocaine Nasal as abortives.  Lidocaine works for me if it starts in the eye (about 25% of the time), but does nothing when it starts in the temple.

Definately get the second opinion.  If a neuro gives narcs for CH he obviously doesn't know what he is doing! IMHO

jc
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Roxy on Dec 17th, 2003, 9:44pm
Renee,

Go see Dr. Matthews.  As you know, he's my neuro.  He'll give you any abortive you ask for, and as much as your insurance will cover.  He says I can fill my trex vials every two days.  Insurance company says differently.....but, that's another story...... ;;D
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by BlueMeanie on Dec 17th, 2003, 10:36pm
O2, Imitrex, Amerge.

Nothing else works for me. Even these only work 70% of the time. I still end up with rebounds with all 3.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Renee on Dec 17th, 2003, 10:37pm
thanks!  once again my ch family has helped me!!!  

i have written down the list of abortives and will go tomorrow to dr. mathews.

i had my worries about an rx for hydrocodone for a big ch, plus i know hydrocodone will not abort but rather just cover the pain and then i might get a rebound ha.

thanks all!  will update after my appt tomorrow.

pf vibes and a long night sleep for all.

love ya all
renee
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by StanTheMan on Dec 17th, 2003, 10:45pm
I know I'm little late, Renee...

Abortive for me: Maxalt  10 mg (although I fully intend to give O2 a good try during my next cycle).

Preventive: Lithium

Prayers!

StanTheMan :D
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Linda_Howell on Dec 17th, 2003, 10:48pm
MIGHT get a rebound from hydrocodone?  
Hon......count on it.

The pain-killers, narcs, etc.  Don't EVEN hide the pain.

Stay away from them and only use them the next time you have a arm amputated or something like that.


Can we say addiction?  and then you still have the HA's and also another problem.

LindaH
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by don on Dec 17th, 2003, 11:07pm
Second opinion about what?

You have CH and you need abortives. Period. What you need is a knowledgable doc, not a second opinion.

What was Watts resoning for not Rxing abortives?

Did you discuss your concerns with this guy about the narcs?
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Renee on Dec 17th, 2003, 11:37pm
dr watts wanted to wait until after my mri and eeg on friday before giving any abortive, supposedly.  ::)

Yes, I discussed what meds I currently have and dr. mathews office said they don't use hydrocodone for ch as it won't cut the pain and is addictive.  they said i needed an abortive also, other than just the o2.

i'll update y'all tomorrow after my 2 hour appt with dr mathews.  [smiley=laugh.gif]

good night to all with pf vibes  :)
renee
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Woobie on Dec 18th, 2003, 3:16am

on 12/17/03 at 21:41:19, Callico_Kid wrote:
Definately get the second opinion.  If a neuro gives narcs for CH he obviously doesn't know what he is doing! IMHO

jc


Ramon and I agree 100%.........  for what it's worth.
Title: SECOND OPINION UPDATE
Post by Renee on Dec 18th, 2003, 11:11pm
I went to see Dr. Mathews today and would highly recommend him to anyone.  He spent two hours with me, did a doppler, eeg, ekg and vision test.

Sent me home with diagnosis of.....CH and CPH...and gave me rx for topomax daily, trex injections as needed  and told me to stay on the verap and indocine daily also...and to carry o2 with me everywhere: home, work, vehicle, hockey games, etc etc.

He is giving me two weeks for the cycle to break and if this cocktail of meds doesn't do the trick then he wants me inpatient for 4 days in Houston for DHE IV.  

He said the indention in my forehead that showed up 2 months ago is due to severe vascular constriction over a long period of time.  He affirmed my neck and back spasms also go along with the CH.

I would recommend him to anyone.

I think I'm on the correct path now.  When he heard the nightmares of the many misdiagnosis over the past 7 years he stated they were very unfortunate and add to the ch issues and assured me I won't need to go running from doc to doc looking for relief as it has been CH all along.  We also discussed ha I had in college  in 1982 and he said he felt those ha were clusters also that disappeared but came back in 1997 and become chronic in 2003.

If anyone needs a good neuro that knows his stuff, email me and I'll send you his address/phone.  His practice is in Houston but he has an office in Dallas that he comes to every other week for one day.

He also told me to hit some caffeine loaded drink at first sign of shadows along with the o2 and to avoid any alcohol.

Thanks for all your info and support and I guess the hunting for a diagnosis is finally over, not good, but now I can move forward and treat it correctly.

Happy Holidays  ;)
Renee
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by 5-string on Dec 18th, 2003, 11:47pm
Renee,
I just caught this thread. I'm happy you got a good doc.
I lucked out myself and got a great neuro. it sure makes dealing with these things more tolerable.
I got Verapamil-02-and Imetrex--works for me.
I wish you well,
...Mark..
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Miklos on Dec 19th, 2003, 10:56am
I am very glad that you are comfortable (in a manner of speaking) with the diagnosis and medications. I hope you do well on this program, especially over the holidays.
Title: Re: SECOND OPINION?
Post by Rick_K on Dec 19th, 2003, 1:35pm
Congrats Renee...I'm glad Mathews was able to help and that you were able to get into see him.  He wanted me to go to Houston for the in hospital treatment but just could not bring myself to do it.  Long way and lots of $$$.

Best of luck, hang on to that O2 and keep your head up.

Happy Holidays...
Rick


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