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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Emergency Room 
        
(Message started by: Bucco on May 19^th, 2004, 8:57pm)

Title: Emergency Room
Post by Bucco on May 19^th, 2004, 8:57pm

HI, I'm a new member but long suffering CH-acher. I started experiencing clusters in the late 70's (probably before many of you were born). I was diagnosed in the late 80s.

I've only recently met another human being who is also a cluster headache sufferer.

I'm curious about some of my experiences:

eg, I have had awful experiences when I have gone to ER at the hospital. Once I got treated quickly (shot of Demerol), but almost every other time I have been left waiting to see someone for an hour or more. I have to answer admin questions and sit in a well lit, hot, waiting room. I recently complained after the fact, when I could be more rational, but get no help. Anyone have similar experiences??? Any suggestions for dealing with the really bad ones???

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by TxBasslady on May 19^th, 2004, 9:31pm

Welcome to the board, Bucco

You didn't mention if you have seen a doctor, or if you have any meds that you take.

Read all the info in the links on the left of this page. Take the cluster quiz. You will see there are several meds you can take for CH, and also you'll find some "home remedies" as well.

It is difficult for some to find a good doc that really knows about CH. ER experiences for most are kinda like yours. Not only that, but the narcotic drugs do nothing for CH. They may mask the pain....but the CH WILL return.

If you don't have a good doc that knows about CH, then you should really try and locate one in your area. I see you are in NC......we have several folks here from that area.

Hope things get better for you. Let us know more about you....stay with us....post and let us know how you are doing.

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Racer1_NC on May 20^th, 2004, 12:53am

Bucco....

If you are anywhere close to Winston-Salem, I can give you the name of a GREAT neuro.

Bill

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Superpain on May 20^th, 2004, 4:36pm

ER's are an expensive waste of time and patience for ch.

Huhhuh... "patience"... [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Giovanni on May 23^rd, 2004, 4:44pm

I've never been to an ER as I believe they would be useless. My wife tried to take me on several occassions, but I refused. After reading about everyone's experiences, I figured I made the right decision.

John

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Bucco on May 23^rd, 2004, 10:52pm

Sounds like my ER experience is not unique. I was hoping otherwise.

As far as more info on me:

I live in the Raleigh area. I have a CH doctor (Neuro) and he has prescribed various meds over the years. First there was a steriod that couldn't be taken for a long period so he replaced that with Lisinopril??? Hope I have the name right. That drug had no effect. Now he has me on Depakote. It seemed to help this last time but since I was probably on the downside of the cluster when he prescribed it, I'll wait to the next bunch before I decide.
I used motrin for pain until one time I went to ER and they gave me oxygen. It worked great so I got me a prescription. I take it everywhere (including the golf course).

Unfortunately, there are times when nothing works. I have stockpiled some Demerol pills, and next time that happens I'm going to take as many as it takes.

I have been getting clusters about once per year for 2-3month periods. My last cluster ended in April. I'm OK to drink alcohol until my next attack.

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by miapet on May 23^rd, 2004, 11:58pm

Depakote is a frontal lobe drug (it effects the frontal lobe) . . since a malformed hypothalmus appears to be the culprit behing ch . . .and since the hypothalmus isn't in the frontal lobe . . .
Just something to think about.
*positive light and energy*
miapet

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Superpain on May 24^th, 2004, 7:14pm

have you tried imitrex injections to abort?

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Bucco on May 25^th, 2004, 10:12am

Superpain, I have not tried imitrex injections. Do they work for you? How quickly? Do they kill the really bad ones??

Thanks,
Bucco

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Filbert on May 25^th, 2004, 12:55pm

Bucco re your imitrex question. I think it's fair to say that they work for most people. For me they take about five mins-like magic. Takes a bit longer for some.

Filbert

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Bucco on May 25^th, 2004, 2:12pm

on 05/23/04 at 23:58:12, miapet wrote:

Miapet, I don't understand the "malformed hypothalmus" comment. What is a hypothalmus, where is it and, how does it affect CH?

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Superpain on May 25^th, 2004, 5:53pm

Yes Bucco, for most of us about 1/3 - 1/2 of a statdose injection = 2-3mg of imitrex kills just about any headache in about 5 mins.
The hypothalamus is your brain stem.
Check out the info on the "links" page of this site concerning Dr. Goadsby's research for more info.

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by FZfan on May 26^th, 2004, 12:05am

Sorry to hear about your suffering Bucco. In addition to imitrex, you also want to get hooked up with OXYGEN! As was previously suggested, read the oxygen link to the left and follow the directions exactly. This is very important. O2 must be breathed properly to be effective. If you're like many around here, you will find the o2/imitrex combination to be very effective at aborting your h/a's. Get your neuro to give you oxygen and don't take no for an answer.

Good luck in your battles with the beast. You came to the right place for support. Welcome.

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Woobie on May 27^th, 2004, 10:33am

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/hypothalamus/Hypothalamus%20and%20ANS_files/hypo1.gif

Go here........................
http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/hypothalamus/Hypothalamus%20and%20ANS.htm

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/hypothalamus/hypothalamic_activation.htm

And welcome ......... Bucco.

Tina :-*

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Bucco on May 30^th, 2004, 3:48pm

All of the responses to my original post are much appreciated.
Thanks to you all!

As a result of reading the responses, I made my first trip to the OUCH website. I couldn't understand the technical discussions I found there to any great degree. However, there was a mention of Histamines there that caught my eye.
I have had elevated histamines for many years ( I have to take a pil a day (Zyrtec) to keep from getting rashes and itching.... basically allergy control. Does anyone know of a more detailed discussion of the relationship between Histamines and CHs that they can refer me to???

Thanks again!!!!

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by don on Jun 7^th, 2004, 2:37pm

I have found that demerol in the ER is only useful if you are at the end of your rope and need some relief, but prepare for that instant gratification to trigger off a few more rounds of attacks later on.

Insist on proper treatment in the ER. That treatment being whatever you and your Doc have agreed upon.

Insist they treat you for the condition you have, not the condition they want you to have.

Title: Re: Emergency Room
Post by Gator on Jun 7^th, 2004, 5:25pm

on 05/30/04 at 15:48:59, Bucco wrote:

However, there was a mention of Histamines there that caught my eye.
I have had elevated histamines for many years ( I have to take a pil a day (Zyrtec) to keep from getting rashes and itching.... basically allergy control. Does anyone know of a more detailed discussion of the relationship between Histamines and CHs that they can refer me to???

I'd just go to google and do a search on:

"histamines" and "cluster headaches"

Then read, read, read. Also I have never been to the ER about a ch attack. Wife wanted to take me a few times, but I figured that by the time they got to me, the attack would be over and I'd be like, "Uh, well I had one when I came in here." After reading other peoples experiences, I think I was right.

Also, you may want to consider staying away from the pain killers. They can cause more trouble for you in the form of rebound pain. Like was said earlier, pain killers are last ditch type things.

Gator