For many of you following the posts about Svenn’s problems with morphine addition, I’ve been asked to make the following information available to you.

Our dear friend Svenn has been going through the hell of withdrawal from morphine addiction for the last 5 days, and I might add, agonizing about it for much longer.  The physical and emotional roller coaster Svenn’s been on since prior to the conference in Haugesund has been painful to him and at times, frightening to those of us who have been at his side, or reaching out to him on a regular basis by phone and Skype.

The details of this saga are not important at this point except to say,  I can assure you, there’s been an international team of supporters in constant contact with Svenn around the clock.  What’s important at this point is to keep Svenn in your thoughts and prayers.  If all goes well and according to schedule, Svenn will be admitted to a medical facility tomorrow for detox from his morphine addiction under competent medical supervision.

While Svenn is at this facility, he will be off the net, and contact with him will be restricted.  Svenn has asked that Oliver Reeh and I act as his link to friends and well-wishers here in the US, in Norway, Europe, and around the world.

I will be providing SITREPs (situation reports) as information becomes available.  Again, as Svenn will not be able to be on-line, there’s no real need to make additional replies to this post.  In fact, if you didn’t, it will make it easier for other folks to view the SITREPs as they come out.  Watching the number of times this post has been read will be more than enough information for Svenn when he completes this very difficult task and can come back on-line.

Take care. Please keep Svenn in your thoughts and prayers.

V/R, Batch

Pete Batcheller1

Thanks, Pete.

Let him know he and Bente are in our thoughts.

Also let him know that Redd and her brood here in WI are pulling for him, and send our love.

Batch wrote on Oct 21^st, 2008 at 7:47pm:

Again, as Svenn will not be able to be on-line, there’s no real need to make additional replies to this post.  In fact, if you didn’t, it will make it easier for other folks to view the SITREPs as the come out.  Watching the number of times this post has been read will be more than enough information for Svenn when he completes this very difficult task and can come back on-line.

Finally! I'm glad they are getting him in so he can have medical supervision during this tough time.

There is a reason that detox needs medical supervision.  It isn't a question of how manly or tuff you are, detox can stop your heart cold.  I think Svenn is a real man for allowing this kind of help into his world.  WAY TO GO!

SITREP 1 (14:11 EST 22 Oct 2008)

Svenn was admitted to the detox facility on schedule today in Oslo.  He just spoke with Oliver by phone and indicated he was given some tests then started on the detox regimen.  Svenn told Oliver they gave him something, he doesn't know what it was, but he feels good and comfortable.

We don't have a set schedule for updates so we'll only be able to provide further SITREPS when Svenn calls or Oliver is able to reach Bente.  Keep the thoughts and prayers coming.

V/R, Batch

SITREP 2:  (15:41 EST 23 October 2008)

Oliver and Svenn spoke today around 15:00 EST.   Svenn said he feels great mentally but shitty physically.  Svenn assumes this is due to the medication.  

Svenn said they first dose him up and then back down again.  He also indicated he has to stay for at least 10 days.

Oliver commented that Svenn really sounded good, even Oliver’s wife could hear it.

We also have a schedule for update calls as Svenn has agreed to talk with Oliver every night at 20:00 CEST

Take Care,

V/R, Batch

SITREP 3: (19:50 EST 24 October 2008)

Oliver spoke with Svenn today at 20:00 CEST, but was on the road so was delayed in passing the following until he got home a short time ago:  

Svenn still feels good mentally, but still bad physically.  He said the morphine hangovers are getting stronger so they upped the buprenorphine dose.  

He assumes (but doesn't know for sure) that he has to stay 14 days (this isn't carved in stone just yet).

Svenn doesn't have his demand valve or regulator since he's not allowed to use oxygen in the hospital.  Oliver indicated Svenn didn't appear to think this was a problem and that Svenn thinks their cluster headache treatment is good.

Take care,

V/R Batch

Thank you Pete for the updates.

Love to you and Joyce,

Jen and Darryl

SITREP 4:  (15:00 EST 25 October 2008)

Oliver spoke with Svenn today at 20:00  CEST.  Svenn is not feeling well, but is still positive about the whole thing.  They gave him too much Subutex (buprenorphine) in the morning so he wasn't allowed to have any more until later in the day, but the other meds seem to help a little.  It still made for a rough day.   The roughest day yet according to Svenn.

Svenn now finds another thing that seems to bother him is that, besides sleeping (he slept 16 hours today) there isn't much he can do.

Oliver asked Svenn about his cluster headaches.  Svenn indicated their treatment (still no info what it actually is) works - so he doesn't have any problem with that.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

SITREP 5:  (20:00 EST 26 October 2008)

We spoke with Svenn today and not much has changed from yesterday.  He is still very positive about his treatment and still going through withdrawal symptoms, but he knows this is something he must do.  We told Svenn that there have been over 375 posts by friends and well-wishers sending vibes and words of encouragement.  That helped…

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Thanks for the updates. I wish there were more that I could do but I am thinking of the old coot.

Kick its ass Svenn!

Charlie

SITREP 6:  (22:30 EST 27 October 2008)

Sorry this SITREP is so late tonight, but it’s been a long day with lots of input to correlate.

As a rule, I’ve kept these SITREPS clear of any editorial or opinions as much as possible to ensure a little privacy for Svenn and make sure you all got the straight word on Svenn’s condition and progress.  Tonight’s SITREP will be different, and as you’ll see below, there’s a clear need to break from that rule.

We’ve had a tag team checking on Svenn around the clock since last night when by all accounts, Svenn was not doing well mentally or physically and appeared to be going down hill compared to previous days.   Michael and Oliver both called Svenn today and came back with the same assessment…  Svenn sounded terrible, said he felt terrible, and didn’t want to talk.  

Pål Elseth also called Svenn and was shocked to find out he had no oxygen or his demand valve for his cluster headache attacks.  Pål got hold of a nurse at the detox clinic and asked why Svenn did not have access to oxygen therapy for his cluster headaches…  The nurse was clueless saying that with all the folks going through detox for one drug or another, and because there was so much smoking that oxygen was considered a risk…  

Pål kept taking and thankfully the nurse kept listening and finally understood what Pål was saying…  She also said there was no space in the detox facility designated for oxygen therapy, but she asked a doctor about providing Svenn with oxygen there at the detox facility while Pål was still on the phone.  The doctor said “no”…  No oxygen allowed…  The call ended at that point.

Two minutes later the Nurse called Pål back and said to bring the oxygen cylinder and demand valve for Svenn to use for his cluster headaches…  

Halleluiah!!!!  You gotta love a good nurse…  and a great supporter who’s also a cluster headache sufferer like Pål who kept up the pressure.

Pål called Bente and then talked to Hans Jørgen who got a friend to drive over to Svenn’s home to pick up his oxygen cylinder and demand valve then take it to the detox facility.

Pål spoke with Svenn later this evening after the oxygen cylinder and demand valve had been delivered and there was a marked improvement in Svenn’s spirits.

There are some very important lessons to be learned…  and relearned from all this…

1.      Never assume people at any medical facility other than a cluster headache center understand the cluster headache disorder much less how to treat it.
2.      When you do take a cluster headache sufferer to a medical facility for any reason, make sure you walk the dog to find out all the rules and regulations.
3.      Above all, make sure the attending physician, and the ward nurse are all briefed on proper treatment for the cluster headache disorder and that that the standing orders for medications reflect the essential abortives for cluster headaches.   Don’t take “No” for an answer…

We all owe Pål Elseth a.k.a. “Brumm” here on CH.com, a big vote of thanks for doggedly pursuing what he knew needed to be done and for reaching out in the finest traditions of being a cluster headache supporter to help our dear friend Svenn…  Well Done Pål!!!

Svenn is by no means out of the woods or through morphine detox on the buprenorphine protocol so needs your thoughts, prayers, and vibes more than ever…  Keep them coming...

Having said that, if you want to direct some well deserved kudos to Pål Elseth… They’re clearly in order…

Take care,

V/R, Batch

SITREP 7:  (18:40 EST 28 October 2008)

We spoke with Svenn today and all your kind thoughts, vibes, and prayers must be working…  Oliver said he sounded great!  Svenn said this was his best day yet and he had the feeling the worst was over.  They had started him on the second phase of detox where they stop the Subutex (buprenorphine) and start him on the Suboxone (a mix of buprenorphine and naloxone) to keep from growing dependant on the Subutex.  Coming off the buprenorphine was likely what was making Svenn feel so bad... but he knew that was part of the detox protocol.

Svenn was even talking about starting therapy as soon as he was done with detox as this is an essential part of the overall therapy to remain free of morphine dependency.  Bente is obviously very supportive of the follow-on therapy as it helps change the core thought patterns that contribute to morphine dependency.

Svenn was very moved when Oliver gave him the number of SITREP views and other posts by well wishers sending their kind thoughts, vibes, and prayers.  Svenn asked to please pass his sincerest thanks to all of you.

Oliver indicated Svenn was even commenting on how great the nurses were and that he thought they were angels for taking such good care of him.  Another good sign...  There had been no mention of the staff in any of the previous calls.

Please continue keep the kind thoughts, vibes, and prayers coming…  The finish line is in sight, but there’s still a ways to go before Svenn finishes detox.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

SITREP 8:  (20:40 EST 29 October 2008)

Oliver Reeh was on travel today so Michael Berger made the nightly call to Svenn for this SIREP.  Michael made the call from the hallway outside his hospital room where he’s recovering from the greater occipital nerve stimulation implants…  I watched the call in a Skype video teleconference with Michael and saw the wires and IV lines.  Thanks Michael…

Svenn reports he is doing even better today, and that if all goes according to schedule, he should be released next Wednesday.   Svenn also met with a neurologist today and it appears he will be under Dr. Monstad’s care once he’s released from detox.  Svenn is only having a few shadows each day and his demand valve oxygen therapy is working so cluster headaches have not been a problem.

We gave Svenn the number of SITREP views and outreach posts on CH.com and again he was very moved.  He asked that we pass his sincerest thanks to all of you on CH.com that have taken the time to pass your vibes, prayers, and well-wishes to get him through all this.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

bumped to make it easier to see

While I know this thread is to remain open for the sitreps, I have just finished sending flowers for Bente and a Get Well Bear for Svenn (long story).  Because the names on the list are bigger than the card, unless Mark can get a card to send, it will be from "with love, all your cluster supporters".

It should arrive Tues. for Bente and the Bear will be there for Svenn when he arrives.

Thanks one and all for adding your names to the list.

Cat

SITREP 9:  (19:20 EST 1 November 2008)

Cat thanks...  Flowers and a Care Bear are just what the doctor ordered...

Oliver, Pål, and Michael, have been making daily calls to Svenn on a regular basis over the last three days and all report the same thing…  Svenn’s emotional and physical states have continued to yoyo down and up each day, but he’s making progress.   There are also signs the finish line is in sight.  Svenn’s doctor told him he would be off the buprenorphine by Monday and would be tapering off the naloxone after that.  Svenn even got to go for a walk outside the detox facility yesterday with one of his nurses.  He’s been calling Pål frequently so it looks like Svenn will be back on line as soon as he gets home…  All for now.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

SITREP 10:  (16:51 EST 4 November 2008)

Pål made the two-hour drive to visit with Svenn at the detox facility on Sunday.

Oliver talked to Svenn today and reports he's doing GREAT!  No problems today and he'll leave the detox facility tomorrow at 2pm.

Svenn expects to stay at home for a week or so and then go to the rehabilitation facility for 2-3 weeks

This will be the last SITREP from me…  Any further will come from Svenn.

Take Care,

V/R, Batch

OOOHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!


I'll save the rest for tomorrow!

Cathi

Thank you, Pete.

Thanks Pete for keeping us up to date. Give the old viking a big hug from Clusterville.

Hugs BD

Thanks for keeping us up to date, Pete.

Looking forward to hearing from that old Viking very soon.

:)

Best wishes,

George

Wooohoooooo!!!!!!!!  That's great news.

Svenn:

This is great news and an answer to prayer!

Ray

welcome back my friend and fill me in when you can.   :)

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Thanks and welcome back to what is laughingly called the real world.  

Sounds good from here Svenn!

Charlie