hi guys, been cluster free for 6 mos (praise GOD) but I might have a problem with my insurance company about my recieving oxygen. I went to an appt today with this woman in the neck,head,throat dept so "she" could determine if I needed the oxy any longer. Throughout she kept saying well typically oxy is for people who have low oxygen levels in their blood...uh hello. I don't, she tested me. I am perfectly healthy...I walk 2-4 miles everyday. other than mild depression I'm fine at least until I'm in a cluster episode. I tried to explain to her why I use it and what it does for me but still she seemed blind eyed to anything I had to say. I was looking for that paperwork (in the site) that we can print and give to our clueless doctors so they can understand what clusters are. Can someone send to me or tell me where it's located? She made me so mad I wouldn't be surprised if she triggers my attacks!  >:(  Also, are there any specific tests that can be done for episodic clusters??? I did an mri a few years ago and it was fine.

Dear Snickers:

There is a LOT of information here about oxygen here, please see the link on the left regarding oxygen.  There are NO tests that are specifically used to identify cluster headaches and many people can go years before a proper diagnosis.

In the "old days," a doctor might give a person nitroglycerine, used normally to ease chest pains by dialating blood vessels, but it would be cruel to cause a cluster headache on purpose.

If you look on the OUCH website (see the link on left), there is a section there that contains sufferer recommended doctors.  You need a good one!

Wishing you all the best,

Ray

Almost at the bottom of the whole "oxygen info" linkmon the left is the article that was published showing why and how we use oxygen. Print that out.
Editor’s note: In the following article, Dr. Rozen talks about flow rates of 7 to 10 and up to 15 LPM.  Newer studies and trials are showing that flow rates up to 25 LPM, may be more beneficial.)

From the newsletter Headliner, 2004, Issue 33, published by the Michigan Head-Pain & Neurological Institute.  Reprinted with permission.

"High Oxygen Flow Rates for Cluster Headache"
               by Todd D. Rozen, M.D., Neurologist


That's the heading to the article you want! Congrats on the pain free time that's awesome!

Joe

thanks so much!!!!!!!

Hi snickers. Here is a link another Dr. Rosen article:  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I too had to do the blood oximetry test before I was prescribed O2 the first time. It wasn't my doctors fault.. it was the stupid office where he worked. Fortunately he knew enough about cluster headaches to get the O2 approved anyway.