I had to pay a visit to the ER, not for a CH related issue,
for an eye case, as I was in the ER I got lucky and
an attack pays me a visit. And that is when things turn
interesting……

The team knows about CH, (which is nice to know)
but most of them have never seen a “real” CH’er, with
“papers”, just the ones that think they have CH.

I asked if they have O2, which they do, do they have a
regulator of 15lt./min, well yes but what do I need it for?
for the O2 took a few minutes and they got one….. now
can I have a mask? yes no problem - just the wrong one!
so pragmatically I tore of the the “funny” mask and just
used the hose, and “hit” on a  “Zomig”, the funny part
was I became an “observation” object, sort of a rare bird
that one gets to see once in a life time, I found it sort of
amusing.
There were some more "interesting" anecdotes, but this will
turn into a way to long of a post.

And what I came in for became secondary….. which
angered, me needles to say….. but got taken care of later.

and I got to explain what CHers need and showed them
CH.com and all the nice info. that they can find on it,
as well as the link to “OUCH” and a link to  the
O2 doc. as well as the link to CB, and CK Wissen in
Germany

Michael

Well, I think it's always great when we get a real chance to educate those in the medical field.  I remember serveral years ago I got hit a my nuero's office.  The reactions were not quite what I expected.

It's kinda like taking your car to the mechanic because it's making "that noise" but "that noise" disappears when you enter the garage.  

At least you can say "SEE?  THIS IS WHAT I'M DEALING WITH!"

Michael,

What a fascinating series of events.  Even for an old hand at cluster headaches like you, having an attack turn into the center of attention with the medical staff in stead of your eye problem must have been a bit frustrating.  Having said that, I’m guessing you gave them far more in first hand observations on the use of oxygen therapy as an abortive for an acute cluster headache attack than they gave you in treatment for your eye.

I do hope the eye is better.  I also hope the doctors recognized the valuable learning opportunity you provided and that they add the proper oxygen therapy procedures to their ER list of SOPs so that when the next cluster headache sufferer presents in the ER with an acute attack, he or she gets treated promptly and properly.

Take care,

V/R, Batch

Wow Michael.  I can honestly say that I don't envy you, that's for sure.

You are a very patient soul.  Good on you though for educating the medical community there!

I do hope your eye is doing better now.

hugs,
:)mel

wildhaus wrote on May 28^th, 2008 at 3:15pm:

I was in the ER I got lucky and an attack pays me a visit. And that is when things turn interesting……

Been there ...
Done that ...
Have the tee-shirt!



wildhaus wrote on May 28^th, 2008 at 3:15pm:

I became an “observation” object, sort of a rare bird that one gets to see once in a life time, I found it sort of amusing.

Yes, it can be amusing, but also frustrating, when they ignore you 'cuz you ain't ed-a-ma-kated enuff to teach them, the elite!


wildhaus wrote on May 28^th, 2008 at 3:15pm:

I got to explain what CHers need and showed them CH.com and all the nice info. that they can find on it, as well as the link to “OUCH”

It is GREAT when they are willing to learn, but pisses me off when the next time you are in, for whatever reason, you have to go through the whole song and dance AGAIN ...

I can't remember the last time I wasted time, by going to the ER for a cluster hit, but have been there MANY times for other problems.  And, YUP, I always manage to let the beast show his stuff, at least once, while there ...

I feel for you, Michael!

Chuck

The staff at your ER is lucky....even if you are not....to have run into you or perhaps you over them. Nice going Michael

Charlie