I'll be hoping to get time to re-scan the site here for the latest, most promising medical treatment info before my appointment tomorrow, but would also welcome suggestions regarding what to be asking about/for, especially ones based on what seems to be working for lots of the folks here.

So far I'm taking Neurontin/preventative (not sure yet whether it will kick in), plus O2 and imitrex for abortive. I think I've had about enough prednisone for this lifetime, and hope to avoid it for this episode.

I'm going to look into that Lithium/Verapamil conbo I've read about here - those drugs haven't worked for me singularly, but hey I'll try a snappy cocktail.  :D

The Zyprexa has my attention also, and I may ask about a testosterone level test...

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About the new neurologist tomorrow: I don't have huge hopes. Here I am right in a city full of very reputable major medical centers, including Vanderbilt, so close by, but there is no headache specialist in this town who will see a new patient. Period. Well OK, there is one that will schedule an appointment for November. Thanks so much, that's a tremendous help for the episodic cluster sufferers.

I found one neurological group within actual walking distance, and got assigned to a Dr. when I told the receptionist this was for cluster headaches, but I know that Dr. is not a headache specialist

The whole neurologist thing has been a bit of a joke around here IMO, but I have lost plenty of respect for the medical profession in general, and tend to see them as jokers anyway.

There's a real chance that I'll be more informed about clusters than the Dr. will be - I'm not exactly going to be just nodding my head and going along with whatever she says, but I'll humor her some  :P, and will keep the jumbo chip on my shoulder hidden and out of sight.  :P

I could drive 45 min. out of town to see a headache lady who says on her website that she's all expert and junk, but the way she also goes off on her botox injections for migraine, I'm not sure if that's getting a little huckster-ish there. Plus her office hasn't returned my call.

Check your PMs.

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Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor.  It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S.  (2002)
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Michigan Headache & Neurological Institute for another list of treatments and other articles:

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Oh yeah, I might wanna inquire about the occipital block thingy too (The injection - I'll check to see if I have the name right though  :D), so feel free to opine on that.

That would the Occipital Nerve Block (the injection thingy). ;)

The one with the implants and wires is called the Occipital Nerve Stimulator.

OK, Occipital Nerve Block. Must write that down. Thanks.

Also will be trying to look into any risks involved with that one.

The only risk I can think of is a needle in the back of my head!

(I don't do needles very well. I know - it's irrational)

Good luck Jeeb...

Brew wrote on Sep 9^th, 2009 at 5:11pm:

The only risk I can think of is a needle in the back of my head! (I don't do needles very well. I know - it's irrational)

Look at it this way Brew...
At least you won't see it coming  ;D

Good Luck Bejeeber!