Hello everyone, I hope you are all well. My man suffers daily from these headaches. It has taken a toll on his life and keeps him confined for hours. I fell for him that he can't go a single day with out these headaches. He diligantly suffers through work with them and can not enjoy a day off. We don't plan anything because it is inevitable that he will have one that will put him out of commission for hours. He was seeing a neurologist and I think that was working. But when he changed jobs he lost insurance and will not get more until June or July. We tried to sign him up for blue cross but he was denied, I assume because the headaches were considered a pre existing condition. My question is does anyone have any info they can give on how he may be able to qualify for any insurance. I try to handle a lot of this info for him and help as much as I can. Anything could be helpful. Thank you

Hi Bri - welcome to CH.com, but sorry for the reason you are here.

Insurance is a tough thing, and individual insurance even tougher. The companies tend not to accept people that have ongoing issues, as the premiums paid will not cover the expenses incurred. Group insurance usually covers if the person enrolls during open enrollment periods, new hires etc, although some may have periods of exclusion for pre-existing conditions.

Lack of insurance though, should not prevent your husband from getting the help he needs. I haven't seen your other posts, but do you want to share what he does to abort CH pain now?  Here's some ideas from how we deal with my husband's pain:

At onset of CH he grabs his oxygen and starts breathing.
I get him a redbull and one of those ice packs that are covered in neopryn. It stays cold but doesn't melt all over like ice does.

It's important to get right on the O2 and not 'ride it out' to abort quickly. With this my husband can function fine, managed a 30 year career in law enforcement with CH.

Presently our insurance company covers the O2 but now we have a $5000 deductible so we're really paying out of pocket. It's costing me about $30/month and I keep the tanks here year round so that when he needs it, we have it.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me for more info.

Christy

Bri,

Take a look at this link.  START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

If this does not help you, come back here and let me know.   I'll do my best to help you if you give me some more info.  O.K.?   We are here to help.

Linda

For the life of me I can not remember what he is taking right now. I am burnt out at the time being. School and the kids and looking for a job. I know that what he is taking is not working. But he hasn't been in to see his doc since he lost his insurance. I am making him, yes I said making him, get an appointment. I told him I would pay for it with what I have left of my taxes. I want to see what else his doc can do they had been talking about trying lithium. He is a stubborn one. That's why I have to nag him into an appointment. Good thing I'm also accomplished at being stubborn.

Bri when my husband starts a CH cycle he calls his neuro right away and gets in or at least gets his meds. He starts with a 10-day prednisone taper, and gradually ramps up lithium up to 1200 mg per day. You have to get blood tests along the way which he does and they found 1200 to be his number. Others will vary. It's been very effective for him for many years. Some do verapimil with lithium. The thing about verapimil is some physicians will prescribe it at heart patient levels which was not enough for my husband for CH.

Of course there are other health considerations to take into account, so getting to the doctor is the first step.

Good luck. (PS: when I was desperate for some answers/help, I made the appt...)

He went to his neurologist today and was prescribed treximet. And is to go see a specialist when his insurance kicks in in another three months. Insurance is a joke.