Or say a prayer too!  We are heading to Pitts to a Neuro at the VA Medical Center this Tuesday. (Myself and my CHer) I am armed (with information, thanks to you all and Batch) and dangerous.  I am hoping that since they have had his records for a while now, that they have been doing some homework!  I do not want to go in looking like a "know-it-all" (cause for sure I do not!) But I am hoping I do not know more than them! I am praying that good strategies come from this appointment and that my Cher is not totally turned off by everyone.  My best friend was talking to him the other day and told him and I was telling her about the vitamins and such and asked him how it was going with them. He pretty much told her that I was into another fad and using him as a guinea pig myself.  (But that is wasn't hurting anything or doing anything either)  If he would take them regularly...he is very sporatic....gggrrrrrr.  After this appointment, I may be feeding them to him! Then he can't say he forgot. 

I am looking for that second opinion on the detoxing, AND the O2!! (And for now....all of your opinions don't count...to him.  Sorry.... BUT they do for me!!!)<wink>   ;)

Thanks all!  I am praying that those of you in cycle will be out soon enough!  And those of you who are chronic have a handle on things.  And to all you wonderful supporters out there....keep on keeping on!  I know you are special!

Beth

Good luck Beth.  You know just as I do how the VA works so I've got everything crossed for you guys.

Sending peaceful, good luck vibes your way. Hope this is the end of his frustration.

Joe

Well....met a new Neuro....not a headache specialist.  But, she is right that he needs to get on some kind of preventative again.  He was taken off so many things about a year ago for various reasons.  But since he had a gamma knife surgery in Dec., there is a possibility that some of them may work...or work better...than before.  She also said, detoxing is the first step.  He didn't like that because how would he abort? She would not prescribe O2 as he is a smoker and she said he shouldn't have them both in the house at the same time.  Then...she said...he would only need to go at 10 lpm max!!!  ?  WHAT?? After all I showed and asked her about.  He could use the sutripten injections, but not everyday!  She didn't see any harm in the D-3 and Fish Oil I have been giving him.  Never even questioned it. (Although I had Batch's info in the folder) She will be sending her suggestions to his PCP (Primary Care Physician) and then they will be following a detox plan and new meds for preventing them.  He took them before, but she said his doses were not high enough.  She suggests Verapimil, and Depakote.  He was on Lithium before also, but she said to start wtih these and see how things go.  I felt I couldn't get a word in.  I agree also, that the narcs are probably only giving him rebound headaches now and not helping him one bit.  (He doesn't tend to agree, but that's a whole nuther thing) Waiting game again....suffering still......<sigh> :-/

If what you said is true about the dilaudid,  inpatient detox is the only thing that will work.

               Potter

They want to take him off one tablet a day, each week.  On his own!  The specialist in Cleveland said the same thing.  Inpatient really would be the best for him. He even suggested a few places.  But so far...the VA won't touch it. >:(  I am all for the inpatient detox....now gotta get on my knees and pray real hard. Thanks for your input. It helps to know how others feel and what they know and have experienced.
Beth

I have to agree with Potter.  Inpatient is the only way to go.

If I were you I would call these places and tell them the situation and that you don't have insurance.  They may be willing to work out some kind of deal or payment plan. 

A lot of what's going on with him could be problems from all of the pain killers.  Detoxing is the best thing that he could do for himself right now.