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Gemma

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Its official
Feb 14^th, 2009 at 3:59pm

Hi!

A past poster returns Cheesy

I signed up here some time ago, and since then, (yesterday!) I have finally seen a Neurologist who has at last confirmed what I and my GP had already felt - I've got CH. It was an ironic experience because the specialist I saw yesterday, didn't remember me, but I sure remembered him! He was the same doctor I saw about 6/7 years ago, who back then discharged me telling me I was 'just going to have to learn to deal with a headache'.

What a difference a few years makes, eh? Roll Eyes

I have described my symptoms time and time again since I was 16 to a whole host of doctors, and have been told theres nothing wrong with me by pretty much all of them until my GP last year. At last I'm glad I have got a definitive diagnosis by a specialist as it means I can stop being prescribed medications that are for other conditions!

The doctor I saw yesterday has prescribed me two medications - Verapamil and Maxalt mlt (I think - I haven't been able to get my prescription yet as the hospital pharmacy was closed and the doctor's writing is appaling! Huh

).

I have a question though - at the moment I'm currently taking antidepressants (citralopram), and I'm just concerned with how the CH medication might interact. The specialist said there won't be any problem, but... I'm a real worrier (hence the citralopram! Cheesy

)

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coach_bill CH.com Hall of Famer Offline "Dont expect me to lay down for this" Posts: 680 x0\|euclid\|USA\|\|0\|0\|OH,Ohio Gender:	Re: Its official Reply #1 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 4:28pm Hello, Welcome back. Talk to your doctor about 02 if you have not already. It helps alot of Cluster headache suffers. Challening, More assertive.. Coach Bill
Back to top	boy i cant wait till it's my turn to give him a headache. paybacks a bitch IP Logged

Bob Johnson CH.com Alumnus Offline "Only the educated are free." -Epictetus Posts: 5965 Kennett Square, PA (USA) Gender:	Re: Its official Reply #2 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 4:31pm Here I sit, a stranger, across the waters, with an IQ of 32 and you would believe me about meds when you won't believe your doctor??? Just think about that......
Back to top	« Last Edit: Feb 14^th, 2009 at 4:36pm by Bob Johnson » Bob Johnson IP Logged

Gemma CH.com Newbie Offline I Love CH.com! Posts: 10 United Kingdom Gender:	Re: Its official Reply #3 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 5:10pm Well, considering its taken qualified doctors years or misdignosis and many prescriptions for all sorts of medications that never did any good, then,definitely, I would take the views of fellow CH sufferers into consideration!
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Potter CH.com Alumnus Offline Team MOOSE DROOL Stinky Stuff on a Hook Prostaff Posts: 3600 Blgs.Mt. Gender:	Re: Its official Reply #4 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 5:35pm Bob Johnson wrote on Feb 14^th, 2009 at 4:31pm: Here I sit, a stranger, across the waters, with an IQ of 32 and you would believe me about meds when you won't believe your doctor??? Just think about that...... Ouch! Kinder gentler Potter
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Linda_Howell CH.com Moderator CH.com Alumnus Offline Do not feed the Moderators Posts: 11927 Santa Maria, Ca. Gender:	Re: Its official Reply #5 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 7:31pm Bob? Have I told you lately that I love you? LMAO Gemma, I understand what you're saying also. Quote: then discharged me telling me I was 'just going to have to learn to deal with a headache'. He was an ass. Quote: with an IQ of 32 Bob's I.Q. is about 6 times what he said.
Back to top	« Last Edit: Feb 14^th, 2009 at 7:35pm by Linda_Howell » Hurt people.....hurt people. Think about it. IP Logged

Iddy

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Re: Its official
Reply #6 - Feb 14^th, 2009 at 8:21pm

Hi Gemma It is the role of your specialist to put your mind at ease with regard to the interactions of different medications.

The pharmacy will also have people on staff that will be able to aleviate your concerns. Ask all the questions you need to feel safe and ensure peace of mind.

One more thing, Bob is right up there with the best,a good man and a good soul.

Nice to hear you have found direction to put up the fight. I wish you well To PFD Walk in Peace Iddy

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Walk in Peace

"If you can, help others, if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them." Dalai Lama

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Bob Johnson

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Re: Its official
Reply #7 - Feb 15^th, 2009 at 9:45am

Gemma, the issue is that the SSRI (cit.) will relieve symptoms that comes with excessive worry, rumination, but it won't change the habit pattern of that kind of thinking.

We do have patterns of thinking and they can be changed,even if it does take patient work. Broadly defined as cognitive therapies, these are the best researched forms of therapy to have come along in my working lifetime and the outcome studies are very good: it's possible to weaken, even eliminate anxiety/obsessive thought, etc.

If you are interested, take a look at this little essay and further explore the link at the end.

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« Last Edit: Feb 15^th, 2009 at 11:27am by Bob Johnson »

Bob Johnson

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Paul98

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What, it's all in my head?

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Re: Its official
Reply #8 - Feb 15^th, 2009 at 10:36am

I don't know how or if antidepressants interact with CH meds but I have not had such good experiences with antidepressants. I have tried them twice and they seem to cause me to go into cycle. My last cycle, when I saw my Dr. did not want to perscribe antidepressants because I was currently taking verapamil, high doses of pred and using trex. This may be because of the two times I tried antidepressants they (maybe) induced/augmented my cycle. I had inquired about Lithium and he said he did not want to perscribe that with me being on the other meds.

-P.

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FramCire

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must be humored a little

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Re: Its official
Reply #9 - Feb 15^th, 2009 at 5:08pm

I have taken anti-depressants twice and started into cycle quickly afterwards. HOWEVER, it was the same time of year, so it is hard to say they triggered the cycle vs the change in weather.

You should talk to your doctor about O2 now that you have a diagnosis.

Maxalt MLT worked well enough for me for a while but not as effective as O2.

Good luck and when you have drug interaction questions, ALWAYS ask (your doctor and) a pharmacist, they should have the knowledge and resources to double check your doctor.

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You've overstayed your welcome since the day we met but it doesn't seem to matter to you. No medications are your master, nothing makes you fret, it's a helpless feeling having nothing I can do

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Katie

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I just get 'those' headaches.

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Re: Its official
Reply #10 - Feb 16^th, 2009 at 4:29am

Gemma,

You can ask the dispensing pharmacist for reassurance.
In the UK its there job to double check what the doctors prescribe and mine is very good at spotting if something has slipped through.

Maxalt Melt is an oral dispersible form of rizatriptian its pretty good but can take over 30 minutes to act so its worth asking about O2 as well. OUCH UK has details on asking for and arranging this through the NHS.

I am so pleased you finally got the right diaognosis, hope the new drugs help.

I honestly think there is something about being a woman in the UK that makes CH the last thing GP's and some consultants think about.
Roll Eyes

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Pain is no evil unless it conquers us.

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Brew

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Re: Its official
Reply #11 - Feb 16^th, 2009 at 8:17am

Katie's right - the "melt in your mouth" version of Maxalt was designed for convenience. For when you need it NOW and you don't have a glass of water to take a pill. Rizatriptan is absorbed in the gut, and still takes about 25-30 minutes to get into your system and get going. That's why I always hit the O2 bottle as soon as I've taken one.

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"I have been asked if I have changed in these past 25 years. No, I am the same. Only more so." --Ayn Rand

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mrs mac

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Re: Its official
Reply #12 - Feb 17^th, 2009 at 8:13am

as mentioned go back to your gp and ask about oxygen.

if you go to OUCH UK's main website there is a download for a partially completed HOOF (Home Oxygen Order Form) just print that off and take to gp, it already has the necessary info and boxes ticked for you

if you have any more questions or problems with getting o2 then give the OUCH UK helpline a call the no is 01646 651 979

it is "manned" by sufferers and supporters, and can give you a lot of advice on meds and support on how to cope with CH

all the best
Sandra xx

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darknight

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Re: Its official
Reply #13 - Feb 17^th, 2009 at 8:19am

I agree with the others go to your GP and try and obtain Oxygen.

I have used Maxalt mlt before and found it only helped a little, but oxygen stops them completely and that is all i take even though i am prescribed imigran injectables i have never taken them as the 02 works please try and find out it may be the best thing youve ever done!!!

PFD to ALL

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