My name is Andrea. I am 28 years old and I have been suffering from CH for 15 years now.  I thought that I had them under control since i havent had attack in 2 years.   I can feel the demon starting to fester in my right side of my brain.  As a child I would suffer from these but of course we didnt have insurance so I suffered with no Dr.   I wasw finally diagnoised when I was 19, but the Dr said there wasnt anything that they could do for me except go to the ER when I had an attack.  My life has totally changed since then and my attacks got worse for awhile in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and dissapeared for a few years and then when I was pregnant with my son i got them again.  The trigger in 2002 was the preganacy with my daughter.  They tried everthing to keep me form hurting and nothing worked finally the Dr induced me early so that they could give me Meds that would work.  I just dont know what too do any more.  If they are comeing back as I suspect I think that they are really gonna have to commit me cause I dont think that i can do this again.  Especially with 2 very rowdy children.  

Thank you for listening
Andrea

LOCATING HEADACHE SPECIALIST

1. Search the OUCH site (button on left) for a list of recommended M.D.s.

2. Yellow Pages phone book: look for "Headache Clinics" in the M.D. section and look under "neurologist" where some docs will list speciality areas of practice.

3.  Call your hospital/medical center. They often have an office to assist in finding a physician. You may have to ask for the social worker/patient advocate.

4. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or ; On-line screen to find a physician.

5. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or Look for "Physician Finder" search box.  Call 1-800-643-5552; they will send a list of M.D.s for your state.I suggest using this source for several reasons: first, we have read several messages from people who, even seeing neurologists, are unhappy with the quality of care and ATTITUDES they have encountered; second, the clinical director of the Jefferson (Philadelphia) Headache Clinic said, in late 1999, that upwards of 40%+ of U.S. doctors have poor training in treating headache and/or hold attitudes about headache ("hysterical female disorder") which block them from sympathetic and effective work with the patient; third, it's necessary to find a doctor who has experience, skill, and a set of attitudes which give hope of success. This is the best method I know of to find such a physician.
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Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

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:

Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or