Howdy ho to one and all! My name's Chris, but in time you'll grow to know me and my persona as SlaM. (And as I noticed through my brief stint of lurking, slamming is a bit derogatorily viewed, so I'll be sure to steer clear of that sorta thing for the duration)

I've been suffering with CH for 9 years give or take, and have yet to officially be diagnosed as such. But after recently stumbling upon it's existence, and brushing up on the disorder and it's symptoms, am nothing short of certain that the mystery has finally been solved.

* pain in the left eye
* nasal discharge
* restlessness/pacing/rocking during instances
* headaches lasting between 30-120 a time
* tearing/closed eye lid
* occasional sharp tinges in the eyebrow towards the end of each bout
* forehead sweating
* discharging/pressure in the left ear canal

My dealings with CH are chronic as since it began, there's been very few periods where the pain has disipitated. (A few weeks here, a couple days there. And in desperate times, about a little over a month when I reached out to a certain hallucinogenic...which I neither condone nor condem in terms of others and their resorting to)

It's been a very trying and hard road to this posting. One filled with many suffered indignities, lack of understanding, and many missed opportunities/experiences. From RN's referring to me as a pill-seeker, siblings deeming me as lazy and imaginative, employers letting me go as a result of being absent too many times, to failed diagnosis after failed diagnosis. Most of which leaving me feeling depressed, inadequate, and unworthy of a normal existence.

For the span of 3 of these years I endured an uphill battle with MassHealth. (our state ran insurance provider) Being shot down and turned away for numerous reasons varying from their losing documents, failing to send documents, not being unemployed long enough to qualify (that after being out of work for 11 months...yeah, you probably find that as laughable as I did at the time) and all sorts of other bureaucratic nonsense.

I'm happy to report I currently have it, and along with what I've come to learn recently, will hopefully be on my way to a better tomorrow.

I do however have a few questions as the tough times are hardly close to over, as I find myself on the verge of eviction with nowhere to go. (mom rents a room, father's new wife is adamant about his children not moving back home, and I already burnt the bridge with my sister...long story, but the moral of it is it's not an option) So question one is, is there any agencies to contact to aid me from going homeless that I could turn to? It's the last thing I wanna turn to, but there's no other family around to turn to, and thanks to this condition, I've basically been out of contact with friends for so long that I can't count on any to take me in.

I was working up until Sept until the company I worked for failed me too many times (failed to pay me for weeks, lied to me about benefits, and were unsympathetic toward my ailment to the point I had to resign as a result of it all) and I was denied unemployment when I applied...reason being, not for their screw ups, but because I made an innocuous comment about my condition in my letter of resignation. I attempted to go back, and through miscommunication on their part, it never transpired. Now I'm being hounded by my slumlord to "pack my s*** and get out!"

Question 2 (if anyone's actually kept reading to this point that is) but the more important one; can anyone point me to a qualified neurologist in the MA area that may or may not work with insurance I have? Because I'm honestly at my wit's end going to doctor's that can't fathom there's a problem, or will blame everything else under the sun from a sinus infection to a deviated septum. (Which I do have, and was scheduled to have surgery on, until MassHealth canceled my coverage exactly one week from the date because I got my job after they began covering me and didn't receive the forms from them to document it...which, not receiving doc's from them is an epidemic in and of it's self. Hell...I was originally approved by them back in April, and after numerous calls and two Welcome packages later am STILL waiting to receive my card! Not to mention the initial PCP they set me up with wasn't taking new patients.)

I could keep going, but, from one CH sufferer to a board full of others, I'm sure you've suffered enough... (clearly, that was a poor attempt at a pun!)

Then again...as far as "the beast" sees it, we never truly do.

Thanks to those who've made it to this point. And thanks in advance to those who can provide any advice/help to my questions/problems.

Aye about the tough spot...but, I'm a glutton for punishment, and always eager to look on the positive side of things, and live by the mantra, "why worry til the time to worry comes!"...so no worries there.

Appreciate the advice though. Deduced the alcohol bit on my own a while ago. Upsetting to hear about "foliage" being a cause, but it does make sense. Also came to notice Benadryl works as I noticed through trial and error it served well. (Which I noticed in purusing the site others have turned to it too)

Other things I've noticed is tilting my head upright and back while massaging from behind my ears down to the corroted artery helps speed things along but is hit or miss.

Close on the 1UP's... But acid was actually what I was referring to. And again, I don't advise it as a remedy, but I won't claim it didn't prove helpful...it's definitely not something most can handle, as, being what it is, can lead to a bad trip easily for those unable to handle the experience. And though, not addictive per say, could be for those unlike myself who know when to leave well enough alone.

That was many moons ago though, and I don't intend to venture down that road again any time soon. Definitely a means of desperation.

No insurance care is going to be hard to find, need I say. Contacting your hospital, health department or United Way agency may be your best bet.
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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. 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.

6. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or NEW certification program for "Headache Medicine" by the United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties, an independent, non-profit, professional medical organization.
        Since this is a new program, the initial listing is limited and so it should be checked each time you have an interest in locating a headache doctor.

I'll definitely be give them a call/visit tomorrow. Worchester's a bit of a hike for me (about an hour and a half away) but if they're equipped to handle it, it's a commute I won't mind making. Just hope my jalopy feels the same way about it. =)>

Homeless in MA, huh? As you know, we have very few shelters here at all...and it's getting cold. Some of the southshore churches have attachments to shelters and homes...check them out. Also, Tufts has a great headache center, but you have to start by going through Brigham and Women's...they will check out all insurance issues for you ahead of time. Good luck, and God bless! lance

Ironically, I went to South Shore Hospital. They were very helpful in getting me situated (through Brigham & Women's) with a Neuro in the hospital.

She mentioned if I'd heard anything about Botox which I had read up upon on here. So, I'm going to assume they've got atleast a little bit of knowledge going for them.

I'm scheduled to meet with them on the 27th...and eagerly await the day with more optimism than I've had since the start of these dreaded things.

Thankfully I'm covered by free care (covers anything that takes place in a hospital in MA) so all should go well from here on.

With the homeless issue, I've managed to get a reprieve til the 1st atleast. But I've also gotten myself back into my old job (start Mon) and am working on getting another room rental right down the street from it. Find out more about that tomorrow.

Everything's still up in the air and could go either way, but I'm staying as optimistic as possible.

Gonna contact the United Way first thing tomorrow though. Atleast get the ball rolling. Not sure what hours I can expect from work or if it'll be enough to cover my expenses, so it seems that'd be a good idea if only as a backup plan.

Again though, I'd like to humbly thank all who've replied. Definitely been a boost to my morale since I started reading/posting. Don't feel as dejected from the world as I had for so long, knowing there's a community out there dealing with these things.

Once I'm back on my feet I aim to pursue being an outspoken advocate in regards to CH's. Knowing just what I've gone through over the last 8-9 years, and now knowing how many others have travelled the same path...it only seems right to take up the charge. Because no one should have to tolerate these things blindly or be turned away to suffer in silence. It's discouraging to know countless others are right where we were at at the onset, and will endure the same mishaps and indignities. If I can help to make that less likely a reality, then by all means, I will.