Hello, I'm a newly registered member, but I've been reading the site for many years.  I started getting clusters in early college years, and now I am 30 years old.  I recently finished a two year remission, but have followed with clusters returning since December.

I've been seen by a neurologist who had seen me during my previous cluster.  We've been trying medicines known to work well for me historically -- predinsone taper, verapimil (240 mg daily), and imitrex for abortive treatment.  It was working, but when the prednisone ended, the headaches returned.  He put me on a second round of prednisone, and the headaches stopped again.  When that round ended, they returned.  Now the cluster has lasted longer than any I've had in the past.  I'm up to 360mg of verapamil, and he also has me on topamax, and he started a 3rd round of prednisone. 

In the past, I'd never had a cluster while on prednisone, however on this round, I have been on it for 6 days and had 5 clusters.  This entire cluster is just full of atypical things.

I feel like it is time for another opinion.  My doctor, while he is trying, seems to have exhausted his knowledge.

Is there anyone that feels really confident with their doctor in the North Atlanta area?  I'm in Alpharetta, but I'm willing to travel to a doctor who is an expert in this area... I'm just having trouble figuring out who to go to.

Thanks in advance,
Matt

Matt,
Sorry you had to find us.  I'm Carolyn, the president of OUCH (that's the site where the list is).  We're having our annual convention in Nashville TN this year.  If you can, you might want to try and attend.  We have a good lineup (that info is also on the OUCH website).

Carolyn

Matt,
Those doctors have been seen by someone *personally*, they are recommended by members and we add them to the website.  The Dr. in Atlanta is not close to you?