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

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>

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