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CH Taking a turn for the Worse (Read 1567 times)
Mike Bernardo
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CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Jan 30th, 2012 at 10:33am
 
I've been one of the lucky ones, compared to many of you. My CH has been relatively mild and predictable. I've had some Kip 10's but only for short bursts, and controllable with O2 and Sumavel. My cycles were always predicable (spring and fall). This year, however, I had an early, short cycle in October. I was happy. Then, in December, I had an "out of cycle" cycle, that came on strong, so I immediately started Topomax, which has been very effective for me. I also started my usual regimen of running, O2, Sumavel, Cambia, Clonazapam (when needed), Aspirin (it does work for me) and Red Bull. I have to say, I'm at 200mg Topomax, often do 2 shots of Sumavel with a Cambia chaser, hit 20oz Red Bulls and am downing pills like a drug addict, and I have Ch 18  hours a day. I can't even lay down at night. I can't sleep on my right side, i wake up in horrible pain at 2-3 AM, I see bright flashes when I do, like lightning, sometimes fire (I think it's my mind changing the flashes into different visual auras). I think my CH has hit a new level of severity. I have an appt with my headache specialist in March, but of course my wife is pushing for me to go earlier. Not sure what to do. I haven't had this much pain. Of course I rationally know it's CH, but my family keeps wondering "is this a brain tumor, or something worse" (my uncle just died of a stroke a few months ago).

Just ranting and raving, and any advice or feedback would be appreciated.
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LasVegas
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Episodic CH since 11 yrs
old, now 50.


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north of the 60th parallel
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #1 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 10:58am
 
I agree with your wife.  Don't wait til March for appointment and go earlier.

Hope you get relief soon! Wink

-Gregg in Las Vegas
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Wishing everybody at CH.com less pain w/ more productivity in their lives in 2019
 
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Matt Miller
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #2 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 11:33am
 
Quote:
I think my CH has hit a new level of severity.


I wouldn't wait at all due to this. Abrupt changes, severe changes, weird changes to your HA and CH should be seen by your neuro or HA doc ASAP. While it may just be the beast changing course again, it could also signal something else, a new condition, medical emergency, or something else.

Also, remember that what worked last cycle may not work this one. The beast morphs on us all, and what works one day may not the next.

Good luck with your appointment and PFDAN to you

-Matt
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Mike Bernardo
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #3 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 12:07pm
 
My appt is March 6. I just called and got put on the "cancellation list". They are pretty good about that. They will call as soon as they get a cancellation. They often squeeze you in on an early 8:45 appt or something. Let's hope. This is the worst it's been in the 2 years since diagnosis and the 5 years or so since I've been getting the headaches.
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LasVegas
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Episodic CH since 11 yrs
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #4 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 12:11pm
 
That's still a long wait.  Are there any other qualified doctors nearby?  How far are you willing to travel of the doctor had an appt available tomorrow?  Just food for thought.

Good Luck Mike Wink

-Gregg in Las Vegas
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Wishing everybody at CH.com less pain w/ more productivity in their lives in 2019
 
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Mike Bernardo
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #5 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 1:22pm
 
He has been my doc for over 2 years. He knows my history, and there are no other headache specialists in the area. I already travel 40 miles to see him. I would rather wait, even if it means waiting a few days.
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Mike Bernardo
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Re: UPDATE-CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #6 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 3:33pm
 
Got an appointment for Tuesday (tomorrow) at 245. Got a cancellation. I knew they'd come through. They always do. He's one of the few doctors in my 41 years on this earth that has always come through. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for your help and support.
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LasVegas
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Episodic CH since 11 yrs
old, now 50.


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north of the 60th parallel
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Re: CH Taking a turn for the Worse
Reply #7 - Jan 30th, 2012 at 7:41pm
 
Great news, Mike Wink

Good Luck!

-Gregg in Las Vegas
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Wishing everybody at CH.com less pain w/ more productivity in their lives in 2019
 
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