I managed to get an appointment with a headache clinic near Boston in 15 days(!).
This is a headache "clinic" and from what I understand, my parents and I will be working with two or three doctors who specialize in headaches. My neurologist told me that these headache people have a little more leeway in experimental treatments and things to try if what the people with whom I'm working now isn't working, which it doesn't seem it is.

I started a Prednisone taper a week ago at 40 MG, and it hasn't really done anything to help.

What should I expect from appointment one if anyone has been to a headache clinic?

You could hopefully expect for somebody who is knowledgeable enough about CH's, unlike the doctor who unfortunately prescribed you such a low ineffective dosage of Prednisone.

Also, before going in you should definitely educate yourself so you can speak to the doctors intelligently.



Good luck

-Gregg in Las Vegas

Write down a list of what questions you want to ask. Then during the appointment tick them off and even take notes. The last thing you want to do is to remember something you wanted to ask 5 minutes after the appointment is over.

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You're reaching back nine years into my memory of a first appointment in a headache clinic, but it was much more professional than my first neuro visit in the '90s.

If you make sure they've had time to go over all that's been done by providing it beforehand, even family history, it will save time if they do their homework. 

It could be meds assigned at a follow-up, they will see you first and come to a decision.



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Could be they might. 

Headache diaries they have are usually general ones, covering migraines and other, not just for clusters.  I skipped the "possible triggers" part because for ten years prior I had no clue, didn't seem to be a factor.  Episodes came out of nowhere, whenever.  I thought about it and checked it out, but nothing made sense.  I mean, what would they want me list -- I fell asleep again, damn.  Or, it was a nice day, a rainy day, I had a piece of Mom's apple pie, I didn't eat, I worked, I didn't work...everyday was different.

Just remember there are lot of variations, I was probably easy, no prior history of ailments and already diagnosed, but by a previous neuro not up on treatment.  Kind of like your first cluster dx doc. 

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hmm...  break the cycle and prevent future ones.  Not quite, ey?



The short duration of your hits are unusual, might mean something, might not.  If oxygen and Immitrex help, it's a big clue, but let them decide for now.


Looking back at your first post here:

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You gave a little more medical history also they will have to examine, like a previous migraine diagnosis and other, but this is different:

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I don't know if they've changed, as Bob Johnson mentioned:

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Other stuff you wrote:

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Next day:

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They will need to dx for themselves.  If clusters (seems to be), put your two cents in for a safe but aggressive war plan.  Present and future imperative stressed: You're missing school as a junior and supposed to be having fun. 

So okay, getter' done.   Hoping for best.   

Don't leave without a prescription for Oxygen!!!!!  Preferably at least 25 lpm, but if they prescribe less that is OK.  You can buy your own regulator and order an O2ptimask from the ch.com store on the left.  (It is far superior to the little ones the med companies want to give you)

Jerry

Callico wrote on Oct 12^th, 2012 at 10:19pm:


Already have a script for O2 15 lpm through NRB mask. I'm planning on ordering an Optimask soon.

Re: Indocin. I was put on this at 25 MG for five days as a why not sort of thing. It didn't work for me and the perscribing doctor felt that going any higher was unneeded.

12 days I can make it.

My hits have been getting shorter. A lot shorter with 02. Instead of 5-20 minutes, the 02 has been taking them out in 1-3 minutes most of the time. The pain is roughly the same hit to hit and I feel washed out after all of them, but the time is shorter.

Keep in touch with them on how you are doing for feedback and maybe adjustments or changes, but good luck and better days ahead.


This would have been a good thread for those who may have had the same questions about doc appointments.  They would look under the Cluster Specific board though.   Put 'er there next time so it can be found, k eldorko?   

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A nice fit. 


 



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And quit missing school!      

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Which one?

Want to cut to the chase? Make an appointment with Doctor Morrell at MGH Charlestown.