First, I have to say that I have the most amazing neurologist ever! Not only did she squeeze me into her tightly packed schedule, but she did so on her own time. When I got to the clinic today to sign in, the receptionist was confused because Dr. S, according to the schedule, was not in today. Following the instructions that Dr. S emailed me at 8 last night, I was to tell the receptionist to call upstairs for her. When Dr. S's assistant didn't even know that I was coming in, that's when I knew what this wonderful physician had done for me. I wish that everyone had such a caring physician!
Because I didn't want to take up too much of her time, I made a list of symptoms on the notepad on my marvelous iPhone. Dr. S read the list, asked some questions, checked reflexes and so on, and then told me what she thinks the problem is. She is pretty sure that I am having clusters of cluster headaches with a few migraines thrown in for good measure. So what do we do for them?
First, I will be adding a new medication to my ever-growing pharmacy. I've forgotten what it's called, but it's a medication commonly prescribed for high blood pressure that also works well for migraines. My blood pressure is fine, so that's not an issue. I'll start on a low dose of 40mg twice a day. The pharmacy in her clinic didn't have the med; however, the one closest to my home does. The Amazing Egyptian Dude will pick it up on his way home.
Second, oxygen. Oxygen, says Dr. S works wonders on cluster headaches. Soon, the pharmacy will deliver an oxygen tank and mask to my home. Then the next time I get a cluster headache, I am to use the oxygen for up to 30 minutes, and it should solve the problem.
We shall see.
Because I didn't want to take up too much of her time, I made a list of symptoms on the notepad on my marvelous iPhone. Dr. S read the list, asked some questions, checked reflexes and so on, and then told me what she thinks the problem is. She is pretty sure that I am having clusters of cluster headaches with a few migraines thrown in for good measure. So what do we do for them?
First, I will be adding a new medication to my ever-growing pharmacy. I've forgotten what it's called, but it's a medication commonly prescribed for high blood pressure that also works well for migraines. My blood pressure is fine, so that's not an issue. I'll start on a low dose of 40mg twice a day. The pharmacy in her clinic didn't have the med; however, the one closest to my home does. The Amazing Egyptian Dude will pick it up on his way home.
Second, oxygen. Oxygen, says Dr. S works wonders on cluster headaches. Soon, the pharmacy will deliver an oxygen tank and mask to my home. Then the next time I get a cluster headache, I am to use the oxygen for up to 30 minutes, and it should solve the problem.
We shall see.
Wow, what a fantastic doctor. Good luck with your new regimen. I hope your headaches go away.
You made my day Zip. I'm so thankful do your doctor. If I had her email I'd email her and thank her myself. Sounds to me like great news for ya. Something that can be controlled. I was so worried that it was something far worse and I'm so glad it's not. FOLLOW the doctors orders YA HEAR...Much aloha my friend :)
What great news -- first that she is so wonderful and saw you on her own time and second that she provided some treatment options. Have you not had these types of headaches before? I was wondering what led to a new diagnosis of types of headaches and therefore a targeted treatment for those specific headaches.
Hope the new treatments work! appreciate the update!!
Yep, Sherlock, I've had these types of headaches before. What made them different and forced me to see Dr. S is that the pain intensified and the headaches became so mixed up that I couldn't tell which type it was to determine which medication to take. And when I did take meds, they didn't help.
What's unusual, more like rare, according to Dr. S is that the clusters and migraines are coming together; i.e., a migraine between a cluster.
What I'm hoping for now is a preventative course of treatment instead of one focused on pain management.
I understand now :-) Your doc seems to be right on top of things and I'm sure if there's a way to approach this from a preventative direction, she'll figure it out!
I hope this regime works for you!! I keep hoping that something along the line clicks in... I know how frustrating it can be.
Take care.