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Jefferson Headache Center Hospital Stay?

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Migraine Headache
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Posted 3/14/2008 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
hi spavlich  its ashley  just wondering how you have been making out at thomas jefferson.

                                                                  given up   ashley

Posted 3/14/2008 6:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ashley

I have had several appointments at Jeff. Headache Center since I got out of the hospital.  Currently I am taking Verapamil, Topamax, Zyprexa, Clonazapam, Ultram ER, Nortripyline, and am back ono Vicodin to try to get me some hours of pain control.  It never gets rid of the pain, but it does help me to have some hours of the day where I feel soewhat better and I am so very greatful for that!

I also take Magnesium to help with terrible constipation and I take Melatonin to help me sleep.

I have another appointment on Monday.  Dr. wants to readmit me for more IV therapy, but I want him to try everything he can think of from an outpatient view first, as I do not want to go inpatient again if at all possible.

I understand the feeling of "giving up" but I'm not there yet.  I keep thinking that the right combo of drugs has got to be there - we just haven't stumbled upon oit yet!

I wish you well,

Spavlich

 

Posted 6/29/2008 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Having read all of the above - which is a lot of what I have experienced.

A specialist in the country where I live has made a world first breakthrough in Migraines Headaches etc.

It all starts in the muscles in the shoulders works up to different areas in our head.

Two of you mentioned near the eye area.

You ought to go to a specialist who specialises in Arteries - Vascular Surgeon.

Right next to the eye area where you mentioned that excruciating coin size pain there is an artery and you will more than likely find that particular artery is causing the pain.

 

This specialist has given thousands of people from all over the world treatment re the areas where you have the horendous pains and they are cured and live now without any migraines/headaches - he changed their lives.

Yes I wasted more money than I wish to remember on my chronic head pains and I finally read about him and saw him on TV here he is the first to have diagnosed my horrific head pains are due to arteries - which he is now working on.

Do not just go to any doctor or specialist go to a specialist who is specialised in arteries.

The Dr I  went to has his own headache clinic look it up on the internet and you will get to learn a lot more re your condition.  He is now also involved with Harvard University with his first world breakthough.

 

 

Posted 6/30/2008 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you MPD for your input - I am currently having some success, but should I (heaven forbid backslide again), I will look into this!

To all - nearly 3 weeks ago I was released from Jefferson Hospital after an 8 day stay.  I underwent the Lidocaine IV and it worked!  I was headache free in 5 1/2 days.  Although many people undergo hallucenations I did not. 

I now take Mexilitine and have had 5 managable headaches (6 ouf of 10) since discharge (one Zyprexa and a nap take care of them), I take no narcotics (was on them for 3 1/2 years) and I feel like a new woman most of the time.

My meds are down to a real minimum, only Clonazepam and Topamax (plus OTC Melatonin to help me sleep) at bed time.  Only complaint is I am tired most of the time during the day, not sure what is causing this.  Dr. had me taking Mexilitine 2 in am, 2 pm, after my complaint of sleepiness he had me split the morning dose to one am, one afternoon.  I don't see any difference.

Wishing everyone well!

Spavlich 

Posted 6/30/2008 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES IF YOU HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING AND DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AS YOU ARE STILL SUFFERING HAVE THE SCAN.

Anybody who suffers from severe and regular migraines and or headpains should have the arteries in their necks and head checked. It is a very simple procedure all it involves is a Scan to see if their are problem arteries.
Vascular Surgeon is the one who is qualified to do this.
Do you kinow that some people have severe headache/migraine and this in some cases can come from arteries in other parts of the body example from you arm.
Posted 6/30/2008 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
TIRED MOST OF THE DAY
Here in South Africa we find that the pharmacists are excellent at working out why in your case you are tired most of the day.
It can be the combination of the different medications. Maybe you can also check with your pharmacist.
Posted 7/15/2008 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
I had the artery cut on the left side of my eye the area you mentioned. It was very simple in all it took approx 20 minutes and an hour later I went home. It was done under local anaesthetic, I did not feel a thing, 2 stitches and now I no longer have horrendous pain. I would do it all over again!!! I felt instant relief.
My advice is stop wasting time in and out of clinics being detoxified etc I went that whole route and of course all the medication which cost a fortune. This op was instant and simple. 100 percent more bearable than having a tooth pulled out.
In the event you are interested in looking into this I can ask my surgeon here at the Headache Clinic if he knows of a clinic in USA where it can be done.
Posted 7/15/2008 9:59 PM (GMT 0)

MPD - They (many neurologists, eye doctors, etc.) cannot identify any artery that is causing my pain, so I don't think this is an option for me.  I will mention it at my next appointment in 3 weeks though.  Thanks for your post.

For everyone else - I am doing pretty well on the Mexiletine.  I seem to get a dull achy headache every afternoon (previous headache was stabbing and constant 24 hours every day), so I am relieved a lot of the time.  Still on disability and trying new drugs in an attempt to get rid of the pain entirely.  Have been off narcotics entirely since June 3!!! I believe that over use of them was part of my problem.  Jefferson Headache Center and my Doc. especially work hard to find a solution, that is for sure!

Wishing everyone well, Spavlich

Posted 7/17/2008 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
hi spavlich.glad to hear you are doing well. just wondering, you said you are on disability. I have applied for ssi,and ss. got turned down, now I am appealing it. are you collecting ssi or ss? or are you on temp disabilitY? who is your doctor at jefferson? we spoke before about jefferson. I used to go there. I am actually doing great. I am with dr Berliner in Manhattan. He is the first doctor to try botox on me. First round was in May. I go for my second round Aug 7th. I am also on namenda, topamax and a blood pressure pill corgard. After 2 years of headaches 24/7 and to about three other headache centers, I have been headache free since the third week of May. I dont want to speak to soon.

                                                   

                                                                        talk to you soon

                                                                         Ashley

Posted 7/18/2008 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
I am on long term disability with Aetna (through my previous employer) and qualified for SS as well. Esentially all that means is I get part of the money from Aetna and part from SS. My doc at Jefferson is Marmura, who recently was promoted to attending.
Glad to hear you are doing so well!!!
I tried botox, but got no results. I am still suffering with afternoon headaches, actually I awoke with headache yesterday and today. I still take topomax, along with mexiletine, and am recently trying Lamictal (other stuff too). The Lamictal takes months to work (if my body is tolerant of it). I am awaiting a new rescue drug (piroxicam orally disintigrating tablet), that is not covered by my insurance that I can take twice a week if I need it. I'm hopeful it will work. I am so glad you are no longer "given up!"
Take care,
Shirl (spavlich)
Posted 2/18/2010 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
Good Afternoon!

My 18 year old son has been in chronic pain for four years and the tale is the same as what I've been reading from others.  We have been to 27 doctors including neurologists, TMJ and maxillofacial guys, every imaginable teeth doctor, pain management doctors, ENT's, etc., etc.  We recently moved from Southwest Florida where the health care catered more to the elderly and not effective for my son (with a couple of exceptions).  Upon our return, we started with oral doctors again and was sent to Jefferson's group and finally landed after several visits with Dr. Stiles who has started us on the journey to get into the headache center.  This started several months ago and our appointment is in March which couldn't come fast enough as my son has been on heavy doses of narcotics for so many years and he's wants off the drugs and immediately.  He has not been conclusively diagnosed but the opinion of the group at Jeff is that he has facial migraines.  We are so looking forward to getting him into the hospital but my fear is that there may be a waiting period. 

Does anyone know if there are alternative options for detoxing and pain management elsewhere?

I don't know how he functions on a daily basis as well as he does and actually graduated high school, finished cosmetology school and is working full time.  He's overwhelmed with sadness and a feeling of being totally alone with his pain as well as his concern about his dependency.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

 

Posted 2/19/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I see no one has posted here in a while. I have chronic migraines also, nothing seems to touch the pain. There is no headache clinic in my area. I live in Northeast Tennessee. I've had migraines for years and have just learned to deal with them. Sometimes I have them daily other times it's normally 3-4 bad ones a week. I always have some head pain everyday, but not always a true migraine. I've had brain surgery several years ago, due to having a seizure disorder, the seizures are no longer the problem, Praise God!! now it's dealing with chronic migraines. right now I just take zanaflex, firocet, phenegran, and Klonapan. I only take the zanaflex and klonapan at night.

Hope you are all doing better,

Mercyme
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