Posted by Scott (152.163.197.61) on August 15, 2001 at 21:20:08:
Hi all, just wanted to say this site brought me incredible relief,just knowing that there really is something called CH and that others could know the kind of pain I was experiencing.
After putting off going to the doctor for way too long, I finally went. Got the typical sinusitis diagnosis, went on antibiotics (which, of course,didn't work), got the CAT scan, showed nothing to cause the headaches, and finally got a doctor who was familiar with CH and first tried me on ibuprofen and doxepin -- no success. Went back and got prescribed predisone (started high, tapered off after two weeks), ergotamine (one a day for three weeks) and verapamil (started low, went to four pills a day, and just finished on them five days ago). I've now been med-free for five days, and I'm just starting to feel back to normal. But I'd trade the side effects of the meds for the pain of the CH anytime, with absolutely no hesitation.
I still feel some tinges like an oncoming ,but I think/hope that might be a combination of fear and maybe some sort of reaction to being off the meds (as anyone else had similar experience?) But I haven't had a full-blown headache since going off the meds.
The bout that started in May was my first and, I pray, my last. All I know is I won't delay going to the doctor again.
Despite the worst pain I have ever experienced, I think I was lucky finding a good doctor so quickly. I wish you all the same luck.
Thanks for this site,it's a godsend.