kittykatbone
Member
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 150
Loc: City of lost Angels
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can anyone please define the difference for me between various types of headaches? cluster, migrane, sinus, rebound (i'm already familliar with them), & any other type i did not list???
i think i may need a Katscan! now that i have got med insurance, i would like to get the basics down so i know what type of specialist to see.
THANKS for your help anyone! louis
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug
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dsmmcm
Board Addict
Reged: 11/08/03
Posts: 378
Loc: southwest US
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A very good web site for headaches is:
http://www.upstate.edu/neurology/haas/index.html
Be aware that in the real world, all types of variations of the "classic" headache types exists. Some are hard to classify, and very hard to treat. You will need much more than a cat scan, including an MRI, perhaps an MRA, blood work ups, etc. Good luck.
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oreo
Journeyman
Reged: 05/17/03
Posts: 62
Loc: North-lived South but prefer t...
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Just an FYI-when I discussed this topic at length with my doctor-be prepared to discuss your diet. (Or maybe this is just a "thing" with MY doctor!) But my diet was scrutinized and it was determined that some of my migraines were of my "own making".....I refuse to give up coffee and chocolate so I guess the headaches are somewhat of my own making???!!!!
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kittykatbone
Member
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 150
Loc: City of lost Angels
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i KNOW nicotine & caffeine are feindish in that way.
thanks for posting the above link... i will definately get reading before i go to my next doc visit.
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug
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dsmmcm
Board Addict
Reged: 11/08/03
Posts: 378
Loc: southwest US
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One more thing. Unless your headaches turn out to be easily treatable, forget about seeing a PCP, except for a referral to a neurologist. Even then, if you live in a large metropolitan area, you will want to seek out a caring neurologist who specializes in headaches. Even then, they are not all the same. My first headache specialist was the Nazi Doctor from H**L. Now I have a wonderful doc who has forgotten more about headaches than the first one ever knew.
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Tred
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/18/03
Posts: 262
Loc: USA
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I know headaches! hehe I've had cluster headaches, dull headaches, pink headaches, yellow headaches, ect. heh JK.. Anyway, there are a lot of things a person can do to try and eleminate headaches. I've been dealing with them for over two years and have gone through the loop with all sorts of medication in trying to combat them. The first thing you will want to do is get bloodwork done, which can check diet (thyroid) and other problems that can be detected this way. Also MRI, CT, Low blood pressure meds (inderal La),neuro meds, acupuncture (sp) are other avenues to explore in treatment. Allergies, climate (weather), light/noise, ect, the list goes on with things that can start and keep headaches a chronic daily occurance.. The best thing as people have already stated is to see either your PCP for a neuroligist refferal or another type of doctor that specializes in headaches. It's a very tricky thing and you'll have to be patient in the time it takes to pin point the cause of them. Good luck and my best advise is to start a journal to write your daily activities. Times you've eaten/types of food/ drinks/ allergies/ect.. You can get a good picture of what might be causing the headaches if you have a few weeks of a journal written down. That way you may be able to see a routine thing that triggers them.. Good luck.. I am right there with ya'.
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Entertainment Specialist!
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kittykatbone
Member
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 150
Loc: City of lost Angels
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WOW! great posts!
so i should get a referral to a Neurologist? i had bloodwork done approx 4 months ago, & my doc did say that my blood pressure is on the low side. thyroid OK. liver enzymes all within normal range 
TRED ~ do i take your post to mean that low blood pressure could cause headaches, or the medicine to lower the blood pressure?
i live in the heart of Los Angeles... so noise, traffic, & other tension related stuff is DEFINATELY a factor! i need to do some further research before i consult an "expert" (it's best to be armed with information, cuz i have encountered some flakey docs in the past.)
i have been keeping a journal of every pill i've taken in the past month & a half for releif. i may need to start a diet one too? good suggestion ~ THANKS!!!
 
louis
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug
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kittykatbone
Member
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 150
Loc: City of lost Angels
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i see you're from the SouthWest as well 
is your neurologist within 30 miles of L.A. ???
Mucho Appreciado! luis
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug
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dsmmcm
Board Addict
Reged: 11/08/03
Posts: 378
Loc: southwest US
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I am MUCH further east than you, but I grew up in LA. You won't have a problem finding a good doc there. Just learn as much as possible and look for someone who treats you like a human being and clearly cares. BTW, don't expect someone to treat you with heavy duty doses of hydro or other narcotic pain killers. It's not the way to go with chronic headaches anyway, and there are many other drugs on the market with less side effects that treat the underlying problem more directly and efficiently.
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kittykatbone
Member
Reged: 06/20/03
Posts: 150
Loc: City of lost Angels
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THANKS! i've been OFF the hydro merry go round since Thanksgiving of '03. i'm seriously trying to get to the root causes cuz i'm sick of taking things that don't cut it in the long run. i'll ask around for some referrals from co-workers, friends, & my doc ~ though i think i need to find a new one... my current PCP & i have a bit of a communication problem.
THANKS AGAIN!  luis
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some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug
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Tred
Enthusiast
Reged: 10/18/03
Posts: 262
Loc: USA
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I was meaning that sometimes taking a lowering blood pressure med like Inderall La can help circulation and in turn help with certain types of headaches.
Again, good luck with everything. I'm currently on hydro for my headaches and another medical problem and luckly it's the one medication that helps all aspects of my issues. I also agree with the top poster, in that hydro isn't a good med for long term use, if headaches are your only problem.
Tred =)
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Entertainment Specialist!
Edited by Tred (01/05/04 03:57 AM)
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