Fortran5 Posted June 7, 2012 Share Posted June 7, 2012 Hi All, Long-time sufferer (25 years - episodic) first-time poster. Due to an unfortunate series of events I ran out of meds last night (Imigran injections) and ended up at the local A&E (who were moderately effective). The doctor examining me asked if I'd ever had a brain scan, to which I replied no (I've seen a specialist twice over the past 10 years). When I replied 'no', he said that it was *very* unsual that I have not had a brain scan. From what I understand (can't remember where I read it), there is no abnormal brain physiology associated with CH. Shoud I push my doc for a scan? Heartfelt sympathies to all currently in a cluster cycle, Fortran5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bejeeber Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 Shoud I push my doc for a scan? There are those who believe a brain scan to rule out other junk is imperative, but after my decades with CH my neuro doesn't see any reason to suspect a brain tumor or whatever else, and I agree, so I've never had a brain scan either and am not pushing for one. Regarding running out of imigran, have you seen the imitrex (imigran) tip for how to conserve supply and lessen side effect risk while you're at it?: http://www.clusterheadaches.com/imitrex.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fortran5 Posted June 8, 2012 Author Share Posted June 8, 2012 Hi Bej' Ok, thanks for the reassurance. WRT imigran tip - nah, that's not for me. Sounds way too fiddly to do, I tend to get pretty shakey during onset (nerves/ stress), plus which I think it's pretty dangerous, there is the possibility of injecting air on the second dose (a Very Bad Thing). Thanks anyhoo, Fortran5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bejeeber Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 there is the possibility of injecting air on the second dose (a Very Bad Thing) Hey Fortran, understood that the imitrex tip procedure is not the right fit for you, but for the sake of others viewing this thread, while I don't claim to know all the medical ins and outs of injections, I can tell you this: when you pull a syringe from an auto-injector, you'll often (if not always) find it has an air bubble in it. The "imitrex tip" method actually allows you to remove the air from both the first and the second dose by pointing the syringe upright and pushing the air bubble that has risen to the top out while a lil' fluid may also sputter out. I imagine that these subcutaneous imigran auto-injections with air bubbles don't present the sort of probs that an air bubbly-ish different type that's supposed to be injected right into a vein could anyway..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixie-elf Posted June 8, 2012 Share Posted June 8, 2012 The reason they want to do a Brain scan is because there are a lot of diseases that can mimic CH, but are not CH. While CH might kill you via suicide, there are other conditions that can kill you in MUCH nastier ways. Or just screw you over horribly or damage you irreversibly. So there are reasons for it. If you've never had it done, I'd get it done at least once to rule everything else out. Mystina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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