Mluker's interview
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How did all start?
i was hit with my 1st Cluster Headache on July 2nd of 2019. It hit while I was at work and I thought I was having a stroke. I actually told myself "This is it your done" I went to the ER who diagnosed me as having a panic attack. I have worked as a 1st responder for over 30 yrs and I knew I want having a Panic Attack.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
It took until mid October before I was able to get into a Neurologist. I had to fly to Newport beach to be seen. That Neurologist recommend me to the UC Davis headache clinic. where i was seen in November
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
General Practice, Neurology, Family Therapy, It has also been recommended that I see Psychiatrist but finding a reliable on here in the north state is harder that it looks. So far General Practice, Neurology and therapy have all been wonderful. My GP is amazing and actually listens and generally cares about her patients. no walking in the RX pad prefilled out. My Neurologist is top notch and like my GP cares and takes time to listen to you. I scored on the therapist as well he is a great guy who uses his life experience to help understand how I am felling.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
knowledge! I went so long without know what was going on. the lack of specialist in my area hampered my ability to get the help i needed.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
coping with the cluster headaches while i am alone. My teenage kids are with me half the week so when there are not there I have a hard time functioning. I am getting better it is just a major struggle.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
family environment has changed for the better even my ex has been sympathetic and encouraging. social hasn't been impacted to much since i have no social life. Interestingly enough professionally things have changed in an odd way. 50% are very supportive the other 50% act like i am faking it and shun me.
What things have you stopped doing?
i have stopped drinking soda like a mad man and reduced it to one or two a week. i have all but stopped drinking alcohol. and i keep a log of what i eat and drink to see if there is a trigger in there somewhere.
What do you think about the future?
because of my conditions i am being reassigned to a different less stressful position with in my agency. that will be a great help and will allow me to finish out my time and retire in 8 years.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
honestly my 20's were the best years of my life. I have regrets on the things i did back then. Backpacking, mountaineering, rock climbing, volunteer search and rescue. the list goes on and on.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
attend a large outdoor event without worry of having a cluster headache or get stressed out over the number of people crowded in around me.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
i dedicated my life to public service.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
get help fast, get help soon and reach out to those that will help prop you up when your down.
