Gabriel Mitchell's interview
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How did all start?
Out of the blue on September 22, 2005 for Chronic Cluster Headaches. Had a psychotic break on Easter 2010.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Chronic Cluster Headaches one year. Bipolar immediately upon onset.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Medications generally for Chronic Cluster Headaches. Occipital nerve stimulator. Trigger point injections. None worked. Oxygen at a high flow rate. 25 lpm until Chronic Cluster Headache breaks. Bipolar- many combinations of medications over some years.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Oxygen 25 lpm until Chronic Cluster Headache breaks. Bipolar- Lamictal, Seroquel, lorazepam, gabapentin, and for weight gain bupropion.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
An emense amount of headaches and head pain. Nearly every day since September 22, 2005. Psychotic breaks for Bipolar, before finding out what works. Then being fine, just a bit tired from medications. Accepting being on disability in my 30’s. People not understanding who I am, how I have changed, and treating me differently than when I wasn’t disabled and on social security disability. Loss of family and friends. Not dating/ no significant other, and not having a family of my own. Loneliness.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
The family and friends wo understand my conditions are greatly supported. The family and friends that don’t understand look at me as a second rate citizen. So the ones that don’t understand, I no longer have in my life. I don’t go out very much. Only meeting with family and a few friends. I used to be very social. Now I isolate my self most days. Loneliness.
What things have you stopped doing?
Drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis, most social events, working
What do you think about the future?
I hope for a cure, but am realistic in knowing that there may never be a cure. It’s going to be a hard life to live, both mentally and physically.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The best years of my life were all the years before onset of Chronic Cluster Headache. I had a wonderful life!
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Travel, work, be social
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Sometimes things can change your life in one second, and you, and every facet of your life will be changed forever!
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Seek professional help immediately, and never stop getting professional help. Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, General practice doctors. Accept all the help you can get. Get a great disability attorney. Take classes on cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therepy, Don’t drink alcohol or do non-prescribed drugs. Demand Oxygen immediately upon onset of Chronic Cluster Headache!
