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Topic: I thought I was on the home stretch... (Read 231 times) |
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lifeless
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I thought I was on the home stretch...
« on: Nov 8th, 2002, 1:47am » |
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I have had this bout of clusters for 4 weeks. Tried many meds before. I went to the doctor four times in these weeks. This stuff has gone FULL blast. The dr was giving abort. meds. I tried to tell this man, you do not give abort meds during a FUll BLOWN ATTACK! Trying O2. But, it was to LATE for that. He finally gave me some shot in the butt. It knocked me out for a few hours. When I got up the clusters were there to greet me. The dr was going to admitt me this morning to the hospital to try to knock these intruders out. I woke up and they were GONE! Yes, you heard right. GONE! I cryed like a baby. I was sooooo happy. That is the best thing someone could give me is relief. Less than five hours, they are back hollering "Honey, were home. So just hang on. I am so exhausted. I CAN NOT do another round!!! I haven't even bathed in three days. I am tomorrow because, the funk and stand the funk. You know what I mean. The dr is going to put me on Amerge. I am suppose to pick up a script in the morning. Because I am NOT suppose to have a damn cluster!!! Now what? Does anyone have success with Amerge???
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Lori
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #1 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 2:25am » |
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 I'm sorry to hear how you feeling. I have not used amerge. I was put on verapamil and topomax as preventatives and given zomig (at my request) to abort. The zomig worked very well for me once the preventatives kicked in because the HA's were not as severe, so I could handle waiting 30 minutes for it to work. I liked zomig because it lasts longer than some of the others. It does seem however that imitrex injections is the first choice for many. They work very quickly it seems. I would suggest you go up to the search button at the top of the page and do a search on amerge and the other abortives such as imitrex, zomig, o2, etc. Read and see the pros and cons. Plus try clicking on the medications button to the left also for some info. The sad thing is some meds work better for some than others. So, try to read as much so you can be armed with knowledge when dealing with your doc. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your treatments and what works for you. PFDAN to you..
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Blessings and PFDAN,
Lori
Psalm 23:4 ~ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
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OneEyeBlind
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #3 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 5:16am » |
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Have you tried the Imitrex Injections ... they work .... out of a dead sleep with a kip 8 to the old Imitrex .... rock a few minutes after the shot .... and then life is good again !!!! Pain free !!! Give it a shot as they say ... you'll be surprised. Also verapamil as a preventative seems to lessen the intensity of the attachs as well as the frequency. Hope you find something that works for you soon.
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Charlie
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #4 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 5:17am » |
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Damn sorry this horror is giving you such a schitty time. I don't have new experience with drugs but I have had very good luck with this technique which as odd as it sounds, can be effective. It's benign and the worst thing that can happen is...nothing. Give it a shot.
Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique:
This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.
When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.
This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.
I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.
This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.
When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.
I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand
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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
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don
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #5 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 7:53am » |
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Actually abort meds are exactly what you give during a full blown attack.
Try a prednisone/verapimil combo. The pred. will abort the cycle and with luck the verap will keep it that way.
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Linda T
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #6 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 7:46pm » |
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Hi Lifeless, sorry you're going through such a rough time right now.
I took a small dose of amerge (2.5mg) together with a 50mg tab of imitrex when my first nightly attack came around 10p. Didn't do much to abort the attack but it did stop the 2am and 6am hits which allowed for a decent nites sleep. When I started taking the amerge the nitely beast disappeared and I started getting hit during the day - and badly. Sometimes 5 or 6 hits between 10a and 6p. Pretty random though. I don't know if the amerge knocked the beast's time clock out of whack or what. Maybe it would have happened anyway.
Good luck. Linda T
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What a long, strange trip it's been!
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Not4Hire
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...WAS PF since Oct.'02, but ...oh my...(CBusters)
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #7 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 8:28pm » |
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Quote: While on meds, O2 would only ease the headaches or do nothing at all, now it's working great. If my CH's get worse again, and the O2 does not knock them out, then I will call my doctor to see whatever else he has in his bag of tricks.
I only wish I went med free during those 18 years, would have saved myself a lot of money and pain as I am epsodic and not chronic like I thought I was.
Only sharing my own personal thoughts and experiences because of the dreaded pain and inconverience of this affliction. In the last six years, went into 3 or 4 episodes and got out of them without the aid of medications. I hope on getting through this one in the same manner.
This last week has been hell week, and believe me, if ringing the bell would get me out of it, would have rang it several times. But the thought of going back to chronic with a bit of relief is more terrifying to me than hanging in there.
Would be nice if there was a true cure for CH's. |
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hey nickD...glad (VERY fuckin' glad) to hear that the o2 is working for you again.....as always, there is NO guarantee.....but if it works....USE it.....even if ya hafta paint yerself BLUE....howl at the MOON....yadda yadda....if ya get get relief, GO for it........ we are ALL waiting for the MAGIC KEY of RELIEF.......and Ueli will keep our shit straight if we stray from the TRUE WAY........ he don't brook no shit....and listen UP......snake oil doesn't work........there is (somefuckinwhere) a cure for this bitch......keep the faith and we'll find it......
sorry for the RANT....but I'm gettin' FUCKED again.....and I DON"T LIKE IT>>>>>>>>
to quote the jonguy.....ya hear me?.....I hear me
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Mantra: This will NOT kill me...This will not KILL me... This will not kill ME...
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Karla
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #8 on: Nov 8th, 2002, 8:55pm » |
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Lifeless I am so sorry to hear that you are getting hit hard. I tried Amerge and it did nothing for me. If you can get it to work that is great. It is suppose to stop your headache for 4 hrs. It will make your dollars stretch farther if it works because it will give you longer coverage time than imitrix will. I also tried Frova. It is suppose to work for 24 hrs. It only was effective as imitrix for me and kept the beast at bay for 2 hrs. Then I had to redose. Disapointing. I wish the best of luck for you. These meds can be a real blessing if they work for ya.
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Karla
suffer chronic ch
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Proud Mom of Chris USMC Semper Fi
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athimmel
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Re: I thought I was on the home stretch...
« Reply #9 on: Nov 11th, 2002, 11:01am » |
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Hi Lifeless,
Sorry to hear about the severity. I have been having my CH for about 4 1/2 months now. None so severe that I have gone to the hospital, but 2 - 7 per day for 4 months is driving me crazy.
I tried Amerge, but it did very little for me. I was originally on Maxalt MLT, and it stopped severe attacks very quickly, usually within minutes. My doc wanted to try something that might last longer, so he prescribed the Amerge. Yeah...right...big help.
Anyway, I went back to Maxalt, and the doctor also prescribed Verapamil. I've only been using that for a few days. I was also told by some to supplement that with vitamin B2 and magnesium.
I hope this helps. I'm still too new at this to be very useful. I hope the beast departs soon.
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