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Topic: Blah (Read 455 times) |
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_L_
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Hey guys,
My name is Lawrence, and i'm 27. I live in Gary, Indiana, and i'm a student at Devry University over here in nearby Tinley Park, Il. I've been suffering from cluster headaches off an on, since I was in the 7th grade.
I was wondering, if you guys had any "tricks", or "methods of coping" with the pain of the cluster IN PUBLIC?......Sometimes these monsters attack while i'm at school, in the lab, or in the middle of lecture, and i'm forced to "pretend" nothing is wrong with me, because i'm in class, I can't do all the shouting and crying like I can at home. I have to sit there and bare with the pain.
I take Verapamil prescribed by my neuro, 240 mg a day. I have one cluster headache a day, lasts for about an hour.
During that hour, the pain is unbelievable. Its like something straight from hell. I have been practicing coping methods, for when they strike....I'm to the point now, where I can actually sit still in a chair while they attack.
I have some tinted glasses, that I wear for when they strike, my right eye becomes bloodshot red, and it tears. So the tinted glasses have hidden the visual signs of my illness. Plus it helps lessens the effects of "photophobia", or sensitivity to light.
When i'm in class, and I feel the cluster about to strike, I usually step outside from class, to get some fresh air, I don my glasses like some type of superhero, then i prepare myself for an hour of "rock n roll".
I try to concentrate on "other things", besides the pain. In the past, thinking about the pain as it was happening only made it worse, knowing that, I force myself to concentrate on hot chicks, or cars or something. Anything to help get my mind off of trying to "dance with the devil in the pale moonlight".
It isn't easy.
So I ask, what are some methods you guys use, when, you're out and about, and the cluster strikes?
L
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Mr. Happy
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Re: Blah
« Reply #1 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 2:57am » |
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on Jan 25th, 2005, 2:46am, _L_ wrote:| So I ask, what are some methods you guys use, when, you're out and about, and the cluster strikes?L |
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Triptans, man, triptans. Never leave home w/o one. I always cart canned air with me, but some folks think it detracts from their apparel de jour.
I could care less.
RJ
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May those who don't want any
Have memories of never getting any.
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BobG
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Re: Blah
« Reply #2 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 4:20am » |
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Mr. Happy is correct about the triptans. Talk to your doc about Imitrex or another triptan. Also you may want to talk to your doc about upping the Verapamil a little. Some folks here are taking 2 or 3 times more than you.
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Stay stressed. Never relax. Never sleep. Ever.
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E-Double
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Re: Blah
« Reply #3 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 12:39pm » |
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Honestly....
You sound like you are doing a pretty kick a$$ job coping right now!!!
Aborting .......listen to the wise men above me.
If you can't get meds for some reason you might be able to alleviate some of the discomfort with MEGA caffiene...your a student so just increase usual dosage slightly  and...
you could by those disposable icepacks form a drucgstore...the kind which you "pop" and they instantly freeze up....place it discretely on your neck or your noggin....
Hang in there man and if this is something that does need to be explained to your professors you can print out "colleagues letter" from www.clusterheadaches.org It's been helpful on a few occasions for me.
Good luck and keep fighting the good one!
Eric
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I can't believe that I have to bang my
Head against this wall again
But the blows they have just a little more
Space in-between them
Gonna take a breath and try again.
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Biker
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Re: Blah
« Reply #4 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 4:17pm » |
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I tell others "I cannot talk right now---I need time." If they proceed , I enlighten them to the fact that I have a rare blood pressure related medical thing that results in a monsterous headache, and I need some time. If that doesnt work, I tell people I have brain herpes, and need time to function. And if that does not work, I tell them to get the fuck away and come back in an hour.
None of the above seem to help. I have lost employment, relationships, and respectibility from those I use to encounter with. I have found it better (for me personally) to just not talk, and move away from people whenever possible. Yea, be polite, tell them of your rare medical dis-function, and move on. I keep bottled oxygen handy (within a block) and have learned to deal with this delimia.
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thebbz
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Re: Blah
« Reply #5 on: Jan 25th, 2005, 4:31pm » |
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IMITREX or plan ahead and have some alternative such as a predetermined place to run. Or maybe take the mini cam and record a lecture during the five minites it takes for the trex to kick in. If the school has a counsler check with them for accomidations.???? Maybe slam a couple of Dews, to delay the beast for a while? Different strokes for different folks. My point is many work through episodes and there are many things you can do. Don't panic sitting there and not addressing the pain is not an option. Find a nice place in the back where you can inject the trex without leaving.
Hope you find something that works for you.
Personally I have plan B, hide to avoid hurting someone, inject asap, return to the work of the day.
Dont care what others think, they wouldn't understand anyway.
BB
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BobG
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Re: Blah
« Reply #6 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 2:58am » |
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on Jan 25th, 2005, 4:17pm, Biker wrote:| If that doesnt work, I tell people I have brain herpes |
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That's a good one! 
And tell them it is very contagious. The vapors from your sinus carry the virus and it would be in their best interest to just go-the-hell-away.
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Tara Ann
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Re: Blah
« Reply #7 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 2:57pm » |
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Nice title!  Welcome to the board L. It sure does sound like you're doing a kick ass job of dealing with your CH! You've got some great suggestions from everyone and I don't have anything to add just wanted to say hi and welcome!
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sandie99
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Re: Blah
« Reply #8 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 3:59pm » |
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Hi Lawrence!
Welcome to CH family. 
My advice: never go anywhere without your painkillers (maxalt in my case). That always helps.
In the beginning when I did have any meds I was forced to just stand the hell without any relief...never wanna go through that one again. I study at a university, too. I used to walk out of classes when CH hits... these days I just take my med and pretend like there's nothing wrong.
Good luck with the dance!
Best wishes & PFdays,
Sandie99
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CH happends, Live anyway! PF days to us all!
"Do what you can and let God take care of the rest. Leave your heart wide open and always wish for the best" (Sanna Hillu)
"No matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible" (Marketa Irglova)
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_L_
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Re: Blah
« Reply #9 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 6:25pm » |
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thanks guys for all of you're responses.....its tough sometimes, but it makes me smile knowing that i'm not alone.....thanks for welcoming me.
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MOMO3
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Re: Blah
« Reply #10 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 7:39pm » |
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I live in Tinley Park, near the Tweeter Ctr. My brother has Clusters and has for 11 years or so. Welcome to the site and glad you found us. Hope you can find the info here you need to help with your pain.
Michelle
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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: Blah
« Reply #11 on: Jan 26th, 2005, 8:34pm » |
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Just a thought .... Personally I'd avoid the word "herpes" in any conversation about your condition. Next thing you know, they'll be making you sit in an isolation room watching a video of some kind, instead of taking a class.
Sounds like you're doing a great job of coping as best you can. From a woman who understands both the first (CH) and the second (labor) worst pains known to woman/man, I personally use Lamaze breathing and mantras when I'm in the throes.
I also highly recommend Imitrex auto-injects. A 5-minute trip to the bathroom and your pain is gone. Ask your doc.
Good vibes and PF wishes, my friend,
Kris
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marcelonyc
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Re: Blah
« Reply #12 on: Jan 27th, 2005, 1:59am » |
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Hey There,
Courage my man, courage. And it sounds like you got plenty of it.I am also a student and my attacks started during the mid of last semester. Like everyone has posted, immitrex works to abort for me. my insurance will not pay for 02, but i don't think it would be practical for me to take o2 w/ me to school since i live in NYC and there is no school campus.
But what helped me tremendously was to reach out to the school, and the chair of the dept. and explain the situation so that when i needed to miss class or take a break, they knew why. the result for me was one in which not only were the teachers understanding, but they were (and are as i received a couple of incompletes without penalty) willing to work something out.
If there is someone you trust in school, like a friend or mentor or someone, i suggest to reach out so you don't feel so alone. i know it's a very vulnerable thing and NO ONE seems to understand, but it may help with the feelings of isolation. And for those who you may not be that close to you, just walk away and take care of yourself. Sufferring in silence is better than pretending to not feel pain amongst loud and boisterous people.
good luck with your studies and hang in there.
Marcelo
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