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Topic: Observations of another cluster in the books...... (Read 328 times) |
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Jeff_in_OH
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Observations of another cluster in the books......
« on: Jul 13th, 2005, 9:46pm » |
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Hello friends. I am ecstatic to report that my latest cluster finally ended after a double shot Saturday night/Sunday morning. I really appreciate the posts here and I really think getting the script for O2 and using it instead of Imitrex all the time was what helped throw the demon off course and broke the cycle. It was over only 4 days after starting oxygen and I used only 3 tanks in the process (I need to get a bigger tank, these itty-bitty things ain't cutting it).
I am 100% sure that, as always, the trigger was intense stress from my job. I really need to learn how to deal with this, and looking back on my previous clusters can identify major stress, usually from work, that triggered the cluster. This time it was a promotion into a new position after several months of already high stress leading up to the promotion.
I had the absolute worst cluster of my life so far in duration (~3 weeks), frequency (2-5 a day), and intensity (at least 1 Kip 9-10 a day sometimes 2) with an almost steady shadow most of the time.
In the past, my pattern was to get a single hit just after bedtime, within an hour of laying down and nothing else. While that pattern was also very prevalent during this cluster, I also got a hit at about 6:00-7:00 a.m. with a pretty intense thump. This is my normal wakeup time, and I am not sure why this came into play this time but we all know the beast likes to screw with us.
Also in the past, my HA was focused just behind my right eye very intense and always exactly the same. This time around, I had that same pain in the same location, sometimes VERY intense, but also had a very sharp pain running up the back of my neck on the right side. I have always been modal on the right side, but this time I had the neck pain also.
The last thing that was different was severe tearing in my right eye with a runny right nostril. Both the neck pain and tearing were precursors to a 10. Less intense attacks, at other than the times noted above didn't come with tearing and the runny nose.
What I will do differently next time is have O2 in my house within 1 day of the cluster onset. This is truly a benefit and was able to ward off some of the 10's that came at bedtime. In the night or in the morning, the attacks were too progressed to use the oxygen so I went straight for the needle.
The other thing I will do differently next time is not mix the Imitrex methods. As I had noted previously, my doctor gave me samples of the nasal spray and the injections and I found that sometimes the nasal sprays did not kill the beast so I took another NS or an injection after an hour to kill it. I am sure you can "do the math" and figure out that sometimes I took way too much Imitrex than I should have. I can remember an instance that I took 4 doses in 12 hours. This was a time where the NS didn't work and I followed up with a shot within an hour. Since I was "hoarding" the shots I tried the NS first, big mistake. The shots never failed to work. Now I have only shots in my house. I wanted to try the "Imitrex tip" but in the middle of an attack I was not exactly in the mood to coach my wife through the process.
A major side effect of having multiple daily attacks and using the NS was my right nasal passage was basically raw and contributed to my discomfort throughout the day. Like I said, get the shots.....if you don't like needles, get the shots anyway, they work within 10 minutes, most of the time within 5 minutes.
So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. If not for your help here I think I would still be in cycle and suffering intensely. The oxygen will definately be my 1st abortive of choice next time and I will not have anything but Imitrex injections to use as a 2nd line of defense. I think mixing the types and sometimes taking 2 doses very close together caused the pattern to be off somewhat and might have caused rebounds.
I'll be here for anyone that needs my help. If you live anywhere near New Philadelphia, OH I can recommend a really great PCP that did everything I needed him to to kill this thing.
Jeff in OH
EDIT: I also drank an entire pot of very black, very strong coffee Sunday (is there any other way to make it? LOL). I am not sure if the caffeine rush helped stop the cluster, but it sure didn't hurt any. I usually have 1-2 cups a day and split a pot over Saturday and Sunday but felt like drinking the whole thing Sunday. This is rather anecdotal but worth mentioning.
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| « Last Edit: Jul 13th, 2005, 9:56pm by Jeff_in_OH » |
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BlueMeanie
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Re: Observations of another cluster in the books..
« Reply #1 on: Jul 13th, 2005, 10:28pm » |
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Good new Jeff. Glad to hear you killed the beast and survived yet another cycle. Hope it's a long long time until the next one. Enjoy your PF time.
ps: next time get an "H" tank. you can't lug it around, but it will last a long time for home use.
Take care.
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unsolved1
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Re: Observations of another cluster in the books..
« Reply #2 on: Jul 13th, 2005, 10:34pm » |
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on Jul 13th, 2005, 9:46pm, Jeff_in_OH wrote:| I had the absolute worst cluster of my life so far in duration (~3 weeks), |
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Holy shit !! Be thankful , very thankful !! It could be ALOT worse.
Glad to hear the O2 worked for you.
PF Wishes,
Unsolved
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Topical
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Re: Observations of another cluster in the books..
« Reply #3 on: Jul 14th, 2005, 2:21am » |
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Excellent to hear Jeff!
I didn't have much luck with the nasal Imitrex either.
Did you use any preventative?
I hope it stays away for good. Having the O2 on hand is very reassuring mentally when not in cycle.
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sandie99
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Re: Observations of another cluster in the books..
« Reply #4 on: Jul 14th, 2005, 7:24am » |
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Jeff,
fantastic news! 
I'm so happy you're PF. I hope you still stick around... 
Best wishes & PF time,
Sanna
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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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Sandy_C
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Re: Observations of another cluster in the books..
« Reply #5 on: Jul 14th, 2005, 9:30am » |
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Way to Go! Stay PF, and drop in on us now and then.
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Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
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For it won't be long
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