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Topic: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I (Read 457 times) |
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M
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My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« on: Nov 4th, 2004, 11:29am » |
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Hi all. I've already posted a few messages, but john_d suggested that I introduce myself to everybody. So. ... "The History of My Hypothalamus" by Marcos Campos ....
First, before anything else, thank you miapet for being such a courageous supporter. Your posts earlier this year helped me to know there are non-clusterheads who do understand. I can't explain why, but reading your posts helped me through my worst episodes.
And thank you Daren (DJ) Johnson for setting up this web site. Those two words, "thank you," cannot nearly express the gratitude I feel for what you have done. As the Jewish saying goes, "To save a life is to save the world." You have more than done your part in this world my friend. If you ever need a place to stay, my house is open to you.
About me...
I am 36 years old. I live in Austin, TX and also spend lots of time in Amsterdam where I have an apartment. Although my office is based in Austin, I usually telecommute from home, working as a technical writer. I write books for the software development community about programming and tools. At the moment I work for Metrowerks, which used to be a part of Motorola.
I drink rarely, and smoke about a pack a week. I have at times not smoked for several months at a time. It turns out that cigarettes have both triggered and aborted headaches. I don't know what that is all about as I haven't had enough episodes to provide conclusive data.
The symptoms...
My first headache came in Autumn of 1996. Between then and 2002, I had three other bouts. Each bout lasted about two weeks, with 2-3 headaches per day. No shadows. The bouts happened either in Fall or Spring.
The pain starts behind the eye. The affected eye droops and gets watery. I have been affected behind both the right and left eye, but never both at the same time. It goes from zero pain to intolerable, cry-like-a-baby pain in about 5 minutes. The worst headaches last between 20 minutes to an hour. I usually wrap my head in a towel and fall asleep as the pain subsides.
The pain often throbs and extends to the ear and top of the head. At times the pain has made me slightly nauseous, and only once was it associated with vomiting. Until 2004, all episodes had been misdiagnosed as sinus infections, and were treated with antibiotics.
The wake up call...
In March of 2004, I had my worst bout ever. It lasted four weeks and culminated in a 13 day period where the pain level never went below 3 on a scale of 1 to 10. During that 13 day period, I was having peak headaches about 6-7 times per day.
It was in this period that my doctor recognized that this was not a sinus infection. I was referred to a neurologist who put me on the right track, including doing a CAT scan to rule out brain tumor.
As soon as I heard the words "cluster headache" I was doing my Google search. That search brought me here, which back in Spring was a God-send - a sanctuary between headaches. The knowledge and experiences shared on this site quieted many of the demons in my head that would speak when the peak pain would hit. I think that you fellow clusterheads know what I mean.
Identified headache triggers....
- prolonged cold drafts on the head
- cigarrettes (once was a trigger)
- alcohol
- a vengeful God
- long periods of leading a normal life
The treatment...
- hot showers
- hot towel over the affected eye
- holding head over steaming water
- deep meditation with chanting (not as weird as it sounds, think: low humming)
- pressing with fingers on top of head and next to ear
- reviewing my sins and praying to the vengeful God to cut me some slack
Because I live part time in Amsterdam, the mushroom approach is easy for me to do. (There are entire shops devoted to selling mushrooms and peyote. It is legal to buy and use.) I tried the mushroom treatment as described by Pink. But this was after the bout ended, so I don't know if it has had any effect.
My neurologist prescribed oxygen. But this was at the end of the bout so I never tried it. We talked about Imitrex, but decided to wait.
The future...
I am lucky compared to most in that my bouts have been short and infrequent. But the more I read, the more I keep a seed of worry in the back of my mind that they could become frequent or even chronic. (I literally start to get teary-eyed when I think of you guys who have this year long.)
The best that I can do is to try to keep myself healthy. I am slowly quiting smoking. I hardly ever drink alcohol. I try to eat healthfully and exercise regularly by walking, playing tennis, etc. It's a short life with lots of great things in the world to experience. I just try to make the most of it - pain or no pain.
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| « Last Edit: Nov 4th, 2004, 3:52pm by M » |
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nani
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #1 on: Nov 4th, 2004, 1:39pm » |
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Welcome (back) Marcos. Isn't this place amazing?! I have literally felt the 500 lb weight of the CH monster on my shoulders lift because of it. It's so nice to have some understanding and support. Even if you don't want to post, I suggest you stick around...there's a lot of love here. 
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Others may come and go, but MY power is MINE.
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john_d
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #2 on: Nov 4th, 2004, 3:50pm » |
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Good to hear from you again Marcos. Welcome aboard my friend.
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E-Double
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #3 on: Nov 4th, 2004, 6:14pm » |
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Pleasure to meet ya bro!
This place is truly a godsend.
Always here..
E.
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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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Kris_in_SJ
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #4 on: Nov 4th, 2004, 8:24pm » |
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Welcome Marcos,
Nice to have an understanding and sympathetic "family" of supporters you can talk to you. Stick around.
Hugs and Good Vibes,
Kris
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thebbz
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #5 on: Nov 4th, 2004, 11:29pm » |
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Smoke and a pancake?  Shroom and beer?  Cool
Nice intro. All the best to ya.
BB
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sandie99
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #6 on: Nov 5th, 2004, 3:28pm » |
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Welcome, Marcos!
I wish you strength in your fight against the beast!
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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Pegase
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #7 on: Nov 6th, 2004, 11:13pm » |
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Welcome dude
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aggiegran
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #8 on: Nov 9th, 2004, 9:29pm » |
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Are you ready for a really dumb question, what does the hypothalamus do....is it like tonsils....just there? which God did I tee off to get mine to holler at me like it does.....  ...Just thinking again...PFD to all...ann
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K-9
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #9 on: Nov 13th, 2004, 3:10am » |
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Welcome to the board, I enjoyed reading your intro and I too have pissed off someone!!! If you know who I crossed in the past let me know cuz......well you know..
Welcome and I hope your PF time lasts!!
Chuck
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Ruth
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #10 on: Nov 14th, 2004, 9:12am » |
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I am convinced someone cursed the day I was born too and if I ever find out who they are, they better run like hell!
So glad you found this site and good luck with your war with the beast.
Ruth 
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eyes_afire
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #11 on: Nov 14th, 2004, 1:07pm » |
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Quote:| what does the hypothalamus do |
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It's an extremely important part of the brain (in the forebrain division). It is responsible for neural-endocrine coordination of visceral activities (solute-water balance, temperature control, carbohydrate metabolism). Basically, it is an area of the brain that monitors internal organs and emotional states, and influences related behaviors , such as thirst, hunger, temperature control, and sex. It works very closely with the pituitary gland (which controls hormone secretion).
It is at the very center of the brain and human nervous system, so there is no hope of surgically altering it anytime in the fore-see-able future without having death as a side effect.
--- Steve
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Still around... in a brand new world now...
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unsolved1
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Re: My Hypothalamus and Me - Volume I
« Reply #12 on: Nov 14th, 2004, 10:15pm » |
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Welcome to the board ... sorry for the reason that brought you here.
Don't worry about becoming 'chronic'. Anxiety is a beast in itself. Only about 10% of clusterheads go chronic.
PF Wishes,
Unsolved
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