Author |
Topic: Greetings... (Read 275 times) |
|
clusterf__ked
New Board Newbie
I wish it was just a migraine.
Gender: 
Posts: 3
|
 |
Greetings...
« on: May 29th, 2005, 8:39am » |
 Quote  Modify
|
I think I may be an unfortunate member of this society. Yet to see a neuro and receive an official diagnosis, but this is my fifth year of what is probably episodic cluster headaches. Been getting these things every 12 months, with each episode lasting about 2 months. Latest batch just started a few weeks ago, and I man did I have a doozy yesterday. Regular doctor sent me for blood work, MRI, etc a few years ago to rule out a brain tumor...thank God for the Internet, I probably would not have figured out what was really going on through my doc. Any advice or tips on medications or abortive agents is greatly appreciated. Guess I'll lay off the red wine for now...
Cheers,
Steve
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
lionsound
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
breathe
Gender: 
Posts: 2021
|
|
Re: Greetings...
« Reply #2 on: May 29th, 2005, 9:45am » |
Quote Modify
|
Hi Steve! Welcome...read read read around here ..lots of info and support too! And do try to see a neuro. meanwhile......to quote a friend of mine:
on May 26th, 2005, 8:40am, E-Double wrote:
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
E-Double
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
Are we ourselves?
  
Gender:
Posts: 6458
|
|
Re: Greetings...
« Reply #3 on: May 29th, 2005, 10:25am » |
Quote Modify
|
Not all treatments work for everyone and being that you have no meds @ this point nor have you been officially diagnosed, there are a few things that might be able to give you some relief non-medicinally.
If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.
With the exception of 8-10 times.....I have slept through the night since August.....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.
Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...
The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall.
It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression..... Like I said we are all different.
Some tricks that I used to use and sometimes still do are as follows:
*Wrapping a bandana tightly around my skull (be careful)
*Filling a sink with scaulding water creating a steam bath and placing my head over it with a towel covering
it.
*Going from Steam to Frigid shower.
*Standing infront of A/C
*Icepacks or frozen veggies on the back of the neck or eye
*Tons of STRONG coffee.
All in all , pain sucks but this place will offer you tons of support if you need to be here. Kinda saved my life and apparently 1000's of others 
Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!
Eric
|
|
IP Logged |
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.
|
|
|
clusterf__ked
New Board Newbie
I wish it was just a migraine.
Gender:
Posts: 3
|
|
Re: Greetings...
« Reply #4 on: May 29th, 2005, 11:22am » |
Quote Modify
|
Thanks for the advice and help so far...It's amazing to almost instantly find people who can relate...None of my family, friends or coworkers have evered experienced cluster heacaches...Most of my events are during the night, but I also get daytime visits. Beyond the distinct events I also often get what I consider low intensity, continuous sensations (not painful, but i know it's there). Mine are always around the left eye and temple, plus I get the icepick sensations. From what I've read so far, I'm interesed in oxygen and Imitrex as options...Hope to find something that works and can't wait until this episode goes away.
Steve
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
lionsound
CH.com Alumnus
New Board Hall of Famer
breathe
Gender:
Posts: 2021
|
|
Re: Greetings...
« Reply #5 on: May 30th, 2005, 8:43am » |
Quote Modify
|
on May 29th, 2005, 11:22am, clusterf__ked wrote:| , plus I get the icepick sensations. |
|
you may also want to read about Idiopathic Stabbing Headache.(Ice-pick HA's)
http://helpforheadaches.com/articles/ice-picks.htm They respond well to indocin, and NSAID.
You may have more than one type of HA going on at once. (I do) A good neurologist can help you figure it all out.
Be well,
lionsound
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Member Map
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print
Remove
test rss