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Topic: Nerve block-5 days later (Read 202 times) |
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pfunk
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Hey all-
Just wanted to write and say thanks to all who responded to the my first post about the block and wanted to fill you in on what has happened since Wed. CH's showe up that night but was not too severe but came with some unbearable pain in my neck. The same thing happened on Thurs. Fri., Sat. and Sun. I woke up writhing in pain from the amount of pain that I had in my neck. Is that typical or should I be worried? Today I got a Ch at @ 12:00 pm but it really was the first on since Thurs and that was a pleasant change from 3-4 a dat for who knows how long.
Also, a few of you mentioned whether the doc had me on any preventatives and/or abortives. In the past we have tried just about everything under the sun with very little sucess. Before my last year and a half cycle we had just started with Topomax but my insurance had not yet begun to cover it. I usually take about 100mg of Elavil, mainly for sleep, or at least to keep me asleep ansd usually Ambien or something like that to put me there. We usually keep some sort of narcotic pain killer on hand just for break through painbecause I did have some head trauma when I was a cgild and it is believed that there is some underlying nerve damage in my neck. At this point, we will start O2 therapy since we have begun all of the other abortive and prophylactic meds. The oxygen usually works pretty well for me however the HA typcally tends to come back shortly thereafter. This may be okay though in that it may just give me long enough to get throug my classes without having to get up and go give myself a shot or get some H2O to take my pill. Thanks again for all your insights and help. Every little bit is a litttle bit that didn't know before(like the most helpful thing I learned on this site was that 2mg from an imitrex from a 6mg syringe works just as well). LYG's wishingPFD's for all. 
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pattik
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Re: Nerve block-5 days later
« Reply #1 on: Jan 31st, 2006, 10:40am » |
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pfunk, If you are going to try oxygen, I strongly recommend that you research the proper use of it for CH. The link on the left can get you started, and the thread on "Oxygen Usage Tips" on the Meds board had some very useful info on getting the most out of O2 therapy. Speaking of the meds board, that board will be the best place for your medical questions to be read and answered. Good luck with the oxygen!
Pat
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The voyage of discovery is not about seeking new landscapes, it's about having new eyes--Marcel Proust
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vig
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Re: Nerve block-5 days later
« Reply #2 on: Jan 31st, 2006, 11:25am » |
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good luck!
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never, Never, NEVER quit. -Winston Churchill
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Charlie
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Re: Nerve block-5 days later
« Reply #3 on: Jan 31st, 2006, 2:55pm » |
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Pay attention to these people. They know what they're doing.
You might try this in the mean time. It made my life bearable most of the time and it's very safe:
Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.
I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.
Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.
This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
Charlie
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There is nothing more satisfying than being shot at without result---Winston Churchill
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