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Topic: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post! (Read 457 times) |
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edsiajb
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CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« on: Jul 31st, 2007, 3:36pm » |
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Well...about a week ago, I started being awakened the same time each night. After about 40 min. the pain would subside and I could then go back to sleep. And each night, the pain became worse than the night before. It took about three nights before I realized I was in a CH cycle again.
I found that cold showers (straight cold tap water) would abort my pain. I also used Red Bull with possible success. I am also experiencing a couple of milder CH while awake each day...and some shadowing. Too, I have experienced several CH events when overheated from working in the heat (we are building a new house).
On the fourth night, the pain was so bad that I had to have some other form of relief. All I could do was pace back and forth. My wife had experienced migraines several years ago and had used Imitrex inhalers. I woke her and asked if she had any left. She had one! I used it and got a great deal of relief within five minutes.
I was finally able to see my Dr...he prescribed a Prednisone taper and Amitriptyline. He also prescribed Imitrex inhalers. He seems to have a great deal of knowledge regarding CH. Eight years ago, he originally diagnosed me with CH and sent me to a neurologist. I was prescribed Neurontin (which I disliked very much) and Zomig tablets. The Zomig tablets worked to abort but not very quickly. That cycle lasted about 10 weeks and I finally got off the Neurontin.
For the past several years, I have taken two OTC Naproxen Sodium every am for RA. My doctor told me to start taking the same dose of Naproxen twice a day (not sure if this was because of the CH or RA...I should have asked).
Last night was my first night after taking the Prednisone and Amitriptyline. I still had a CH but it was 40 minutes later than they have been. It was a kip 7 and I used hot and cold showers and Red Bull to abort (wanting to save my Imitrex).
I don't smoke or drink and I need to remain mentally sharp for my employment as I am in IT engineering. The lack of sleep is really having a detrimental effect on my job performance.
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SmoothSippin
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #1 on: Jul 31st, 2007, 3:47pm » |
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Sorry to see ya here 
These things are no fun whatsoever. You will find all kinds of information about drugs, alternative medicines etc. I am new to the board myself, and I am sure someone will step in with plenty of things to think about and or try.
Since your CHs come at night. Try getting some Melatonin. It is available online or at your local store. I use a brand name Natrol. Take 3 of the 3 mg tablets about 20 minutes before you crash for the night. It helps. It is not a cure.
You will also want to find a neurologist.
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Guiseppi
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #2 on: Jul 31st, 2007, 3:58pm » |
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You need to look into oxygen! A brief tutorial if you will!!!!
Started at the first twinge it is almost 100% effective for me in aborting a headache,usually in less then 10 minutes, that's completely pain free, sometimes in as little as 6 minutes.
You need to breathe pure oxygen, using a "non re breather mask" at a fairly high flow rate, as high as 15 LPM. Nasal canulas are next to worthless in case they suggest that. The keys to making it work are pure oxygen, no outside air and don't re breathe your own air or it loses it's effectiveness.
My only other suggestion for now is ask your doc about lithium. I'm in law enforcement and carry a gun so a lot of medications aren't an option for me. Lithium at 1200 mg a day will block about 80-90% of my headaches depending on how strict I am on my triggers, (for me they are alcohol, getting really hungry, stress, or radical sleep pattern disruptions.) For dosage comparison I'm 47 year old male, weigh about 190 pounds. Might be a tool for you. The side effects have been very minimal for me, allows me to keep working thru my cycles.
Welcome to the board, make yourself comfy in your new second home!!!!
Guiseppi
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edsiajb
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #3 on: Jul 31st, 2007, 4:15pm » |
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Thanks. I should have mentioned that our Dr. is also a long time family friend. Since he has good understanding of CH and would probably prescribe anything a neurologist would, I'll probably just stick with him.
I did briefly discuss oxygen (with which he was very familiar in CH) with him and I think that will be the next step if we are unable to break this current cycle.
Too, he may be hesitant about the oxygen because of some other past health issues I have had which involved the lungs.
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| « Last Edit: Jul 31st, 2007, 4:16pm by edsiajb » |
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edsiajb
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #5 on: Aug 7th, 2007, 5:35pm » |
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I have only had one CH in the past five days now. I finished the prednisone yesterday and still taking the Amitriptyline. The one occurance of CH was after I became overheated outdoors (~100 degrees & a heat index of 109 degrees).
Hopefully, the cycle is broken!
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Rosybabe
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #6 on: Aug 7th, 2007, 6:50pm » |
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Wishing the best and this might me a very very short cycle.
You are so lucky to have a Doc on your side.
Pain free wishes for you and..
Welcome aboard!!
Rosy.
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BarbaraD
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Re: CH back after 8 yrs...1st post!
« Reply #7 on: Aug 8th, 2007, 10:01am » |
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Ed,
Glad the pred worked for you. Hopefully this is a short cycle.
The amitriptytiline knocked me out cold when they tried it on me. I just couldn't wake up much less do any work.
Cafergot (ergotomine) is also a good abortative.
Melatonin at night (give it a couple of weeks to get in your system) is a good aid to help you sleep thru the night.
Hopefully your cycle is broken, but if not -- we're here for ya....
Hugs BD
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