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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Hanging on by a thread
        
(Message started by: Sweet_Landings on Oct 4^th, 2002, 10:35am)

Title: Hanging on by a thread
Post by Sweet_Landings on Oct 4^th, 2002, 10:35am

Man, last night was BAD. First a Kip 8 for 3 hours and then an hour and a half later a Kip 10. I took an Imitrex shot with the Kip 10, and took off on a loooong walk, only knocked it down to a Kip 6. Came home after it was down and took a long HOT shower. Pain lasted a total of 1.5 hours on that one. Why is the shot not stopping the pain? The shots are not out of date. I am really discouraged.

I am also very tired and very sore this morning. I just don't know how much more I can take of this. Those of you that have been doing this for years are true heros and deserve medals. This is my second cycle and the thought of enduring this for years to come is a very gloomy prospect.

To those that have been doing this for decades and still come here to lift the spirits of wimps like me, thank you and God bless you.

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by RevDeFord on Oct 4^th, 2002, 10:45am

Imitrex is pretty good for most people but is not a cure all for everyone. Do you have oxygen? What about a preventative like Verapimil?

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by don on Oct 4^th, 2002, 11:05am

Good questions from the Rev! Also have you considered a prednisone protocol?

Dramamine at night helps me get some sleep.

After nearly 3 decades of episodic CH I have found that you do endure by finding methods of pain management.
From Rx meds to the good old frozen bag of peas.The local fire house is a good place for emergency oxygen. Make demands at the ER if neccesary.

Life management is a bit more complex. Educate your employer, coworkers, family ,friends and tell the house cat to get the fuck out of the way. Get a good aggressive neuro and stockpile meds when out of cycle.

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by echo on Oct 4^th, 2002, 11:08am

Sorry to read you had such a rough night sweet.
Imitrex injectors do have a shelf life. There should be an expiration date stamped somewhere on the unit. '
Hope you find relief and get some needed PF uninterrupted sleep soon.
Hang in there.

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by NancyMcFree on Oct 4^th, 2002, 11:46am

Sweet ... have you called the doc and tried to get some new Imitrex (yours is probably too old - you said you have had yours for two years ... mine ain't dated for that long !!!!). Don't know what your insurance situation is but the O2 is much cheaper and your regular MD can call for this. They deliever same day and set you up (at least they did for me).

Good luck and in the meantime, jumping jacks when I had no meds worked for me ... that along with hot compresses, swearing a lot, and crying.

Hoping you get some relief soon !!!!

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by Sweet_Landings on Oct 4^th, 2002, 2:15pm

Thanks guys. My Imitrex is not 2 years old...just got it filled. I don't have any O2 yet, waiting to see the dr. on the 9th of Oct. It may be that Imitrex is not going to be all that helpful to me. I am taking low doses of Verapamil...240mg x 1 daily. Hoping to convince the neuro to up that.

I don't have any insurance and use the VA hospital for all my med needs. The kicker is that it is a 3.5 hour drive to my GP and a 4.5 hour drive to the neuro. My meds don't cost me anything but sometimes getting an appointment takes months. Kind of a catch 22 at times.

I will just have to cowboy up here until I can see the dr. :)

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by echo on Oct 4^th, 2002, 2:23pm

on 10/04/02 at 14:15:01, Sweet_Landings wrote:

I will just have to cowboy up here until I can see the dr. :)

Is this similar to "pony up cowboy"? Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but -- there ya go. ???

Title: Re: Hanging on by a thread
Post by oringkid on Oct 4^th, 2002, 3:17pm

Echo, I have a friend who is a rodeo rider who says that all the time. Kinda like, "deal with it" but stronger.

Sherry