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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Hello pt3
        
(Message started by: anvilhead on Oct 11^th, 2002, 5:52pm)

Title: Hello pt3
Post by anvilhead on Oct 11^th, 2002, 5:52pm

Armed with my Percasets and horse pill antibiotics I made it through the next week only suffering low to mid level pain. Still like clockwork though. My perception was that Percasets were all right by me. Diarreah is not. Then I run out of all my pills. Back to monster pain again now and I am ready to panic. It's been 28 days and I feel like I've been through the mill sideways 800 times. I call my clinic to beg for more pain killers. They see me, give me Vioxx samples and prescribe another week of antibiotics. I can't believe it. There can't be a single bacterial microbe left in my body at this point. "You have to be kidding" I say. They send me to an ear, eye and nose specialist at the University.

This guy nailed it as Cluster Headaches within 5 minutes. He showed me my CTs in detail and told me my sinuses look great! No signs of unusual tooth or jaw decay to possibly indicate infection that would cause such massive pain. No brain cavity abcesses!
Horner's syndrome was readily apparent in all it's manifestations which he recognized and explained to me.
Then he explains to me what CHs are and tells me that's what I have. I am not happy to say the least. Terrified is a better way of putting it.
He informs me I need to see a Neurologist and asap. He leaves to make arrangements on the spot. Returning he tells me the next available appt. is 9 weeks away but he has placed me on a hot list for cancellations. He promises to go there personally and force a visit for me if that doesn't happen within the next 2 weeks. Then he prescribes for me, IMITREX, 45 count, 25mg tablets, 2x/day, 1 refill. He tells me to drink coffee too, which brings a real smile to my face for the first time in weeks. I thank him, his cute intern and go straight to the pharmacy. I eat the first pill and roll on down to Starbucks. Hee hee! It's cappacino time baby!
Nothing...nothing...wait...Holy Crap! Serious relief in 20 minutes! 5 hours later (online at this site already and mesmerized, half in fear, half intrigue) another attack hits. Milder now though. I eat the other tab for today. 7 hours early but I simply don't care. I have 88 more on deck and, potential heart problems? So friggin' what! This shit is god to me now. I don't like that thought but, again, not a factor at this point. 25 minutes later I find even more relief and sleep for 9 hours that night. 9 glorious long hours. 9, I say. Nine. Unfortunately anywhere close to that much sleep has evaded me since then but I still can fantasize about it.

4 days later (Oct, 5th 2002) I get the call. Neurologist tomorrow morning. Don't be late.
Not a problem. I know I'm not cured of anything. I was there early.
Armed now with as much knowledge as I could absorb in that amount of time (having been glued to the forums and links here for every spare moment I wasn't studying the chemical properties of Imitrex) I see a DO. She is knowledgable, sympathetic and aggressive. I tell her *everything* about my current and previous situation. Cigs, Mary Jane, beer, caffeine, junk food, depression, insomnia...everything. She was impressed and said there wasn't much she could do for me that I wasn't already trying except, quit smoking and do some yoga. Neither one is going to hurt. She claimed smoking causes an inflame-constrict cycle in my blood vessels. While quitting may or may not not be effective for my CHs, I should feel better in general, physically. i.e. more energy.
Old news to me. I will cross that bridge later. 1-2 packs a day for 22 years now. Too much added stress trying to quit in cycle, imo.
She scoffed at 50mg/day Imitrex. Quote, "That's nothing." She ups my scrip to 100mg tabs Imitrex, 2x/day @ least 1 to 2 hours apart but "ease into it at first." Then she thinks a moment and says. If you have to take another 50mg at some point, go ahead. Just watch your heart. I am also going to give you a bunch of free samples of this and 10mg orally dissolving Maxalt. Don't do both the same day. If you want to switch to Injectable Imitrex call me. She claimed the actual difference in time for drug effect was minimal for oral, nasal or subcutaneous injection. My choice.
Nice Lady!
She also prescribed 25mg/day Imipramine for my depressive anxiety, which I suffered from even before the CHs. She said it should help me sleep.
Bless you, I countered.
She then gave me a note for the next time I may have to go to the ER which encourages Pure Oxygen treatment and that failing, Depacon, 500mg IV.

I feel truly lucky to have gotten help this quickly. Granted it was misdiagnosed for 4 weeks but once it was pegged, my doctors took action. My heart goes out to all of you who can't afford or otherwise get access to doctors and or meds that help. I just can't imagine facing the pain I had before for any extended period of time much less being a chronic sufferer without respite. My hat is off to those of you who deal with that reality and keep afloat. Simply amazing.
I was certainly at the end of my rope after just a months worth of my first official cycle. It's not over for me but I can manage the pain now. Sleep? Well, not tonight yet. Actually it's morning now. Perhaps today I will find some restorative sleep. Yes.
tbc...

Title: HeyRe: Hello pt3
Post by forgetfulnot on Oct 11^th, 2002, 10:46pm

Hey Anvi, you might look into writing a book ::)

Lee

Title: Re: Hello pt3
Post by anvilhead on Oct 11^th, 2002, 11:22pm

Serious? Are you a publisher?
How 'bout?
Shadow Walker
The life and times of a babbling idiot savant.
An auto-biography
When do I get paid?

Title: Re: Hello pt3
Post by forgetfulnot on Oct 12^th, 2002, 12:30am

Quote:

Serious? Are you a publisher?

Title: Re: Hello pt3
Post by Charlie on Oct 12^th, 2002, 1:50am

I ain't so hot either and welcome. Lots ideas, you have.

Glad to have you aboard.......so far. Just give us a chance ;D

Mean old Charlie 8)

Title: Re: Hello pt3
Post by Lapsi_Harmaahapsi on Oct 12^th, 2002, 2:13am

I'm sorry. Didn't know I was a carrier ;D

Welcome to the Merry Men & Women.