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Title: Howdy! Post by DeadHead on Oct 15th, 2002, 5:46pm I just found this board after suffering alone for 3 years. I just recently started another cycle after being without pain for over a year. I'm sorry to see that so many are suffering, but I'm glad that I'm not alone. I just posted on the medication/treatment board about Amitriptyline, take a look if you get a chance. It's new to me and I value your feedback. I don't really know much about CH, but it doesn't seem that the medical community does either. If CH is vascular in nature, it seems that there should be a surgical soloution doesn't it? Not that I'm all that thrilled with the thought of someone drilling into my skull, but being hooked on anti-depressants for the rest of my life is....well, depressing. Thanks for your indulgence. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by jonny on Oct 15th, 2002, 5:55pm Yo DH, This site has more info than 90% of Docs know, read, read, read and you will know more than most Docs. Welcome ...............................jonny |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by domm on Oct 15th, 2002, 5:59pm Deadhead - welcome and glad you found us, but I'm sorry you felt compelled to do so. Like Jonny said - read and click. Visit the OUCH site also and join up. good luck domm |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by gtar_man on Oct 15th, 2002, 8:21pm Deadhead - welcome aboard bro. Some of us get relief from the meds, some don't. Most have side effects; you'll just have to experiment (that's what the docs are doing). Hope you find something that works for you. None of us wish we were here, but all of us are glad that we have each other. Mike |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Charlie on Oct 15th, 2002, 10:48pm Yup DH. You are welcome in Bedlam. These characters are right. In the midst of all these posts you will find tons of stuff here about this horror. I was flabberghasted at what I didn't know, and that there were so many. A lot of doctors haven't time to sort though stuff like this but it would seem to me that a good one would have someone find this kind of thing so he good at least glance at stuff like this. Glad to have you. Charlie |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by echo on Oct 16th, 2002, 1:14pm Welcome to the group DH. Sorry you needed to search for a site such as this. If you're anything like me (and I know I am) you were probably surprised to see the number of members who can relate to what you are dealing with. As others have mentioned, you will find a vast wealth of information available here on the site, this information will provide you the knowledge you will need to deal with doctors as an active participant for your future treatment, rather than the passive observer the doctors hope for. (That way they can feel all knowing and powerful). |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by DeadHead on Oct 16th, 2002, 2:02pm Thanks to all for the warm welcome. I have a great doctor, I got him right out of medical school and I trained him right. He's now a professor at Georgetown. I am sending him a link to this site in hope that he will take some time and look around. He's always willing to try new things and keep an open mind. Get your doctor's email address and don't be afraid to use it. For all the medical problems I've had (diabeties, hypertension,quitting smoking and drinking, and of course CH) he ought to send me a christmas card every year, not to mention answer my emails. I'm sure I'm helping to make Mercedes payments! Anyway thanks to all again. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by paul_b on Oct 16th, 2002, 2:03pm Welcome aboard DH. Why the anti depressants? Use the Board to vent. We all need to at some point. Hope you find a med combo that works for you. Let us know how things are going. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by DeadHead on Oct 16th, 2002, 2:24pm I don't know Paul...I'm the least depressed person I know....and I certainly don't have an eating disorder (unless eatin too much is a disorder!) ;D It's supposed to help manage pain somehow, we'll see... |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Jackie on Oct 16th, 2002, 2:48pm Hi Deadhead.. You mentioned that your doctor had treated you for "quitting smoking and drinking". Perhaps that is why the anti-depressants. It's a method of treatment sometimes...to take the edge off. Just a guess.. ??? Jacks 8) |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by DeadHead on Oct 16th, 2002, 2:55pm Jacks... I quit the booze and smoking over a year ago now, this prescription was for my CH. I emailed him on monday afternoon and told him that I had started another cycle, he called the Amitriptylene in shortly thereafter. Great, now it sounds like I'm in denial... I wouldn't be opposed to be on anti-depressants for depression or anything for that matter, seems like these days you'd be hard pressed not to find someone who's NOT on Prozac or Paxil. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by jonny on Oct 16th, 2002, 3:45pm LOL----I been taking the mother of all anti-depressants everyday for well over a decade "Lithium" That along with Verapamil have put a strangle hold on my beast, SHIT!!!!, that combo stops 80% of anything the beast can throw at my chronic ass. SMOOOOCH Jacks, who loves ya?:-* ....................................jonny |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Jackie on Oct 16th, 2002, 3:52pm Deadhead (bet you wish it was sometimes... ;D) Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for CH. Elavil being one that is. Lithium which is a antimanic drug and also some anticonvulsant drugs are used. The "whys" I can't expound on.....but I bet our resident wise owl, Ueli, can..... :) Jacks 8) |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by 2late on Oct 16th, 2002, 3:56pm welcome to the board D. H .! jonny.......wish i had your luck with lith bro, it's the only drug i've taken that made me feel shaky climbing poles. ............2late |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Bob P on Oct 16th, 2002, 3:57pm Here's the deal guys. Most antidepressants work by effecting change in the serotonin (5HT) levels in the brain. Elavil blocks the uptake of 5HT by the neruons that fired the stuff into the synapse to start with (this si one method the neruons use, reuptake). So Elavil keeps more 5HT in the synapse to do work. 5HT is the same nurotransmitter that tells the smooth muscle around the blood vessels to contract or relax (causing the blood vessels to constrict of dialate). The thought is, get your 5HT levels correct and constant and the blood vessels won't be dialting and constricting, in turn irritating the nerves and causing the pain. The better thing about the triptans, Imitrex, Maxalt, etc. is that they not only act like 5HT, doing it's job for it, but they also block other neuropeptides which make the nerves more sensitive to pain. So they shrink the blood vessels and block the pain signals. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by jonny on Oct 16th, 2002, 4:00pm The only good neuro I ever had (Hes gone cause of fucking HMO's) said something about CH being like Depression in cycle form or some shit like that and thats why some depression meds work for CH. Dont quote me......Ever!! ;D ........................jonny --Wheres my smoooch, Jacks ::) 2late, did you try mixing it with Verapamil Bro? |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Jackie on Oct 16th, 2002, 4:01pm There ya go DeadHead...... :D BoobP knows his stuff too.......very well!!! SMOOOOCH, jonny....you love me, that's who... :-* Jacks 8) |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by echo on Oct 16th, 2002, 4:41pm Hey 2Late -- Pole climber -- what's your brand of choice, klien or bashlun? |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Jabeen on Oct 16th, 2002, 5:52pm Hello and welcome-I tried several types of meds unsuccessfully until I found Wellbutrin-which is an anti-depressant (SSRI). It has been a lifesaver for me, but unfortunately doesn't work for others. I have zero side effects on this drug...When enough time has passed, I start weaning and if no CH appear, I continue to wean until I am done. Last time I had 5 years between cycles-which is great...I was hoping they were gone for good-guess not. Jabeen :) :) :) |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by 2late on Oct 16th, 2002, 7:35pm echo.... bashlin aluminum gaffs, the only way to fly ;D bashlin belt & gauntlets also, you climb bro'? ............2late |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Mark C on Oct 16th, 2002, 9:20pm Welcome aboard DH, sorry you need to be here but glad you are. Mark |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by DeadHead on Oct 17th, 2002, 2:39pm Thanks to all again for the warm welcome. In case you haven't checked the meds board, I think this amitriptyline stuff is working. Maybe I was just at the end of the cycle but who cares, I feel better and that's what matters. I'm a klien man by the way, not a climber but I love an excuse to go to the hardware store. I just rewired my boat stem to stern and they were lifesavers. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Slammy on Oct 17th, 2002, 2:42pm Quote:
I'm a 'Leg" man, myself... ;D That's great you are getting relief using elavil.. let us know if it is truly the elavil and not the end of the cycle... either way, it's a "win-win" situation for ya! :D Slammy 8) |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by echo on Oct 17th, 2002, 3:23pm 2Late -- Spent about 10 years off the ground. Even went as far as teaching the craft for several. Bashlin Aluminum were the choice unless I was climbing black diamonds. Then the extra weight of the Klien's were the weapon of choice. Havn't climbed in 6 years. Still have all the equipment however. Never know when it will come in handy. |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Drk^Angel on Oct 17th, 2002, 3:49pm Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast is bashing you cranium in with his mighty warhammer, trying to see exactly how far he can make your eyes fly. Good luck! PFDAN.............................. Drk^Angel |
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Title: Re: Howdy! Post by Linda T on Oct 17th, 2002, 6:05pm Dear DeadHead: Welcome aboard. Sorry to hear that you're having a rough time right now. I was on amitriptylin for two cycles and it did work. Didn't work this past cycle. Luck of the draw, I guess. Stick around and read. You'll learn alot. Wishing you all PFDAN always, Linda T |
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