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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> The womans pain
        
(Message started by: rain on Oct 21^st, 2002, 3:05am)

Title: The womans pain
Post by rain on Oct 21^st, 2002, 3:05am

I am the wife of a man with CH. he started them about 2 years ago and we just found out what this was. I feel lost and helpless against this pain!
I suffer chronic migraines for 20 years, but none of them can compair to the pain I see in my strong loving husband. What can I possibly do to help???

Title: Re: The womans pain
Post by Melissa on Oct 21^st, 2002, 9:38am

Hello Rain, so sorry to hear your husband is suffering from clusters :( Please check out the Supporter's Corner on the message board. There are some wonderful women (and men) there who are very helpful and informative, plus they are there for supporting each other, as well as the sufferer, too!

:)Mel

Title: Re: The womans pain
Post by Margi on Oct 21^st, 2002, 10:57am

Hi Rain,
Mel's right - we do have an area here for Supporters and it's probably better to post there. Not all supporters check the other areas of the board. You can also visit the Family Services Team by clicking on the OUCH website button at the left. Then, the first menu above the map is where we're located. Some survival tips there for supporters.
But...in order to help you hubby too - make sure HE knows about this website too - it will give him great comfort to know he is not alone with his pain either. You've told us nothing about him and we can't really help either one of you without knowing what you're already doing to cope. What meds is he on? Is he chronic or episodic? Is he using any abortives to stop the attacks?
You gotta help us a little, before we can help you, ok? ;)

Title: Re: The womans pain
Post by Charlie on Oct 21^st, 2002, 7:16pm

Welcome. You are definitey not alone. Margi and Company know what they're doing. If you still check back here, here is a technique I learned years ago that proved very helpful to me:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been very helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time for this to take hold but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to concentrate on keeping blood away from the head. He thought the easiest is the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. I like to keep at it a few minutes longer than seems necessary to insure success.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

Title: Re: The womans pain
Post by rain on Oct 23^rd, 2002, 3:09am

the biggest thanks guys!!
now that I have read everything there is to read on the left I feel I understand this horrible pain more. I thank you for your replys and will in the future go to the supporters board...again all my thanks