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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Life WAS Good
        
(Message started by: pfalzbot on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 11:30pm)

Title: Life WAS Good
Post by pfalzbot on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 11:30pm

It had been nearly four years since my last cluster headache and let me tell you, I didn't miss them one bit. I had read somewhere that the older you get, the less frequently you get cluster headaches; so I kind of figured I must be getting older. Four years gone and never a headache except for those naggy little common headaches one gets from time to time.

Then one day earlier this summer, I woke up in the middle of the night with that all too familiar pre-headache pain. Up and out I went to hopefully walk it off. Sure enough, just being up for a few minutes did the trick; the headache left as quickly as it had appeared and was far from severe like I used to get. At least I was able to go back to sleep and get some rest, fit for the next day at work.

This pattern set in for the next several weeks and even though it was rather bothersone, I could live with it, knowing that it could be much worse. Then it happened.

Suddenly my routine did not work and the pain became more severe. I returned to immediately setting an ice pillow under my neck in hopes of quick relief - nothing doing. These headaches were quickly becoming the painful monsters I had several years ago - lasting as long as 2 or 3 hours, diminishing just enough to where I would fall into an exhausted sleep, and then linger slightly the next day as a reminder.

That's about where I am now, afraid to sleep because I know as soon as I drift off, I'll soon be up again. I just can't understand why these headaches have suddenly returned after being gone. I'm 43 now and I've had these HA's since age 16. I've had them every year since 16 except for the 4 years I previously mentioned.

I've tried alot of remedies for these HA's - some have worked at one time or another, some worked and stopped working, some have never worked. Mostly, the ice pillow routine helped but is now for the most part ineffective. I had been blowing my nose rather hard during an attack - this was helping but no longer does. I'm kind of thinking that I may have to return to my final alternative of running. I'm afraid of this though because I may do some serious damage.

I've run before with extremely painful headaches. They often went away after the first half mile. But I'm kind of out of shape now and I doubt I can run a block. I just wonder if the fact that I used to run everyday has anything to do with these HA's. I had gotten to the point where I could run 8 miles without stopping, every other day.

At any rate, my job is quite physical and I don't know how much longer I can hold up the double life I am doing. If history repeats itself, I have about another 2 - 3 months before I reach the end of this cycle. Who knows what my next cycle will be like after this one.

Best regards,

Pfalzbot

Title: Re: Life WAS Good
Post by Mark C on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 11:38pm

Welcome pfalzbot,
Sorry bout the head :(
Have you been diagnosed by a doctor? Have you tried any preventive or abortive meds that worked, or didnt?
May I suggest a surf trip through the links here and on the OUCH site to bring your CH PHD up to date. If it has been a while since you have seen a Dr, go armed with information. There are many new treatments avaliable now that were not a few years ago that work for most of us. Relief is avaliable. Good luck,
Mark

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/medications.htm

Title: Re: Life WAS Good
Post by David Shea on Nov 3^rd, 2002, 11:58pm

Hi pfalzbot,
Mark has already given you the best advice you will get here and you should do just that.
My story is like yours 6yrs pain free, started when I was 17yrs. now 46, and I heard they do subside with age. cannot prove that by me. I think walking will help
the same as running, So until you can take Marks advice
maybe try walking, works for me.
David

Title: Re: Life WAS Good
Post by mgreg on Nov 4^th, 2002, 8:21am

Sorry your back! I just started another cycle after a 6 year break, imagine my surprise! Read up, see a doctor and praying is worth a shot also. I am having very good luck with Imitrex in pill form. It takes about 30 minutes to work but knowing relief is on the way is a relief in itself. Best of luck to you!

-Mark G

Title: Re: Life WAS Good
Post by domm on Nov 4^th, 2002, 5:53pm

pfalzbot - welcome to the board. Sorry you felt compelled to seek us out. Oxygen and Imitrex have worked for me as abortives, and Verapamil as a preventative.
Read up on Charlie's circulatory technique. Many have found relief through exercise. My lousy back prevents me from doing too much physical stuff, but movement of any kind, getting the blood flowing elsewhere, does seem to ease them a bit.
Good luck in finding the exact set of stuff that works for you and welcome again
domm