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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Hello Everyone I am new 
        
(Message started by: RC_Cola on Nov 15^th, 2002, 8:10pm)

Title: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by RC_Cola on Nov 15^th, 2002, 8:10pm

I am so glad that I came across this site when looking for infromation on Zomeg. I have had CH for about 5 years now and just went almost 2 years without an episode. They are back now with full a vengeance. I wemt to the dr on Wednesday and she gave Zomeg. For those of that have tried Zomeg did you have any of the side effect of it and if you did how long did it last? How long did it take for Zomeg to kick in(if it did work for you).

Annette

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Slydog on Nov 15^th, 2002, 8:14pm

Welcome to the board Annette. Sorry you had to find us...... but glad you did. Can't help you out any on the meds ....haven't tried those.
Sly

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Mark C on Nov 15^th, 2002, 8:33pm

Welcome Annette,
Zomig is one the first meds that ever worked for me. A fine drug. I have very little side effects, maybe a little higher heart rate or a little dizziness. A small price to pay for a drug that works. I see relief in around 20 minutes, which can seem like an eternity in pain. I also have had a lot of success with another Triptan, Imitrex. I use the injection and see relief in a few as 5-8 minutes. Another great drug. Check the links on this site and the OUCH site for much more information about CH and related meds. I attached a link to help get you started.
See ya
Mark

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

http://animatedgif.net/welcome/welcome1_e0.gif

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Charlie on Nov 15^th, 2002, 8:42pm

Welcome to our ward Annette.

If you stick around, read, contribute, and ask questions, I promise you that you'll find something here to help in some fashion...most of us do. At least you're not alone and all of us understand this horror. Here is my little technique. It has worked for some:

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 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. Often, 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 but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on 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. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.

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: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Mr.Happy on Nov 15^th, 2002, 9:05pm

Howdy Annette! Pretty neat finding this place, eh?<G> These folks have all the info fit to print. Am a Zomig user myself, and have found it most satisfactory. So far. No side effects to speak of, compared to the alternative.

All kinds of treatments can be found here..........as you can see from Charlie's exceptional post above. It's one I wish I could master, but I'm still having trouble with that pesky damned Vulcan split fingered "Live long and Prosper" thing.

Welcome to Little West Virginia!!!!!!!

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by domm on Nov 15^th, 2002, 10:56pm

RC - welcome. Hope you've clicked your way thru the site and the OUCH site also. Great info available in both places. Tremendous support also. I'd suggest some Oxygen as another abortive and start to look for preventatives. I use Verapamil and its been very successful for me.
Good luck and as others have said before me - "stick in an oar and start rowing"
domm

"Little West Virginia"? - Mr. Happy - you kill me....LMAO ;D

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Jackie on Nov 16^th, 2002, 4:17am

Good Morning RC Cola,
Welcome to the nut house ::) Fairly good bunch around here and they're willing to lend a helping hand.

My clusterhead hubby has good success with Zomig. Just don't wait to long take it since it takes a bit longer to kick in (usually about 20 min tops if he does 02 with it). It holds him for about 8 hours and lets him get some much needed sleep. He notices no side effects.

RC Cola ??? I take it you don't drink much Coke ;D

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by David Shea on Nov 16^th, 2002, 7:09am

Annette- Welcome to clusterville, All the info you will need is At your finger tips.. And Mr.Happy to ;)
David

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Ann on Nov 16^th, 2002, 7:33am

Hi Annette and welcome!
I used to use Zomig, but like Jacks said it takes a good 20 minutes to kick in. (no side effects) Being the wimp that I am, I found those 20 minutes too long and begged the neuro for something quicker. So now I use imitrex injections to abort. They do the job within 5 to 8 minutes. It's a god send! I also use verapamil 3 x 120mgs a day and lithium 2 x 300 mgs a day as preventatives. Oh and I also take 1/2 an amerge before bedtime to get a full night's sleep. Seems to be doing the trick so far. I haven't been hit since last Sunday! eeehhhhaaaaa!!! (I hate telling people that cause then I end up getting hit! LMAO) Course with all these drugs...my brain is a little fuzzy on some days! :P but I'll take the fuzziness to the pain! Did I mention I'm a wimp? LOL
good luck and lots of hugs
Ann

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by woobie on Nov 16^th, 2002, 8:45am

I am not a sufferer.. but IMHO - ANYONE who puts up with Clusters is NOT a wimp, honey!!! Don't call yourself that!! You are a strong person to have to deal with this crap!! All of you are.. and I have a lot of respect for you all!!

tina

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Ann on Nov 16^th, 2002, 8:54pm

Thanks for saying that Tina! Some days I really do feel like a wimp! hehe I should have kept my mouth shut this morning about being pain free for almost a week. I got hit at 5:30 this afternoon. I knew I would jinx it! :-/ Seems like whenever I tell someone I've been pain free for a while I get hit! I hate this stupid disease! Even with all the drugs I invest in a day, I still can't seem to get rid of the son of a bitch! I wished he would move!

Hope you're doing well.
hugs
Ann

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by RC_Cola on Nov 17^th, 2002, 7:28am

I would like to thank everyone for their replies and making feel welcome to now what will be my second home.

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by SommelierCH on Nov 17^th, 2002, 1:35pm

RC_COLA,

Welcome to the most useful site on the web. I was prescribed Zomig ZMT 5mg. just last week because my insurance won’t cover Maxalt MLT 10 mg. any more (haven’t tried it yet, because I bought more Maxalt MLT, out of pocket, I know that works). They are both in the triptan family as is Imitrex. The Zomig ZMT is a (relatively) new form of Zomig that is a fast dissolving tablet that you hold on or under your tongue the same as Maxalt MLT, which has worked great for me the last 2 cycles (in conjunction with oxygen). Some people that say Zomig didn’t work fast enough for them might have been taking the regular tablets, since these are labeled for use on migraines speed might not have been the first priority at that time. The dissolving tabs go to work much faster, sometimes less than 10 min. During those first 10 min. you need to hit the oxygen to keep things under control while waiting for the drug to kick in. Since you can’t take more than 2 tabs of Maxalt or Zomig in any 24 hour period, you have to save them for the Big One. The oxygen is essential to control the shadows creeping up on you all the other times. Oxygen is prescription by the doctor and very safe to use, with little or no side effects. Go to the search button in the top right corner and search for oxygen, Maxalt MLT, Zomig ZMT and “triggers” (avoiding triggers goes a long way towards cutting down the intensity, duration and frequency of attacks). Also, go to the left column and read each category, read it all, you just can’t have enough knowledge about the Beast.

Good luck, and let us know how you are doing,
David

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Elaine on Nov 17^th, 2002, 4:18pm

Wecome to the board. I have tried zomig and I love it expecially the Zomig that is a fast dissolving tablet. Its great for times you don't have anything to wash a pill down with. I get pills stuck a lot in my throat.

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by echo on Nov 18^th, 2002, 9:29am

Welcome to the MB. Sorry you needed to search out a site such as this. Glad you found us.

Title: Re: Hello Everyone I am new
Post by Drk^Angel on Nov 19^th, 2002, 5:33pm

welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast is makin' ya wear a hat made from rusty syringes filled with battery acid. Good luck!

PFDAN............................... Drk^Angel