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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> Another newbie
        
(Message started by: S@ndman on Apr 4^th, 2003, 1:46pm)

Title: Another newbie
Post by S@ndman on Apr 4^th, 2003, 1:46pm

Hi from Brazil, everyone!
I'm new to the board, although I've suffered from CH for 10 years now. I'm 37, and, apparently, not in a severe condition. I'm in the middle of the worst crisis I've ever had, with 1 VERY STRONG episode per day at 2 AM, which lasts for about 90 mins, but the pain has never been this strong. I was crying like a baby 2 nights ago.
I found this site, which I'm very exited about, since now I can get to know this condition better .

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by Woobie on Apr 4^th, 2003, 1:58pm

WELCOME

Sorry you're having a hard time right now..

Just wanted to say HI!

Tina ;D

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by catlind on Apr 4^th, 2003, 1:59pm

Welcome aboard Sandman. You will find lots of info here to learn about clusters. Lots of folks here who have a liftetime of experience dealing with this beast. Read read and read some more.

Cat

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by TomM on Apr 4^th, 2003, 2:19pm

Welcome to the family, S@ndman.
Poke around and ask questions.
What are you using for an abortive? O2, Imetrex, cold air (head in the freezer)?
Don't worry about crying. I've done it many times llike many here have.

Like Cat said, read, read, read.

TomM 8)

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by cootie on Apr 4^th, 2003, 2:35pm

Hey....howdy S@ndman.......keep on readin on Pam :)

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by Mikey on Apr 4^th, 2003, 2:37pm

Welcome to the family s@ndman. Sorry that you had to come here because of CH, but glad you found us. You'll find lots of helpful reading and people here.

We are here to help in anyway we can for anybody with CH. You can come here just about anytime of day or night and find someone here that can help you with a problem or just to listen.

Read lots and lots!

Your new friend

Mikey, ;D

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by cathy on Apr 4^th, 2003, 6:14pm

:)...welcome S@ndman sorry your having a tough time...but happy that we can be here for you...

Cathy

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by jonny on Apr 4^th, 2003, 6:24pm

welcome sand Dude,

Dont mind the Chineese born circus midgets wearing pink tutu's that you will see running around in here, they are harmless. ;D

...................................jonny

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by brain_cramps on Apr 4^th, 2003, 6:46pm

Welcome sandman

Read, read, read... ask some questions... and read some more

on 04/04/03 at 18:24:31, jonny wrote:

Dont mind the Chineese born circus midgets wearing pink tutu's that you will see running around in here

or aliens !!!

grant 8)

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by Callico_Kid on Apr 4^th, 2003, 8:57pm

Welcome aboard, sorry you're here! :(

I'm also a newbie although I have been hanging aroud the board off and on for the last year. You will find more information and more help here than you will be able to find at your Drs. Read, Read, and then Reread. Ask questions. No honest question is turned away, but someone will come through with an answer for you. This is also a great place to vent your frustration, pain, and also successes and finding relief. You will find a real family here that can understand you where no one else can. Stay strong and don't lose hope. There is no cure in sight yet, but there has been great progress, so there is always hope.

jc

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by Drk^Angel on Apr 4^th, 2003, 9:01pm

Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast has jammed an anti-tank missile up your ass, and is using it to blow a big damn hole in your cranium from the inside. Welcome to the family!

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

Title: Re: Another newbie
Post by Charlie on Apr 4^th, 2003, 9:41pm

Welcome to our little world. It's a pretty good place and if you look around, you'll find some things that will help you deal with thing. Here is one way I dealt with this horror:

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