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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> CH sufferer or not??
        
(Message started by: Left-eye_pusher on Apr 14^th, 2003, 9:10pm)

Title: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Left-eye_pusher on Apr 14^th, 2003, 9:10pm

Hi, I'm new to the board and would like to start off by saying that this site has helped tremendously ;D.

My doctor suggested that I have CH 6 years ago, when the beast first showed his ugly face to me. That lasted for only about 11 days. She didn't have much of a solution for my problem except to buy a new pillow (I told her that it was kind of lumpy)...low and behold, my headaches dissappered after a few days. During this time thou, I would suffer everyday at around 9pm and it would lasts for about 2-3 hrs.

Ever since then, I've been H/a free and have not thought about it until this time around (the beast came back 18 days ago). :-/ After reading through this site, I've come to realize that my suffering is not as bad as most other CH'ers (thank heavens :)) I would rate my pain as a KIP 7-9 (which is fucking painful but has not come since 6 years ago)

So my question is do you think that I'm truly a CH'er or am I just going through a headache time for me???

There's been a ton of stress in my life recently and major barometric pressure changes where I live (Toronto). I thought that these were the reason's to my problem but during some reasearch on the net, I've come to this site. I seem to show all the classic symptom's of a CH sufferer it's just that I have had such a long remission period and my last bout only lasted for 11 days.

I've been dancing with this fucker every day and night (night time is worse) for 18 days now (and am always hoping that today will be the last dance ;))

Any response would be greatly appreciated and would like to thank every one here (cause you all seem so helpfull :-*)

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by cootie on Apr 14^th, 2003, 9:53pm

ye-ouch Left-eye_pushersorry ya gotta suffer...here's hopein PF days are ahead for ya.......more PF free days well wisher greeter Pam :)

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Charlie on Apr 14^th, 2003, 10:54pm

Sadly, it sounds like CH. Now and then mine would last only a few days. Most of the time several weeks. As for remission, it's been 12 years this month.

Glad to have you but sorry you had reason. Stick around and here is my old neurologist's thing:

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

Toronto? Jamestown, NY here

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by echo on Apr 15^th, 2003, 8:24am

Your note reads like you are one of the family. Barometric pressure changes, while in cycle, can slap me around pretty good. Hope you have PFDNs very soon.
Welcome to the MB.

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Mark C on Apr 15^th, 2003, 8:41am

Welcome,
I hope you dont need us, but I agree with the others, sounds like you may qualify. Take the Cluster Quiz on the left of this board. It is a good place to start. Get your self to a Neurologist, some are good , some are not...just like everything else. Arm yourself with information from this site and the OUCH (http://www.clusterheadaches.org/) site. Be prepared.

A headache diary is a good idea, one can be found here. (http://www.headaches.org/professional/educationresources/PDF/headache_diary.pdf)

http://hjem.get2net.dk/petermad2/text/welcom10.gif

PFDAN's
Mark

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Opus on Apr 15^th, 2003, 9:19am

Left,
For most of us stress is good in a cycle. A real stressful event may give a few PF days, and a really bad stressful event such as a family member dying may stop a cycle. I don't know if stress out a cycle could start one but you never know.
Sounds like your doctor is close with the pillow. Put a few more under the new one and you may be able to almost stop the wake up calls. Sleeping in a recliner works good too.
Opus :P

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by catlind on Apr 15^th, 2003, 10:53am

Welcome aboard Left,

It sounds like it could be CH, but there are still some questions. Do your night time hits wake you from sleep? Do you have to have quiet and lay down, or do you have to dance? Those are 2 of the key factors.

I am stress triggered with my CH's. It's not the stress that does it, it's as soon as the stress starts to subside. And I only realized that after someone here suggested that and I started to pay more attention to when the unscheduled HA's hit during a cycle. (the ones that have set times seem to come regardless of anything else going on in my life)

I hope you can find something to help.

Cat

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by K. on Apr 15^th, 2003, 11:04am

Welcome Left,

Looks like you've already been given lots of info. Make sure you look into the O2!

Sorry you're in pain. Hope the beast leaves you really soon.

Karen

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Drk^Angel on Apr 15^th, 2003, 11:58pm

Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast is usin' your cranium as a pin cushion for giant, white hot, acid covered, rusty, dull needles. Welcome to the family! Good luck!

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

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by ave on Apr 16^th, 2003, 3:08am

Well, I have to correct what catlind says: being woken up from sleep IS one of the main points, but I have had an episode without night time attacks!

Sorry you have to be here, dear, but it is the best place to be if you are one of us.

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by Scotty_Dog on Apr 16^th, 2003, 3:23am

on 04/15/03 at 23:58:44, Drk^Angel wrote:

Sorry that the beast is usin' your cranium as a pin cushion for giant, white hot, acid covered, rusty, dull needles.
Drk^Angel

Man! Now if that isn't a word picture, I never heard one.. ROFLAO

Welcome aboard, and I agree, sounds like mild CH,(if the
beast is usin' your cranium as a pin cushion for giant, white hot, acid covered, rusty, dull needles can be called mild)

Pain Free soon my friend.

Scott

Title: Re: CH sufferer or not??
Post by catlind on Apr 16^th, 2003, 7:46am

Ave, you are absolutely correct. I've had a cycle that didn't wake me up either. My last one had very few night time fights. (not complaining!) I know there is a set of 'standard' symptoms, but I think we all have variations on that theme in some way or another.

Thanks for clearing it up :)

Cat