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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> New Guy
        
(Message started by: Jeff_W on May 17^th, 2003, 8:55pm)

Title: New Guy
Post by Jeff_W on May 17^th, 2003, 8:55pm

Hello-
New to site, not to the damn headcrushers.(have to pause while I suck on some O2)Third one today, started after work (it knows when I sleep or try to rest).
Mine started in 1978 on vacation with my parents. At that time I thought it to be a toothache.I went to hospital emergency for some pain killer.The next day I went to the dentist feeling no pain at all & had my teeth x-rayed.They found nothing wrong.
I had no pain again until 1989.Again I had thought my pain was a toothache(rear upper, seemed like the root was encircling my right eye,pressure so great to push my eye out of my head,sinuses swollen & only on my right side.Pain unbearable(still consider myself as one to withstand pain without complaint). Funny thing was that they would only last about 45 minutes, and had no risidual pain afterward.
Went to a dentist told him to pull the tooth. He advised me not too as he could not find anything wrong with it.
The next day I found out he was right.
Now these headcrushers(cant seem to get use to calling them headaches, doesn't do them justice)
Went to a doctor (normally I dont visit them).
He claimed I had a sinuse infection,one that did not seem to show up on X-ray. I forget what he gave me but it did not work.
The headcrushers disappeared about 3 weeks later and I forgot about them.
Until 3 weeks ago.They started like a sinuse or a toothache again.At first they were bearable but got to the point where I was in miserable pain.
A friend of mine turned me onto a doctor that was supposed to be good helping & healing headaches with accupuncture.
Went to my first visit, he took blood , listened to my symptoms , my history, and concured with me that I was a true clusterhead.(I had done some research on the Internet & come to the conclusion before the visit)
He prescribed O2 at that time. He also stated that if needed to call in for a script of calcium blocker.
I went to work, came home and felt a headcrusher coming on, sucked on some o2 & about 5 minutes later the coming on went away!
I thought wow what relief! I had caught it while still in the pressure stage,without hardly any pain at all.
Immediately I felt a new out look on life.I did not have to live in fear!
That was until I woke up form sleep, far from the pressure stage & into the pain. It took about 30 minutes with the o2 for relief.
Six times that night with no sleep!
Called the doctor as soon as his office opened. The script was for Verapamil 180's. That day sucked on the o2 when I I felt one coming & took a verp before bed.
No headcrushers that night or the next day but still sucking o2 if there was a hint.
Started again during sleep the next night.
Have had 2-6 each night for a week now being on the Verapamil.O2 working during the day.The headcrushers have been more like headaches 1 to 4 on the Kip scale.Will keep update when I start with the accupucture treatments.
Thats my storie and I'm sticking to it!

Been watching & reading the message board for about 4 days before I thought to respond as I thought you guys were a little liberal or new wave to have this old conservative on here.
Thanks for reading - Jeff

The answer is 50 years.

P.S. Anyone have a good tooth pulled like this idiot? It would make me feel better if I am not alone!

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by jonny on May 17^th, 2003, 9:00pm

on 05/17/03 at 20:55:05, Jeff_W wrote:

P.S. Anyone have a good tooth pulled like this idiot? It would make me feel better if I am not alone!

Just one?

I got you beat by 31....LOL

Welcome aboard, Jeff.....to the back of the boat with you. ;D

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

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Miklos on May 17^th, 2003, 9:04pm

Got diagnosed quickly and properly in April 1986 by my GP (after the usual sinus diagnosis) with the first episode. Sent to the neurologist and received Calan SR, Eskalith and O2. Works most of the time, but I have spent a lot of time in the backyard pacing, mumbling loudly. Family understands, but this site empathizes. Ask what you will; someone can make a helpful recommendation.

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by JDH on May 17^th, 2003, 9:16pm

Welcome Jeff,
There's lot's of good CH info here so read up and ask questions.
Glad to hear you're having some success with the o2.
You didn't mention whether or not you use Imitrex. If not it's something you may want to look into. A lot of times when the h/a is too far gone for the o2 to do much good an Imitrex shot will work. Ask your Dr about it.
good luck & pfdan's

Jim

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by kissmyglass on May 17^th, 2003, 9:44pm

Yeah My ingenious ass had the oral sureon, against his better judgement. pull 8 after the initial one was pulled & the attacks returned. Then when the attacks returned I had 2 hour gum surgery to "clean out" what he may have missed. I told him there was a very bad root in there somewhere & his x-ray machine was just missing it.
Welcome....Hope this made ya feel better...

Kev

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Drk^Angel on May 17^th, 2003, 10:57pm

Welcome to the board! Sorry that the beast is yanking your teeth out through your eyesocket without novacaine. Welcome to the family! Good luck!

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

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Mastifflvr28 on May 17^th, 2003, 11:21pm

Welcome to our world Jeff,
You are not alone.
It can take a couple of weeks for the verap to kick in.
O2 is wonderful, and so is imitrex injections...might want to look into those.
Meds info on this board and OUCH are wonderful,
happy reading,
Mast

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by paul_b on May 17^th, 2003, 11:32pm

Valuable post. Fortunate to have a good Doc. O2 and Imitrex have helped many. Bitch when the Beast wakes you at night (or anytime). Keep us posted.

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Callico_Kid on May 18^th, 2003, 12:05am

Welcome aboard,

Glad you are getting some relief with the O2 and Verap. Suggest you save your money and leave the accupuncture alone. All it will do for you is make you bleed in varied places. Suggest you search the archives under accupuncture and take a look at the survey to see the results for others who have tried it. I know when the pain is there we all tend to grasp for any straw that is available. You would be further ahead to send me the money and save the needle sticks. :D

Glad you found us. Hope you get relief.

jc

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Jackie on May 18^th, 2003, 4:46am

Welcome, Jeff....
Glad to hear that the 02 is working for you. For the HA's that sneak in during sleep you might try Zomig or Amerge at bedtime......some have luck with over the counter Dramamine. The verapamil dose seems low for CH (if I read your post right).

This is a pretty good bunch around here...they will help you the best they can....hell, some of them even know a few things.... ;D

Jacks 8)

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by suzy617 on May 18^th, 2003, 6:35am

Welcome to our world Jeff.
I never had my teeth pulled out from this but I did want my eyeball pulled out but just couldnt find a doctor to do it.
Now, like Jonny says, get to the back of the boat and start rowing.....

suzy

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by tannero on May 18^th, 2003, 6:49am

I am new like you Jeff. You found the right spot. Really sorry about the pain, check out the imitrx. This is a great spot to be at 2:00am or whenever after the pain subsides. I find that reading the posts gets my sprits back up. Just to know there are people that understand and care.
tannero

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Peppermint on May 18^th, 2003, 7:58am

Hi Jeff....
I am sorry you needed to find this place but glad you did. Sounds like you are having a terrible time. Hopefullly, you will find something here that will improve your quality of life - read, ask and vent if you need to, someone is always listening.

WELCOME! :)

Peppermint

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by TomM on May 18^th, 2003, 8:10am

Welcome, Jeff. You are not alone. A lot of great people here with fantastic advise. Read it and find what works for you. Hit the buttons on the left and do some research...perfect for a rainy day like I'm having in MD, today. Don't be afraid to post; but I must warn you, be sure to back up what you state.
Jump in...grab and oar...get the rythym...and stroke!
Welcome.
TomM 8)

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Kenzie60 on May 18^th, 2003, 8:28am

Welcome ;D This place is great. This place is great. Whenever I am having a bad day I can alway come here and everyone know how I am feeling ;D. O2 is great, but look into Imitrex and read and read.

Roseanne

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by oringkid on May 18^th, 2003, 12:15pm

Welcome Jeff! Never had a tooth pulled for it, but often felt that if I could just open up my skull, just a bit, I could let all that pain out!

Sorry you have this crap, but glad you found us. There is strength in numbers.

Sherry

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by cathy on May 18^th, 2003, 1:48pm

Hi Jeff_W.....Sorry your getting hit at the moment, you won't find a better bunch of oarsmen ....row row row the boat!!

W E L C O M E...!!!

Cathy :)

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by kjaycox on May 18^th, 2003, 2:05pm

Jeff, as stated above...if you don't get results with Verapamil 180mg X 2 a day, I am taking 240mg X 2 a day and in about a week to 10 days, all the pain (including the shadows) is gone. Hope you find what works..

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by hbomb on May 18^th, 2003, 2:30pm

Welcome Jeff, I think you and I will row together from the back of the boat since I am a newcomer to the site. If it is OK with you why don't we pitch in and buy a damn motor. Screw the rowing thing.
I noticed that most every reply to your message suggested Imitrex shots. I was under the impression that you could only use like 1 or 2 shots a week. If that is correct I question the value if you get 3-4 headaches a night like I do.

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Mikey on May 18^th, 2003, 3:59pm

HI Jeff,

Just thought i would put my 2 cents in. I've had to use 720 mg of verap a day to get any kind of help from it at all. I take 240 mgs 3 times a day. I'm sure glad to see ya getting some relief from the 02. AS far as the Trex goes, they make it in injection form and in the nasal spray as well. I get them both, 12 inj per month and 6 sprays a month. You can't use them for every single one when yer gettin hit that many times a day, but hey, if you can get relief from just some of the Chs with it, i would call it a victory!

WELCOME aboard and start rowing!!!!!!!!!!

Mikey, ;D

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by katethecelt on May 19^th, 2003, 11:03pm

Welcome Jeff!

Very sorry the Beast is attacking. Don't be shy about posting questions, venting, whatever you need.

Wishing you PFDAN's

Kate

Title: Re: New Guy
Post by Charlie on May 19^th, 2003, 11:09pm

Welcome to the madhouse Jeff. Sorry you had to find us but you'll find lots of things here to help you deal with this horror. Stick around and join in whatever this is. Meanwhile, here is something that helped me retain some sanity:

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: New Guy
Post by cootie on May 19^th, 2003, 11:11pm

Hey Jeff.....the welcome wagon welcomes you ! Can you row a wagon ? ;D Good luck to you........jus a welcome away Pam