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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> So glad I'm not alone!
        
(Message started by: Saltyboy on Jun 12^th, 2003, 3:37pm)

Title: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by Saltyboy on Jun 12^th, 2003, 3:37pm

I am in the middle of my 3rd set of cluster headaches and I just found this website and it almost made me cry. I am so glad I am not alone. Just reading the postings that some of you have made makes me realise that I'm not a freak and that there are people out there who can understand what I am going through.
Thank you for creating this forum, it is such a huge help knowing there are others like me.

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by cathy on Jun 12^th, 2003, 3:42pm

Hi Saltyboy, nope your definately not alone....welcome to the board, sorry your getting hit at the moment...sending you PF vibes.

Cathy :)

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by BlackDog on Jun 12^th, 2003, 3:54pm

a big HELLO! to you! Welcome!

I am new here myself. I have only been here a little while and felt the same when I found the place. It has already helped me. They seem like good folk here.

Sorry about current cycle thing. I will say a prayer for you RIGHT NOW!

Nice to meet you!

Darren

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by cbolony on Jun 12^th, 2003, 4:11pm

Saltyboy welcome aboard
Let us know what kind of meds you are taking.
Myself i'm on for preventative verapamil 240 mgs 2x aday and just started taking depakote 500mgs 3x aday.
For abortive i like imitrex injection kills the CH in about 10 mins.

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by stevegeebe on Jun 12^th, 2003, 6:14pm

Saltyboy.
Welcome. New here too. Stay tough....you already know. This place helps to endure. Quite a blend.

Steve G

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by Live4Fun on Jun 12^th, 2003, 6:22pm

Welcome aboard!! :) Sorry you have to be here though :(

PFDANs

Bryan

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by badfly on Jun 12^th, 2003, 6:25pm

Hiya Salty

Welcome to the board. Sorry to hear you got the beast on your back, but now that you have found this site things can only get better. Knowledge is power so empower yourself with all there is to learn here.

Wishing you PFDAN (Pain Free Days And Nights)

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by Edna on Jun 12^th, 2003, 9:06pm

Hey saltyboy........sorry you need us but glad you found us.

And it's ok....."almost cried".......lol ;) we're all weenys here, it hit's home when you find this place........very emotional and you're right.......it kinda justifys all we've gone through for all that time.

So stick with us, learn what you need to know and use it.

Keep us posted on your progress. And hope the beast gives you longer and longer pf moments.

EDNA

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by katethecelt on Jun 12^th, 2003, 11:13pm

Hi Saltyboy & Welcome!!

I hope you kick the Beast out the door soon. Keep reading and posting. This is a great family.

Sending many Pain Free vibes,
Kate

Title: Re: So glad I'm not alone!
Post by Charlie on Jun 12^th, 2003, 11:16pm

Welcome to our madhouse Salty. I was slobbering idiot when read the guestbook too. You'll find all kinds of good things here and a lot of lunacy. There's something about clusterheads. You'll also find that everyone knows how to regroup when needed.

Glad to have you and the following is a technique that worked very well for me and some others too:

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