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Title: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by taraann on Jun 25th, 2003, 6:29am I have Cluster/migraine/some technical word i cant remember headaches. And the doc is still awaiting more info from the nuerologist before prescribing me some preventative stuff. I was on some everyday meds back about 6 months ago....but everything is a blur from then so I can't remember what it was so I couldn't tell my new reg doc what to try. They did give me staydol ns to get me thru until they can try some other stuff. I took it twice yesterday. Once during the day, and then about 2 a.m. Both times I thought I was gonna really really be sick but I didn't. And I felt so awful dizzy BUT it did help my HA enough to lay down and doze off which was a bit of a blessing, I am still just so exhausted and I have a ton of driving to do today so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get any probs from my head atleast during the day. Well that's about it. :-/ |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by taraann on Jun 25th, 2003, 7:04am Oh and I had a quick question....last time I had probs with these ha's they tried oxygen, didnt' work and also occipital nerve blocks which worked a little for only that day/evening before the pain began returning. Also the doc mentioned trying Imitrex (they couldn't try it before cause of other meds i was on) Seems to work great for alot of you...any bad side effects? Like lightheadedness or dizzyness or nausea... sorry if this info is somewhere in this website....i just can't find it. Tara Ann |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by taraann on Jun 25th, 2003, 7:06am I'm so sorry i never finished my question......u must all think im soooooooo brain dead!!! If you all tried things in the past that didn't work, did u try them again during a new cycle and did they work that time around? ??? |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by SommelierCH on Jun 25th, 2003, 7:41am HowdyHoo, I’d like to say, welcome to the family (or nuthouse, depending on your perspective). The three things proven to give us Clusterheads some relief, can all be, and have been, prescribed by primary care physicians. These three things are divided into two categories: PREVENTIVE: Verapamil (calcium channel blocker) Sustained Release (please correct me if I’m wrong, people), takes about a week to kick in when at the start of a cycle. In the middle of a cycle…..?… IT’S CHEAP. ABORTIVE: Triptans: You know about Imatrix, there are also, fast dissolving triptan tabs including: Maxalt MLT 10mg and Zomig ZMT 5mg. (These are the tabs that I use). IT’S EXPENSIVE. 100% pure Oxygen: This is the most important part for a Clusterhead. 10 liters/min. through a non-rebreathing mask. IT’S CHEAP AND SAFE….Check out this link about Oxygen, put together by Not4Hire and other family members. http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm Hang around, and help us row, David J. |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by SommelierCH on Jun 25th, 2003, 7:54am Well, dang it: By the time I found the link to Not4’s site, you had reposted. I think you will find that some Clusterheads do a dance with the meds. Some cycles they work, some cycles they don’t. Try the Oxygen again, with the correct mask, Oxygen is cheap, Cluster Relief is priceless. Hang in there, David J. |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by don on Jun 25th, 2003, 8:05am Quote:
Those are actually my favorite side affects but I dont get them from imitrex. Even if you did it would probably only last a minute or two. Well worth the abort. |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by 9erfan on Jun 25th, 2003, 12:27pm be careful with Stadol...it's addictive! |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by taraann on Jun 26th, 2003, 4:57am Thank you for the suggestions...I will keep them in mind for my next appointment. ANd thanks for the welcome :) Tara Ann |
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Title: Re: And the HA Verdict is.... Post by Charlie on Jun 26th, 2003, 5:31am Welcome to Bedlam. No problem with the multiple posts. It's not rare. Others will have to provide the medicine posts. I have used the following very successfully: 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 |
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