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        New Message Board Archives >> 2003 Posts >> BIG MISTAKE
        
(Message started by: ijunG4 on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:05pm)

Title: BIG MISTAKE
Post by ijunG4 on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:05pm

Man, do I feel stupid.

You see, I'm starting to run very low on Imitrex, and my neuro appointment isn't until next week. I'm going to ask him about oxygen, but I don't have any yet.

At 9PM, I could feel it starting. It's my 3rd attack of the day, so technically, I shouldn't take any more Imitrex anyway. Plus, I've been having a little bit of luck with the water treatment, so I decide to fight it without meds.

At first, I drink tons of water, apply Be Koool to my neck, and start exercising. After 10-15 minutes, the beast is down to just a smoldering flame, but I am getting beat from the jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups. Well, as soon as I take a break from the exercise, the smoldering flame re-ignites as if someone is now feeding it with a huge spray of lighter fluid.

Can't break down and use the Imitrex now, since:
1. WTF did I just experience all the pain for, if I'm not going to end up saving a lousy dose of Imitrex?
2. With pain at MAX, it's probably too late in the game to abort anyway.

Predictably, what follows is PURE HELL in hot shower going insane,... attack finally peaks after 75 minutes.

After that, I've had continuous lingering pain at the level of "very very bad hangover" now for 2 hours. Total attack duration without meds: well over 3 hrs. and counting. At least I can think straight enough to post now. Would be nice to be able to go to sleep some time...

People, do not try this at home. One HECK of a huge cost just to save one dose of Imitrex. After 18 years of CH, you'd think I would know better than to go up against the beast without weapons. DAMN was I an IDIOT!

Pain-free wishes to all,

Jun

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by BobG on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:31pm

Hey Jun

Are you using the 'imitrex tip' under the button on the left side of the board? You can stretch one shot into 3.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by ijunG4 on Jun 27^th, 2003, 11:54pm

Hi BobG,

Yeah, I know about the "Imitrex Tip", but I just tried injections for the first time this cycle, and I've only gotten samples from my neuro so far, but I came to the conclusion that injections don't work too well for me. I mean, 1/2 dose can abort the attack, but I get some nasty side effects like nausea and a weird dull neck pain. I tried a good half-dozen times with injections, and the side-effects never went away. I don't get these with nasal spray, so I plan on sticking to nasal spray.

Damn, the pain is still there. What ever happened to the self-extinguishing feature of CH?

I concede victory to the beast and finally took the Imitrex now to end this. A very tough lesson indeed. I won't be making this mistake again any time soon.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by BobG on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:21am

Sounds like you're a good candidate for oxygen. After you get the tank and NON-rebreather mask be sure to jump on it at the very first sign of an attack. Then stay on it for at least 5 minutes after the attack is gone.

Sorry to hear the imitrex injections aren't good for you.
What about preventative meds? Got verapamil?

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by ijunG4 on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:36am

Yup, I'm definitely going to ask my neuro about oxygen next week.

I'm on Verapamil. Used to work reasonably well a few years back, even at only 180mg/day. Now, I'm at 3 to 4 times that, and apparently it's not having much effect. My body seems to adapt very quickly.

What do you think about Lithium?

Thanks for the tip on the oxygen.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by BobG on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:58am

The only thing I know about lithium is many people have reported using it along with the verapamil and having good results.

Between now and your doctor appointment read all you can under the buttons on the left and over at the OUCH website. Print everything you think is important. You may have to educate your doctor.

I'm off work now and going to Vegas. More folks will be here in the morning to answer questions. Hope you have a pain free night.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by taraann on Jun 28^th, 2003, 2:04am

Hi Jun,
Sorry to hear about this awful night for you. Best of luck at the nuero next week...I'll keep my fingers crossed that the rest of your wait for your appt is alot better than tonight.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by OneEyeBlind on Jun 28^th, 2003, 3:09am

Sorry to hear you are having a rough go of it. Call your GP and see if you can get any "free samples" from them until you get to your neuro visit ... that might help tide you over. If they don't have any .. call your neuro and see if they can help out.

The O2 hopefully will work for ya !!!!!!!!

Better times ahead ... and in the meantime ....... good vibes coming your way !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by Miklos on Jun 28^th, 2003, 10:54am

The lithium and verapamil combination has worked well for me since 1986. They do not kill all the headaches, but it seems to reduce the number I get in a 24 hour period. The ones that do break through are always the 10s, but in my case, less is more.

Survive.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by don on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:01pm

If the cycle is getting to lonr to be bearable you shoulkd also condider the prednisone taper. You are already on verapimil, a good complimentary treatment with pred.

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by ijunG4 on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:31pm

Hi all, thanks so much for your support!

I did start on my Prednisone taper this morning. I was going to save it for my upcoming 3-week overseas business trip.

The overseas trip is going to pose a big problem for me, since O2 will be a good solution for me here at home, but the portability and access is just about impossible. This is why I was trying to convserve my Imitrex in the first place, since I knew I'd have to count on it as my "last resort" abortive med.

I do hope the Lithium works in addition to my current Verapamil. The quantity reduction of attacks would work great, since I hope to have just enough Imitrex left to fight the ones that do break thru.

The good thing is that I have a neuro that specializes in HA and is understanding. He has suggested Lithium and oxygen before, so I should have no problemo getting those.

Thanks for the vibes!

Jun

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by jonny on Jun 28^th, 2003, 12:48pm

I hear good things about Lith and Verap as a prevenitive along with 02 as an abortive.

Prehaps I will look into these ;D

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

Title: Re: BIG MISTAKE
Post by Charlie on Jun 28^th, 2003, 5:03pm

All I can say it to give the circulatory thing a try. You have to do it until it stops. You cannot give up during the attack. If you don't give up, it will work and next time, work better. Good luck

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