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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Here we go again..
        
(Message started by: dafreeman on Oct 9^th, 2004, 10:09am)

Title: Here we go again..
Post by dafreeman on Oct 9^th, 2004, 10:09am

Hell everyone!
I'm new here although I have visited out of curiosity in the past.
Unfortunately, I'm here now because *they* have returned. I went nearly 6 years without a cluster! I was hoping these were a thing of the past but secretly new that they could return at any time.
Recently (last 7-10 days), I was getting a small headache at night (right around 6-7 pm). Typical attributes of the cluster, it was on the right side only, behind the eye, etc. But they never reached the excruciating pain level. After a few nights of this I began to worry that it meant the clusters were returning. Well, last night at 3 a.m. they did and it was not fun. All I can say is thank god it was over after about 30 minutes. The only thing I could think of was ice. This seemed to only make it worse because you just cannot touch that side of the head at all! All I could do was *try* to remain still and ride it out. I was so relieved when it passed. I even got back to sleep! :)
So, even though I'm hoping this won't turn into another 4 week period ::)(seems about how long the cycle lasts for me if memory serves), I'm bracing myself for what I know lies ahead. :-/ I know some deal with this more often than I, so I should be very thankful for the 6 years I was free.
Wish me luck!

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by Ruth on Oct 9^th, 2004, 10:25am

Are you trying anything for the pain any kind of medication?
Ruth

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by hotprestwich on Oct 9^th, 2004, 11:28am

6 years pain free, man you give me hope,
sorry to hear the beast is back,
wishing u pain free days and nights :)

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by kb on Oct 9^th, 2004, 10:14pm

Hope you're not back in the game but if you are.. (I too just joined the ranks of CH kids again after about 8 months off) make sure you try oxygen. Follow the directions on this web site. For me, the O2 will kill the CH in about 5-7 minutes. No drugs. Go back to sleep and not pound my head on the wall.

Good luck.

Ken

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 10^th, 2004, 12:01am

WELCOME !! Sorry to hear your Clusters are back.

I advise you to make an appointment with a Neuro fast.
It could take awhile before actually getting in to see someone. You should start preparing NOW for what's to come. Check the medical info.

You may want a prevent & an abortive med to help you get through this cycle with as little pain as possible. If you're LUCKY and only get a 4 week cycle you'll probably be o.k., but that's a very short cycle for most Clusterheads.

02 is a good start, but unfortunately it doesn't always work as with the other CH meds. Read as much as you can. I hope you get some valuable info to help you through these rough times.

Good Luck

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by dafreeman on Oct 10^th, 2004, 8:54am

Ruth,
No, I haven't tried anything for the pain except ice (since they started again). In the past, I had tried asprin/ibuprofen without success, of course. Interestingly, during the last episode years ago, I had percocet left over from a recent surgery (I don't like taking pain pills unless truly needed so I had a lot left). Well, 1/2 a tablet did *seem* to work to kill the pain. We've long since thrown those away though, so I don't really have a lot of options at the moment. I did read somwhere that prednisone can help and I have one tablet left of that from my seasonal grass allergies. Maybe that will work for the next one? :-/
I will be making a Dr. appt, but it'll be the first one for this specifically, so I'm not sure where we'll start.
The good news though is that I DID NOT have one last night (or yesterday at all)! :D
Regards,
Doug

Title: Re: Here we go again..
Post by Ruth on Oct 10^th, 2004, 10:39am

Hi Doug,
I am glad to hear you have had a little break, but I would be you are in for some more pain, so getting to a GOOD Doctor as fast as you can is a very good idea.
There has never been a pain pill that has worked for me. I use imetrex injections to abort the CH. I use the imitrex tip at the right of the screen. This cycle I have done two prednisone tapers and used a channel blocker, but I don't think I was given the right one. I read on the posts that verapamel is the one to use and that is no what I was given. So my prevents have not been very affective. I have yet to try to O2.
There are alot more informed people on this site than I am, so read and read some more.
I see a nuero on the 19th, should have started there first, but better late than never.
I no how you feel after being pain free for 6 years. My big break was as I said about 9 and half. I really believed they were gone forever. Silly me! Never again will I be so pompous as to believe that the devil is dead.
Talk about a humbling smack of reality.
Hang tough guy and lots of people here wishing you well.
Ruth