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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Does everyone Dance?
        
(Message started by: becky8 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 11:29am)

Title: Does everyone Dance?
Post by becky8 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 11:29am

I hear everyone say they bang their heads and stuff. Am I not the norm, cause I don't sit still but I don't want to bang my head. I press my finger on my eye area hard. I know everyones different but I have have never danced. I moan and sometimes cry, am I werid. Do all CH people dance? I have every other symptom of CH but that? What happens with you???

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by thomas on Oct 15^th, 2004, 11:32am

"The Dance" is a generic term we use to reference our extremely weird behaviour during a ch attack. The dance has many meanings, depending on the individual.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by nani on Oct 15^th, 2004, 12:07pm

Durin my everyday k3-5's I "rock" either sitting up or in a fetal position on the bed. I also put pressure on my eye and/or temple. During my higher kips, I pace and press. And cry and moan and generally curse everyone or everything that crosses my path. I had several "head bangers" during my first cluster episode, which my neuro and I just discovered, was in 1973. For years, I thought those headaches was a side effect of a spinal block during the delivery of my first child. (yes I'm THAT old, but I was a teen Mom ::)) The neuro told me last week that that was my first cluster episode. Gee- and I thought I've only been a clusterhead since 1999 :-/

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by becky8 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 12:10pm

When you cry doesn't it make it worse? Does me but can't help. Some times I feel so alone and wiped out by this.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by becky8 on Oct 15^th, 2004, 12:12pm

Sorry, Emotional today, not alot of sleep [smiley=nopity.gif] [smiley=bag.gif]

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by thomas on Oct 15^th, 2004, 12:20pm

on 10/15/04 at 12:10:00, becky8 wrote:

Some times I feel so alone and wiped out by this.

We have all been there.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by thudpucker on Oct 15^th, 2004, 1:13pm

I don't bang my head. I can't stand to touch it when it's hurting.

In the upper Kips, I stand up, sit down, walk around, wave my hands in the air, talk to the mofo under my breath and urge it in most unkind and uncomplimentary terms to go away, and give it a deadline for its departure.

And I'm often wiped out when the string is done, not just tired and sleepy, but feeling sore in muscles and joints and as if I've aged umpteen years overnight.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by nani on Oct 15^th, 2004, 1:47pm

Quote:

When you cry doesn't it make it worse?

Yes - but I can't help it either. I'm a wuss.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by E-Double on Oct 15^th, 2004, 1:53pm

I've always been told that I am a great dancer for a white boy ;)

Thomas as always hit the nail on the head (no comment Nani ;;D) It is just a term that people use here to describe our behavior during hits.

for me: I rock when things are lower level but starting to hurt. I pace during my mid level hits, I really pace and thrash when they are at their peak.

It's all yours ;) Call it a tango if ya like but do whatever makes you feel better.

E.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by rubberplant on Oct 15^th, 2004, 2:33pm

on 10/15/04 at 13:47:27, nani wrote:

Yes - but I can't help it either. I'm a wuss.

Not a wuss,

I watched my wife go through labour whilst in a Kip 6-7 and held her hands when she was in the pool. I didn't know where I was and at points neither did she, but,

She didn't cry. She screamed. But I cried.

I cried again when I saw him but thats another story.

We all have different ways of dancing . They are ALL normal. We must have all pressed our eyes so hard at some point wondering if when we let go we'll ever be able to see aout of them again!

james

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Oct 15^th, 2004, 3:09pm

Rock, Pace, Chain Smoke, Drink Coffee, Put extreme pressure on eye......

Repeat if needed.

That's how I dance.

If it's a lower kip CH, I drink water or coffee and play my guitar.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by nani on Oct 15^th, 2004, 3:23pm

Quote:

Thomas as always hit the nail on the head (no comment Nani

Me? ::) :-X ;;D

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by cschick on Oct 15^th, 2004, 5:38pm

Nani heard my dance the other night. Rocking, smoking, moaning, crying, begging to die, bang, bang, bang....etc., etc. Your dance may be completely different just as all of us are here. Unfortunately none of us are the same or maybe the docs could figure out how to help us. Keep on!

Karen

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by BlueMeanie on Oct 15^th, 2004, 5:40pm

My dance is more like a fish out of water. Everyones dances different but to the same tune. 8)

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Charlie on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:03pm

I never banged my head. I would sit in my kitchen, half out of the chair, twisting my neck, looking at the wall while strecthing, dabbing my eye with a wet cloth, grinding my teeth, spilling cold water on myself, and moaning. I can imagine the sight. Otherwise, I did nothing odd. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/omg.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Jonny on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:08pm

on 10/15/04 at 11:32:02, thomas wrote:

"The Dance" is a generic term we use to reference our extremely weird behaviour during a ch attack. The dance has many meanings, depending on the individual.

That is by far the best description of "The Dance" that I have ever heard or read!!....Ever, and I have read hundreds if not more.

WTG...Thomas

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

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Charlie on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:11pm

Jonny looks a little fruity when he dances though :D

Charlie 8)

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Jonny on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:15pm

on 10/15/04 at 18:11:25, Charlie wrote:

Jonny looks a little fruity when he dances though :D

Charlie 8)

You been peeking in my window again, Charlie?

Oh God!.....Tell me you didnt see the thong :-*

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Charlie on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:18pm

http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/imhard.gifCharlie

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by cschick on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:18pm

heeheheeee! Jonny do you wear the thong even when the midgets are flying out your ass?

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Jonny on Oct 15^th, 2004, 6:28pm

on 10/15/04 at 18:18:51, cschick wrote:

heeheheeee! Jonny do you wear the thong even when the midgets are flying out your ass?

I most ceartinly do ;;D

Charlie....That sign is killing me....ROTFFLMMFAO
[smiley=headbanger.gif]

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by alleyoop on Oct 16^th, 2004, 1:25am

I could never press my eye! It is extremely sensitive when I'm being hit. The closest I'm able to get to my eye is when I'm wiping the constant flow of tears coming from it.

I only bang my head on the higher kips(8-10). Mostly I will rock back and forth holding my left forehead and trying to put pressure on my trigeminal nerve.

...............alley

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Biker on Oct 16^th, 2004, 9:22am

In and out the shower, inhaling oxygen, walking around the meadow, through the woods, up and down the road. Sitting or laying with my legs shaking from time to time. Streatching my neck, pushing on my head and eye. Yea, I have danced, and fear I will again.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Redd715 on Oct 16^th, 2004, 9:39am

Thomas is so very dead on. We all "dance" in our own ways. Least for me now that I know what the hell is going on in my head I've stopped trying to pry my own teeth out, probably the ugliest part of that old dance.

Thanks to the verap, I haven't had any K9-10's, to dance to, but those 7-8's still had me paceing, cursing, looking like a lunatic, and grinding the heal of my hand into my eye socket like I'm trying to stop profuse bleeding. I also rub the sinus area real hard, and try to sniff in real hard to unblock that side...(doesn't really help but I still do it). Yeah it's not pretty.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by vig on Oct 16^th, 2004, 1:29pm

Dancing for me is usually rocking back and forth or side to side while on my knees. Sometimes I'm jamming my eye socket into the edge of the couCH. I pace a lot too.

Never banged my head though. I always figured the bruising would hurt.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by yikes_another_one on Oct 16^th, 2004, 1:40pm

Some of us SING too :o

bet cha don't need a lyric sheet to guess
8)

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by kimh on Oct 16^th, 2004, 3:25pm

I'd bet my last dime we all dance - in one form or another. I call it COPING. :)

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by RandyB on Nov 9^th, 2004, 4:50pm

On more than a few occasions I layed on the floor and put the couch on my head. Prolly not the smartest thing but who's think at that point

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Chillrmn1 on Nov 9^th, 2004, 7:12pm

Yeah, we all have our own dance, some similar, some not so similar. What I find difficult, besides the pain of course, is when you get hit with people around such as at work and then have to explain what you just went thru. Mention CH to them and they have no idea what they are. The only good thing is you know it will end sooner or later, the bad thing is you know you'll have another soon. Vicious, Vicious Things These Are!

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Sophie on Nov 9^th, 2004, 8:55pm

My dance routine was as soon as I awaken (almost one hour exactly after going to bed) I would jump up---start running a sink ful of hot water----make a pot of strong coffee----apply any mentol product on my neck & shoulders. Then take a wash cloth and wipe neck and shoulder with hot water. Get my cup of coffee, hit the rocking chair, put the wash cloth over my face and hyper-vetalate into that. Take a peak at the clock--moan, cry, groan----and in about a hour I can drink the coffee and smoke a cig. I did this for 8 years---not knowing what was going on. Last year I found out they were CH. Then I learned about all the meds. and side effects. I just got done with a cycle 5 months. In the future I will do the old routine----I'm convinced the meds. prolong my cycle. That's just me. My Dr. laughed---and asked me if I ever heard of ice. Compassion!
Not dancing now----and hope you won't be soon. sophie

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Bob P on Nov 10^th, 2004, 10:10am

No dance here. I sit in a chair, slightly bent forward. Hold an ice pack on my eye/temple and move it to the back of my neck when my temple gets to sore to touch. Never paced, banged, rocked or socked. Did try lying down in the early years but didn't take long to figure out that it made things worse.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by sailpappy on Nov 10^th, 2004, 10:52am

::)Bob,
I guess I have my own unique way of dealing with this, but I have always found that cold water or Ice packs do the most to expadite the point of relief.
I can't imagine drinking hot coffee, or using hot anything for this, I have stood in coolers at the 7/11 store, sat inside a special beer keg ice box that stays at 28 degrees, but not before soaking my head with cold water.
If my attacks get beyond the recognizing its starting before I get to the shower, well I might as well just get ready, they are always the same, right sided and I have found that thinking of none destructive things, not tensing up my fist and muscles, and remembering that it will end as sure as it started helps get through them.
I do find myself standing on my tip toes while the pain is so bad but standing out side the shower running cold water over my head and neck seems to be the best way to cope for me!
Miss ya Bro------Pappy

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by sandie99 on Nov 10^th, 2004, 3:09pm

In my case, it depends on the kip level! :)

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Bob P on Nov 10^th, 2004, 4:12pm

Quote:

Miss ya Bro------Pappy

Same here Pappy. I'm glad to see back on the message board. I was really afraid that we were going to loose you last year.
I swear I'm gonna cook your lemon/pepper chicken one of these days too.

Take care of yourself buddy.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by unsolved1 on Nov 10^th, 2004, 4:39pm

I prefer doing my dance in private in a bathroom where I can put Xtremely hot rags on my eye while in the dark. I rock back and forth, cuss, sweat !!

Unsolved <--- Dances too much !!

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Magick on Nov 10^th, 2004, 6:59pm

My “dance” depends on the kip level and my physical and emotional condition that night. Also how much sleep I’ve had. On a good night, (hade sleep, well fed and not overly stressed) I can take a kip 6-8 by just breathing o2 and taking the pain. Not ignoring it or hoping it goes away, but taking it. Pain is just another sensation like any other. We need our pain just like we need pleasure. It’s to be experienced like all experiences. On a night where I’m not doing so well, (no sleep, no food, stressed and wore down from shadows or lighter attacks) I pace, bang my head and rock. I also get very violent sometimes.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by AussieBrian on Nov 10^th, 2004, 7:40pm

Yeah, I dance and I pace and I bump into walls a lot and I once found that hanging my head under the shower and turning the water from hot to freezing cold then hot again was good.

Not being entirely in control, of course, I mis-estimated the temperature, scalded my scalp, and half my hair fell out.

Still, if there's someone there to watch it's worth a try.

AussieBrian.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Chillrmn1 on Nov 11^th, 2004, 10:39pm

Hey Aussie,

Damn near did the same to myself. Cold don't work for me. Hot rags and hot showers beating on the right side of the back of my neck and head do. First time I tried the hot shower routine, many years ago, was more into the relief of the CH pain and didn't realize I was roasting my skin. Skalded myself and had to deal with that in addition to the CHs for the next few weeks.

Almost stupidly humorous now looking back, other people without CHs whom might read these posts might think we're mostly kooks writing out of institution media centers. LOL!

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by fullhead on Nov 12^th, 2004, 6:46pm

on 11/11/04 at 22:39:49, Chillrmn1 wrote:

Almost stupidly humorous now looking back, other people without CHs whom might read these posts might think we're mostly kooks writing out of institution media centers. LOL!

If anyone were to peer in my windows while CH-ing, they'd think I'd gone plumb loco. My dance is a pacing back in forth, around in circles, sitting down on different pieces of furnature, going from room to room (trying to find the darkest- we don't have kids yet). When I reach "critical mass," I grab ahold of a closet rack and hang on... never touch the face or head though - too sensitive, can't imagine banging or pushing. When things get down to #4 or so wife has lightly stroked the temple area while singing softly (am I spoiled or what?).
Hot showers have helped some - yeah, 2am!

Thought I was the Wacko till I found this sight!

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by angel-ache on Nov 13^th, 2004, 1:09am

fullhead you are singing my tune. I act very similar when i dance. I like to hang onto the arm of the couch, recliner, bathroom sink, etc. in a squating position and pull my weight up past my chin, then lean back, side to side, screaming, moaning, shaking, that is me dealing with my worst ache.

Meanwhile, pacing, sitting, yelling, arrgghhhing, so on, kneading the hands, yes hands very important. Rocking, love that move.

Most very critical part, NEVER touch the side of the face that is acheing!! I will kill anything that tries and succeeds!! I told a friend once "you are lucky that I was almost over my ache, because when you touch the top of my head and "friend" kissed it, I felt the pins and needles shooting into my scalp, then echoing into my temple, edge of nose, ear, and then jaw. I thought I just had caught fire...please don't ever touch my head again, I will kill you and your first born."

I am a good person,
Angela

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by K-9 on Nov 13^th, 2004, 2:46am

I would agree with Magik regarding the difference depending on mental state at the time. Also with Unsolved, I'm a bathroom guy, reason is the height of the toilet with the lid down, sit with feet on floor and rock. Also cuz it's stable (course you can loosen a toilet over time like this) but if I am forced to use a chair that rocks, swivels, rolls or moves or is too soft, I could kill, it's got to be solid so when I rock, nothing gives. I used to hold my head in two ways and just recently I've been trying to keep both hands resting or gripping my thighs. My dance "menu" consists of Pepsi, toilet paper, and cigs, caffeine for the obvious, the paper for blowing to TRY to clear but usually doesn't work till nearing the end, and the aftermath cig when finished during the "what the fuck just hit me phase". I think my dance has evolved over the course of 11 years of being chronic. Did I mention I always hated dancing? Fuck this bastard...

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Ruth on Nov 14^th, 2004, 10:13am

I agree, we all dance, at one stage or another, what amazes me is that so many of us rock back and forth, I find my favorite rocking chair and apply pressure to the T. nerve. I have banged my head, then I am not dancing, I think I am dying.
Ruth

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by survivor13 on Nov 14^th, 2004, 8:17pm

it's possible that u might not have yet expierenced to top of the pain scale. i'm like you at level6-8, after that anything or behavior is possible.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Major_Headcase on Nov 16^th, 2004, 4:38pm

Great thread! I've always wondered if I was "lucky" cuz I didn't literally bang my head during an attack ... this last week I've had kip5-6 CH attacks and I have to agree with others ... the higher the pain the more "animated" I get. At kip5-6 I mostly lie on the bed, rocking a bit, and running an ice pack over my left eye/forehead/ear/neck ... if I leave the ice pack in one spot it makes it worse - if I continually move it around (I leave it in one place about 5-15 seconds) it seems to help ... "seems to help" may likely be the small placebo effect I get from having "something/anything" to do besides lay there and take it. Keeps my brain occupied with something besides the pain and gives me the illusion that I'm actually doing something to help. ::)

I wonder too if our different CH dances have to do with how we grew up and were taught about enduring pain. Me, I was a runt as a kid and got picked on quite a bit ... my parents, both pacifists by nature, encouraged me not fight back when I got bullied; "They only pick on you because they know they'll get a big reaction out from you, just ignore them and 'don't show you're hurt' and they'll quit after awhile." So when I'm in pain, I tend to want to get all stoic and stay still (maybe the bully/beast will get bored and go away, hah!) ... at least or until I hit a kip8 or higher, then it's the other extreme. Swearing, pacing, door slamming ... anything to let it out (and maybe to be sure others know I'm hurting???). Hmmm ...

So this thread has been good for me to read, my pain is not less because I dance/headbang less than others ... it's just the way I'm wired to cope with pain in all its many forms and flavors. So Becky8, however you want to "dance" is fine and normal. PFDAN2U

-John

Title: Becky8
Post by Testy1 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 4:00am

Well, I don't actually dance, I suspect it looks more like some kind of seizure! :)
When I get woke up by the beast I chew a couple of cafergot. They taste like a baboon's back-end but chewing them seems to make them work faster. (Or so I keep telling myself!) I then hit the shower with water as hot as I can stand and then gradually reduce the temperature until it is as cold as it will get. I then get out of the shower without drying off and march around for a while until the beast goes away. Riyadh is hot, but very dry and the evaporation gets me freezing cold. I stand under the AC vents and let them blow on me for as long as I can stand still. I have a theory that being cold helps the headache go away sooner but I couldn't prove it.
I massage my head VERY gently and that sometimes seems to help toward the end of a headache.
I moan and groan and curse venomously and creatively while I'm doing all the rest of this. It doesn't make the headache leave any sooner but at least I'm letting it know what I think of things.

Hope this helps.

Jack

Title: Major_headcase
Post by Testy1 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 4:06am

I'm a bit like you in that I (usually) don't bang my head either. When I'm at the peak of my cycle and right at the top of the scale I might, but the walls here are cement and I've had a couple of ugly bruises once or twice. >:(
I think the thing that helps me most is telling myself "it's just pain. You're not going to die from this and it WILL end."

Regards

Jack

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by Mac_Muz on Nov 17^th, 2004, 11:37am

Thomas said it, Redd does it, and so do I.. "It ain't pretty" Mac
ps: johnny about that thong.....

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by don on Nov 17^th, 2004, 2:22pm

Once while visiting Santa Domingo I danced the merengue.

I was deported the following morning.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by tpitts77 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 3:35pm

The weirdest thing I have ever done was fill a bucket with ice and water. I sat outside dunking my head in it. All I was wearing was shorts and sneakers and there was snow on the ground. Between dunks I would snort real hard and twist my neck. My neighbors must think I'm a lunatic.

Title: Re: Does everyone Dance?
Post by medic1852 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 5:34pm

Lets see.. I start out saying oooohhhh shit not again... then we go to a dark room sit and pray that it does not get any worse...then the eye starts to redden..eyelid drops and light is a very bad thing...then i start to do the tango....(pacing back and forth) holding my head back and breathing deeply through my nose...lighting a smoke knowing it wont help but i need something to comfort me...then i start sweating and i feel pale and who ever sees me thinks that i am about to die...I wrap my arm up around my head holding on to the back and my forearm pressing the side...rocking my upper body back and forth....is someone breaths or looks at me i tell them to just shut the f_ _k up!..God has not answered my prayers so now he is the brunt of my anger and i am cursing him and in the same breath begging him to make it stop...then i get nauseated and the motility of my intestine increases and i get diarhea...soon (never soon enough) the pain starts to ease...i get cold and then i lay down exhausted and drift off to sleep the alram clock wont wake me...believe it or not the best sleep of my life....That in a nut shell is my dance!