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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> 4 weeks down...how many more left?
        
(Message started by: jhammer on Jun 18^th, 2004, 9:28am)

Title: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by jhammer on Jun 18^th, 2004, 9:28am

Today marks the end of the 4th week of my second episode of Agony. This time around we tried:
- Imitrex, which 'kinda but not really' works
- Vioxx, keeps the bangers away but leaves shadows
- and an MRI that didn't show anything

Now I'm left with no more samples of Vioxx and the insurance won't pay for more unless I'm over 65...I can finally get my Imitrex re-filled tomorrow (for whatever that's worth).

I try not to be the kind of person that complains about too much stuff, but this is torture!

Does anybody know if this is hereditary? My brother thinks he may have the same thing.

Also, has anyone noticed an 'evolution' of the headache? When I first got Cluster Headaches, 4-5 years ago, the pain started out pretty severe but not as focused as it is this time around. My eye didn't feel like it was going to explode but my head hurt just as bad. My brother is going through this right now...I hope it doesn't turn out like mine did.

Thanks for reading my rant ;)

~Jake

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by Kevin_M on Jun 18^th, 2004, 9:39am

on 06/18/04 at 09:28:04, jhammer wrote:

Today marks the end of the 4th week of my second episode of Agony. This time around we tried:
- Imitrex, which 'kinda but not really' works
- Vioxx, keeps the bangers away but leaves shadows
~Jake

Sounds a bit undergunned there Jake. The entangling path of prevents should be explored and maybe oxygen will help abort. Gotta fight it back with more, or...ranting space available.

Kevin M

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by Prense on Jun 18^th, 2004, 10:02am

on 06/18/04 at 09:28:04, jhammer wrote:

Also, has anyone noticed an 'evolution' of the headache? When I first got Cluster Headaches, 4-5 years ago, the pain started out pretty severe but not as focused as it is this time around.

Not exactly, my symptoms have always remained constant, but for the first few years there was a steady progression in severity. It's no fun experiencing the worst pain in your life just to get hit later on with worse. The severity of mine has been about the same now for the last 5 years or so. Some months are worse than others.

Chris

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by kissmyglass on Jun 18^th, 2004, 10:50am

Be glad you're not chronic
Hope your episode ends soon...

Kev

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by jhammer on Jun 18^th, 2004, 10:52am

Every time I read a comment from someone who is chronic I thank God I'm only Episodic. This is unbearable enough...I don't know how you guys do it. My heart goes out to ya'!!!

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by Redd715 on Jun 18^th, 2004, 11:55am

They tried me on Vioxx too but it did nothing but chew up my gut...no relief at all...

Glad you at least found something...see if your doc can stock you up on samples....I was the idiot who tossed out all mine when they didn't work....

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by jonny on Jun 18^th, 2004, 4:01pm

on 06/18/04 at 10:52:48, jhammer wrote:

Every time I read a comment from someone who is chronic I thank God I'm only Episodic. This is unbearable enough...I don't know how you guys do it.

How?....You have no choice, you learn pain management and practice it everyday!

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

Title: Re: 4 weeks down...how many more left?
Post by Superpain on Jun 18^th, 2004, 4:26pm

My headaches always change and evolve during a cycle.
I'd agree that your meds are not sufficient. What kind of imitrex are you using?
For me the injections took a few times to start working well. I wouldn't even bother with a pill....
4 weeks? Be happy... The apex of my cycles, when I get hit up to 20 times per day with k5-10's usually lasts for 6-9 weeks. And that's only after months or years of "regular" cycle time.

If your headaches are getting progressively worse and more often, that's what I refer to as the apex. That normally means the cycle is going to come to an end. It always gets much worse before it gets better, at least for me...