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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> The ball peen hammer
        
(Message started by: BillyJ. on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 1:38pm)

Title: The ball peen hammer
Post by BillyJ. on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 1:38pm

I can't remember who,but I was telling some one,one of
the supporters I think it was about this post so here's
the link
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=sep2003;action=display;num=1063814075;start=7#7

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by Jeepgun on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 1:51pm

Damn.. That's pretty accurate. I told someone this morning, that calling a cluster headache a headache, is like comparing a traumatic amputation to a broken fingernail: The only thing they have in common, is that they are both injuries to one of the upper extremeties.

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by broomhilda on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 5:18pm

Thanks Billy! ;;D

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by Jonny on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 5:39pm

"ROCK-N-ROLL"......Billy!!!!

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

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by Jeepgun on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 8:24pm

Here is most of the text of that message. I hope I haven't violated some protocol or rule of etiquette by quoting it, but I felt it worthwhile enough to resurrect.

Without further ado:

"One of the difficulties we face as sufferes is trying to explain what CH is like. The word headache seems to sap the understanding of what it really is.

My husband, a non-sufferer, was in an office with a rather out-of-touch, arrogant pain management Doctor once, and he was able to place the intensity of the pain into perspective in practical, everyday language that got immediate understanding, and results.

I was floored by how much my husband had observed, and was able to relate.

"THE BALL PEEN HAMMER" analogy.

Imagine what it would be like if some big guy were to hit you with a hammer, hard. For the sake of argument, it doesn't even have to be your head, you can pick the body part where you want to be struck (your thumb, or knee). Not hard enough to break, just very, very, hard.

Now, you have just been hit with that hammer. Using your choice of pain management skills, don't scream, don't writhe, just go to a happy place! Tell yourself that you can handle the pain. Now, you can't take any pain medicine for it , because you might have to worry about addiction, and that would be bad, wouldn't it?

Now about an hour later, your eyes have finally quit streaming, the snot dries up in your nose, and the pain starts to dwindle to only a significant throb, and you think you might live through this experience. But now, the big dude is going to walk out of the corner and smack you in the same place yet again. Meanwhile, try to keep working, taking care of the kids, doing laundry.

You will get hit with this hammer up to six, eight times a day in the same place. This guy will be your constant companion, all day and all night, for weeks, months, years even. Sometimes you will see the dude coming, sometimes he will just hit you from behind. Either way, it will happen in public, in front of your loved ones, co-workers. Now, try not to be depressed! Try massage if things REALLY get bad.

Now, you have lived with this hammer for a month or so...(question to Doc) how far would you go to make him quit hitting you? When would enough be enough? One month, One year? How about six years? If this were a wife, son or daughter, would you sit by and watch them go through it, offering moral support when you could, or would you ask some hard questions about why people have to COPE with pain rather than TREAT it?"

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by purpleydog on Jul 22^nd, 2004, 9:09pm

What a good analogy. I think I'll print this to give to the next idiot doctor that I have to suffer through to get treatment (what little there is for me). ::)

purpleydog

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by Jeepgun on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 8:20am

I'm thinking of printing it out too.

On a different note: I was browsing through the archives and noticed that there a lot of people who used to frequently post here who are no longer active. Where'd they all go? [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: The ball peen hammer
Post by Luke63 on Jul 23^rd, 2004, 10:54am

I should print his for my next cycle too.