Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Alcohol
        
(Message started by: schmitthead on Oct 3rd, 2004, 1:58am)
Title: Alcohol
Post by schmitthead on Oct 3rd, 2004, 1:58am
Alright weird question but here goes!!!!!

Alright I have noticed that sometimes when Im having shadows and I drink, I have to pretty much get wasted to keep from getting full blown CH's, basically out running them.

Any thoughts?
Oh, you have free reign on pouncing.

tom
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by nani on Oct 3rd, 2004, 2:06am
Hi schmitty ...it's me again. Alcohaol is very often a trigger for episodics. I can pretty much drink all the time. But if I'm in a severe cycle...NO WAY. I spend the next several hours (and sometimes days) dancing and praying for death. :(
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by kimh on Oct 3rd, 2004, 2:09am
i have tried this evasion tactic more times than i care to recall.  usually, i was pretty fucked up by the time the bell tolled, but i don't recall ever really escaping the hit.  I actually have a clear memory of me sitting at the bar at "rose n. thistle" with one eye looking eee-gooorish and my nose dripping and pretty much looking like all the other drunks (LOL).  No one noticed (i don't think), but i remember the pain layered beneath the booze.  It went away and i kept on drinking and somehow that was the deal then.  Don't know when it changed - it just did.  For me to do something like that now - NOT AN OPTION.  I look back on those days and don't know how i did it.  i read posts similar from dinosaur days so i know it ain't just me.  I know that living with clusters is like a process.  We all follow the yellow brick road.  It's just that we are so few and far between that we can't all seem to grasp the same straw at the same time****

We'll tawk more when your out of the "get drunk quick stage"  LOL
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by vig on Oct 3rd, 2004, 2:13am
one beer and I'm SMACKED on the head with a hit.
ONE BEER.

So alcohol is out. plain and simple. Oh well.

(we're ALL better off if I don't drink, so there.)
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by davebrick on Oct 3rd, 2004, 3:27am
Tom

While I am considered the bad guy here for going out drinking last night.

I can really relate to what you are saying. I started out fine but then the shadow started so I went to harder drinks and it did work for awhile but it did end up getting me in the end.

Sometimes though I think (with me anyways) I can revert it with a cigarette or a glass of wine, also on that note a glass of wine can trigger unless I have about 3 or 4 glasses.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Simon on Oct 3rd, 2004, 5:42am
I have no problem with anyone having an occasional drink, even if they know it will bring on an attack - I've done it myself, though only with an Imigran jab in my grubby paw at the same time just in case.

I also know of many people who have found that drinking several drinks very quickly - eg. four pints of ice cold lager in two minutes was one I heard recently - can make a difference. This though is only when nothing else is available, and I suspect is more to do with volume and temperature.

However Dave, I cannot understand regular drinking in such circumstances. Even moreso when you say elsewhere that you don't want to take any medications - alcohol is a drug too, and I would think in these quantities and frequencies a rather more dangerous one. Suspect your doctor would be more willing to prescribe verapamil than whisky, but you could try....

Dolly
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Charlie on Oct 3rd, 2004, 5:51am
Wine and Clusters?

Bleaugh.

Even though it isn't a trigger for me I would have probably puked. It's been 13 years since my last attack and about that long since I sat down with a can of wine.  Beer: Different story.

I don't drink much now.....well I got pretty shitfaced in Nashville but that wasn't my fault. I just didn't want to be impolite and turn down all those beers that were bought for me.    ::)

Good luck, get some sleep and PF

Charlie
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Jimmy_B on Oct 3rd, 2004, 9:54am
When in cycle...alcohol has always caused a cluster. It got to the point where I said WTF...& quit any & all alcohol (in cycle & out). It just wasn't worth the price of admission.

Jimmy
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by don on Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:27am
If someone wishes to pay the consequence of having a drink or two thats one thing.

If your looking to get legless before the cluster hits then you have an alcohol problem.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by schmitthead on Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:32am
I wouldnt even think of drinking during a CH cycle but the weird thing is im constantly on a daily basis having shadows in between cycles. I usaully keep them at bay with diet coke and tylenol (i think its a mind thing) but when I drink I bassically have to get smashed. I would love to quit drinking all in all but beer is just so good.

Thanks for all the replys, you guys and gals just dont know what this site has done for me!!!!!!
Have a good day.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Jimmy_B on Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:42am

on 10/03/04 at 10:32:26, schmitthead wrote:
I usaully keep them at bay with diet coke and tylenol (i think its a mind thing) but when I drink I bassically have to get smashed.

Have a good day.


One point on the Tylenol...Don't ever take more then 4 grams a day. That's about 8 tylenol pills in 24 hours. And please NEVER mix tylenol with alcohol.

Stay painfree & safe Schmitty
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by jhammer on Oct 3rd, 2004, 10:49am
I've found that alcohol actually prevents my 'prevents' from working.  I was at work one day when I felt a hit coming on, so I immediately took my Imitrex.  Normally that would kick in within about 15-20 minutes, so I decided to go have a couple cocktails...about 30 minutes later I was thinking WTF, why isn't the imitrex working.  After about an hour of rocking and banging my head off the bar I went back to work.  After a couple occasions like this, I finally conceeded to the fact that alcohol is NOT helping things at all and it's probably making it worse.  That was hard for me to swallow being that I was in my early 20's, single, and had friends that loved to party.  I gave up the juice for 3 months which worked to my advantage.  When my cycle was finally over I could get smashed off of 2 beers  ;)

~Hammer
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Jeepgun on Oct 3rd, 2004, 11:14am

on 10/03/04 at 03:27:45, davebrick wrote:
Tom

While I am considered the bad guy here for going out drinking last night.


Nobody said that, Dave. Jeez... Get the chip off of your shoulder already.


Quote:
I can really relate to what you are saying. I started out fine but then the shadow started so I went to harder drinks and it did work for awhile but it did end up getting me in the end.


This is what people were trying to help you see. No one pointed their fingers in your face and accused you of being a bad guy. We're all here to learn and we're all in this battle against the beast together. PFDAN

-Frank
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by JDH on Oct 3rd, 2004, 12:05pm
If I'm in a cycle and I drink I get hit so for me it's a no brainer...NO DRINKING.

Remeber, friends don't let friends drink while they're in a cycle  ;)

Jim
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by nani on Oct 3rd, 2004, 7:05pm

Quote:
the weird thing is im constantly on a daily basis having shadows in between cycles.


You need to get in to see a neurologist, honey. This is a sign of being chronic. Are you at a base or out on your ship?
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Jonny on Oct 3rd, 2004, 8:15pm

on 10/03/04 at 03:27:45, davebrick wrote:
I am considered the bad guy here for going out drinking last night.


No....you are considered a jackoff for being a jackoff!

When you realize that maybe we can make up some ground on this, Jackoff!

..............................................jonny
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by don on Oct 3rd, 2004, 8:26pm

Quote:
I am considered the bad guy here


ROFLMMFAO.

We'll let you know when you rate "bad guy" status.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Sean_C on Oct 3rd, 2004, 8:33pm

on 10/03/04 at 10:27:45, don wrote:
If someone wishes to pay the consequence of having a drink or two thats one thing.

If your looking to get legless before the cluster hits then you have an alcohol problem.


Addiction has many excuses, but that excuse was too funny ;;D I have to drink alot..........I have clusters [smiley=laugh.gif]

Sean....................
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 3rd, 2004, 8:41pm


It doesn't matter if you're drinking beer, wine or hard stuff.  If you're an episodic, do not drink anything while in cycle.

Now for us Chronics it's a different story altogether.  I once did a test.   For 6 months I drank nothing alcoholic.  Got hit 3 to 5 times per day.

  I then started drinking my usual amount...a glass of wine 3 or 4 times a week.  

NO DIFFERENCE WHAT-SO-EVER.
Still got hit as often.  A few chronics I know,  drink to oblivion just to fend the beast off.  It works for him/her  but I would not....repeat NOT recommend this.


Linda

Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Redd715 on Oct 3rd, 2004, 8:50pm

on 10/03/04 at 20:41:33, Linda_Howell wrote:
It doesn't matter if you're drinking beer, wine or hard stuff.  If you're an episodic, do not drink anything while in cycle.

Now for us Chronics it's a different story altogether.  I once did a test.   For 6 months I drank nothing alcoholic.  Got hit 3 to 5 times per day.

  I then started drinking my usual amount...a glass of wine 3 or 4 times a week.  

NO DIFFERENCE WHAT-SO-EVER.
Still got hit as often.  A few chronics I know,  drink to oblivion just to fend the beast off.  It works for him/her  but I would not....repeat NOT recommend this.


Linda


Agreed here......

Yesterday was a great example.  Had 4 glasses of wine over the course of the day with not so much as a twinge.  Today, sober as a judge and I've ghotten hit hard once and been feeling the battle between the beast and the meds all damn day since.

I get hit no more often if I have my wine or I don't, so I'm going to enjoy my wine when I have the desire to do so.  

If we gotta be chronic, there damn well better be SOME sorta up-side to it. [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 3rd, 2004, 9:02pm

Too bad that THIS is the one and only up-side to being chronic that I can see Redd.

  Oh woop-de-doo.  I can drink, but I cannot have a life.

I'd trade with anyone.   Linda
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Donna_D. on Oct 3rd, 2004, 9:04pm
I think that after reading this thread.........



http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_5.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_4_3.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_4_2.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_6.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_8.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_10.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_11.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_13_7.gif http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_4_1.gif


....I need a drink!!      http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_7_4.gif


DD
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Redd715 on Oct 3rd, 2004, 9:07pm
We sure can try like hell though....I'm happy that I'm able to still hold a job at this point.  That's as much as I can hope for right now.  Having a life will come later....after I'm back on my feet financially.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by mitChell on Oct 3rd, 2004, 9:23pm
I enjoy a drink , I enjoy several drinks more :D

Im in the middle of a cycle at the moment, but I still drink, (maybe Im one of the lucky ones)

I've noticed that if I drink on a friday night theres a fifty fifty chance I'll get a CH.
However drinking the day after will give me no trouble at all.  (might be alcohol still in the blood, I dont know).

What can I say, I enjoy going out with my mates at the weekend ;)

Some may see this as the actions of a fool/alcoholic.
I prefer to think of it as:
Not letting the beast have control over my life.
If I wanna get pissed then I will,
If he shows up then I'll deal with it .

This little fucker that lives in my head, may disrupt my life at certain times.
But he is not in charge of what I do  -    I AM  8)  
Title: Youz and Booz
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 4th, 2004, 1:06am

on 10/03/04 at 21:23:20, mitChell wrote:
I enjoy a drink , I enjoy several drinks more

I can see we're going to get along just fine.


Quote:
Im in the middle of a cycle at the moment, but I still drink, (maybe Im one of the lucky ones)

For the first time, me too. Used to be...crack a beer......and writhe on the floor. Not so, this time. Not sure that bodes well.


Quote:
I've noticed that if I drink on a friday night theres a fifty fifty chance I'll get a CH.

Life's a crap shoot. Nothing like living on the edge, eh?


Quote:
However drinking the day after will give me no trouble at all.  (might be alcohol still in the blood, I dont know).

Whoa, hoss. Drinking during the day is a bad sign. Always wait till dusk.  Mostly.


Quote:
What can I say, I enjoy going out with my mates at the weekend ;)

Sure thing. Three pints later, belly up at the bar, and you can't wait to push in their _stool_..........


Quote:
Some may see this as the actions of a fool/alcoholic.

Judge ye not, lest.........


Quote:
I prefer to think of it as:
Not letting the beast have control over my life.
If I wanna get pissed then I will,
If he shows up then I'll deal with it .

I'll drink to that.


Quote:
This little fucker that lives in my head, may disrupt my life at certain times.
But he is not in charge of what I do  -    I AM  8)

Atta boy. If there's no challenge, where's the fun?

Typing makes me thirsty,
RJ

Edited to make all this crap come up right.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by TomM on Oct 4th, 2004, 8:53am
The simple fact is "many" of us can not drink our clusters away. My friends know that when I go to HH and order soda and it's late fall/winter, that I'm in cycle. Been in the position of a beer hitting my gullet and WHAM! Instant kip8+ and blowing hard.

Quote:
...but when I drink I bassically have to get smashed. I would love to quit drinking all in all but beer is just so good.  

Hmmm......Houston, we have a problem or did I read/quote this incorrectly?
Sometimes you must abstain from some of the simple pleasures in life to.....well....continue with life. The choice is yours. Drink, get hammered, get CH and shadows, and have a hang over. I can't imagine a hangover while in cycle. That is beyond my scope.

Question---how many cycles have you had and have you seen a neurologist lately?
TomM
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by schmitthead on Oct 4th, 2004, 10:40am
I have had pretty much 2 cycles a year since 96'. I constantly have shadows and prolly get 2-3 kip/5-8 CH a month. I dont drink while Im in a cycle, what I was refering to is the shadows I am constantly gettng. My way of coping and seems to help is diet coke, I drink about 8-12 cokes a day keeping rebound and CH at bay.


tom
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Guido on Oct 4th, 2004, 11:31am
I love HC.com. I love that there are others to confer, consult and consol with. After viewing the photos of the convention I can see that alcohol plays a big part with some of you. A statement contrary to that part might not be very popular but here goes. If it hurts when we do something generally we learn not to do it. If drinking alcohol makes something worse then perhaps there is another problem to consider. Insanity I am told is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. I can’t think of one thing that drinking alcohol would make better, and if it makes something worse why even consider it? I am sure the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous have an answer to that question.
This is not a response of confrontation, but more of a response of consideration. I mean no malice.
Guido
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 4th, 2004, 12:15pm


Guido,   (love that name) lol


What those convention pictures don't show is that the people who had a drink in their hand were either chronic.... or episodic and NOT in cycle.  Those who were in cycle were drinking soda or coffee.

Linda
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Ree on Oct 4th, 2004, 12:29pm
I POSTED THIS ON ANOTHER THREAD THIS MORNING. SORRY BOUT THE CAPS I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS FACT.LOVE YOU ALL REE
The hardest lesson learned was for Dave to figure out his cycles didnt last as long when he gave up booze.  He gave it a try one time when his "coupla beers" were stopping the meds from working.  His shortest cycles have been when he stops drinking... period!   Sure he hates how it ruins his social fun... Sure he misses his beer during a game or on a hot summer afternoon.  He sits behind me right now saying "YES"........ those cycles were shorter........ alot shorter.  
 I have tried talking to my chronic friends... those that say it doesnt matter if they drink or not... To give up drinking doesnt mean for a night. It means for a substantial amount of time like say a month.... then if it doesn't matter and your getting hit like when you were drinking......... GO ON A BINGE........ !  
It worked for Dave. The last two cycles he had were 12 weeks and 10 weeks.  The one before that was 7 months... involved a hospital stay and almost a nervous breakdown....... it also involved alot of booze.    
God bless everyone... We've been where you sit. We're not judging anyone.  We are social drinkers too. Try it... What do you have to lose but a coupla pounds...and more money in your wallet, while taking care of your body and trying something new.   Ree
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by don on Oct 4th, 2004, 12:35pm

Quote:
I can drink, but I cannot have a life.


Goes without saying for me, clusters or not.

And Ree, please stop using Bold Print.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by BobG on Oct 4th, 2004, 12:40pm
That Ree and Dave are a couple of really smart people. Listen to the THEM. Please.
;)
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by TomM on Oct 4th, 2004, 1:12pm

on 10/04/04 at 10:40:08, schmitthead wrote:
I have had pretty much 2 cycles a year since 96'. I constantly have shadows and prolly get 2-3 kip/5-8 CH a month. I dont drink while Im in a cycle, what I was refering to is the shadows I am constantly gettng. My way of coping and seems to help is diet coke, I drink about 8-12 cokes a day keeping rebound and CH at bay.
tom

Hi Tom.
Looks like caffeine is what you are craving and it maybe caffeine withdrawal. Previously, I drank over a pot of coffee per day and would get nasty HA's on the weekends. Now I limit myself to 2 cups max/day. I'm willing to bet your shadows are related to caffeine withdrawal.
TomM
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by thebbz on Oct 4th, 2004, 7:54pm
OK,
Drinking while in a cycle is like sticking your head in a meatgrinder. What about meatgrinder dont you understand.... and what jonny said.
ROT [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]FMLOL
BB
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by purpleydog on Oct 4th, 2004, 8:57pm

on 10/04/04 at 19:54:57, thebbz wrote:
OK,
Drinking while in a cycle is like sticking your head in a meatgrinder.


Naahhh, it's worse. Way worse. How about like the Jolly Green Giant dancing a jig on top of your eye. While wearing baseball spikes. I'd rather stick my head in a meatgrinder.
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 4th, 2004, 9:24pm

on 10/04/04 at 11:31:20, Guido wrote:
I love HC.com.

I am sure the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous have an answer to that question.


Most that drink are not alcoholic, not to worry.  

love the typo, new here?   ;;D




Kevin M
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by Ree on Oct 4th, 2004, 11:24pm
[smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=moonwiggle.gif]kiss me rigggggggggght here Don!!!!
;;D YOU TOO BOB G...LOLOL [smiley=laugh.gif]
have a nice night...lololololol
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by LeLimey on Oct 5th, 2004, 2:58pm
Hi Mitchell! I have a theory about friday night drinking ( based on TOO many years of experience!!) Do you have a lie in on Saturday mornings? I find if I do (after drinking on a friday night) I will get a grandaddy but if I get up at the normal time I am very unlikely to suffer in the same way. Its not booze that hurts its staying in bed!!
Title: Re: Alcohol
Post by don on Oct 5th, 2004, 5:13pm

Quote:
kiss me rigggggggggght here Don!!!!


OKIE DOKIE


Clusterheadaches.com Message Board » Powered by YaBB 1 Gold - SP 1.3.1!
YaBB © 2000-2003. All Rights Reserved.