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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> My nemisis has returned
        
(Message started by: toddswill on Dec 1^st, 2004, 9:09pm)

Title: My nemisis has returned
Post by toddswill on Dec 1^st, 2004, 9:09pm

It's going on the 4th week with my old pal, the beast. My cycle was late this year so i figured that was it never to come back again. boy was i wrong! whamo it came out of the blue, i ate through my supply of imiterex nasal,shot and pills rather quick. spent the tuesday before thanksgiving in the er as well as the day of, came home high as a kite after 3 shots of dilaudid (my local er does not stock demarol any longer). I think they are starting to subside a bit? I am leaving for aruba on saturday maybe i can bake the beast in the sun. hope all are having pfdan?

Todd,

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by nani on Dec 1^st, 2004, 10:37pm

Sorry you're suffering. I hope your cycle is finished before Aruba. Demerol won't help a CH, has it helped you before? Look around the boards here and look at the OUCH site. There are many treatment options. Hope you get some PF time.

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by Gator on Dec 1^st, 2004, 10:51pm

Sorry you're getting slammed, dude. Never been to the ER for a CH. Always figured by the time they got to me, the hit would be over. After reading some of the horror stories on here, I think I was right. Between the lack of knowledge of ch and how to treat it and the rude or dumba$s or know-it-all people, I'd probably hurt someone anyways.

Speaking of Aruba - E-double was just in Aruba on his honeymoon. If you've never been there, PM him. Hemight have some useful info for you.

Gator

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by BlueMeanie on Dec 2^nd, 2004, 12:09am

Sorry to hear the Beast has returned Todd. Hope it's a short one.

You didn't mention injections. They work alot faster than pills & spray. Just a suggestion.

PF Vibes To You.

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by Jeepgun on Dec 2^nd, 2004, 9:01am

Hang in there, man. Aruba? I am soooooo jealous. >:( Enjoy! Hopefully, you'll get some pain-free time. :)

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by toddswill on Dec 2^nd, 2004, 10:29pm

Thank you everyone for your compassion, it feels good to get a group hug. Since I have been episodic for the past sixteen years i have been through enough meds to write books on them which I am sure you all know what I mean, the only thing that works short tem is the trex and when that stops i have no choice to hit the er, thank god for whatever reason I always manage to get in rather quick. they pump the o2 and whack me with narcs which helps short term, you think i would learn after all these years to keep a tank of o2 in the house? what a putz! anyway pfdan to all.

Title: Re: My nemisis has returned
Post by Charlie on Dec 2^nd, 2004, 11:24pm

Sorry you have been in another battle. Give this thing a try. It worked for me:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie