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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 General Board Posts >> I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
        
(Message started by: jim-jim on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 5:57pm)

Title: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by jim-jim on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 5:57pm

Hi there! I'm DP's husband and I'm sure glad she found you guys. I apparentely have been a cluster head for about a good 10 years I would guess.
First off, I'm so glad I'm not going nutts! I for sure thought my headaches were one of a kind, and would not go too much into detail over them for the fact that its an unbelivable feeling and most people would assume I was nutts and exagerating. But then my wife found you guys.
Thanks to your support I've slept the past two nights, for the first time in a month. Besides the lucky two... maybe three hours at a time. I have had the Freddy Cruger effect for atlease a month straight. By the way according to yalls scale I'm in between an 8 and a 9.
I have had these for many years and every single time they have progress, (just when I thought they couldn't get worse) I'm a fairly built, healthy, 225 lbs, 6'5" man, and I have taken in some serious pain phisically and nothing has ever put me down in such agonizing pain as these cluster headaches.
I did not understand when people said I had a migrane, I knew there was no way all these people that claim they have migranes could possibly bear the pain I was going through. Many a times I forgot about them because they disappeared for months at a time, but just when I would take it for granted, they made sure I didn't forget them.
I can't remember the last time I've cried from pain, I in some sort of weird way have been adapted to pain and embrassed it through the years. But not with my buddy.... no, he's unique, my buddy CH that is. I've cried, wept, screamed, and no matter what he's stuck around. He's like magic; now you see me.... now you don't.
I work mostly nights so the past two nights I've been listening to my wifes advice received via this site.
So I came home made 2 cups of black coffe as my headache was approching that awfull 1 am mark, I figured if I'm not to sleep then atlease I will try to stay up without pain. Anyhow once I downed the 2 cups I jumped on the eliptical machine as tired and exahasted as I was, then I took just 6 mg of milatonin and waited as i moved around hoping my headache wouldn't make its usual 1 am peek entrace with full force. 30 minutes later I kissed my wonderful wife goodnight and told her I'll wake her up in an hour or so as usual.

Well, 7 hours later I felt like I had the best night ever. I'm not sure which thing or if the combination worked, but last night I had 1 small cold frappuccino and the eliptical and 9 mg because my head was pounding worst, but I slept a good 8 hours.

I'm so pleased, that I had to register in here and become acquianted with my new community. I still remain with a 24 hour headache, but I can deal with a headache, I just can't deal with my friend CH.

Thanks again and we'll have plenty of communication, I'm sure.
Jim-Jim

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Ree on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 6:04pm

Woooooo hoooooooo jim jim glad you got some deserved sleep.....wish that was happening in my house... My hubby is peaking right now and it seems as if nothing works for him during this time..... Glad you guys found us......love ree

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Jonny on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 6:14pm

on 09/23/05 at 17:57:14, jim-jim wrote:

I'm so pleased, that I had to register in here and become acquianted with my new FAMILY

I fixed your quote, Bro.

Im sorry to welcome you aboard, but, welcome aboard!

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

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by jim-jim on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 6:15pm

I'm so very sorry he's going through this right now. Ive been dealing with this monster for a long time now and I feel his pain. I wish you and him the very best, I guess its all about trial and error with all these remedy but just keep trying, somehing is bound to work, if I didn't believe this I wouln't want to know where I would be right now.

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by jim-jim on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 6:17pm

Thanks jonny!!!
I feel very welcomed.

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Jonny on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 6:41pm

on 09/23/05 at 18:15:48, jim-jim wrote:

Jim, if thats not you in the above qoute you should register your friend under a different name.....it just makes it easier for folks here to know whos who ;)

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by jim-jim on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 8:28pm

Oh, I'm sorry that was me, I was replying to Ree up there

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Jonny on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 9:01pm

on 09/23/05 at 20:28:23, jim-jim wrote:

Oh, I'm sorry that was me, I was replying to Ree up there

Sorry dude....time for glasses for my ass ;;D

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by cootie on Sep 23^rd, 2005, 9:09pm

Hi jim jim.......NICE to meet you.....who's husband are you.....I didn't recognize the intitials and it takes me a while to 'GET STUFF' cuz I am blonde !! Short supporter Pam

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Charlie on Sep 24^th, 2005, 1:13am

Welcome to the madhouse. You'll find some good ideas for dealing with this horror and lots of support and general lunacy.

It's great that you caught up on some snoozing too.

Here is what worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

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.

Charlie

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Carl_D on Sep 24^th, 2005, 1:30am

Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.

I would have been dead a long time ago were it not for this site and the family here. Have you tried oxygen therapy for the CH? Works like a charm for most folks.

Peace,
Carl "Mack" D

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by sandie99 on Sep 24^th, 2005, 1:12pm

Welcome to clusterfamily, jim jim! :)

I'm so sorry that you have CH, though. But I'm so glad that you found us!

PF days,
Sanna

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Edna on Sep 24^th, 2005, 4:14pm

Jim Jim, welcome!!

I saw only one thing wrong with your post, but jonny beat me to the correction. Thanks jonny......you da man.

Welcome to our family here.

wishing you much more pf time

EDNA

Title: Re: I guess I'm a CLUSTER HEAD
Post by Ronny on Sep 24^th, 2005, 4:18pm

Hey Jim, glad u found us!