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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> I am sooooo sad
        
(Message started by: SangReal on Apr 20^th, 2005, 3:23pm)

Title: I am sooooo sad
Post by SangReal on Apr 20^th, 2005, 3:23pm

I'm so sick of having these damn headaches. It seems like every time a stressful event comes around (like finals ::) ), so does the headache monster. I haven't been able to go to most of my classes in ages. What am I supposed to do? Drop out? Seriously

And my professors totally don't understand and they think I'm just lazy and I'm behind on all my assignments and I'm going nuts. Maybe if I shoot myself in the head I'll feel better. I don't know. All I can do is cry.

How do I get through this?

<3 Mary

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 20^th, 2005, 3:44pm

Mary,

We ALL feel this way when we're getting hit. You just do what you can do and don't let the rest get to you.

Go over to the left and print off some of the stuff on CH and TAKE that to your profs -- maybe they can read. Work in between headaches. And I know it's not easy, but you're tougher than you think right now. We ALL are.

Sending you a BIG Texas hug, BD

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 20^th, 2005, 3:58pm

Mary,

Sorry to hear of your bad times.

Are you seeing a doctor for your headaches? If so, has he given you anything to help you with them?

If you are not, please consider it. For many, even the idea that they're "putting up their dukes" and putting up a fight can help them and inspire them. As you will see from poking around on the site, there are a number of treatment options that work for different people. The main thing is that, unlike years ago, there are treatment options. No, not all of them work, but read and fight your way through.

I don't whether you are chronic or episodic, but think about those clear spring mornings when you don't have a headache or didn't have one the night before and the air is cool and your head is clear. They may be attainable, but don't give up.

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by kimmeesue on Apr 20^th, 2005, 4:32pm

Mary, So very sorry you are having such a rough time of it.
You have come to the right place for sympathy and support but you do need a good neuro. Are you on any meds?
How long have you been fighting the beast? As you will see there are many of us here and we are all different. Hope we can be of some help...just to know you are not alone.
Best wishes,
Kim

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by Apple on Apr 20^th, 2005, 5:37pm

I really "hear" ya. I was getting that way too. Then the doctor put me on Topamax and I have to say, that things are better. I'm still frustrated, but it's not as bad. Now, I'm a little frustrated with the Topamax side effects! LOL! It never ends! But...I TOTALLY understands. Migraines, clusters...the whole gamut...they are RELENTLESS! PM if you ever want to talk.
(Hugs)

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by nani on Apr 20^th, 2005, 6:26pm

:'( [smiley=hug.gif]

Hang in there, sweetie. You are stronger than it is. I've linked to a letter that might help your profs understand. Print it out and give them each a copy. If you haven't seen a dr about this recently, you really need to. Good luck and pain free wishes, nani

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/Cluster%20Headache%20Syndrome.doc

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by E-Double on Apr 20^th, 2005, 8:42pm

Do not drop out!!!
YOu can do this!!!

Go to the OUCH website and click on "O.U.C.H." and download the colleagues letter........it will give a solid explanation for lay people and hopefully will give some perspective.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/

I made it through undergrad and grad school and will be sure not to let these things stop me from getting my Ph.D.

They are beyond pain but the pain of letting them rule your life will be worse.....

Do Not let them control you!!!!

I promise to take my own advice as well.

Hugs,

Eric

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by don on Apr 20^th, 2005, 8:56pm

The first thing you do is get a diagnosis letter from your Doc. Hand it to each Prof. and have one go into your student files.

Are you using an abortive?

Arrange to sit near a door of the classroom in case you have to make an exit.

Made it through 6 years of college that way. So can you.

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by Sean_C on Apr 20^th, 2005, 9:04pm

Sounds like sound advice to me Mary, sorry to see your having such a hard time of it.

I would definately talk to your nuero asap and tell him whats going on.

Sean.........................

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by BikerBob on Apr 20^th, 2005, 9:18pm

Hi Mary, I just did a search and read all of the messages you have posted. The only mention you have made of doctors, diagnosis or treatment is:

"My doc says that if steroids don't make the CHs go away, she's going to put me on Depakote. This doesn't seem to be a standard treatment, though. I mean, I haven't heard any of you mention it. So I was wondering if she maybe has migraines and CHs confused, or if she really knows what she's talking about. Can anybody shed a little light?.....
I know I need a neurologist, not a regular doctor. But she says just give her a chance and she can help me. "

If I were you I would see a neurologist, get a correct diagnosis of what kind of headaches you are having, and get a treatment program from the neurologist for aborting and preventing whatever kind of headaches they are.

PF wishes,

Bob

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by Sean_C on Apr 20^th, 2005, 9:44pm

on 04/20/05 at 15:23:59, SangReal wrote:

How do I get through this?][/font][/size]

The best thing you did today was come here :) I've known ch for 2/3 of my life and know how it gets sometimes. Eveybody here feels and understands your pain Mary believe me. Your obviously not nuts or crazy, and if you need to talk to someone you can give me a call if you want, I'm there 24/7 for any clusterhead in distess. (I pm'd you my #)

Try to keep smilin ;)

Sean..........................

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by bigAl on Apr 20^th, 2005, 10:18pm

Hi Mary,

Lots of us finished college the long way. It took me 7 years for a B.S. and 12 more for grad school. If you can't make it through a course, just withdraw or audit the class so you don't get an F. You can always go back and start again. If all your grades go bad one semester, go see your councelor. They can help you in ways you haven't thought of yet.

Don't give up. Don't let the beast win...

http://www.barnett-college.de/comics_wb.jpg

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by De_Minimis on Apr 20^th, 2005, 11:04pm

Hang in there. You can do it. I was having the worst series of CH attacks I've ever had (10+ a day) up to and during the WA Bar exam (2 1/2 days of handwritten exams) six years ago. I had not been diagnosed with clusters yet (I just thought I was having migraines that came on really fast and kicked my ass or that something worse was going on like a tumor). I was eating Imetrex like Tic Tacs to get through it (don't do that, Imetrex doesn't help all that much with CHs and I was probably damn close to giving myself a stroke). Just hit it one exam at a time and educate the educators if need be. State institutions need to make accomidations for students in need. I doubt the ADA recognizes us (yet!), but if a CH attack isn't disabling, then I'm the president of France. Go to your Dean, with the letter mentioned above. I'd wager after he/she reads that, your school will do its best to help you through exams and your classes. I work at a college at night and take night classes as well, so I have a little first-hand experience on this front. Tonight is the first night I've attended my class since the start of the quarter (its week four). The people that need to know, know and understand. Do not, no matter what, drop out or put your education on hold.

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by Kim Y. on Apr 21^st, 2005, 3:17am

Mary
In April of last year I was still in nursing school. We only knew that something was wrong with my head just not sure what. I sat in class day after day holding my head go home exhausted from all the attacks pass out and then get up and study. If I was lucky at 10pm I could go to sleep then back up way to early to make up for the lack of study the hght before. So I truely simpathise. But look at it this way I did the best I could and I am now a nurse. I took a year off to rest and now am getting ready for RN. Moral is if I can do it so can you. It is hard but keep going and share that letter with your professors. Stay strong and beat the beast don't let it beat you.[smiley=hug.gif]

I pray you gat some relief.

Kim

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by Gator on Apr 21^st, 2005, 12:21pm

on 04/20/05 at 23:04:24, De_Minimis wrote:

I was eating Imetrex like Tic Tacs to get through it (don't do that, Imetrex doesn't help all that much with CHs and I was probably damn close to giving myself a stroke).

De_Minimis
You keep saying that imitrex doesn't work for ch. By your description, your are taking the pills. Many (if not most) have found the pills to be of little help, but the injectible imitrex is pure magic. One small subcutaneous blast of trex (3mg works for me most of the time) and 5 -7 minutes later I am cruising again.

Mary, lots of good advice here. Go to a neuro familiar with ch and get some real help.

Do what Don said. Get the diagnosis and take a copy of it, along with the colleagues letter and the other ch info, to your profs and school admin.

Stick around and keep us updated on your progress. Vent when you need to and help when you can. We all understand and are here for you.

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by taraann on Apr 21^st, 2005, 12:45pm

Mary, All great advice given above. Not much for me to add, except vibes and big hugs! You will get through this!

Title: Re: I am sooooo sad
Post by sandie99 on Apr 23^rd, 2005, 2:26pm

Mary,

[smiley=hug.gif]

last spring when I was working on my dissertation, CH was giving me the hardest time ever. I went to get a letter from my neuro and asked for more time from my uni with exenuaning situation form - and I got it. I managed slowly getting the control back into my life... As a chronic it's hard, but I've got used to it.

Have you printed out info about ch to show your professors? Do that and a get a letter of some kind from your neuro. Uni people tend to listen to neuros... ;)
I wish you the best. :)

If you wanna talk about it, send me instant message, okay? :)

You're in my prayers.

Best wishes & PFdays&nights,
Sandie