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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> God Bless O2
        
(Message started by: BoSoxFan on May 14^th, 2005, 11:45pm)

Title: God Bless O2
Post by BoSoxFan on May 14^th, 2005, 11:45pm

and God bless this site!

My neuro knows very little about CH which is the way I like it. I basically get to choose my course of Gtreatment. I tell her what I want to try and she saiys "ok, that sounds good." Anything and everything about CH can be learned from this site and I feel like I am smart enough to make my own decisions.

So yesterday I tell her I want to do a Topamax preventative with an o2 abortive. I had done a prednisone preventative which worked for 2 weeks and I got a little cocky. Sure enough they came back with a vengence. So for a long time I was only on a Imitrex 20mg nasal spray abortive. I didn't want to waste it so I only took it if I had a K8 or higher and suffered the 45 mins through the rest (literally chewing 800mg og ibuprofen as a placebo), but I was still burning through 6 or so Imitrex a week. Imitrex puts me in a giant fog and makes me feel like crap.

Back to the Topamax and O2. No idea how the Topamax has or will affect me yet... If they stop the HA, I don't care if I can' t remember my name. So last night I went to sleep early at 9:00 (because I was up all night the night before puking from taking to many ibuprofens). I woke up at 11:00, my customary 2 hours after falling asleep with a K8 CH. I immediately ran downstairs, cranked the o2 up to full blast (12lpm) and within 5 minutes, it was gone... 5 MINUTES!!! and no after effects.

God I hope that the O2 continues to perform like this. If not, call this short lived euporia, I deserve it.

For those that have not tried O2, PLEASE TRY IT!!!! PLEASE!

Thanks to everyone for all their support and all the information you provide. Without you, I wouldn't have at least this one day of happiness...

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Jonny on May 14^th, 2005, 11:49pm

Try 15 lpm.....even better ;;D

Jonny....5 mins south of Boston :D

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by E-Double on May 14^th, 2005, 11:50pm

It's certainly good to be educated......

Topamax most certainly would not be a first choice of mine........been down that road.....sucked!!! However, we are all different!

This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to your doc

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!

Best,

Eric

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Kevin_M on May 15^th, 2005, 12:22am

on 05/14/05 at 23:45:52, BoSoxFan wrote:

God bless this site!

So for a long time I was only on a Imitrex 20mg nasal spray abortive. ...suffered the 45 mins through the rest
'tis an unbelievable bitch, until it finally goes away. I used to clock the time I took it, time was the only hope; yeah 40 minutes can be the unfortunate turnaround when hesitating to jump in the night as it quickly ramps up. Take it EARLY as possible and not in the nasal passage that runs should you still need it. ICEPAKS!

For those that have not tried O2, PLEASE TRY IT!!!! PLEASE!
definite improvement, took me too long to find out

Thanks to everyone for all their support and all the information you provide. get on the preventative wagon, biggest improvement of all finding a working one. Without you, I wouldn't have at least this one day of happiness...

Welcome and stick around. 8)

Quote:

Try 15 lpm.....even better

Jonny....5 mins south of Boston :D

The Plymouth rock rolls through Clusterville too sometimes but keeps a low profile usually, surprised he's posting today. ::) ;;D
...but a high flow contributor ;)

if you happen to run across Don on the site, he's Jonny's social secretary with a liberal invite list to the barbeques. Arrangements by Don too, all on Jonny's dime. Hap has dibs on the goat though.

it's Clusterville

Kevin M

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Conrad on May 15^th, 2005, 12:43am

I hear ya bro. How big is your oxygen bottle? Mine is only 1750 ML... does not last long. Next question, did your headache come back later... like in an hour or did the O2 completely knock it down? Mine like to come back on me... drives me nuts, and I have to take a Zomig, and I only have 1 left until I get a refill. Hit me back if you will. Email me if you want to. conrad.koerner@cox.net Take care and God Bless!

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Sean_C on May 15^th, 2005, 9:10am

on 05/14/05 at 23:49:15, Jonny wrote:

Jonny....5 mins south of Boston :D

I thought P-town was farther than that? :-*

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by don on May 15^th, 2005, 9:47am

Hey BosoxFan,

If you run out of O2 just go down to the track on 138. Half the old geezers in there are wheeling around tanks.

Ask them to share the O2 and a good tri-fector number. They'll give up their O2 before they give up their number.

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by BoSoxFan on May 19^th, 2005, 1:11pm

Just a quick update:

Since I started Topamax prevent and O2 abort therapy last Friday night, I've had a total of 4 headaches. The first was a K8, on that Friday night. Since then its been only three, none higher than a K6 and only one since Sunday (Tuesday night). They are starting to feel different too. Also, I have had minimal to no shadows since Sunday. I normally shadow several hours a day every day in the K2 range.

The O2 is still working as quickly. One of two things going on here... I am either not chronic and am in the midst of a cycle ending or the Topamax is doing its thing.

I know its not front line, but I was more comfortable with Topamax than some of the other choices. My blood pressure is normally 109/75 or so, so I didn't want to lower it any more. As far as Tpoamax side effects so far - my appette is markedly decreased and I've got a tad bit of pressure from time to time in my eyes that I need to babysit. Nothing major and could be psychosomatic. Some call it Dopamax, right now I call it a life saver. I hope it lasts.

Aside from the headaches, what a difference it is not having the after effects of Imitrex living in my system.

I am looking forward to experimenting with a lot of beer this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed!

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Jonny on May 19^th, 2005, 4:45pm

on 05/19/05 at 13:11:36, BoSoxFan wrote:

I am looking forward to experimenting with a lot of beer this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed!

[smiley=headbanger.gif] [smiley=bash.gif] [smiley=me&mb.gif]

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Mr. Happy on May 19^th, 2005, 11:56pm

on 05/19/05 at 13:11:36, BoSoxFan wrote:

a lot of beer this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed!

Fingers schmingers. Mayhaps you should just try ONE beer, and see how things go.

Please review the rules of Beta Testing. (http://mushys.com/pix/stupid.html)
RJ

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by thomas on May 20^th, 2005, 8:38am

on 05/19/05 at 23:56:43, Mr. Happy wrote:

Fingers schmingers. Mayhaps you should just try ONE beer, and see how things go.

Please review the rules of Beta Testing. (http://mushys.com/pix/stupid.html)
RJ

WHAT?! No, "Wotan be praiesed another O2 thread. " You're slipping, Jones.

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by pack2daplayoffs on May 22^nd, 2005, 12:23am

Yea, when i take oxygen, my headaches like to come back on me.. I think there over for some time but they come back in an hour..

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Jasen on May 22^nd, 2005, 1:14am

My latest lab rat test has been Amerge and O2. Seems the Amerge is cusing bad rebounds. Today was real bad, 3 severe attacks. After the 2nd. I decided to spend the day on O2 at .5 lpm then turn it up as I feel an attack coming on and then down as it fades. I felt 2 attacks come on that would probably been doozys, but never got past splitting for more then about 5-10 mins.
Of the 3 abortive meds. I've tried so far, the O2 is doning a far better job in the long run.

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by don on May 22^nd, 2005, 8:58am

Quote:

but they come back in an hour..

Thats why they are called "clusters".

02 is an abortive, not a preventative.

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by BoSoxFan on May 22^nd, 2005, 4:35pm

Well, Topamax is doing its job on the HAs but unfortunately I have to stop it because my eyeballs feel like they are being squeezed between a vice. Not a pain, just the most uncomfortable and weird pressure feeling I have ever felt.

Off to the doc tomorrow - going to try neurontin this time. Any feedback on that?

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by don on May 22^nd, 2005, 4:52pm

Quote:

Any feedback on that?

Neurontin was useless for me.

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by E-Double on May 22^nd, 2005, 5:02pm

Made me ill.... [smiley=hurl.gif]

Title: Re: God Bless O2
Post by Mr. Happy on May 23^rd, 2005, 1:12pm

on 05/22/05 at 16:35:31, BoSoxFan wrote:

I have to stop it because my eyeballs feel like they are being squeezed between a vice.

Good idea for you to lay off the Topo......

Topamax has been known to trigger severe nearsightedness along with increased pressure inside the eye. The problem usually occurs within 1 month of starting treatment. If you develop blurred vision or eye pain, call your doctor immediately. Discontinuation of the drug may be necessary to prevent permanent vision loss.
http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/drugs/Topamax.htm (http://www.rsdalert.co.uk/drugs/Topamax.htm)