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Title: Gaaaaaargh! Post by anarch on Sep 18th, 2005, 5:20am Should I go to the ER? Is it worth it? I have been doing better for most of this week, down to level 3-5 for the most part, with only a couple headaches that warranted a 7 or 8. Now I wake up with a 9 verging on 10. I want to rip my freaking face off or something! I am new to this, or at least to being aware if it...I'm guessing if I try to go to the hospital, the pain will have subsided (it's been lasting 2 to 3 hours), so what's the point? Please also note that I have no effective meds of any kind for this, and I am freaking out. I'm ranting, mostly, but if anyone has advice.... |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by marty on Sep 18th, 2005, 6:42am Hi anarch Sorry that you are getting hit this hard. To wake up every hour or every other hour night after night to deal with pain like this is very, very hard. Lack of sound and consistent sleep adds on a mental aspect to the pain itself. I know that this will probably sound stupid to you, but going to the ER is usually not the answer - the only meds that they have to resort to are heavy narcotics like dilaudid if the Imitrex does not work. You said that you have "no medications for this". What meds are you taking? Have you tried Melatonin? In some people it helps them get a little bit of sleep. My advice, try not to freak out, try to stay calm and instead concentrate on dealing with the attack and stay focused on what-ever routine that you go through everytime that you get hit (I think that we all have a sort of routine that mentally helps us get through these attacks). Just remember, it is a headache - not a devil, not a demon - it's a headache, the worst headache there is, but still a headache. No more and no less. Marty |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by E-Double on Sep 18th, 2005, 7:26am Well put Marty! What meds do you have?? There is nothing wrong with going to ER if you really need a break and you know they will treat you correctly. I have only been once, following a day wiht back to back to back....................................to back hits and I just needed to be knocked out. They failed to do that but I had some peace of mind. Good luck and we are here for you! Eric |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by burnt-toast on Sep 18th, 2005, 7:34am You may find yourself making a ridiculous number of trips to the ER and still not getting anywhere. If you're not already doing it - get with a good neuro. and start working through treatment options. Abortive and preventative. Go prepared with what you can learn from the site and a wide variety of sources on the internet. Use it to establish a base from which you and your Doc. can begin working. Most abortives have not been effective for me but of all things Anbesol seems to shorten a lot of my attacks. Although far from perfect I have found some relief in a mix of Lithium Carbonate, Verapamil and Melatonin but there are many other options. Best Wishes, Tom |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by anarch on Sep 18th, 2005, 4:22pm Hey all -- thanks for advice. I think I mostly needed to vent after being woken up by such a high level of pain yet again...thought I was getting to the end of a cycle, seeing as I hadn't had anything that intense for nearly a week, but we'll see. *crossing fingers* I didn't go to the ER, just did the usual standing in the shower trying not to scream, followed by an ice pack, and eventually got some sleep this morning. Hey, at least it wasn't a work day.... My lack of meds is due to never having had a proper diagnosis, and having only ibuprofen on hand...I gather from what I've read on this site that I probably shouldn't keep taking that (rebound headaches, etc.), and it doesn't do much for me anyway. I'm intending to get to a neurologist as soon as possible, just haven't made it yet and I'm evidently in the middle (or hopefully near the end) of a nasty episode. Anyway, it's nice to have a place to vent.... |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by jcmquix on Sep 18th, 2005, 5:49pm Hi anarch Its nice to meet you, sorry its under these conditions.... I have one bit of advice for you, even if you are at the end of your cycle, or you think the end... still get in to see a Nero or a DR, just to get a DX and be checked out... I can tell you from experience that it takes almost 3 to 4 weeks here to get in to see any Dr... Even if you are out of cycle, get started on stocking up on any meds that you can, that way you will be ready for the next HA or CH cycle... I have been PF now for a little over 3 weeks, but I am still going to the Dr's and stocking up on my meds during this PF time, alot of the meds have a shelf date, but most of them are good for a long time as long as you keep them in a cool, dry place... Never hurts to be ready for the BEAST !! God Bless & PFDAN's Charlie |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by millie the episodic on Sep 18th, 2005, 11:02pm As have been said the ER usually is no help at the time, but if they treat you right, you may at least get some help. I personally have problems remembering that IT IS A HEADACHE and not the devil, but.. You have to find your own system, because everyone is different. What it takes for you or me might not work for anyone else, but you have to have something to fight with. 02 helps, some better than others, but it helps. some tripans work better for others, but I prefer the nasal. If the ice packs and showere helps, do it . You can't be too proud while you are going through, you just have to do what you have to do. Please don't get too comfortable in you pain free days, because they may be just that, pain free DAYS. Mine came back after a few pain free days, on the other side and with a vengence. Hang in there and good luck. You are among friends, I just wish we had better doctors to help us through these trying times. Millie :-* |
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Title: Re: Gaaaaaargh! Post by Jasmyn on Sep 19th, 2005, 3:35am Quote:
Quote:
Very good advise! Sorry you're hurting like this, hang in there and wishing you pain free days and a good nights sleep. |
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