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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Greetings from Iowa
        
(Message started by: BeermanIA on Apr 27^th, 2004, 10:48am)

Title: Greetings from Iowa
Post by BeermanIA on Apr 27^th, 2004, 10:48am

Hello everyone. My name is Ernie and I live and work in the Des Moines, Iowa area. I originally started having these mysterious headaches about 12 years ago and it took quite some time before I was finally diagnosed as suffering from CH.

At the time I lived in Colorado, and moved to Iowa 3 1/2 years ago. Shortly thereafter the daily rituals subsided and I thought that maybe the change in climate had something to do with it. Alas, the damn things are back again. :-[ Now I realize that it was more than likely a remission that I was fortunate enough to experience the respite for a while.

I just went on a trip to Florida for a week, and somehow remained headache free for the entire vacation. Yesterday I could start feeling the same old pressure building behind my right eye, and even now am having a mild attack (compared to the ones that leave me useless to do anything).

My wife has a neurological condition known as Spasmodic Torticollis or Cervical Dystonia, so fortunately we have a qualified neurologist that I can already see. I had mentioned that I used to get cluster headaches before but he basically told me the same thing that other doctors had. We don't really know what causes them, nor how to cure them. Bummer, dude.

I decided to do some internet research when I came across this site. Boy can I relate to what I've read on here so far! I look forward to sharing thoughts, ideas and information with all of you in the future. Take care.

Regards,
Ernie

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by BobG on Apr 27^th, 2004, 11:27am

Welcome to the board Ernie.
Glad to hear you already have a neurologist but sorry you and your wife both need him.
From your little picture I see you're a home-brew fan? KQQL [smiley=beer.gif] But...........for clusterheads.......maybe not the best choice of hobbies.

Bummer, dude.

Lots to learn here. Get busy. There will be a test in one hour. ::)

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by JJA on Apr 27^th, 2004, 2:20pm

Your Papazian quote caught my attention. I am also a homebrewing clusterhead. The clusters give me the patience to age some of my beers. I hope beer isn't a trigger for you.

-Jesse

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by BeermanIA on Apr 27^th, 2004, 6:45pm

Thanks for the welcome, guys. I don't believe that beer is my trigger but just be to safe maybe I should stop brewing with cluster hops???

Seriously, I just went to the Dr today (at my wife's insistance) and got my prescription to get O2 once again. Silly me, I gave away my tank and all a few years ago when I thought that I was "cured". After talking at some length, the doc and I want to explore the possibility of alergies triggering my episodes. She gave me a bunch of Singulair to clear up my congestion, and we'll see where it goes from there.

Meanwhile, I will continue to enjoy my adult beverages. Hell, I can handle a half hour of excruciating paing for a quality microbrew, right? ;)

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by Woobie on Apr 28^th, 2004, 4:01am

Hi there....
I grew up in Davenport -- I love IOWA.

Anyhow - Welcome aboard... stick around a while and read read read.

And - plan on going to davenport the first weekend in January. :-)

tina

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by JDH on Apr 28^th, 2004, 8:45am

Welcome to ch.com Ernie but sorry you had to find us.
IF I were in a cycle, just looking at that pic you have of a frosty cold one would be enough to trigger a h/a. Beer is a big no no for me.
good luck,

Jim

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by BeermanIA on Apr 28^th, 2004, 8:57am

Tina - Davenport is January sounds intriguing. Should I bring beachwear? [smiley=laugh.gif]

Jim - Thanks 4 the welcome. While I'm not sure what my trigger(s) may be, I don't really think that alcohol is it. That would be devastating. The next thing you'll tell me is that sex is a trigger!

Ernie

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by Woobie on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:18am

Most people here who are episodic cannot TOUCH alcohol when they are in cycle. They'll get a HA immediately.

Davenport in January - damn skippy!!!!

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by JDH on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:23am

on 04/28/04 at 08:57:31, BeermanIA wrote:

Tina - Davenport is January sounds intriguing. Should I bring beachwear? [smiley=laugh.gif]

Davenport in Jan was a BLAST!
be there next year if you can. There's a pool in the atrium so yeah beachwear is appropriate.
Also, I doubt that you would hurt anyone's feelings if you brought a sample of that homebrew ;)

Quote:

Jim - Thanks 4 the welcome. While I'm not sure what my trigger(s) may be, I don't really think that alcohol is it. That would be devastating. The next thing you'll tell me is that sex is a trigger!

Ernie

Just tell your significant other that you've heard sex is a good preventitive for ch's ;;D

Jim

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by FZfan on Apr 28^th, 2004, 6:58pm

Quote:

Hell, I can handle a half hour of excruciating paing for a quality microbrew, right?

Now that is one great attitude for attacking these things! Welcome to clusterville, ernie. Like you, I also tried a little research at the start of my last cycle. Man am I ever glad I found this place. I'm sure you will feel the same way. Read up on everything around here. Outstanding information source.

There's a million theories on what triggers episodes. I personally believe nothing triggers them, they are just going to happen, they are meant to happen. And only the beast itself knows when. To be even more specific, being born with a malformed hypothalamus is probably the only real trigger.

I'm just down I-74 in Peoria. Hafta try one of your brewski's one of these days!

Take care and keep us posted on how your doing.

Quote:

Just tell your significant other that you've heard sex is a good preventitive for ch's

or may I suggest Oral sex? I firmly believe it brings relief.

Title: Re: Greetings from Iowa
Post by floridian on Apr 28^th, 2004, 9:02pm

Welcome, Beerman.

Quote:

I just went on a trip to Florida for a week, and somehow remained headache free for the entire vacation. Yesterday I could start feeling the same old pressure building behind my right eye, and even now am having a mild attack (compared to the ones that leave me useless to do anything).

I wish I could claim that its Florida that kept the beast away, but I think its probably the experience of going on vacation. When I go on a good vacation, I can stay up late, get up early, drink as much as I want and not pay for it.

Stress (even good stress of a vacation) sometimes keeps the cluster beast away - temporarily. Lots of people here have commented that reducing stress alot can start a cycle.