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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Head bashingly fun !
        
(Message started by: Metatron2000 on Jul 14^th, 2004, 9:50pm)

Title: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Metatron2000 on Jul 14^th, 2004, 9:50pm

Hi all,

My thanks especially to the website creator whose inspiration has provided me with among other things, a great deal of medical insight and to some extent, relief.

My name is Ben, I'm 25 and I live in England. Approximately a year or so ago, I experienced my first cluster headache which lasted a mere 10 minutes but was so excruciating, it felt like a lifetime, I continued to experience them once a day every day for nearly a week and no amount of paracetemol or temple 'bashing' seemed to make the slightest difference.

Since then, it has become apparent that my father also suffers from the same symptoms but on a far more regular basis which has caused much anxiety for both myself but especially my mother who finds it inconceivable that such a restrained Victorianesque gentleman could express so much pain - normally, you'd have to hack a limb off him !

I have continued to experience sporadic bouts of cluster headaches once or twice a year, each lasting approximately a month and being inherantly dubious of medicine, have become accustomed to the ritual that is 'cluster headache paranoia'. Never knowing when the next onset is likely to occur, I prepare myself mentally for the onslaught and when it does inevitably arrive, I massage my temple to a pulp and eventually fall asleep through sheer mental fatigue.

I'm sorry that so many others are afflicted with the same unscrupulous disorder that affects my daily work and social life however, I thank you (as much as I admire you) for showing me what hardy perennials can overcome when they set their (neuralgic) minds to it ! :D

Kind regards,

Ben

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by buckeyescooter on Jul 15^th, 2004, 1:19am

Welcome Ben! Glad you found this place....I'm relatively new to the board myself, but have had these ha's for over 20 years. Hopefully you'll find some help, and at the very least support here. :)

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by matt66 on Jul 15^th, 2004, 6:52am

Everyone in the US takes meds for something. They can make the pain last only "half a lifetime" and maybe shorten a cycle.

Definitely worth doing if you can get them. I'm new to this site, but I've a sufferer for about 17yrs. I've tried a few, and some work better for some people than others.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Metatron2000 on Jul 15^th, 2004, 7:27pm

Thanks guys, both for the advice and the support. Though I must admit, having read your replies, my affliction seems to pale to insignificance - I can't imagine what it must be like having suffered CH's for 17 years or more, I think I'd have been driven spare by now.

Let's hope some that some abitious, inspired doctor or pharmaceutical company finds a myrical solution. I'd happilly pay a fortune if I could find a definite cure.

Thanks again guys and good luck.

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Superpain on Jul 16^th, 2004, 3:54am

Ben, are you a writer of some sort by chance?

I know our "English" is somewhat different, but you seem to exceed even the most explicative proper English I've read in some time....

Props to "writer" too. ;) He's pretty good as well.

Just wondering. :)

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jul 16^th, 2004, 4:35am

Ben, hope you have found the OUCH group in England. If not, use button on the left.

The hope we have is that the range of medications available to abort attacks and to prevent/reduce attacks has grown markedly since I first started clusters 30-yrs ago.

The messages here convey the continuing problem of finding a physician with experience and interest in treating a difficult condition. That issue won't change quickly because we are a "minority" condition!

You might like to look at this site:

WWW.MELDRUM.DEMON.CO.UK/migraine. At bottom of home page, look for FAQ on clusters: four sections of extensive material; strong on treatment options.

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Metatron2000 on Jul 16^th, 2004, 10:24am

Dear Bob and Superpain,

Thanks ever so much for replying to my post, I wasn't expecting such an enthusiastic and warm-hearted welcome and every bit of advice and acknowledgment only serves to strengthen my resolve.

Thank you for your kind words Super, I only wish I had the patience to be a writer and I know how modest you Americans are - I'm sure my posts are pretty mediocre on the whole.

Bob, thank you for the advice, I shall follow up the links you suggested and I shall indeed browse the UK OUCH website, It would be nice to make a contribution (all be it a small one judging by this weeks wage packet ! :D) as I know it is going to a good cause and may in time benefit myself too. I'm also very sorry that you have had to suffer so long but you're a inspiration to us all.

Kindest regards to you both and I wish you all the best for your futures,

Ben :)

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by pubgirl on Jul 16^th, 2004, 10:28am

Ben

Hope to see you over there :D

We can all learn from each other, and I truly believe we can all help each other in some way

Join the Uk bunch as well as the people here and do both!

Love

Wendy the Brit

P.S. Bob, thanks for being on the ball as usual

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by Metatron2000 on Jul 16^th, 2004, 8:48pm

Hi Wendy,

Nice Nickname, I can see we have alot in common lol !

I was going to register with the UK OUCH site today but I'm a little sceptical of online financial transactions so I shall wait 'till Monday to call them and arrange to become a member.

Until then I look forward to meeting you and having a good old natter and occasional winge for good measure ! :D

See ya soon,

luv Benj

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by pubgirl on Jul 16^th, 2004, 9:45pm

I live in a converted pub!

You can post on the Support Board without being a member if you want to ask anything, but all the noisy and rude people are members ;;D

I'd be very surprised if you can get someone on the 'phone to speak to this weekend. I am on the Helpline on Sunday but it is an answerphone where we call people back. If you are worried about online transactions, I can email you the forms if you like and you can post them with a payment.

Wendy

Title: Re: Head bashingly fun !
Post by bluesunshine on Jul 16^th, 2004, 10:53pm

Salut Ben, (Hi Ben)

Well, you did a good impression on me too with that post. I also got that first thought of a ''writer" thing when I read you, like Superpain mentionned earlier.

Take care Ben, and don't bash your head to hard.

Prends soin de toi (take care) - a little french course anyone?