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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Wimpy or just attacked?
        
(Message started by: yikes_another_one on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 4:20pm)

Title: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by yikes_another_one on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 4:20pm

I felt like a fool over the last attack i had. I only work 2 blocks away from my appartment, but it was soooo bad i couldn't walk home.

My co-workers saw the red droopy eye, and asked me what was wrong. I whispered, "Really bad headache"

They were probably worried i had pink eye - worried they might catch it... lol

Lucky my hubby was home, because even though I was walking like I was 100 years ols, none of the co-workers offered to drive me acrossed the street....it was 6 pm, and they really wanted to get home for dinner, I understand becasue I am like that most days too....

but I didn't have 50 cents to call from a pay phone and get my hubby. Lucky one of them had a cell phone, and let me use it....

He said "hello"

all I had to say was, "I have the head ache again"

HE said, "Where are you?"

I said, "At work."

"He said "i'll be right there. don't move."

and with in 5 minutes he was down 3 flights of stairs and the car was infront of work. Thank god.

Problem was, even the car was too much...
and then three flights of stairs.....ugh....

but success. I managed to get "home" and he knew I was safe, enough, anyway.

He poured me ice water and let me be....

man these things just don't quit..... an hour later,
and I could thonk rationally again....whaooo....

that a thunderstorm was coming close, heck I could have predicted that....lol.....

Thank god for nice hubbies.
Thank god for you guys.

Just thank God....

[smiley=thumb.gif]

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by lionsound on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 5:08pm

I'd say you were very smart and did exactly the right thing. :)

No wimp here.

You sound perfectly normal and strong to me! :)

PF vibes for you,
lionsound

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by BobG on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 5:20pm

Please never feel wimpy or foolish because you suffer clusters. It's not your fault. You have a disease. If others don’t understand (or don’t want to understand) it is not your fault. You did what you had to do. You did the right thing. Hope you feel good now.

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by nani on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 6:52pm

YOU ARE NOT A WIMP!!! Just the fact that you get these headaches and have not killed yourself or someone else tells me you are a strong, badass, mother... well you know. Hang in there girlfriend... [smiley=hug.gif] and when you feel good, let your wonderful hubby know how much you appreciate him. :) ;)

Title: To Wimp, or not to Wimp........
Post by Mr. Happy on Oct 4^th, 2004, 1:24am

Wimp or not wimp....you still had the HA. Sounds like you got out of that one pretty slick........but you _Might_ want to prepare Escape Plan "B." Next time, hubby might not be home......

Or the "Game" is on,
RJ

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 4^th, 2004, 8:25am

You did exactly the right thing. A "plan B" might not be a bad idea. Like the Happy one said, he may not be home next time. Like, is there anyone at work you can clue in and count on next time? Hope your feeling better. PFDAN to you. J

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by thebbz on Oct 4^th, 2004, 6:42pm

Sounded normal kip 7 or 8 to me. Dont forget to breathe... Been led around alot myself...thank god for my wife. Nice to have one that cares. Dont let the beast get you down. Ow,Ow,Ow. :-[ :-[ :'(
BB

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by Charlie on Oct 4^th, 2004, 8:38pm

Not a wimp. Not even close. We've all been there and the hardest thing is explaining this thing.

Aside from the site information, here is a link to our U. K. friend's letter describing for others and employers that CH has little to do with what others think when they hear "headache." You might want to drop down to: "How is your friend affected?" A good thing to copy.

Here is what worked for me most of the time:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique

What follows is a technique learned from a neurologist:
I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.
I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.
Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.
This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.
I hope this technique is helpful and I wish you the best of luck

Charlie

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by yikes_another_one on Oct 5^th, 2004, 8:03pm

it's true, all of what you said is true. :D

Yep, working on a plan B.
Our day care is short on help these days, though.

Hard to find an extra person to get a bathroom break ;)

let alone a 1/2 hour - help me I am dying... break... [smiley=yikes.gif]
lol

Thank God these things are episodic at the moment. ::)

Water....O2.... it does help.... ;;D

that and keeping busy.... as soon as the pressure is off,
whammmm .... :'(

It'd be funny if it didn't hurt so much....lol... :-[

Thank you for all your encouragement.
It does help. ;)

Title: Re: Wimpy or just attacked?
Post by marfanoidus on Oct 8^th, 2004, 8:19am

Are you able to get an O2 prescription? When I'm in cycle, I never leave home without a canister of it that I leave in the car so the instant I feel the you-know-what I just get up and go.
Educate your boss on this issue - refer them to this site, webmd.com, and emedicine.com so they quickly learn that this is something a) excruciating, b) difficult to combat, and c) hits with little warning.

good luck to you,
walt