Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> another new commer
        
(Message started by: laz on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 5:53pm)

Title: another new commer
Post by laz on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 5:53pm

Hi people,
I am the wife of a clusterhead ache sufferer, and we are so glad for this sight to be able to read about all your symptoms, because i know it gives my husband some real comfort to know other are suffering the same symptoms, because i know how scarey some of them can be, He is in the middle of a major cluster now, running eye sheet white and pacing the floor, and i feel so helpless for him, he has to go to the hospital last night for oxygen but to no avail, but he had taken verapmil just after coming of the steroids his doc had given him, he has tried most of the meds you guys have used, to no avail, We just pray like the rest of you a cure will be found soon, thinking of you all Lesley and Tony :-[

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by thomas on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 9:49pm

Has he gotten any abortive meds, such as; imigran, amerge or zomig?

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by EmpressJMB on Oct 3^rd, 2004, 11:01pm

Welcome aboard Laz. So sorry to hear of your husbands pain. It IS a comfort to know your not alone. We all understand that. Be strong for him and we will all be here for both of you. There is a Supporter's board if you didn't know, for those who have loved ones who suffer with CH. There is alot to learn on this site. I can't stress enough how important it is to read all you can about CH so that you can be as proactive as you can. Arm yourself with information against the Beast. Keep looking for a good Neurologist until you find one that says "I can help you". PFDAN to you both. Janet

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by thebbz on Oct 4^th, 2004, 6:36pm

Keep up the good work, you mentioned a taper. I am assuming that is prednisone. I have , once or twice been on the taper and CH returns. My doc upped the dose and restarted the prednisone with a longer dosage time and taper. Just some info for ya. Need an abortive as quickly as you can. Cold spoons work for the eye. You can put them in the freezer and keepum cold. Be there when he needs ya . Leave him when he tells ya. Your not alone. :D :D
BB

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by Charlie on Oct 4^th, 2004, 8:42pm

Welcome and this is one place where we understand exactly what you and your husband are going through. If you stick around, you'll find a lot of good ideas for dealing with this horror.

Here is what worked for me:

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: another new commer
Post by laz on Oct 5^th, 2004, 7:55am

;)charlie thanx for ur support , tony has just read on the ch site about that technique and is very will to try this thanx again laz

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by laz on Oct 5^th, 2004, 8:00am

Hi Thomas, yes he has tried imigran and verapamil and oxygen nurofen paracetemaol nothing works, he has the worse onhe ever on sunday night and paced the floor for 0nhe and half hours , he also is waiting to see a dental specialist that specialises in nerves, will let you know the result of that, and thanx for the support
Laz

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by laz on Oct 5^th, 2004, 8:05am

For Empress jmb Hi Janet thankyou so much for your kind support, I could see when i told him that i had written to you all on this site, great relief that he now has someone he can talk to , i dont think he would have done that himself, not the type to bother other people, but i know he his desperate, and that it helps greatly to speak to people who have suffered the same, I can only support him, but dont quite understand the symptoms like you guys can so thankyou to you all once again
Laz

Title: Re: another new commer
Post by laz on Oct 5^th, 2004, 8:09am

For the bbz : thanks for your reply and support and yes we will definately try the spoon thing, infact anything i am sure that will give him some relief, although for the first time in five weeks he did sleep right through the night, but i wont hold my breath, It is so difficult for him because he has a business to run, And i know how shattered he his from sleep deprivation. We will keep trying to find a cure, and researching it has much has possible and thanks again for your support laz