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Title: New member & so happy to have found this site Post by ssantos on Nov 9th, 2004, 8:27am :)Hi - my name is Susana & I'm really so happy to have found this website. I'm from South Africa & have not been able to find any such website in our country. I'm 34 years of age and work in the Insurance Industry and specialise in Information Management. I'm at the moment studying General & Industrial Psychology - in my 4th and last year. I work part time as a volunteer at a Childrens Home (Firlands Childrens Home) for abused and abandand children - in the capacity of education and counseling. I've got to say that I adore these children with all my heart :-) I've been working at the Home for the past 3 years and still feel so touched by each and every one of these special children. I have two beautiful babies... my rottie dogs :-) Whom I also love to pieces. I was diagnosed with clusterheadaches 5 years ago. It might seem hard to beleive - but until 5 years ago I never knew what a normal headache felt like, let alone a cluster. I firstly started taking over the counter tabs for normal headaches, thinking that this must be the feeling of having a normal headache, since I'd never known anything else. After a week of feeling ill and eventually not being able to function as myself. My husband rushed me to our GP. By that time I was already crying with pain, my blood pressure was very low, I could not stand to see the light and wanted to just bang my head against something hard to make it stop. Thank goodness my GP, knowing my history realised that this was not a normal headache, he contacted a Neurosurgeon and sent me to hospital to be admitted for tests. I had and still do have a wonderful Neurosurgeon - he took the necessary tests such as CT scan and lumber-puncher (not a very nice test - very painful) - and immediately diagnosed me with having clusters - he even gave me his books to read about it.. I was hospitilised for one week - as certain medication did not work, so my Neuro had to find the right treatment for me and having a peptic ulcer did not help as I could not administor certain medications. After that incident I was clear for the next year. But although the clusters came back after that year - it was not too bad as I felt that strange shadow-like feeling creeping up in my head and immediately went back to my Neuro for the treatment - to prevent the full blown attack. After the treatment I was fine once again. Unfortunately after once again being clear for the past 3 years it came back a few months ago with a vengence. The treatment which worked for the last two attacks did nothing for me this time around.. It was really terrible! I honestly thought I was either going to go mad or die. The pain this time was just too much for me to bare! My blood pressure dropped tremendously. My husband once again had to rush me to ER. I had to be put on oxygen and I was pocked full of drips and needles - I felt like I was shutting down - just wanted to sleep so that I could not feel the pain. After three days in hospital I was much better :-) That was 3 weeks ago and I still have to take treatment for the next 2 months. I can sympathise with all the people and stories that I have read on this website.. Until you get them, you won't understand what the pain is like.. These clusters really turn your life up side down. I have only recently started feeling back to my normal self. I am behind with my studying due to these attacks and have put my poor husband through weeks of torment.. I cling onto my medication as if my life depends on them .. I'm already terrified of what will happen once the treatment ends - I only pray and hope for the best.. But I can't allow it to take over my life any longer .. I've read that some people call it the beast and they are right - but we can't allow this beast to win! So whatever your pain is and whatever you are all going through due to these clusterheadaches please don't give up and hang in there! You just can't let it win.. Life is just too precious and too short.. I wish you all the best.. and thank you so much for this website :-) It's truelly a great help.. Take care :-) |
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Title: Re: New member & so happy to have found this s Post by RandyB on Nov 9th, 2004, 9:27am Welcome I am also new to the boards and find it very helpfull. I was in full amazment when I found you all here. When I read all the stuff in this site I felt as though somebody was stealing my thoughts. I mean Cluster traits tab on the left was exactally what is goining on for me. I have never personally met another person who suffers from the same things we do and it great to have a board as this so we all can vent and discuss our CH's. Anyway welcome from one new board memeber to another. Keep up your bravery !!! RandyB |
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Title: Re: New member & so happy to have found this s Post by lionsound on Nov 9th, 2004, 10:33am Hi Susana. You're right, this place is really a great help. Be sure and read, read, read...lots of info here. Also curious to know of you've ever tried Oxygen? (link to the left to read about it) And if you keep a Headache Diary, sometimes those are helpful. Welcome :) -lionsound |
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Title: Re: New member & so happy to have found this s Post by BobG on Nov 9th, 2004, 11:48am Hello Susana. Nice to meet you. Just want to say I'm sorry to learn you are a fellow Clusterhead but am glad you found this site. Welcome aboard. Mostly wanted to say Thank You for what you do for the children. They are very special children. Anyone that cares for them and loves them is a hero to me. Thank you. BobG |
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Title: Re: New member & so happy to have found this s Post by unsolved1 on Nov 10th, 2004, 7:57pm Interested in knowing what kind of "treatment" you are getting ?? PF Wishes, Unsolved |
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Title: Re: New member & so happy to have found this s Post by thebbz on Nov 10th, 2004, 9:32pm Hi Susana, Same here ,what kind of treatment? I assume DHE IV drip due to hospitalization. Kids are so cool. Keep up the good work. BB |
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