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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Looks like I'm joining the club
        
(Message started by: mapleleaf on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 11:16am)

Title: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by mapleleaf on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 11:16am

I'm 51 yrs old and had first HA 11/12. thought just normal HA , never happenned before. Since then have had 9 of 18 days with HA, all between 9pm and 12pm, in area of right eye and temple. Last from 1/2 hour to about 3-4 hours, sometimes sharp pain intermittent for about 1 minute over 1 hour period. For now nothing taken orally helps ( Tylenol, Advil etc.) Hopefully seeing Dr next week.
Any suggestions in mean time?? Read about triggers but can't figuure out what may cause to come- basically not a drinker , smoke to add cigar and cut down on coffee and tea but nothing helped. Have had 4 nights in a row now with HA all around the 10 pm time. Not sure what to do in next week or so before get to DR.

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by nani on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 11:25am

Welcome and I'm sorry you're here. This isn't one of clubs that people long to join. Ice packs are probably the only thing that can offer any relief until you see the dr. Look around the boards here and look at the OUCH site (link on left) for treatment info. Your dr (hopefully has a clue about headaches) can prescribe abortive and preventative meds. You should get a definitive diagnosis before you start any treatments. Many people here suffered for years because no one diagnosed them correctly. Good luck and pain free wishes to you.

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by RichardN on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 11:26am

READ, read, read. Take the cluster quiz. Copy all pertinent info and take to your doctor. If you get the idea he/she is clueless about CH, you will have to educate or get a new doctor.

Sorry you're here, but you're in the right place

Welcome.

Richard

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by karma on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 2:51pm

Many people have had success with an over the counter suppliment Melatonin. It can be found in most drug stores and large supermarkets.
Try 9 mg. about 30 minutes before sleeping. This can be adjusted with a time released type. It may help.
When you feel a ha coming on caffiene helps. Definately ice or cold packs help.
One of the keys for me is to stay relaxed during the pain. Breath deeply from the Dyaphram( your stomache should be going in and out not your lings) and try and get into a meditative state. The trick is to remain relaxed.
Bananas are high in magnesium and may help, Otherwise magnesium suplliments along with B vitamins help in the long run.
Drink lots and lots and lots of water.
I don't have problems with any triggers accept alcohol. OTC pain relievers will not help at all and may make it worse.

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by thebbz on Dec 3^rd, 2004, 9:41pm

Hello ;)
Get to the doc for sure. Hope you dont have these. If you are going in soon you might try a super double black cup of coffee or two. Caffiene is in Cafergot which is sometimes perscribed to abort. Sometimes can be a lifesaver and sometimes not. All the best.
BB

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by Gator on Dec 5^th, 2004, 4:43am

Welcome to the website. Sucks that you had a reason to come looking for us, but damned glad you found us.

As you have no doubt discovered, the links to the left have tons of good info in them. There is even more on the OUCH website. Read everything you can and print stuff out that seems applicable. Unfortunately, you may end up teaching whatever doctor about CH.

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventative, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH.

http://www.future-drugs.com/admin/articlefile/ERN020304.pdf

Here is a link to some non-prescription alternatives different people have used to help with the pain:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/non_script_treat.htm

If you are currently taking medications, I would suggest you talk with your doctor before taking any of the nutritional supplements. At the very least check for interactions at a website such as:

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home/AllAboutDrugs

Nutritional supplements can interact with prescription meds just the same as some prescription meds interact with each other. Better safe than sorry where your health is concerned.

Oxygen is an excellent abortive. Works for most people when used properly. Defintely try this. As well as it works, I have a hard time understanding why more doctors do not prescribe it. If your doc won't prescribe it for you, you might try welder's O2. It's the same pure oxygen used by medical suppliers. Many people here use it and would be more than happy to help you set it up. Here is a link that tells about using O2 and shows a setup using welder's O2.

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

Again, welcome to CH.com. There's no better place in the world for info and support.

Gator

Title: Re: Looks like I'm joining the club
Post by cschick on Dec 5^th, 2004, 11:28am

just wanted to say Welcome and sorry you are here. Like Nani said not a club people aspire to be in. Everyone else has already said what I would - READ, READ, READ and arm yourself with info to go into the Dr with. My dr. was pretty impressed with my research and worked with me very well.

Karen