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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> I'm New & Need Some Help!
        
(Message started by: loliver on Dec 8^th, 2004, 7:39pm)

Title: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by loliver on Dec 8^th, 2004, 7:39pm

Hi, everyone! I have to say that after a couple of weeks of feeling lost, I feel a bit better after reading the postings here on this site. I need some advice about these headaches and badly! I got my first one about two weeks ago and after a 4 day hospital stay where I was poked and proded in every way imaginable...I am still suffering. I was given a spinal tap that resulted in only making the headache worse. I have only been given a pain med called Ultracet, Depakote, and an anti-nausea called Tigan and told we will do a sleep study on the 16th. I have researched the sleep apnea link and am open to looking into that but I guess I am just getting depressed. I know that when I go to sleep the left side of my head will throb about 2 or 3 in the am to the point I want to bash my head in against the wall. I feel like I am not being taken seriously by the neurologist. My work is being very understanding but I would like to return to normal sometime soon. The meds make me sick at my stomach and I am losing weight rapidly because everything tastes bad.

Well...sorry to ramble...I would welcome any advice you all have.

Thanks,

Laura

Title: Re: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by LeLimey on Dec 8^th, 2004, 7:54pm

Hi Laura,
Nice to meet you and I'm sorry you are in pain.
My advice is to read up as much as you can and print stuff off ready to take back to your neuro to discuss the best options for you. There are several types of headaches similar to CH but wuth different treatments so I would urge you to try the cluster quiz on your left as you want to be sure and get the right treatment asap!
O2 is my "drug of choice", its not all I have in my armoury but its my favourite and first try every time. It is brilliant and side effect free.
How long are your ha lasting, what other symptoms do you have? The more you can tell us the more we can help you
I hope you get sorted soon!
Regards
Helen
Let us know how you are getting on please!

Title: Re: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by nani on Dec 8^th, 2004, 8:42pm

Welcome Laura and sorry you're here. Helen gave you some great advice...a definitive diagnosis is the first step in getting some relief. Find a good headache doc and perservere... Pain free wishes to you.

Title: Re: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by Gator on Dec 9^th, 2004, 12:40pm

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

Defintely get a good diagnosis that includes an MRI to rule out any "organic" causes. Here are the International Headache Society guidelines. Clusters start on page 44.

http://216.25.100.131/ihscommon/guidelines/pdfs/ihc_II_main_no_print.pdf

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

Here is a link to a letter that may help explain things to your friends, family and co-workers.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/Cluster%20Headache%20Syndrome.doc

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

Gator

Title: Re: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by thomas on Dec 9^th, 2004, 10:00pm

If you are getting hit at night, I would recommend melatonin before bed, it has helped many, many people with their nightime dances.

Title: Re: I'm New & Need Some Help!
Post by TxBasslady on Dec 9^th, 2004, 11:22pm

Welcome......

Listen to Thomas :)

Melatonin works great for alot of us.

PF vibes,

Jean