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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> new guy 
        
(Message started by: travelingman on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:29pm)

Title: new guy
Post by travelingman on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:29pm

I wanted to say hello to everyone and give my thanks for your page--OMG it has been 20 plus years of hell and I never met anyone with these type headaches in person so I really appreciate the effort to band together and help one another. I am almost 49 years old and have dealt with "sinus headaches" since college in my 20's--figured stress related? Never got to the full blown wild stages until I married and gawd her perfume and hairspray just killed me!! I finally went to a neurologist who gave me prednisone to stop them and they went away for afew years and then came back with a vengence. I wish I had kept a diary all those year like I do now--it would be fascinating to review with all we have learned!! I have made the rounds to headache clinics and have tried every drug known to man and beast and finally gave up on the dr's as being cold and uncaring to my pain and have worked with my family dr the last 3-4 years and we keep up to date on the latest trials. He has been great to do anything I want---oxygen helps some but is so inconvenient and it is not always with you!! lol I have been using Maxalt under the tongue the last two years and it at least has no side affects and I can come back to work after an hour or two. But this year things have been so crazy---just finished my month of hell and it has been the worst in memory. I never have these in Nov/Dec--always in May/June and never at night but this time every night and they were killers. I am divorced now the last three years so no more perfume or hairspray triggers!! lol But it is sure lonely at night when you are pacing and crying and swinging your arms inthe air --just anything to cope with the stabs of pain. Then could look forward to one every morning between 10am and noon--like clockwork!! they seem to be over but am looking for next season and want to be better informed. I have a big trip to Africa next July and intend to climb Mt Kilimanjaro with my 14 year old daugher but now am getting concerned about the altitude affects on my CH. I am investing so much money and workouts to get ready for this I can't believe I could screw it up with my stupid headaches!!!
Enough about me I guess--just wanted to start talking with new friends and be of some help if I can
Steve

Title: Re: new guy
Post by LeLimey on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:39pm

Hello Steve and welcome!
Truly sorry you have to be here though. I wish I could help you on the mountain climbing thing but I'm afraid I'm going to be about as much use as a chocolate fire guard. I know nuttin! This site is a mine of information as you are no doubt finding out :) read up on all the different treatments and discuss them with your doc and hopefully you can come up with the right combo to facilitate your trip. hopefully you will be out of cycle by then and it might not affect you.. i'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
There are lots of really good people here and I'm sure someone will be able to give you better advice.. me? I just wantd to welcome you!
Regards
Helen

Title: Re: new guy
Post by Jonny on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:47pm

Welcome aboard, Steve,

I see that you dont mention Imitrex, it looks like a pen...you hold it to your arm or thigh and push the button, HA gone in five minutes!

This would be very helpfull on a mountain.

....................................jonny

Title: Re: new guy
Post by travelingman on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:47pm

thanks Helen---i understand about mining the info in the archives and the group so will look forward to reading over everything. I will try to watch to offer help as I can also--I agree about praying it is not my season during the climb, would never consider it if it was, I organize my whole life around knowing when the month of pain will hit!! lol I am so lucky to own my own business---I can only imagine what people do who have to report for work or try to explain how awful these are when they miss so much work!! Thanks for the hello back--now off to cook dinner!!
Steve

Title: Re: new guy
Post by travelingman on Dec 14^th, 2004, 6:50pm

I have not tried the imitrex shot but would in a minute--dr's have not thought it would help much in the clusters but I see from your various testimonials several have had luck with this so I will keep that in mind--gawd I may have a sachel of drugs with me when I go so all bases are covered!! lol Thanks for the reply

Title: Re: new guy
Post by don on Dec 14^th, 2004, 7:04pm

Quote:

dr's have not thought it would help much in the clusters

Do these docs you refer to dwell in caves?

Imitrex injections have been the only thing that has ever aborted my CH.

Title: Re: new guy
Post by RichardN on Dec 14^th, 2004, 10:09pm

Well, I would assume you automatically have 02 when climbing Kilimanjaro. As for everywhere else, "B" are small and can fit in a knapsack, under the seat of your car . . . wherever. I keep "E" tanks and "B" tanks available in my van and at the house.
Your doc might not want to prescribe Imitrex without a cholesterol check or possible stress test (for blockage). From your post, I assume you are in excellent physical condition. Appearances can be deceiving - - I'm 6'1" and 175 lbs. Many medical types might "assume" no cholesterol probs . . . wrong. Blockage also in arteries, but not enough for a stint . . . but enough to make Imitrex dangerous for me. For those that can take it, it seems to be the "top-of-the-line" in abortives.
Good luck and PFDANs to ya'

Richard

Title: Re: new guy
Post by travelingman on Dec 15^th, 2004, 12:25pm

Richard,
What a good reply--thanks--yes oxygen will be available and I will be taking altitude meds--going two days early to acclimate and then taking extra long time to climb--8 days instead of the normal 5 so I am betting will be ok BUT these CH have surprised me this year and makes me nervous. Yes I am in excellent shape--run 1-2 miles daily and hike 8-9 on weekends to get ready for this. 6' and 155lbs---running sure takes it off!! lol Thanks for the comment about blockage, I had never thought about that. Cholesterol is fine but never thought about the other--wow--will check that out!! thanks for the caution on the imitrex. Man I sure love this board and everyone's help!!

Title: Re: new guy
Post by Bob_Johnson on Dec 15^th, 2004, 7:51pm

While Imitrex injection is probably the best single aborative we have, your travel plans may create some tension at customs unless you carry good documentation with you re. carrying needles, etc.

May wish to try this abortive. Some of us have had good success and, being a pill, easy to carry and take when on the move.
---
1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.