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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> The new guy (Retired Air Force)
        
(Message started by: ByteMe on Dec 27^th, 2004, 11:12pm)

Title: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by ByteMe on Dec 27^th, 2004, 11:12pm

I'm a Gulf War Veteran (Retired Air Force) male, 41 years old. I was in the AOR from Aug 90 to Apr 91… the first of 13 trips to the AOR in 11 years. I had, before going over, been diagnosed with "sinus problems" by an Army Doc and was operated on to open the sinus cavities. Still had attacks twice a year lasting 1-2 months and was given a decongestant and Motrin. In 1995 I was told it was “Cluster Headaches” by an Air Force PA. And was given Cafergot and Fiorinal to be taken at the same time… come to find out that was a mistake on the PA’s part!!! In late 1995 was prescribed Prednisone 60mg over a three week time span and Fiorinal by a German Doctor while TDY to Germany and it worked. In 1997 was prescribe Allegra for allergies. Figured it out three years later that it was a trigger and told the Air Force PA that was assigned to me about it. Go figure he was not aware of it being a trigger. I’m currently working with one military doctor and three military PAs. They have me on Prednisone starting at 60mg weaning down in 12 days, Zomig 2.5mg, Maxalt 5mg and Imitrex NS 5mg for when the Zomig isn’t working.

I work with computers all day in a room lit by florescent lights. As you can imagine during the cycles the lights go out and a small desk light goes on. I share the office with no one so there is no issue there. During the attacks I wear ear plugs because of the 10 computers (servers) running in my office. I got rid of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitor for a Liquid Crystal Diode (LCD) monitor two years ago. The CRT made it impossible to do any work because of the flickering. The LCD does not flicker so I still can get some work done during the attacks. I work with some very understanding co-workers. They know when the “Beast Is Knock’n at the Door” and will slip notes under my door when they need me to work on their computers. They also understand I can only work on them in between the attacks.

I find this forum very informative and will add my two Zomigs worth.

May the Beast cease to knock at your door,

ByteMe

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by nani on Dec 27^th, 2004, 11:19pm

Welcome, ByteMe (that sounds funny) and sorry you are here. Are Zomig and Imitrex both triptans? If they are you shouldn't mix them. It can be dangerous. Since I can't take triptans, I can't tell you why, though. Look around the boards here, I believe there is a thread on it somewhere. I'm really not being at all helpful, am I? I'll shut up now. Pain free wishes to you. :)

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by ByteMe on Dec 27^th, 2004, 11:25pm

Yeap... they are both triptans... was told to wait 24 hours before taking the Imitrex NS...

ByteMe is my "nickname" since I work with computers...

Thanx for the advice!!!

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by TxBasslady on Dec 28^th, 2004, 3:00am

Welcome to the board.

Yes, please be careful mixing the triptans.

They definitely affect the heart, and you can end up with some major problems.

Looks like you at least found a doc familiar with CH.

Good luck to ya. Let us know how things are going for you.

PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by Langa on Dec 28^th, 2004, 8:42am

Welcome Aboard!

Sorry it took so long to be diagnosed properly and be given better meds. Did they prescribe oxygen? Oxygen has been a life-saver to many of us here. There's a link to the left on it. Also Melatonin for the night-time hits.

PF wishes to you...

Langa

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Dec 28^th, 2004, 8:45pm

Hi New Guy,

While I understand the meaning behind your moniker, I can't type it without laughing, so I hope you'll forgive me.

Prednisone is truly a wonder drug for episodic CH, but you might also want to ask your PA about a preventative like Verapamil. When started at the same time, as you taper off the Pred, the prevent has started to kick in. The combo can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of HA's. When in cycle, I take 480mg/day of Verap. Trex injections or oxygen are also great for aborting the big ones.

I work on computers all day, also, but have luckily not ever had my screen flicker be a trigger.

Glad to have you among the family. Keep posting.

Many Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by BackwaterBiomed on Jan 2^nd, 2005, 2:45am

My understanding is that triptans are vaseoconstrictors; they cause the capillaries in your brain and elsewhere to tighten up. This for some reason alleviates a vascular headache. However, an overdose is big trouble: The local blood pressure sky-rockets and the little suckers can burst, causing stroke or myocardial infarction (heart attack).

You shouldn't take two drugs of the same family ever, it's like taking a double dose of the same one. Doctors are so careful with triptans that I suspect their theraputic range is pretty close to their toxic range, it's easier than usual to OD with them.

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by floridian on Jan 4^th, 2005, 11:49am

Welcome, ByteMe.

There are a few people here that have reported that flickering lights can trigger, though that is the minority. Flickering lights bother me, but I haven't noticed that they trigger (I usually get hit while asleep). I have my CRT turned up to 120 herz, which reduces brain fog I get from visible flicker. Half of the fluorescent tubes are turned off, and I sit next to a window.

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by Gator on Jan 7^th, 2005, 2:45pm

on 12/27/04 at 23:12:32, ByteMe wrote:

They have me on Prednisone starting at 60mg weaning down in 12 days, Zomig 2.5mg, Maxalt 5mg and Imitrex NS 5mg for when the Zomig isn’t working.

DO NOT MIX TRIPTANS

Maxalt (rizatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Imitrex (sumitriptan), Amerge (naratriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), Axert (almotriptan), Frova (frovatriptan) and meds containing ergotamine are dangerous to take within 24 hours of each other. Mixing triptans can cause serious cardiac problems. If you switch from one to another, wait at least 24 hours between the two different meds.

Prednisone taper is pretty standard, but !!!YIKES!!! You're not on 2 triptans - you're on 3!!! Maxalt (rizatriptan), Zomig (zolmitriptan), Imitrex (sumitriptan) are all three triptans and not one of them should be taken within 24 hours of the other. Sounds like your doctors are trying to kill off their problem child. Okay, maybe not intentionally, but I am surprised that even if the doc didn't realize the interactions (which he should have) that the pharmacist allowed the meds to be prescribed without questioning why 3 triptans were prescribed at the same time. My pharmacist has gone so far as to refuse to fill a prescription until he has spoken with my doc when there were interactions or doubling up of like meds and such. It may have been a PITA, but it saved me from doubling up on like meds and possibly OD'ing.

I hated the military medical system when I was in the Air Force. Seeing a doctor that gets paid the same whether he or she treats you or not is not good. There is no incentive for them to give a shi+ whether they do right by you or not. (which is why I oppose socialised medicine) And their final answer if your case gets too difficult is always the same - discharge you and leave you at the mercy of the VA system. Now THAT's scary.

One doctor and 3 physicians assistants. The image of one clueless man standing there while three chimpanzees hooting and running around you, jumping up and down from the exam table, occassionally touching your head or your arm or your foot and shaking their heads comes to mind. I don't suppose anyone has suggested you go to a neurologist? If not ask them to refer you to one that specializes in headaches. How about O2? Works for most of us with few to no side effects. Did I mention that I hated the military medical system. Sheesh! Sorry I don't have a more positive outlook on the treatment you are getting. Needless to say, I was definitely not impressed when I was in.

In addition to the links to the left, 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

Man, I am really sorry you have a reason to be here, but glad you found us. There is no better place on the net for information and support for cluster headaches than right here.

I am wishing you good luck and pain free days ahead soon.

Gator

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by thebbz on Jan 7^th, 2005, 7:47pm

Well said Gator! Two tylenol and back to duty.
I want to thank you for your service and say hello. Military doctors are an injustice to our veterans. I want to kick a lot of goverment a$$ sometimes. ops! Did I say that. Anyway like Gator said....
All the best
BB

Title: Re: The new guy (Retired Air Force)
Post by Kirk on Jan 9^th, 2005, 12:04am

After 30+ years of these damn things O2 has been the best abortive for me so far.
Since the VA makes sure my tanks are kept topped off, even out here on the Oregon coast. I would suggest you give it a try.
NO side effects [smiley=smokin.gif]