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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Hello. New to the site.
        
(Message started by: artscribe on Jan 7^th, 2005, 6:59pm)

Title: Hello. New to the site.
Post by artscribe on Jan 7^th, 2005, 6:59pm

Hi Everyone,

Sitting here in the middle of cluster season, and glad this site is here. I got diagnosed a year ago by my doctor who, after the diagnosis, suggested that I do research on clusters. (I've had these since I was 13 (I'm now 42), and they've been called everything from migraines to sinus infections.) Anyway, my own regimen, which has its pluses and minuses is cardizem as a prohibitive, and imitrex spray/tablets as an abortive. Honestly, the imitrex doesn't always work (sometimes sudafed works better! Sometimes, caffeine helps too). What I've noticed is that the pattern of the headaches changed when I moved from the east to the west coast (the cycles were in the spring; now they're in the winter), and the older I get the more severe the headaches (I never vomited from them until last year). Also, it seems that the cardizem, in messing around with the pattern, does help, but the pain in getting to remission is intense. This week, after a record four headaches in one day, I went three days pain-free. Then, after a dental filling yesterday, I've had three of them (two this afternoon). Do any of you notice that after a series of clusters your head still rattles?

I don't have any questions right now, the information here is fantastic.

Thanks.

steven

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by thebbz on Jan 7^th, 2005, 7:31pm

Hello and sorry bout the head. You might think about the imitrex stat-dose.(Check with your doc). You might find instant relief. N/S and oral don't work for me ..just the stat-dose. All the best.
BB

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 7^th, 2005, 7:41pm

Welcome Steven,

Sorry to hear you're having a rough bout this time around. Check on the 02 info also. It helps many Clusterheads. BB is right. The shots are alot faster which is the key to aborting.

Take care.
BM

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by RichardN on Jan 7^th, 2005, 7:52pm

Welcome Steven

Read, read, read . . . . you're right, there's lots of info here, and more important, folks who truly know your pain.

For me, Verapamil as preventative. 02 as abortive. I also take 6mg Melatonin nightly and . . . . water, water, water. I frequently forget to mention the water, but believe it is of great help.

There's always someone here . . . .and willing to help/listen/share.

Be safe,

PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 7^th, 2005, 8:16pm

Hi Steven,

Glad you found us. Sorry you had to!

I'm not familiar with Cardiazem as a prevent. Is it a Calcium-channel blocker? You'll see Verapamil mentioned here quite a bit since CCB's are known (somehow) to prevent clusters.

Like many here, I've found Imitrex pills and NS to be either ineffective or too slow to work. Those injections will give you relief usually within 5-10 minutes. O2 is also a good alternative.

I found my salvation during my most recent cycle at this link:

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

Check it out and print it for your doc if you believe it will help. Meanwhile ... welcome to the family. Keep posting.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by Langa on Jan 8^th, 2005, 3:14pm

Welcome!

Definitely look into the Oxygen treatment. Also, the Melatonin for night-time hits.

Langa

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by CC2004 on Jan 8^th, 2005, 5:09pm

on 01/08/05 at 15:14:57, Langa wrote:

Welcome!

Definitely look into the Oxygen treatment. Also, the Melatonin for night-time hits.

Langa

and try water water water, but this might not be so effective as it has been for me since you are on other meds (Im not)
:-/ any chance your meds might be contributing to your stronger hits and nausea?

BTW Im 44 and first got hit age 16 (28 years now) but only this cycle realised that going from activity to inactivity is major trigger, maybe you know already if thats trigger for you, but it took me a while to realise it wasnt food triggers, it was sitting down to relax to eat - soon got used to eating standing and being up & down all evening, never relax!!!

Anyway you've come to the right place Steven
keep in touch, take care and keep strong ;)
CC

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by artscribe on Jan 9^th, 2005, 10:42pm

Thanks for all the great tips. I really appreciate it. For Kris, who asked about cardizem, the drug is a calcium channel blocker. Anyway, I've been headache free for another 2 days. Let's hope it continues. Steven

Title: Re: Hello. New to the site.
Post by nani on Jan 9^th, 2005, 10:50pm

Welcome art...I'm happy for your pain free days. I would encourage you to stick around and keep learning even if your pain stops for now. You can't learn enough IMHO...and we're a crazy bunch....very amusing. There are a few other clusterheads from the Boston area...

Now (you know who you are) introduce yourselves....