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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> I'm back, years later
        
(Message started by: slugdogmt on Jan 11^th, 2005, 11:19pm)

Title: I'm back, years later
Post by slugdogmt on Jan 11^th, 2005, 11:19pm

Hi y'all. Everybody but my momma calls me JoJo. I've had clusters since '82. I got on the board first in '96, I think. I'm pretty sure it was this board. I was so { and still am } happy to find it. Then my ha's went chronic. I stood that for maybe 4 months, then started seeing docs. Ended up on 200mg Oxycontin, 40mg of Prednisone, Elivil @ night. For 7 years I did that. It did make life bearable. Finally had to get off the Oxy, as it was killing the rest of my life. But, I was basically ha free for those years, and quit the board. Having my first real run now, and don't see how I'm gonna make it. I'm a Registered Nurse, red headed, ruddy, smoke, and used to drink a bit { ok, ok, more than a bit }. Haven't tried shrooms, but seriously thinking about doing it. Hope y'all have a good night. JoJo

Title: Re: I'm back, years later
Post by Langa on Jan 12^th, 2005, 12:25pm

Visit clusterbusters.com for more info on the shrooms...

PF wishes.

Title: Re: I'm back, years later
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 12^th, 2005, 2:56pm

Look at the "medications" button, left, and see the actual experience of folks here. This is a good empirical guide.

Since you are an R.N., you could really benefit from getting this book:

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $49 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

Title: Re: I'm back, years later
Post by slugdogmt on Jan 12^th, 2005, 11:26pm

Thanks y'all. Langa, I will go there now to check it out. Bob, seems like I remember a Bob, don't know how long you've been on the board though. I've looked at the med page, and have tried almost all of them at one time or the other. After years of trying different stuff with no luck, I gave up until they went chronic. At that point, it was either find something that would at least make them bearable or eat a .45. I will look for that book, as I do enjoy knowing new stuff. Thanks again.

Title: Re: I'm back, years later
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jan 13^th, 2005, 7:39am

Hit the meds board. Lots of details on the current preventatives and abortives.

Verapamil & Lithium seem to be a pretty popular prevent combo with the chronics.

Being episodic, I have found success with Topamax.

Read up on the meds board. Practically anything any of us are taking is discussed out there.

Luck,
Lobster