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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> hello
        
(Message started by: skyboy on Apr 3^rd, 2005, 10:22pm)

Title: hello
Post by skyboy on Apr 3^rd, 2005, 10:22pm

Hi everyone I'm a newbie here I have had CH since I was 19 I'm 50 now and still get them but only in the spring and fall. It took doctors over 20 years before one found out what my headaches was. I have lost many jobs because of CH and got a few scars where I would beat my head against brick walls to try and releive the pain. I was woke up last night at 3 am with a CH then it occured to me its spring one of the dreded times of the year for me.

Title: Re: hello
Post by Sean_C on Apr 3^rd, 2005, 10:38pm

I've walked in your shoes Sky as did many others here, life wasn't easy thats for sure.

Do you have any meds, can you take any meds?

Sean........................

Title: Re: hello
Post by jokrs2 on Apr 3^rd, 2005, 10:41pm

Welcome aboard skyboy.
Hope that your pain abates soon. Lots of info and people who understand what you're going through in here. What meds are you taking? Blessings, Joe

Title: Re: hello
Post by TxBasslady on Apr 3^rd, 2005, 11:53pm

Welcome to the board.

You didn't mention any meds you take. You might check out the threads on Melatonin. You can buy it at Wally World, cheap.

Alot of us here have enjoyed some PF time when taking the Melatonin. You might have to play with the dosage. I started with 3mg, then increased a couple of times to 9mg, then back down again.

Worth a shot.....especially if you get the nightime hits.

Good luck....PF vibes,

Jean

Title: Re: hello
Post by mynm156 on Apr 4^th, 2005, 12:43am

Greetings Skyboy
Sorry that you ae one of us. I am glad that you found us. Welcome aboard!

Your Brother in Pain

MYNM156

Title: Re: hello
Post by skyboy on Apr 4^th, 2005, 9:02am

No I have never taken meds I usually ride it out until they stop.

Title: Re: hello
Post by nani on Apr 4^th, 2005, 9:06am

Sorry you're hurting, skyboy. Some of us are testing a supplement that has proven to be pretty helpful. Please look at the threads linked here. Good luck and pain free wishes, nani
http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1110584362

Title: Re: hello
Post by ninaperdida on Apr 4^th, 2005, 9:08am

Hi,Welcome and sorry that some doctors have their head in their ass.It took me A while to get diagnosed too.Thank God you found this place for us clusterheads.I have been suffering with clusters for 14+years.I know now it might have been longer.I was sooo lost until I found this place.I had always wished I could meet even just one person that was like me.Now we have A whole family like us.Its just our circumstances really suck!!!Hey but at least we have us...Glad to meet you.And I know how it feels to lose plenty of jobs.It sucks too. :-X Anyway Welcome to Clusterville!!!!! ;;D Jen

Title: Re: hello
Post by BobG on Apr 4^th, 2005, 9:25am

on 04/04/05 at 09:02:20, skyboy wrote:

No I have never taken meds I usually ride it out until they stop.

There is something to say for the med-free route. Many here claim that some meds tend to extend the cluster period and some meds, like imitrex, may cause rebound headaches. I'm like you. I have taken almost no meds and just suffered through.
There are some non-med meds you can try though. Pure oxygen, melatonin, kuduz and the schroom treatment. Also ice packs or heat packs.
Welcome to the board.

Title: Re: hello
Post by seasonalboomer on Apr 4^th, 2005, 9:52am

Hey skyboy,

Your description of your cycle and your approach to it has mirrored mine. After watching my Dad take a variety store of meds that never seemed to help him I chose to go the "gut it out" route for the past 15 years.

This year was the first time I tried anything, when I read about the Kudzu. I gave it a go and feel as though it had a good effect by shortening or stopping my cycle --- without side effects of many of the meds you see written about on the boards.

I've also realized that "gutting it out" isn't the only approach and that some of the proactive treatments that seem to have some effect are worth getting in place before my next cycle -- particularly the O2. For myself, I'm still not going the route of all the meds, but I see I'm not taking advantage of some of the "easier" ones. So, as I learned this year, don't write off the idea that some appropriate relief measures may be worth trying.

I hope your cycle will be short.

Scott

Title: Re: hello
Post by skyboy on Apr 4^th, 2005, 11:31am

thanks everyone I will have to try some of the non med methods. right now I can't afford to go to a doctor I had a spinal fusion 2 years ago that left me with more pain than I had to begin with and now one of the screws is coming out. I had to quit my job and apply for disability been fighting that for over 2 years. I don't have any insurance so its pay as I can.

Title: Re: hello
Post by thudpucker on Apr 4^th, 2005, 5:14pm

I'll second the recommendation for melatonin for nighttime hits.

I duked out two years without any meds at all, then this year tried 6mg melatonin, and it's kept me mostly pain free for this cycle (which should be ending Any Minute Now).

Title: Re: hello
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Apr 4^th, 2005, 8:18pm

Hi Skyboy,

Welcome to the board. Sorry you have to be here. Having clusters is bad enough, but living without insurance and with disability is a triple whammy!

Try the Melatonin if you're having night hits. Many of us take 6-9mg before bed (some take more). It's available OTC just about in any store. The Kudzu also seems to be helping many people here. Read the thread on it under Medications and Treatments. I haven't found it anywhere in my community, but it's readily available on-line for not much money.

If your suffering can be relieved even a little with natural, inexpensive methods, I encourage you to try them. No person should have to "suffer through" an entire cluster cycle if the relief is there somewhere.

Regardless, you've found a family of sufferers here. Keep posting.

Many Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: hello
Post by skyboy on Apr 4^th, 2005, 10:52pm

thanks so much everyone I will try the melatonin this group has already been a blessing. haveing CH for 20 years and not knowing anyone else to have it has been hard. I'm really glad I found you.
Skyboy

Title: Re: hello
Post by RichardN on Apr 6^th, 2005, 12:20am

Hi Skyboy and Welcome

Make sure you check out the oxygen info link (left of screen). For those of us it works for . . . tis' a miracle . . . . can kill the beast in minutes and avoid many a dance.

Much info/caring/sharing here from folks who truly know your pain.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: hello
Post by wifesupporter on Apr 8^th, 2005, 6:42pm

as a supporter who just found this site as well I had found that your local health food store should be able to order kudzu from their suppliers and going that way will save you the cost of shipping that occurs by online ordering. Its been 6 years for my wife with no real meds as the Dr's here didn't feel delving into the CH line was worth telling me. Research and all the support here is the best remedy. What doesn't kill us will only make us stronger. PF wishes to all.

Steve