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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Greetings...
        
(Message started by: clusterf__ked on May 29^th, 2005, 8:39am)

Title: Greetings...
Post by clusterf__ked on May 29^th, 2005, 8:39am

I think I may be an unfortunate member of this society. Yet to see a neuro and receive an official diagnosis, but this is my fifth year of what is probably episodic cluster headaches. Been getting these things every 12 months, with each episode lasting about 2 months. Latest batch just started a few weeks ago, and I man did I have a doozy yesterday. Regular doctor sent me for blood work, MRI, etc a few years ago to rule out a brain tumor...thank God for the Internet, I probably would not have figured out what was really going on through my doc. Any advice or tips on medications or abortive agents is greatly appreciated. Guess I'll lay off the red wine for now...

Cheers,
Steve

Title: Re: Greetings...
Post by don on May 29^th, 2005, 9:42am

Here ya go. Click it, read it, print it, and take it to your Doc.

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/medications.htm

Title: Re: Greetings...
Post by lionsound on May 29^th, 2005, 9:45am

Hi Steve! Welcome...read read read around here ..lots of info and support too! And do try to see a neuro. meanwhile......to quote a friend of mine:

on 05/26/05 at 08:40:36, E-Double wrote:

This is a great resource to know like the back of your hand...print it out and give it to your doc

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

It will present the appropriate treatments that you should seek and your doctor should know!!!

Ask for a script and if needed FIGHT fOR Oxygen...
http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

Educate your doctors!!!

Good luck and stay strong!

E

Title: Re: Greetings...
Post by E-Double on May 29^th, 2005, 10:25am

Not all treatments work for everyone and being that you have no meds @ this point nor have you been officially diagnosed, there are a few things that might be able to give you some relief non-medicinally.

If you do have the "typical" wake you up in the middle of the night horrors then.... Melatonin might be very helpful
Many of us (myself included) have found that taking 6-9mg (some take more) about a 1/2 hour to 45minutes prior to bed have Knocked out the night visits and can finally get sleep.

With the exception of 8-10 times.....I have slept through the night since August.....Still get hit during the day but my overall quality of life is better because I am not as exhausted all the time.

Some people report that it seems to make them worse....The fact is that we are all different and respond differently to everything therefore it may or may not...

The one thing I will tell you as far as my experience was that I had to stick with it...The first night I took melatonin, I was awoken with a doozy only I was too groggy to find my O2 .....It got a lot better for me....I then slept through the night but would get slammed about 1/2 hour after waking up....kinda like knocking the beast off schedule.....then again I was peaking and this cycle has been all over the place with no real pattern.
I stayed with melatonin and have had decent sleep overall.

It may help and it is natural with not too many sideeffects....also ask your doctor b/c if there are any side effects or contraindications...I think they have to do with mild depression..... Like I said we are all different.

Some tricks that I used to use and sometimes still do are as follows:

*Wrapping a bandana tightly around my skull (be careful)
*Filling a sink with scaulding water creating a steam bath and placing my head over it with a towel covering
it.
*Going from Steam to Frigid shower.
*Standing infront of A/C
*Icepacks or frozen veggies on the back of the neck or eye
*Tons of STRONG coffee.

All in all , pain sucks but this place will offer you tons of support if you need to be here. Kinda saved my life and apparently 1000's of others ;)

Best wishes, good luck & stay as positive as you can!!!!

Eric

Title: Re: Greetings...
Post by clusterf__ked on May 29^th, 2005, 11:22am

Thanks for the advice and help so far...It's amazing to almost instantly find people who can relate...None of my family, friends or coworkers have evered experienced cluster heacaches...Most of my events are during the night, but I also get daytime visits. Beyond the distinct events I also often get what I consider low intensity, continuous sensations (not painful, but i know it's there). Mine are always around the left eye and temple, plus I get the icepick sensations. From what I've read so far, I'm interesed in oxygen and Imitrex as options...Hope to find something that works and can't wait until this episode goes away.

Steve

Title: Re: Greetings...
Post by lionsound on May 30^th, 2005, 8:43am

on 05/29/05 at 11:22:26, clusterf__ked wrote:

, plus I get the icepick sensations.

you may also want to read about Idiopathic Stabbing Headache.(Ice-pick HA's)
http://helpforheadaches.com/articles/ice-picks.htm They respond well to indocin, and NSAID.

You may have more than one type of HA going on at once. (I do) A good neurologist can help you figure it all out.

Be well,
lionsound