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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> New - Looking for help
        
(Message started by: BartM on Jul 29^th, 2005, 11:19pm)

Title: New - Looking for help
Post by BartM on Jul 29^th, 2005, 11:19pm

I have recently met and moved in with someone who has the beast as she calls it. She is 39, and has had them since she was 22. Currently I am sitting here with her at my feet, ice on the floor, cold rag, ceiling fan on high and her screaming.... I am VERY new to this, since March of this year, her cycle started in April, and is going strong still, 4-6 per day, level 6-9 in pain each day.

I feel helpless

Title: Re: New - Looking for help
Post by alienspacebabe on Jul 29^th, 2005, 11:22pm

Welcome, Bart.

I/we understand that you feel helpless. When we see another CHer getting hit with a headache, we also feel helpless. Coming here was an excellent decision.

Give her what she needs. Don't touch her if she doesn't want you to. And when it's over, ask what you can do to help next time.

Lizzie

Title: Re: New - Looking for help
Post by E-Double on Jul 30^th, 2005, 1:21am

Hiya Bart,

Thank you for being there for her!!
It takes a heart of gold and strength beyond words to be a supporter for "us"

The best you can do for her NOW is to follow her lead and to then talk to her when she has a pain free moment.
Some like Ice,Steam,pressure, neck rubs, to be left alone, to be held, it is up to her

Does she take any meds? preventative, abortive?

I'm going to give you some links to literature that may be helpful to not only her but of course to you in educating yourself and seeking treatment for this hellacious thing living in our heads......

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!!!

If you want an abortive with the least amount of danger/side-effects O2 should not only be requested but demanded from her doctor!!!

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

I have recently been using Zyprexa as an abortive and have found it to work (for me) as fast as Imitrex and without the "hangover"

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1120904753

If she does 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 10-12 times.....I have slept through the night since August '04 (went chronic in March 05).....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.

There is no cure but for some it can be very manageable. Remember to not only take care of her but to take care of yourself so that IT does not burn you out too.

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

Eric

Title: Re: New - Looking for help
Post by Kirk on Jul 30^th, 2005, 2:39am

After this attack is over and if she isn't too exhausted ask her what you can do.
Hang in ther man we're proud of ya. [smiley=smokin.gif]