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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Uh oh...
        
(Message started by: Nolan on Aug 5^th, 2005, 2:03pm)

Title: Uh oh...
Post by Nolan on Aug 5^th, 2005, 2:03pm

Hi everyone,

I'm not new here, but due to the cycle of my CH's I haven't posted a lot. I still check in from time to time though.

A quick background: I've been a sufferer since age 22 (23 years) and over the last five or six years, my cycle has come every 18 months...like clockwork. That means I'm not due for my next cycle until December of this year, but...

I'm starting to feel a twinge, or shadows, when I wake up. That's how it always starts, it'll just hang out, not really causing any problems for a week or so, than BAM. My cycle usually lasts for 1-month...never shorter, but occasionally a week or so longer.

One thing I've never tried is any prevents. Suggestions? My doc is a good sort (he believes me, which is more than I can say for most of the quacks I've seen) but is there any non-prescript methods working for folks?

I'd like the chance to begin treating it before it...blooms, for lack of a better description. In fact, I'm almost hoping it comes sooner than later, so it doesn't ruin my holidays. I've had it in December before, and THAT sucks.

Thanks in advance to all. Hope everyone is dealing and staying positive-

Nolan

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by seasonalboomer on Aug 5^th, 2005, 2:07pm

on 08/05/05 at 14:03:38, Nolan wrote:

Take a little time to familiarize yourself with the Kudzu thread. I've used it for my last two cycles with some success, as others have. Since you don't appear to trying anything else, you may find this is worth consideration. Read the thread as mcuh as possible and see where there's been a few issues with it.

scott

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by lionsound on Aug 6^th, 2005, 1:52pm

Hi Nolan..and welcome! Glad you posted. :)

have you tried oxygen (you didn't mention) or melatonin? Melatonin you can get at your local drug store OTC.

Rather than reinvent the wheel I'm just going to copy Eric's :) here ya go:

on 08/01/05 at 19:20:10, E-Double wrote:

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 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.

If you do recieve a diagnosis,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 your doctor!!!

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

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

Eric

Be well and PF,
Lionsound

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by Nolan on Aug 6^th, 2005, 5:17pm

Thanks Lionsound and Scott, for your thoughtful replies.

Yes, I have tried (with great success) both oxygen and Melatonin, but only after my cycle had started. I didn't consider them as prevents. The Melatonin before bedtime sure couldn't hurt and I have lots left over from last time...

I'm actually feeling fine. Perhaps I was overdoing it a bit (lots of work, little sleep) which tends to make anyone feel worn out and susceptible to ills.

Good to feel the support again. The great thing about this place is the understanding and insight. I don't 'worry' anymore about my CH's. I deal with them. The Beast hates a positive attitude!

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by lionsound on Aug 6^th, 2005, 5:42pm

on 08/06/05 at 17:17:44, Nolan wrote:

I don't 'worry' anymore about my CH's. I deal with them. The Beast hates a positive attitude!

You are exactly right!!!! :)

You're right about the O2 as well. Sorry, I wasn't clear in my post...it's an abortive not a preventitive. I was just curious if you used it at all ... in the more nautual non-med kind of thinking. Glad it works for you.

PF's,
lionsound

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by burnt-toast on Aug 6^th, 2005, 8:22pm

There's a great deal of preventative information available on the site. Take some time to read and research before talking options over with the Doc.

Don't expect miracles with preventatives - most help to reduce the number of attacks and severity but don't stop attacks. Other times they do work to elminiate attacks during one cycle but are ineffective during the next. It appears to be the nature of the nightmare to mix things up a bit. Med. adjustment is and on-going process.

Best wishes for finding the right mix for you.

Tom

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by E-Double on Aug 6^th, 2005, 9:51pm

Whattup!!!!!

Read what Rori wrote that I wrote that she wrote that I wrote ;)

Best,

Ex2

Title: Re: Uh oh...
Post by LeLimey on Aug 7^th, 2005, 5:41am

Um Eric? Can you say that again please?! I'm not sure I got what you said that she said that you said that she said that you said? ::)

Hi Nolan, its nice to meet you, excuse my silliness!
Your cycle is pretty short although I appreciate it probably doesn't seem that way to you hon.. there is a quite definite school of thought that preventatives CAN lengthen your cycle. Think long and hard before you go down that route. I'm not saying don't, I would never say that.. I just want you to weigh all the facts to make the best choice for you, not me, not anyone else.
Just you!
Let us know how you get on okay? We all want you PF!