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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004-2005 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
        
(Message started by: gyaji on Sep 17^th, 2005, 11:51am)

Title: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by gyaji on Sep 17^th, 2005, 11:51am

Hi everyone, I am from Bhutan (its been in the news lately so you may know of it) and used to think I got these headaches because of the high altitude. Now I am in college in Bangkok, Thailand, and the start of yet anothe cycle has just coincided with start of a new semester. This means the altitude wasn't a factor ::) So far its been only ice and massage that worked best for me, besides pain killers which always lead to nausea. I may be driven to try meditation soon. Anyway, very happy to have found this site, and this forum, and looking forward to reading about everything on this ache.
gyaji.
A quick question, besides using medication, what methods are best to 'abort' the pain, the pain, oh the pain (if anyone would be kind enough to say or read this in the first place). Thanks.
Ps. for information sake, i have been getting these headaches for eight years now, without knowing there were others, started at age 16.

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 17^th, 2005, 12:49pm

There are few widely accepted options to medication to abort clusters. If you want to look at your choices, print out this article written by one of the better headache doctors in the U.S..
Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf
----
But to your question: many folks here like oxygen as an abortive. (See button on the left.) Over the years people have reported varying success using very hot showers; ice packs on the pain site or even putting their heads into a freezer; using a hair dryer on the pain site; exercise to increase oxygen intake. But my sense is that none of these approaches have gained much favor compared to the medications which have become available in the last few years.

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by gyaji on Sep 18^th, 2005, 9:05am

Thanks for answering my question and for the article as well Bob.

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by Jonny on Sep 18^th, 2005, 9:21am

on 09/17/05 at 11:51:25, gyaji wrote:

So far its been only ice and massage that worked best for me

Did the massage come with a happy ending? ;)

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by yikes-another-one on Sep 20^th, 2005, 12:58pm

:D

It can depend on the level of the headaches,
but if I can think to meditate, it really can
lower the severity and shorten an attack.

I kind of go into "trance"
by inhaling slow and deeply.
I count 1, 1000, 2, 1000, 3, 1000, 4
and slowly let it out too.

IT helps with the levels 5 through 7...
and can seem to shorten the length of the attack.

Of course level 8 and higher, I sort of
forget how to breath, count or relax...so
it doesn't really help there....hahahahaha.

Best wishes.
TJ

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by joey_the_grip on Sep 25^th, 2005, 12:40pm

Transdermal meds containing menthol and camphor provide some relief. Apply liberally to head and face, be very careful of the eyes. Asian friends introduced me to several varieties, the lables were in Chinese so I can't provide a name.

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by gyaji on Sep 26^th, 2005, 10:10am

ah! that's a wonderful idea joey, thanks. i will try it. i remember using it when i was little. i believe it was called 'tiger balm'. thanks again.

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by LeLimey on Sep 26^th, 2005, 10:51am

Hi gyagi,
I tried tiger balm before I was diagnosed with ch as a friend recommended it as being good for her migraines..
It didn't help with full blown hits but it didn't harm either! I have tried using it for shadows too to no useful effect.
Oh check your private messages too please!
Take care
Helen

Title: Re: Kuzuzangpo! or Hello from Bhutan
Post by shadowempressjmb on Sep 29^th, 2005, 7:53am

I have found that tiger balm doesn't really improve the pain but the burning sensation gives a different place on your head to focus on therefore, making it seem less painful. J