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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> They're back!!!
        
(Message started by: pfunk on Feb 19^th, 2006, 2:10am)

Title: They're back!!!
Post by pfunk on Feb 19^th, 2006, 2:10am

Once again I'm writing to post thanks to all who have helped me to this point.
I am however unhappy to announce that the demon is officially back. Yes, I enjoyed my 6-7 days of PF and HF bliss but I knew he was coming back sooner than later.
However, I seem to only be getting hit about 3-4 times a day rather than 6-7times. And only one of the daytime ones and the wake-up-from-a-dead-sleep one are usually 10s. Also, I haven't really been using triptans to abort(just o2 and ice, unless it's a real killer). As most of you can relate, this has again thrown a wrench into my job and academics but am doing my best to stay positive. At least their not coming as often right?
Another good thing to come out of it is my meds. I have pretty much cut it down to 2 or 3 things. Doc has put me on verapamil(360mg), 12mg melatonin and Cipro(which I'm taking for an infection that came with the kidney stones that I got from the topamax). I still keep my trex stash handy for dire cases(wanted to try that Zomig ns but doc said his samples had all expired). Not taking any other meds to note. Hvaen't had a soda in 3 weeks b/c the top made it taste like shit(that's good though b/c I drank too much).
Still depressed but trying to stay strong and see the positives. I am seeing positives right? I seem to be making some progress, however slow and painful it may be. I do know this. I never could have made it this far through this cycle without my CH family. After my father died, I felt like my strength went with him. It's not that my mother's not great about this but my Dad gave me strength in a way that only a father can give a son. Finding you guys has given me back some of the strength I didn't think I had to get through this.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

Pfunk

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Jonny on Feb 19^th, 2006, 3:23am

Hang tough, Bro....you have the strength of an army in the form of a family behind you!!

Let me know if I can help in any way.

FIGHT!!!!! [smiley=bigguns.gif]

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by ZAIRA on Feb 19^th, 2006, 3:36am

Does it ever end?? :'( I'm sorry to hear that your beast just doesn't seem to want to end..... I hope you get well soon and everything works out..... PF vibes coming your way from far away...... ciao, Zaira

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by zwibbs/Scott on Feb 19^th, 2006, 3:37am

Keep your head up..........Remaining positive ( I know that it is hard).is a big key to defeating each attack....I reached a point where I got so pissed-off that I was going to live my life, and the damn things started to flutter away.........of course until next cycle !

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 19^th, 2006, 4:25am

You do sound possitive. Keep it up and hang in there. [smiley=hug.gif]

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Charlie on Feb 19^th, 2006, 1:39pm

Rats. Sorry to hear this but it makes me wonder WTF you did that allowed you the time off....

In the meantime. try this thing. I mean the worst thing that can happen is that it doesn't work. It can you know:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Sean_C on Feb 19^th, 2006, 2:59pm

Sounds like you have it under control ;;D We control our own lives, not him.

I use the same technique, o2, lots of ice, and hold my pressure points. I only use the triptans when he wakes me up too ;;D

Hang tough

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

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Carl_D on Feb 19^th, 2006, 9:26pm

I kind of think of the clusterbeast as...

THE THING THAT WOULDN'T LEAVE!

Stay Hard!
Carl D

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by FramCire on Feb 19^th, 2006, 9:34pm

Darn it!

Listen, if you have the same luck I did, the Verap and meatonin will work within a couple of weeks and your hits will be mostly kip 6's and under. For a few weeks I was having nothing but shadows!!!!!!

Anyway, I am praying that you have similar success or BETTER until your cycle ends.

Also, did your doc say he was going to get the Zonig samples in? Ask him to try and get some!!! I tried it once and I had a bad reaction, but that seems to be atypical.

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by pfunk on Feb 20^th, 2006, 12:16am

Hello all and thanks again. You guys really are the greatest. Last night got pretty bad shortly after I posted this thread. But, for the remainder of the day I did fairly well. I got my usual headbanger 10 at about 10:30 a.m. and have only had 2 really small incidents(more like shadows) after that. I actually got to sit down and watch the entire race this afternoon with no unpleasant visits from the Beast. It was kind of cool and the family was happy to see that I had crawled out from under my proverbial rock. That is one of the parts of these HAs I hate the most. I live within 2-5 miles of all of my girlfriend's family and most of my friends and family and because of the beast, I had't seen or spoken to most of them in weeks even months. Today was a good day for me. Thanks! LYG ;) 8)

Pfunk

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by sandie99 on Feb 20^th, 2006, 11:34am

Wishing you lots of more good days! :)
May your days be PF,

Sanna

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by pfunk on Feb 20^th, 2006, 1:14pm

Sanna, thankyou. Not feeling all that bad today to start. Seem to have somehow skipped my 10:30a.m. appt. with the DEMON :o. Got in my full day of classes and have come home to sit down and try to catah up on some of the reading and assignments that I've missed over the last couple of weeks. A little scared though, for the last time I tried to study or anything of the sort, "He" came thundering down on my head like a freighttrrain. Not going to let him ruin my life again though. I stopped going to school once before when I was 23 and missed out on many things for the next 10-11 years of my life because of this beast. I'm finally back in school and slowly putting my life back together. I will not let him take this away from me again! All of you here have given me a way to find that inner strength I thought I had lost again. Trust me when i say, somehow, someway I will find a way to conquer this beast. I'm a very sore loser and I know I'm going to die one day but the Beast is not going to be what kills me. LYG. PFDANs to all!!!

Pfunk

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by FramCire on Feb 20^th, 2006, 1:44pm

Awesome attutude and great to hear. May the beast miss ALL the rest of his appointments!

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Ghost on Feb 20^th, 2006, 1:55pm

Hey I found your 10:30 ... normally my quiet time! >:(

Glad you missed it, was a real bear!!!! :'(

Mike

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by pfunk on Feb 20^th, 2006, 2:08pm

Sorry, Ghost, I really wasn't trying to get anyone to fill that spot. I hope it's just a freak, one-time thing for you. Much luv and PFDs to you bro.

Pfunk ;;D 8)

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by pfunk on Feb 20^th, 2006, 2:14pm

Oh man! I just came back and looked at the computer screen and realized that I'm not listed as a "newbie" anymore. WooHoo!!! :D [smiley=laugh.gif] :D [smiley=laugh.gif]

Pfunk

Title: Re: They're back!!!
Post by Ghost on Feb 20^th, 2006, 2:17pm

Went CHronic in oct so 16 months daily grind. keep your chin up and fight that beast with all you got.

Glad you got a break and please enjoy all that you get save your strenght for the next round ok! ;;D

Mike