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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Why Me!!
        
(Message started by: Ladybug314 on Jul 15^th, 2006, 7:34pm)

Title: Why Me!!
Post by Ladybug314 on Jul 15^th, 2006, 7:34pm

Hi Group!!!
Im glad I found this site. To know that I am not alone in this vicious disease. I have only been diagnosed since Thursday but in reality the Headaches have been slowly coming on for about a month. Im asking myself WHY ME [smiley=huh.gif] I just turned 41 have 6 wonderful boys 24 23 21 17 16 4. A new house and lots of extra fun toys in our life. What did I do wrong? I take percocet for the pain and Neurontin. I just hate being so drugged up. Has anyone had any success in any medications that have put this CH into hibernation? I guess right now Im feeling sorry for myself but down the road I will be a fighter as it sounds like the people one this site. :-*
Thanks For listening
Ida

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by alchemy on Jul 15^th, 2006, 7:41pm

Hey Ida, welcome to the nuthouse. Alot of people have great luck with 02 have your doc give you a script for it. there are a lot of people around with a lot of knowledge to help. just know your not alone.
jim

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by Charlotte on Jul 15^th, 2006, 7:44pm

Hi. Welcome aboard. The library is shutting down the computers so I have to leave, but I hope you will stick around & come back on-line again so we can talk more.

You got me beat. I have 5 kids, 33, 27, 24, 21, & 17, and I'm 56 so it took me a lot longer to do it.

Why you? Why me? I constantly ask myself that. I do not know.

Hang in there. Read about some of the alternative things. They may actually help more. Pain meds don't really help me.

Try a red bull. You have to slam it and drink it cold.

Talk to you later,

Charlotte

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by kissmyglass on Jul 15^th, 2006, 8:20pm

First off, lose the percs as they are probably doing more harm than good and they don't work for clusters anyway. Click the cluster quiz on the left side of this page and let us know how you make out.

Sorry you had to seek us out...
Kev

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by Mattrf on Jul 15^th, 2006, 9:48pm

Why me? Well I can’t tell you how many times I have asked myself the same question as have many of us, ok, all of us.
This is a difficult thing to go through and this is the place to be to help you survive. No one understands what you are going through like we do and no one even your doctor can help as much as the bunch of nuts on this site, you will learn fast that your doctor does not know much about CH so print out as much information as you can from here and take it with you to your doctor to help him help you. Make sure to take all the info on the o2 it seems to be the best thing for stopping a hit as it starts, as far as the rest of the meds. You can tell by the med survey that none of them work for everyone and it seems to be a hit and miss thing on what may work for you and it will probably be something that doesn’t work for others. If you are getting hit at night go to the drug store and get some Melatonin it is over the counter and can help you sleep, take like 15 mg before bed I may be wrong on the dose but someone will correct me if I am wrong.
I am really glad you found us and am sorry you needed to, be sure to come here as much as you can and feel free to post or vent as much as you want, like I said we all understand and will be here to help you through it, this place is a life saver for many of us and can be for you as well.
Welcome to the funny farm.

Matt

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by sandie99 on Jul 16^th, 2006, 3:11am

Warm welcome to the ch family, Ida! :)

I'm so sorry that you suffer from ch. But I am glad that you found your way here. You'll always find lots of info and support right here. :)

When I was first diagnosed back in 2003, I wish that my neuro would have told me that it might take some time before I'll find the med which works... and it sure took its time! I wish I could tell you that 'this med/treatment will work with your head'...but I can't. The beast is very clever, so what works for one doesn't work with all the others. But there's no harm reading and learning a lot about different meds and treatments and then decide what to try.

Now, I'm a strong believer in Red Bull, it stops my hits in 5 minutes. I always keep a can of it at my house. And I drink it cold, too. If you try it, my tip is: go get the can as soon as you feel the hit coming and drink it cold and as quickly as possible.

I hope that you'll pop in to tell how you're doing!

Wishing you PF time,
Sanna

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by zwibbs/Scott on Jul 16^th, 2006, 3:17am

I agree about losing the Percocet----ask your docyor about prednisone and verapamil.

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by georgej on Jul 16^th, 2006, 3:34am

Welcome, Ida.

Not sure how much good the pain meds will do, but everyone's different. Work with your doc, talk to some of the very knowledgeable people on this site, think things over, and I'm sure you'll find something that will help to manage your pain, or at least help to get you through the rough spots.

I don't know--maybe the answer to the "why me" question that we all ask is--"why not me?"

.....Although as far as I'm concerned, at the craps table where I rolled the (genetic/organic/structural/whatever) dice that gave me CH, I'd rather have had the opportunity to take best two out of three instead of a one-shot chance.

;;D ;;D

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 16^th, 2006, 10:12am

Agree about the percocets... They'll cause rebound headaches if you take them too much.

Melatonin at night before bed (6-12mg). Helps get you thru the REM sleep and at least you'll get some rest. It takes a little while to get in your system - stick with it for a couple of weeks before you say it doesn't work.

Verap works for a lot of people here. Lithium (sp) works for some. Topamax works for some (and makes others crazy). There's Imitrex for an abortative (or cafergot - ergotomine is my choice).

You need to read the med page and see what's worked for others. It IS a crap shoot as to what will work for you.

And most of us have asked ourselves the same questions - WHY ME! So far no one has come up with an answer. I was in my late 40's before this beast attacked me. Wasn't exactly what I had in mind either.

Anyhow, Welcome to Clusterville. Best advice around -- read read read (sites on the left have worlds of information). Go to your doc armed with info and help educate him/her.

And remember - YOU ARE NOT ALONE -- someone's up 24/7 on this site to lend an ear, give advice, or just be here when you need to vent. We're family.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 16^th, 2006, 11:04pm

:D Hi there IDA, WELCOME TO OUR WORLD :-/...Sorry for your pain, I have to agree with the others ditch the perc's , rebound headache around the corner :o ..O2 is what most of us use to abort a hit, works like a charm also red bull, ice cold, when you feel the hit, something about the tourine in it and yes slam it down. [smiley=me&mb.gif].I am on verapamil 3x day and the melotonin, you may find in the vitamin section of your local cvs or walgreens. I have visited my doc several times untill we found what works for me . I also found that my doctor was also learning about our debilitating disease , we worked together [smiley=deal2.gif] and well I am in my 6th week of cycle here I am episodic, my shadows are getting milder which two weeks ago were a nightmare along with the hits, OH GEEZ...best of luck in your search for comfort but do keep in mind , we are here to help, and I thank god for the folks here because many times I felt so alone untill I logged on and someone was here to support and comfort me and I them. All my best to you , Summer [smiley=cool2.gif]

Title: Re: Why Me!!
Post by Charlie on Jul 17^th, 2006, 12:34am

Hi Ida.

Sorry you have to share this horror.

Listen to these people. They know of what they say. You'll find a lot of good advice along with the silliness.

Here is what I've been posting ever since I got here. It worked well for me. Give it a try.

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: Why Me!!
Post by maffumatt on Jul 17^th, 2006, 3:17pm

Why me? Better me than one of my kids so I am thankful.
Matt