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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> HELP!!!!!
        
(Message started by: FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:41pm)
Title: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:41pm
Sorry to post this here instaed of the other board but I need help.

The beast is smacking me around and NOTHING is working.  The worst part is the combo jaw nerve pain and headache.  I could live through the headache alone but the pain in my jaw is killing me almost as much.

The combo is deadly.

I am taking Verap, melatonin, O2, and 80mg prednizone (started today).  I tried a bag of peas on my head and it slightly helped the headache but NO RELIEF from the jaw pain.

ANY IDEAS?!?!?!?!?

Last night I had them back to back all night.  I literally got 10 minutes of sleep and tried everything above plus triptan, shower, 2 types of pain meds (I got desperate), ambesol, and oralgel.

AGAIN, any ideas of things I can do from home.  I have 2 kids so i cant go running out to get anything.

HELP!!!

I even tried mangosteen juice last night.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:45pm


DANG.........   I feel your frustration over in Calif hon.

   Is there someone to come take the kids for a few hours?     Please don't....in your desperation over-take or over-dose.   Get in the shower and turn it on as cold as you can.  Shock your body.  May give you some relief.


Linda
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by E-Double on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:48pm
Ice on the head and heat on the jaw.

I'm with ya dude!
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Paul98 on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:49pm
What Linda said!!!

Try lowering your body temp.  For me, when I have no meds, I stand in a -40 freezer until I cant stand it anymore.  The shock and blood vessle contraction from the cold seems to help.  Pure cold water should do it too.

It sounds like a lot of meds you have been taking.  It may be causing rebounds.  Go easy.

-P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:49pm
My wife was sick this weekend and is now way behind on paperwork at work and her family came in to help us with our homestudy this weekend.  It is a horrible time to ask for this kind of favor even though any of them would.

I owuld never over-dose but I have used a ton of oragel and abesol praying it would help.  I also wont even try the vicodin I have until the kids are in bed.

As soon as they go to bed Ill try the cold shower even though the though of trying it doesn't thrill me.  I'll try anything legal that wont stop my ability to care for my kids.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 7:58pm

on 09/05/06 at 19:49:29, Paul98 wrote:
What Linda said!!!

Try lowering your body temp.  For me, when I have no meds, I stand in a -40 freezer until I cant stand it anymore.  The shock and blood vessle contraction from the cold seems to help.  Pure cold water should do it too.

It sounds like a lot of meds you have been taking.  It may be causing rebounds.  Go easy.

-P.



Thank you veyr much as well (you too Eric).  

I am taking melatonin and verap every day.  I usually dont have to take a triptan or pain meds.  the pain meds I have is for my neck problems but I dont tak them more than once a week (except for I might try a higher dose (within the allowable limits!) tongiht when the kids go down for bed).

The other stuff is topical oral stuff which used ot give my slight relief!

Any other ideas, I'll try anything but I wont take pictures for your enjoyment folks!!!

Thank again for all of you being here for me.  I am emotionally fragile right now but having my kids keeps me thinking straight.  I just told my wife not to come home.  I can't explain why but I can't let her fall further behind because of me.

Anyhow keep firing ideas.  Ill be checking this thread between different remedies.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:11pm


I never thought you would intentionally over-dose hon...but I also know what desperation and back-to-back hits are like,  and I know what that does to the thinking process.

  If you're brave enough to try to sleep, do it in an upright recliner.

   Keep that coffee pot going with high-octane stuff.

I'll stay up late tonight to see if you're here...
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:12pm
Oh yeah, I am drinking a Mountain Dew and brewing 8 cups of coffee.

I dont drink coffee but no better time than the present.

The heat and cold are working when they are on but the second I refresh the heat source, it comes right back.

Ill keeep trying stuff.

Any more ideas, Ill be a human gineauweaudefvdefa e gabe  (sorry about that) hamster,
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:14pm

on 09/05/06 at 20:11:54, Linda_Howell wrote:
I never thought you would intentionally over-dose hon...but I also know what desperation and back-to-back hits are like,  and I know what that does to the thinking process.

  If you're brave enough to try to sleep, do it in an upright recliner.

   Keep that coffee pot going with high-octane stuff.

I'll stay up late tonight to see if you're here...



Thanks.   Ill try sleeping since i am on 10 minutes of sleep from last night but not until later.

I appreciate you chekcing up on me,  but don't lose sleep over me.  I'll make it.  

Anyone with vibes or prayers please sent them my way.  I know they are there and I appreciate it.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Paul98 on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:17pm
Another thing you might try is puting your mind someplace else.  (don't laugh, I'm serious)  When Sue lived with me she and I compared notes and we both had limted sucess with it when we didn't have meds.

It is dificult but try to day dream of a pleasant activity.  You have to get your mind distracted to the point you start forgeting about the pain.  It is almost as if you dissociate your mind from your body.  It is hard to do but it can be done.  It helped me in the 10+ years with no meds.

-P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:25pm


Don't worry about me losing sleep.  LMAO!    I can do that by myself anyway.

Prayers and vibes are a "given"

   I got my mojo working on you now.  The beast will rest...rest....sleep....go away....never to return...sshhh...you are getting sleepy...

(stepping away quietly and don't NO ONE turn any of that loud heavy metal on)
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by brewcrew on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:42pm
Also, take heart. Prednisone can take a day or two to take effect. You're on high enough of a dose. It's always been my magic bullet.

In the meantime, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

Bill
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by alchemy on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:43pm
Man I'm with you on the frustration. you've gotten some great suggestions here, don't know what I can offer that way but I'll be up all night to. I'm sending vibes and I'm going to do one of my famous coyote dances. They're very healing. Hang in there we're here for you
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:49pm
Thanks everyone.

Nothing is working very well but I still have ideas left before I go insane.

I am drinking coffee (which I cant stand) and my older son (4 years old) is keeping my 2 year old busy so they don't bother me.  At 4 years old he is more mature than I am I think.  When he gets to be an adult, I hope I can remember what he is doing for me today.  You all, my boys, and my wife..... I am truely blessed.

Now, does abnging your head into the wall help at all.  It doesn't make sense that it would but I really want to try it.  I am sane enough not to, I think but it is tempting.

Funny enough I seem to be in the least pain trying and reading here. It still hurts but maybe keeping my mind busy is helping.

Who the heck knows if I am even making sense.

BTW, will anyone home alone yell out some cuss words for me.  I don't cuss usually and wouldn't want to scare my kids but I could use the release.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Paul98 on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:54pm

on 09/05/06 at 20:49:05, FramCire wrote:
Thanks everyone.

Nothing is working very well but I still have ideas left before I go insane.

I am drinking coffee (which I cant stand) and my older son (4 years old) is keeping my 2 year old busy so they don't bother me.  At 4 years old he is more mature than I am I think.  When he gets to be an adult, I hope I can remember what he is doing for me today.  You all, my boys, and my wife..... I am truely blessed.

Now, does abnging your head into the wall help at all.  It doesn't make sense that it would but I really want to try it.  I am sane enough not to, I think but it is tempting.

Funny enough I seem to be in the least pain trying and reading here. It still hurts but maybe keeping my mind busy is helping.

Who the heck knows if I am even making sense.

BTW, will anyone home alone yell out some cuss words for me.  I don't cuss usually and wouldn't want to scare my kids but I could use the release.


OK, you just cussed some words you never knew existed. :o ;;D

Hang in there.

-P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:56pm


  If you cuss into a pillow, it will help and your kids will never understand what you just said.

    I've been searching for Charl;ies "technique" and I cannot find it.    >:(


         CHARLIE !!!!!!!!!!   help here.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Redd715 on Sep 5th, 2006, 8:59pm
I'll do your swearing for you but I think Jonny can do a much better job than I.

One thing I've done, and I don't know if it''l be something you'd care to try, but I have brushed my teeth when the jaw/teeth pain get into the act.  DON'T try pulling your own teeth I highly discourage that from personal experience.  If you have a battery opperated one all the better...seems if I irritate the nerves even more, the hit "burns" out faster.  Might be all in my head, but it's worth a shot.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:03pm
Hi Bro,
Sorry to hear you are getting cornholed.  2 thing that help me:
1. Make that coffee in advance and cool it down so it can be over ice.  Because its over ice, you have to make it stronger to account for the added water.  Cold beverages seem to work better for me than hot beverages.
2. Stay away from the pain meds.  Dont take any pain killers and drink plenty of water.

Vibes comin to ya,


oh, yeah, PS.  Take the melatonin/benadryl cocktail on an empty stomach.  They work MUCH better for me that way.

B$
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:09pm

on 09/05/06 at 20:59:35, Redd715 wrote:
I'll do your swearing for you but I think Jonny can do a much better job than I.

One thing I've done, and I don't know if it''l be something you'd care to try, but I have brushed my teeth when the jaw/teeth pain get into the act.  DON'T try pulling your own teeth I highly discourage that from personal experience.  If you have a battery opperated one all the better...seems if I irritate the nerves even more, the hit "burns" out faster.  Might be all in my head, but it's worth a shot.



Im either going to like you or hate you after this but it is worth the try.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by JenniferD on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:14pm
this might sound really stupid, but it may help.  My neck stiffens up so badly when I'm getting hit that I tend to clench my jaw.  You might try a heating pad on the neck and upper shoulders and putting something between my back teeth, to make me aware that I am clenching down and forces me to relax my jaw. Hell the pain alone is bad enough, but the tension makes it so much worse.

Definitely the ice for the head though.  The heat/cold combo tends to mix the signals with me and kinda makes everything "reset".

Wishing you relief!

Jen
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:18pm


Quote:
2. Stay away from the pain meds.  Dont take any pain killers


  I cannot believe that I,  of all people,  forgot to say this.    ;)     Seriously you don't want to get rebounds on top of everything else.

 I can't remember if I have said this lately:

         I LOVE THIS FAMILY
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:24pm

on 09/05/06 at 21:18:28, Linda_Howell wrote:
  I cannot believe that I,  of all people,  forgot to say this.    ;)     Seriously you don't want to get rebounds on top of everything else.

 I can't remember if I have said this lately:

         I LOVE THIS FAMILY


I dont know what to do here.  In the past ultracet has helped curb the nerve pain in the jaw.  It didn't last night and I have vicodin from my kidney stones that I was going to try again tonight.

I don't want rebounds but if I go another 12 hours of back to back like last night I dont know if I can handle it.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Sean_C on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:27pm
What about o2 with a clustermasx Eric?

Sean...........................................
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Redd715 on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:32pm
Remember I didn't say it ends the hit....just "seems" to make it shorter.  Maybe I'm a gluton for punnishment, but I'ts almost like egging the beast to gimme more and he gets tired faster?  I don't know how to state it.   Just seems to force it "out" faster.  May just be the focusing on something else....but if it works a little is better than nothing at all.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:32pm


   I understand.

 But if you take the Vicodin, just take one or two.  O.K.?  Anymore and you 'up'  the risk of getting relief from one HA,  only to trade that for several more.

  This is,  without a doubt, one of the most frustrating of all the painful conditions known to mankind.
>:(
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:33pm
I dont own a clustermasx  (please dont boo me)

I have non-rebreather and it isn't working at all.


UPDATE:  The jaw pain is going down.  I am still brushing it with the electric and it is feeling a bit better.  The headache is respoding to something...most likely the massive caffeine intake.

So, this headache is under control (read: dont want to bang head on wall anymore but no chance of sleeping soon)


I will stay away from vicodin unless I am about to put my head through the wall on a subsequent headache.

Good news is that I last took Maxalt at 2am last night meaning at that point i can use trex tongiht.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:37pm

on 09/05/06 at 21:32:54, Linda_Howell wrote:
   I understand.

 But if you take the Vicodin, just take one or two.  O.K.?  Anymore and you 'up'  the risk of getting relief from one HA,  only to trade that for several more.

  This is,  without a doubt, one of the most frustrating of all the painful conditions known to mankind.
>:(



My wife tells me what dose I can take.  She says 2 of the 5s or 1 of the 7.5   I wont take them more than 1 time a day and usually only 1 time a week unless needed for my neck.  (noteL I neveruse it for a headache, very rarely do I use it for the nerve pain, but that is VERY RARE!)


Redd: The jaw pain is still there but it is bearable brushing.  So far, I think Ill make it through this one and I have 7 cups of coffee and some mountain dew for tonight.

I also have multiple sleeping meds.... I might try one when my wife returns home.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Redd715 on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:44pm
It's a tool hun...just a tool...

Use it if need be....seems to have dulled the pain along with the caffine....(note....coffee and hits are synonomus for me.  Always some coffee left over in the pot to drink down cold)  A buy Folger's gormet supreem, and I use 2/3 cup dry grounds per pot...yeah very strong stuff...but to me it's medicine...

(doesn't hurt I like strong coffee too)
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 5th, 2006, 9:47pm

on 09/05/06 at 21:27:31, Sean_C wrote:
What about o2 with a clustermasx Eric?

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



I almost gave you a call just to chat me down but I remembered the chat room and didn't bug you.  

If the hits start coming it is time to invest in the clustermasx
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 10:08pm


   
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~tritech2/clusterx/index.html
 

  Invest in one as soon as you are able.   At the convention someone gave me 6 of them to give to people who needed them.  I just gave away the last one a few weeks ago.  DANG!!!     The do make a difference.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by ClusterChuck on Sep 5th, 2006, 10:23pm
Duh, ME!!  

What is that power drink that so many swear by?

My mind is mush right now, as I am ALSO going thru that back to back shit, switching from side to side.  So I can't think of what it is.  It is an over the counter, at any convienience store product.

I am sure someone, who has an ounce more brain left, than me, will come in with the brand name.

ALSO, instead of banging your head against the wall, do as I do, and bang it on the carpeted floor.  Less holes to patch in the drywall, that way.

Good luck, my friend, and I hope SOMETHING gets you thru this rough time.

Prayers, vibes, and good juju heading your way!!!

Chuck
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by georgej on Sep 5th, 2006, 10:24pm
Linda asked for Charlie's circulatory technique.  Here it is:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique
This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.
When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head.  This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.
This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided.  If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process.  It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.
I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood.  It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.
This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.
When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Sep 5th, 2006, 11:20pm


   Thank you George.   I couldn't for the life of me find it.

The OTC drink Chuck is trying to think of is called:

  Red Bull or any of the Rock Star energy drinks with lots of caffeine and Taurine in them.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 6th, 2006, 1:31am
Round 2 has started so i am off to the cold/hot world... the toothbrush is NOT effective this time, thusfar.

Thanks again but I dont have the attention to rwad that whole circ thing right now...maybe bewtweeen HAs
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 6th, 2006, 6:13am
THANK YOU ALL!!  I did frozen peas and heating pad along with toothbrush and caffiene for a while and I must admit I turned to the vicodin when it wasn't working which I did too early.  It didn't take long for the stuff to work and I slept around 4 hours and woke up with NO HEADACHE!!!!

I know I shouldn't have tried the vicodin but I was getting emotionally to a bad place and was willing to try anything.

Anyway, thank you guys VERY MUCH.  You all got me through a horrible time and hopefully the prednizone will take over now and I am past this for now.

My wife and I are grateful to you all for your time and care.   Thanks again and again and again!
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by Paul98 on Sep 6th, 2006, 8:31am
Glad things have settled down for you and you got some rest.

-P.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by alchemy on Sep 6th, 2006, 8:52am
So glad it settled down for you. Get as much rest as you can.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by FramCire on Sep 6th, 2006, 8:06pm
Well, I got 4 fours or so of sleep last night but the beast hasn't slowed down.  I had to call my wife home from work to watch the kids.  I just couldn't take it anymore.  She is amazing but I feel so bad.

Anyway, I have locked myself in the den with my O2, coffee, heating pad (jaw), and bag of frozen peas (head and neck).

I am ready for battle thanks to my wife and you guys for helping me get through this.  Hopefully the steroids do their job by tomorrow night!!!

Now I just have to decide between trying Migranol or using imitrex.  Since I can't do both, I got to figure out which to try.  I have only used trex a few times and it seems to work but my doctor said the migranol would work for the entire night.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by MJ on Sep 6th, 2006, 9:04pm
Go with what you know works Fram.

Also for the jaw pain, if ambesol helps, get some ice and chew or ice water and swoosh, numbs the end of the nerves in your gum and just might shorten the hits a bit.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by brewcrew on Sep 6th, 2006, 9:26pm
You might also want to replace that bag of frozen, mushy peas with a couple of those frozen gel packs from your local drugstore (I actually buy them from a chiropractor). At freezer temps, they are still flexible and retain the cold for far longer than a bag of frozen vegetables. We keep 4 of them cold at all times, and they're great for back pain or other injuries where swelling and inflammation need to be kept at a minimum. Wrap them up in a hand towel first.
Title: Re: HELP!!!!!
Post by brewcrew on Sep 6th, 2006, 9:29pm

on 09/06/06 at 20:06:29, FramCire wrote:
Now I just have to decide between trying Migranol or using imitrex.  Since I can't do both, I got to figure out which to try.  I have only used trex a few times and it seems to work but my doctor said the migranol would work for the entire night.

Migranol (DHE-45) is designed to work for about 8 hours. I've had it intravenously in the hospital on two separate occasions, and it has stopped my headaches cold for the entire 3-day course of treatment.


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