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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Please, some one tell me...
        
(Message started by: _Broken_ on Dec 4^th, 2006, 10:25pm)

Title: Please, some one tell me...
Post by _Broken_ on Dec 4^th, 2006, 10:25pm

What exactly are we fighting here? I mean I got the general idea of it and I sorta get the whole brain channels stuff but what is this thing? How do the meds and O2 help but not stop the pain completely? Sorry. Feeling nosy tonight. He's done a lot of research and told me a bunch of things but I'd just like to know how, if at all, it conects. Guess I was just wondering what this is all about. Would like to know if anyone does have any ideas though.

Broken

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by AussieBrian on Dec 4^th, 2006, 10:27pm

There's no known cause and no known cure so the meds etc just help us muddle through.

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by _Broken_ on Dec 4^th, 2006, 10:35pm

Thanks Brian. Just wondering was all. I hate to see him in so much pain and not be able to help or even understand what this is. He's been doing pretty crappy today. I hate feeling fine when his head's ready to explode.

Broken

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by AussieBrian on Dec 4^th, 2006, 10:41pm

Don't feel bad about feeling good or you'll give him the guilts on top of what he's already dealing with. Best bet is if you can get him chatting even a little bit when he's pain free just to ask how you can best help.

Don't be offended if he says to leave him alone while being hit - most of us are like that - but perhaps just making coffee or organising an ice pack can be a great help.

I'm lucky in that I'm only a sufferer. I'd never make it as a supporter.

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Dec 4^th, 2006, 11:35pm

Hi Broken,
One piece of advice: the emotional pain can be extremely bad for some. If you are hurting also, that is doubly bad, and its a heart breaker. There is no reason for you both to be down in the dumps. If he can see you happy or cheerful, that will help him get through the emotional pain.

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by _Broken_ on Dec 5^th, 2006, 6:51am

Thanks guys. Feeling much better today. Expcily after reading your replies. Thanks so much.

Broken

Title: Re: Please, some one tell me...
Post by Charlie on Dec 5^th, 2006, 6:30pm

Hi Broken. Sorry you have to deal with this horror but here is what I used and very successfully most of the time:
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: Please, some one tell me...
Post by _Broken_ on Dec 5^th, 2006, 7:31pm

I think that I heard something about that in another post. For a while he used the treadmile but then we moved and it go left behind. He also uses it for hunting to keep his feet warm. I don't know if he uses it when he's hit or not though. Thanks Charlie.

Broken