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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> Glad to find other sufferers here
        
(Message started by: Barry_Brady on Jul 14^th, 2007, 9:38am)

Title: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Barry_Brady on Jul 14^th, 2007, 9:38am

Hi guys,
I am new to this site. Have been a sufferer of ch for 25 years. I used to get them twice yearly in the autumn and spring and they lasted for 4-6 weeks, peaking usually at their worst in the middle weeks. Now days I get them someimes only once a year but they now occur in any part of the year. The onset has started and I know and dread what lies ahead. One thing that really perves me is that they were not diagnosed as ch until ten years ago, so the treatment I had before has no effect. The preventatives I take at the onset soemtimes can reduce the severity and period of the ch's.

I have this site to be inspirational. Thanks guys for such an informative site. Its good to know I am not alone.

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Rosybabe on Jul 14^th, 2007, 10:00am

Welcome aboard Barry!

sorry you have to find us because of CH but glad you are here!!

there are othres CH'ers from your area, sure they will come later to greet you.

Pain free wishes for you!!

Rosy.

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Lenny on Jul 14^th, 2007, 10:23am

I have this site to be inspirational. Thanks guys for such an informative site. Its good to know I am not alone.[/quote]

Welcome home Barry.......Boy can i relate to which you said above,you will never have that feeling of being "ALONE" again................Lenny

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Charlie on Jul 14^th, 2007, 2:20pm

Welcome aboard Barry but sorry you have to deal with this horror. You'll find good ideas here and some fun too.

Here is something I post all the time that worked for me and others:

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: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by sldrswyfe on Jul 14^th, 2007, 2:37pm

Firstly, welcome...feeling isolated, alone and misunderstood has officially ended for you...so glad you're here.

Now you know I have to back you up Charlie...because Im proof that it works. Barry, the above post, by Charlie's details of "Dr. Wright's theory" really does work. And I was a skeptical as hell...I have taken every medication under the sun, had all kinds of procedures for chronic pain...with a zero success rate. I've been chronic for fourteen years now.

So when Charlie relayed this to me personally...I thought..."the chances of this working are slim to none, with slim being on vacation"

So, the very first hit I got afterward...I simply thought about my hands and THAT'S IT...I concentrated on the pulse in them...the temperature...and the CH almost immediately ceased...and I mean COMPLETELY...no neck pain, face pain...nothing...no traces of it. In fact I felt really good. That won't happen every time...but it will happen sometimes...and many times you can abort the hit, even when it's progressing and you feel like you're losing your grip on it...before it get's to the "I can't think" stage...you have to keep trying even though you "drop" it and you're in pain...keep going...I have many, many times...and it stopped when I thought I was too far into it.

So, welcome...glad you made it. Sherri

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by 1stdonna on Jul 14^th, 2007, 7:07pm

Very nice to meet you, Barry. You have just found your extended family.....someone is always home here in Clusterville.

One of the most important things to do for yourself is read the topics in the left margin. Most of the information comes from scientific-peer-reviewed articles, polls, surveys, and personal experiences of the people of this site. You will never find anything like it!

Read the posts so that you get a "feel" of the writers personality. You'll soon fit right in.

What meds have you tried so far? Tell us a little bit of your cluster history. If you have a supporter, ask them to read the Supporters section.....it will really help.

Welcome Home!

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Charlie on Jul 14^th, 2007, 10:38pm

Quote:

I concentrated on the pulse in them...

Damn Sherri...I've been looking for a way to describe this technique for years....that's perfect! Pulse describes it and I'm sure others will now get that it's not some kind of Yoga or the like.

Thanks ton kid. I owe you for that.

Charlie

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Ray on Jul 14^th, 2007, 11:10pm

Sorry for the 25 years of pain, but welcome to the family.

Ray

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by sandie99 on Jul 15^th, 2007, 3:52am

Welcome aboard, Barry! :)

I am so sorry that you have ch, but I am glad that you've found your way here. :)

Best wishes & PF days,
Sanna

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by sldrswyfe on Jul 15^th, 2007, 12:46pm

It's the very least I can do Charlie...that technique has proved to be a lifesaver...and it's actually quite easy...nothing magical. Thank YOU Charlie. Gratefully, Sherri

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Jul 15^th, 2007, 11:43pm

Hi Barry welcome to the best little nut house around.
I was over in your neck of the woods in April, first time I’ve been to Melbourne where there wasn’t 4 seasons in one day.

Cheers
Barry

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by Mosaicwench on Jul 16^th, 2007, 8:17am

Hi Barry - glad you found us.

Do you have a wife/partner/girlfriend/anyone who helps you through this? We supporters find it helpful to know we're not alone either.

If your supporter is willing, give her/him this information and have him/her log on for support.

There is excellent information and extraordinary love to be found here.

Title: Re: Glad to find other sufferers here
Post by tanner on Jul 16^th, 2007, 1:59pm

Another Aussie Barry ::)....geez can we handle 2 ;;D

Welcome aboard mate and I hope you stick around and learn to love ..... some of us ;)

..........Tim