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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> New poster but old CH'r
        
(Message started by: Skyhawk5 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 4:15pm)

Title: New poster but old CH'r
Post by Skyhawk5 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 4:15pm

Hi my name is Don. I've been a CH'r for soon to be 18 years. Was chronic for 14 mnths. then episodic since. I have all the standard symptoms plus a few atypical, such as intense sweating at the beginning of an attack and vomiting during the cycle peak. I take Verap, Lithium and Trazadone as regular meds. Oxygen is very helpful and I take Prednisone during the worst times. I think prednisone is one dangerous drug. I also use Stadol NS to help get through the untouchables. I was a pilot for 8 years before CH came along. After 9 mnths of too many Dr. guess's I was diagnosed in 1989. I now have CH aprroximately every 2 yrs for 4 to 5 mnths. Just finished a bout around Christmas. Made my 1st ER visit ever on 6/4/05. What a joke that was, 13 hrs to get a shot of DHE. Wrong hospital my Neuro says. For now I've said enough. PF days to you all, Don

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by Guiseppi on Mar 13^th, 2006, 5:03pm

Welcome to the gang! I too do the heavy sweat thing. I get nauseous sometimes but haven't hurled yet. I agree with you on prednisone but when you absolutely, positively have to be pain free, it does provide a nice break to recharge the old tolerance batteries. Well welcome again to the board, hope to see loads of you!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by Skyhawk5 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 8:23pm

Thank you Guiseppi for your kind welcome. I've been a reader on this site, on and off for quite a while. Finally have a home Computer and hope I can help others with whatever I can. And maybe help myself also. There are so many things all of us can say about our problem and all need to be heard and discussed. I really believe the final answer may come from one of us, not Doctors. Since I developed Clusters I have lost a lot of faith in the medical profession although they are very much needed. I have felt like a drug trial monkey, but how else can we find a drug that works? My ER visit was to the Univ of Mich. I volunteered for Cluster research there in 1992 and was only tested for sleep apnea and this was negative. Nothing from them since. I think I've learned more from this site than anything else.

Thanks again for the words, Don

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by MJ on Mar 13^th, 2006, 8:34pm

Welcome aboard Skyhawk.

Like they say "grab an oar and start rowing" this ship dont float itself.

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by Skyhawk5 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 9:04pm

Thank you MJ.
I'll row to Hell & back if may help anyone. Of course we've all been there so we should find it with ease. Does anyone else find that after a cycle it's hard to get back in the saddle of being your normal self? I do. Keeps going through my head ' it's stopped but it will be back' over and over. Like now. Can't seem to get all the way back in the saddle yet. Thanks again.
Skyhawk5 alias, Don

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by chewy on Mar 13^th, 2006, 9:11pm

Hey there Skyhawk and welcome aboard.

Got a question for you. Just hypothetical.

Would disclosing CH prevent someone from getting a pilot's license?

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by pattik on Mar 13^th, 2006, 9:12pm

Welcome, Don. You have come to the right place. But you already know that if you have been reading up here from time to time. The advantage of using the message board is for the exchange of ideas and finding support. Glad you're here!
Patti

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by thebbz on Mar 13^th, 2006, 10:15pm

;)Would disclosing CH prevent someone from getting a pilot's license?
I cant imagine landing a plane with CH .

Whats your
vector Victor?. Welcome and good reading and rowing.
jb

Title: Re: New poster but old CH'r
Post by Skyhawk5 on Mar 13^th, 2006, 10:57pm

Thank you Chewy, Pattik, and Thebbz, you make feel welcome. Chewy and Thebbz, good guestion. I advised a Pilot who contacted me from the Guest Board about this. Ch itself doesn't stop a person from getting a pilot's license. You also must have a medical certificate from a "Flight Surgeon". Problem is with the meds, such as Lithium. I could still be flying if not for the Lithium. Tuff choice. But I agree that I wouldn't want to land a plane while having an attack although I 'probably' could.
Key word is probably. But I still do have the license but not a medical. I just decided it's not a risk I will take. And my Neuro would have let my Flight Surgeon (giver of the Medical Cert.) know pronto. Also the rules change quite often. I know now you could be licensed as a Private pilot but can you imagine any co. wanting you to fly for them? That's what made me decide it best to give it up and resign myself as not to be a pro pilot. Acually I grounded myself before my Neuro. It's hard to give up a life long dream but we gotta do what we gotta do.

You have inspired me to update myself as to new FAA rules so I can be totally up to date. I also worked at 2 of the larger airports in my area for 17 yrs. Willow Run is one of them in the Detroit area. During WWII they built B-24 bombers there. (Been a cargo airport since)
Hope this answers your question. I'll clarify if needed.
Thank you for being here, Skyhawk5, Don