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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> The beast still doesnt sleep
        
(Message started by: Jbrigham77 on Apr 20^th, 2006, 6:40pm)

Title: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by Jbrigham77 on Apr 20^th, 2006, 6:40pm

I was at work today and was close to wanting to die..I work in a call center, so every thing around is loud all the time. I think even if my episode is gone in 2 wks when i see the neuro again, I will go in and ask him about O2. I have my breathing exercises, those seem to help until the meds kick in.. atleast now.. last week that didnt cut it. 2 ER visits in 3 days.. The first one, stupid Dr just gave me a shot of Reglan. Didn't do anything, but I was at the ER for over 7 Hrs!. I just said it worked so I could go home already. The next visit 2 days later, different hospital, gave me Dilaudid(I dont know how to spell that) and Phenagrin(that either) I was out in 5 min, and dont remember leaving or anything until my SO helped me up the steps. and only a 3 hr visit.
I hated needles all my life, unless I was getting a tattoo, weird I know, but I said I could do it to stop the pain at 2 am and 5 am. I did it.. wasn't that bad. I do have a bruise though, think the first injection hit a blood vessel, but I have been trying to drink water all day long, except for a lil caffiene, I can't stop that cold turkey, and the one at 2 this afternoon, was bareable. I just want to be able to sleep through the night tonight, am crossing my fingers, that this cycle is about to end. I know I am rambling, but for the first time today, I can think semi straight.
I think that my stress level may be making this episode worse? Is that possible? I have a lot of stress at my job, my company just merged with another, I am about to be divorced(long story 2 yr in the making) and just have 10 things going on at once. We just got a 12 wk old puppy as well. I remember before the HA only lasting about 4 wks, but these are more intense(I never had to visit the ER before or miss work til now)
If I am at the end of my cycle for this yr, should I just wait until the next to ask the Dr for O2?

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by alchemy on Apr 20^th, 2006, 8:00pm

get the o2 as soon as you can you never know when the beast will make a surprise visit. hang in there. jim

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Apr 20^th, 2006, 8:16pm

I'm with Alchemy on this one. Get that oxygen, including a small portable tank that you can keep under your desk.

I'm sure you've seen this article. Take it with you should you have to make another ER visit. Seems like a little DHE might help. As you've already discovered, the usual ER dope doesn't do squat!

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

If those Trex injects aren't working (and they don't for everyone), your next best hope for an abortive is O2.

So sorry you're suffering so much right now. Hang in there!

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by Jbrigham77 on Apr 21^st, 2006, 7:57am

I slept through the night again.. Woohoo.. but am feeling "off" today.. my head has been pounding since last night, and I just don't feel well. Don't know if its from this HA I have right now, or that I am getting ill. I have the hazy feeling. and I just feel weak.

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 21^st, 2006, 8:47am

I work in a call center too, and we have about 4000 people here. Ours has an infirmary on the first floor, and they have O2. I asked my neuro for an extra copy of my O2 prescription and gave it to the nurse. When I get a hit at work, I call the infirmary first, tell them to pull my chart and get the O2 ready, then I run down there.

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by Dragnlance on Apr 24^th, 2006, 10:37am

Seems to be a lot of people here who work in call centers. I too work in one. :-/

I am a Kudzu pusher. Get it.

FOR ME, it has done wonders. It will not Cure you, but for me it has reduced the number of hits, the duration of the hits and the intensity of the hits.
I insist on taking only the 100% extract, 150mg Twice a day. Some people need more. I have found that those supliments that are part extract and part ground root, are not as effective. Others here have had good results with those however. This just emphasizes the difference between all of us and our reactions to herbs and meds is different.

The comments about O2 are valid and you should look into that as well.
Check out the water info. Surprisingly water can help a great deal. Drink lots of it. Keep a bottle on your desk, and try to drain it as often as you can.

Hope you get some PF time soon!

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by lmarkins on Apr 26^th, 2006, 8:38pm

Lifetime sufferer here. O2 is the only thing that has worked for me. For years, my doctor dissuaded me from using Oxygen >:(. Get it ASAP.

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by Laurie on Apr 27^th, 2006, 10:58pm

I don't think your stress level is making your HA worse, probably the reverse. I'm sorry things are so tough for you right now. This is a lot to go through even when you are feeling well.

Someone here once wrote that oxygen is a blessing...and it truely is. Nothing works all the time, but when O2 works, it's really quick. At its best, it can stop almost all the pain with no side effects.

Don't wait. You should get all your equipment before your next cycle. It might take you a few days to weeks to get everything you need. Print out the "oxygen info" sheet on this site, and take it with you to your doctor appointment. My neuro wasn't familiar with O2 for CH, so I had to tell him exactly what I needed. Same deal if you talk to a medical O2 supplier like Apria. I think they are used to working with emphasyma patients; Apria seemed dumbfounded when I asked for 10 liter/min capabilities. Also, be aware that frozen O2 will dissapate between cycles.

Another possible source for O2 is your local welding shop. After 2 expensive years (despite my health insurance) of really lousy service with Apria, my husband bought me 2 portable tanks and a regulator from the welders shop 15 minutes from our house. These guys sell quite a bit of medical O2, so they are moderately knowledgable and a lot cheaper and more pleasant to work with than Apria. My refills are just under $20. It doesn't last long, but it's a lot less expensive than triptans.

PFN,
Laurie

Title: Re: The beast still doesnt sleep
Post by RichardN on Apr 29^th, 2006, 12:46am

Make sure you get a 15 lpm regulator . . . I'm pretty sure most of us use 12-15 lpm . . . with a non-rebreather mask (the one with the bag). All too often foks end up with and 8 lpm regulator and a nasal canulae (nose thingy). . . . not totally useless, but not NEAR as effective as the 15 lpm reg and non-rebreather mask.

I pay $10 per tank ("E" size . . 3ft tall with the little carts you see all over the hospitals and in every doctors office) and keep seven tanks. I just make sure I have at least two full tanks plus whatever's in the cart before the weekend (med supply closed Sat/Sun).

Be Safe PFDANs

Richard