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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Newbie To Clusterville
        
(Message started by: talbers on Apr 25^th, 2006, 9:37am)

Title: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by talbers on Apr 25^th, 2006, 9:37am

At last, a home. My name is Trent Albers. Currently 33, and have been dealing with headaches of some sort since I was about 15 or so. Started out with the more traditional migraine. Once a month, with more visual and nausea. Somewhere along the line though, I transitioned to episodic CH. I can honestly say I long for the good old migraine days.

In any case, as I've read through the information, and posts, I'm happy to say I finally feel as though I'm really not crazy. For years, my wife and I have wondered why some medications seem to work for brief periods, than not at all, while others don't work at all. Hit or miss. Seems to be that way for everyone. Discouraging from a sense that there doesn't seem to be a magic bullet, but encouraging that there seems to be a wonderful group here.

As far as what I've tried, and what I currently use, I've tried Verapamil, Topomax, Depakote, some anit-depressants, Melatonin, caffeine, water, Imitrex, diet, stress relievers, hot/cold, and stretching. Probably some other things in there too. About all that really seems to work is Imitrex. And it seems to me that all Imitrex really allows me to do is to "herd" my headaches towards a time that is most "convenient" for me to suffer. Perhaps this has been others experience too? I've also noticed that the more I "herd", the more I suffer in the end. Don't know if that's common or not. As a side note, that was an excellent Imitrex tip. For some reason or another, it completely escaped me to use only a portion at a time. Like all of you, I'm sure, my health insurance will only provide me with 8 cartridges a month, meaning I'm out of luck for better than two thirds of the month. At least being episodic allows me to stock pile the shots during the off months. God help me if I ever convert to chronic.

In any case, I sincerely look forward to making some new friends here. As I look through the posts, etc., I'm reminded of the theme song to Cheers. Perhaps a CH'er wrote them. I've pasted them in below for anyone who doesn't already know them. Very fitting indeed.

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same. You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Cathi04 on Apr 25^th, 2006, 9:49am

[smiley=me&mb.gif]Singing with you, Trent! (or is it Normie??)
Welcome to Clusterville, sorry you need to be here, glad you found the place!

Cheers!
Cathi(or am I Dianne?)

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by pattik on Apr 25^th, 2006, 9:49am

Welcome, Trent, and thank you for posting the Cheers lyrics. ;;D...how appropriate. I also like your "herding" metaphor. That pretty well describes how trex can move my headaches around. You have obviously done your reading, and if you scour the meds boards, you will find many, many ideas to try.
Many of us here have good luck using oxygen to abort. I highly recommend that you check out the oxygen info link on the left, and the oxygen tips and clustermasx threads in the meds sections. For me, oxygen has been almost as effective as Imitrex--just as fast, and much cheaper. Glad you found this site, and don't hesitate to ask questions along the way.
Patti

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by talbers on Apr 25^th, 2006, 10:24am

Thanks Cathi and Patti. I'm getting ready to start up acupuncture and oxygen. I'm game for just about anything that has a shot at helping.

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Cathi04 on Apr 25^th, 2006, 10:33am

Trent, PLEASE read the 02 info to the left here! Well, read it all, but especially that!
Cathi

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Richr8 on Apr 25^th, 2006, 10:51am

Welome Trent!

I am very sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances, but glad we were here for you, It sounds like you have a lot of expereince with this and are experimenting with all of the appropriate treatments. I will put in another plug for Oxygen as it has been a life saver for me and many others here aborting about 50-70% of my hits and most shadow attacks. If you haven't tried it, you must give it a shot, and by all means go with a high flow rate (15 LPM+) and a non-rebreather mask (clustermask). Those two tips make a world of difference.

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by talbers on Apr 25^th, 2006, 3:21pm

Thanks Rich. Seeing my neurologist tomorrow, so now I've got some good ammo.

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Jonny on Apr 25^th, 2006, 4:23pm

Hey Trent.....lots of good folks and info here, stick around.

.................Jonny (93-3 Braintree split ;;D )

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Charlie on Apr 25^th, 2006, 5:50pm

Welcome aboard Trent. So sorry we have to meet you because of this shared horror but stick around.

Good stuff here. One of the first things I noticed at my first CH convention was oxygen tanks. It works!

Keep the beast on the run. http://www.netsync.net/users/charlies/gifs/smiley chase.gif

Charlie

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Charlotte on Apr 25^th, 2006, 6:43pm

Trent Albers. Good to meet you. Good luck with the neurologist.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Apr 25^th, 2006, 7:34pm

Welcome Trent
Your in good company here.
Kind Regards
Barry

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by RichardN on Apr 26^th, 2006, 2:17am

Welcome Trent

Please make sure your doc specifys 15 lpm regulator and non-rebreather mask (the one with the bag). All too frequently, folks come away with an 8 lpm regulator with a nasal canulae (nose-thingy) . . . . . not totally useless, but not near as effective as the above.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by Redd715 on Apr 26^th, 2006, 6:27pm

http://www.swingtimeaustralia.com/qld/swingtime%20graphics/welcome%20page/welcome-page-welcome.gif

Clusterville

Home for all us Drain Bramaged Hypothalathing'd folks.

Can't wait to get to know ya better.

Title: Re: Newbie To Clusterville
Post by talbers on Apr 27^th, 2006, 11:12am

Thanks to all.