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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Just wanted to introduce myself
        
(Message started by: pingu1981 on Jun 25^th, 2006, 1:24pm)

Title: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by pingu1981 on Jun 25^th, 2006, 1:24pm

Hi my name's Michelle. I live in South Wales. I've been suffering from eposodic cluster headaches for the last 6years, but fortunatly they seem to be cycling every three years or there abouts. So i'm the the middle of one now. Just a question, does anyone else find that their hand eye coordination goes out the window when they're having an attack? [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by Sean_C on Jun 25^th, 2006, 1:57pm

Welcome Pingu,

When having an attack I never personally noticed anything out of the ordinary like that, but I'm no doc and we're all different.

Mostly during an attack I'm focused on controlling the pain.

Others will respond, give it time ;)

Sean...........................

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by marlinsfan on Jun 25^th, 2006, 2:28pm

Sorry to answer with what you may think is a joke, but I can punch myself in the head just fine when I'm having an attack. Other than punching my head, my hand doesn't seem to want to do anything else.

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by Jasmyn on Jun 25^th, 2006, 4:02pm

Welcome Michelle.

Yes, during cycle I do not only have hand-eye coordination problems but it is also as if my brain and my tongue does not want to function at the same speed. As a matter of fact all my sensory devices seems to be in overload when in cycle.

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by Charlie on Jun 25^th, 2006, 5:55pm

Welcome Michelle:

I can't say I had that problem other than that I was generally a wreck while I was doing harm to my kitchen furniture. I can understand it though.

Stick around, you'll find a lot of good ideas here.

Here is one that worked for me:

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: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by LeLimey on Jun 25^th, 2006, 6:18pm

Hi Michelle its nice to meet you!
My co-ordination in general is shot to bits when I'm getting hit, its the pain that does that to me not anything else though and I have to admit to be a really clumsy muppet the rest of the time anyway :-/
Have you ever found OUCH UK?
I ask as there are several other sufferers quite close to you in South Wales and there is nothing quite like meeting another sufferer!

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by Richr8 on Jun 25^th, 2006, 9:10pm

Welcome aboard! Sorry you had to find us, but glad that you did. None to speak pf here as far as the hand eye issue you mentoned.

Hang around and tell us more about yourself.

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by ShaneM on Jun 25^th, 2006, 11:02pm

Hey Michelle,
Before I found Triptans I used to do a lot of walking (I mean stumbling) around. I was stopped on two occasions and asked if I needed a ride by the police because they thought I was drunk. I wanted to move but had a real hell of a time doing it once the pain relly set in in hard. Hope you get some relief soon. I understand that it is not easy to get there but if you can try Melatonin. I have been taking it for a week now and it has made a drastic difference. See the Meds postings...

Shane ;;D

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by paul2006 on Jun 28^th, 2006, 11:08pm

Hi Michelle
I'm not so far away from you, in the hills near Whitland. Also new here. I went to see a neurologist in Carmarthen last week who confirmed me as chronic. He was great and definitely knows all about CH. Gave me hope!!

I am a mess most of the time and even though I try, I can't hide it from people who know me! Still, life goes on, as they say.

If you want to get in touch, check out www.mypembrokeshire.com and at the bottom of the page is a 'contact us' link. There's an email address there. Send an email to that address and tell them who you are and that you want to contact Paul about CH. They WILL tell me coz they know why I am often known as Mr Unreliable. I am a photographer who does work for them... the photos in trhe slideshow with the article about the Haydn Millar, Tenby's new lifeboat are mine, as are a lot of others.

Val Hobbs on the UK's OUCH board lives nearby too and maybe we can get together somewhere in 'our' part of Wales one day??

Hope to hear from you soon... :)

Title: perlimary shadow problems ?
Post by Yorky on Jul 16^th, 2006, 9:55pm

so i have leared on this site, is most of us/ some,develop a shadow(the start)my shadow can stay for two days+without kickin in dissapear then come and get me, 1+ days later within 5 mins.
when i get my shadow(left side)my body goes in panick mode.personally i do beleive you may have a plmry warning sign.

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 18^th, 2006, 10:06pm

:D Hi Michelle, Chronic sufferer for 8 years now. I personally , well in an attack I pull my hair on the right side of my head, so my coordination seems fine. I am sorry for your pain, I too in cycle..sucks big time , 6th week of torture here . I am sorry for your pain but you have found us now and we are here to help you. Tell your doc about this concern and dont down play anything during your cycle especially if it concerns you. I hope you get sleep , relief and have a knowledgeable neuro. Someones always here , wishing you PFDAN, All my best , Summer 8)

Title: Re: Just wanted to introduce myself
Post by NONI on Jul 19^th, 2006, 6:10pm

Hi Michelle

I too am new to ch 2nd only ch cycle now in almost four wks,,first cycle was undiagnosed.
Nice to meet you and I too have coordination problems during the cycle.

Noni