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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Theeeeeere Back!
        
(Message started by: rosiej on Aug 16^th, 2006, 10:49pm)

Title: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by rosiej on Aug 16^th, 2006, 10:49pm

Hello Everyone,

I got my first CH back in 1990 when I was 21 years old. Of course, I was told I had migraines and was given medication for them. Needless to say nothing worked. I'm eposidic.
I was actually diagnosed by mother. She had seen a small excerpt a magazine that described CHs. That was it. There was no doubt. That was in 1993.
It wasn't until 1996 that I found that Imitrex injection worked for me. In 2000 I found this site. I was so happy to find it. It was a great help with the Imitrex tip. Still use it to this day, if the little vials aren't available.
From 2001 to 2003, my CHs to a vacation. They reappeared and then left again till now. I was free for three years! I almost flirted with the idea that they might be gone forever. NOT!
Honestly, I almost feel bad for whining. I know for most of you my situation would be candy. When mine strike, they last for approximately 6 weeks. At most, I'll have three in a day. And then they leave till the following year... or not. I become a stressed out ball of anxiety. I try so hard not to let it affect the people around me.
I must say. Everytime I have to tell a doctor that I suffer from CHs, they always give me a strange look and start in with the questions. Apparently, I don't fit a certain profile. But, I look on this site and I see many many women who are also clusterheads. Sorry for you all, but it is kinda nice to see I'm NOT alone.

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by georgej on Aug 17^th, 2006, 2:58am

Hi Rosie, and welcome.

The profiles are flat wrong. It's a medical urban myth that men get CH more often than women. Women are often misdiagnosed with migraine when they have CH, since migraine is a "woman's" affliction.

'Nuff said.

I'm also luckier than most. I've gotten them a lot longer than you have, but I'm episodic as well. Cycled every six months for six weeks on for many years, but have been three years between for the last three cycles. I only get hit once a day (long hits--2 hours or more), or every other day in cycle. Can't even imagine what some people here go through.

Anyhow, you'll see a disproportionate number of chronics around here, I think--it's because most episodics do what I did for six years, and visit when we're in cycle and stay away when we're out of cycle. I decided to stick around this time after it was over to see if I could lend a hand. But I understand how many episodics don't want to "curse" themselves by talking about CH when they're out of cycle. That's how I felt too. But you know what? The beast does what it wants. It doesn't matter whether we talk about it or not.

Episodics and chronics have similar experiences with pain--which puts them outside the human norm--but in many ways we're different animals. Even the treatment regimens are different, or ought to be.

But episodic or chronic, many more people who are more knowledgeable than I will likely be responding to your post soon. You're in good hands, and you're among friends.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 17^th, 2006, 4:30am

welcome rosie - nice to have you here .

sorry your in pain at the moment - you mention you take imitrex as an abortive, do you take any preventative meds ?? and do you see a neurologist or just your regular doc ???

pfw
chop

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by Shazza on Aug 17^th, 2006, 5:15am

Hello Rosie & welcome!

I know exactly what you mean about a certain CH profile. I went undiagnosed for a few years, stress headaches then to migrane and being fobbed off with a presciption of pain killers that work as much as sweets do.
This year, making a new appointment at the surgery, I saw a new doctor and even though he knew very little about CH (he was looking it up on the internet whilst I was sat there) he at least recognised the symptoms I was describing to him.
I hope that the 'profile' is soon recognised as a load of rubbish by the medical profession, especially by GP's as the are the first contact.

Sharon xx

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by LeLimey on Aug 17^th, 2006, 5:43am

Hi Rosie!
Just adding my name to the welcome bandwagon too, its nice to meet you!
We'll do all we can to help, I was going to ask the questions chop did so I'll wait to see those answers, rest assured though, life will never be the same again!
Helen

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by rosiej on Aug 17^th, 2006, 9:00am

Wow, you guys and GALS respond fast!!! Thanks.

on 08/17/06 at 02:58:38, georgej wrote:

...most episodics do what I did for six years, and visit when we're in cycle and stay away when we're out of cycle. I decided to stick around this time after it was over to see if I could lend a hand. But I understand how many episodics don't want to "curse" themselves by talking about CH when they're out of cycle.

George

GeorgeJ, I laughed when I read this! It still amazes me when I read my own words on someone elses post. This is it exactly. I actually discovered this site before 2000, but had to re-register in 2001. When I'm pain free I feel that talking about them actually triggers them. I know it sounds crazy, but it has happened. I feel I'm summoning the beast!

To answer Chop's question... Imitrex works great for me if I take it as soon as realize it's not a teaser. AND, do my little Flash-Dance-jog-in-place move for a moment, then it's gone in under 10 minutes. Other then that, no preventatives. I did try something else that is not necessarily condoned on this site, but I did get the info here back in 2000. I believe that is what kicked my CH out for 2, and then again for 3 years. As far as doctors go, I only see a GP. I usually just have him prescribe the imitrex. I have an appointment next week and I'm bringing him the info on oxygen. I want to try that. It seems like a safer alternative. What do you think a neurologist can do that I'm not already getting from my GP? I'm not chronic so I don't feel I need to be taking meds all year long. Is there something else I'm not thinking of?

Thanks all,
Rosiej

Title: Re: Theeeeeere Back!
Post by georgej on Aug 17^th, 2006, 9:15am

Hi Rosie,

I don't medicate, so I'll let the others answer your questions in that regard. They'll have better information.

Nah. You're not going to "curse" yourself. The beast and I have gotten to know each other pretty well over the years--although he's evil, sneaky, and vindictive, I think he's also illiterate. Like something out of "Deliverance". ;)

George