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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Introduction
        
(Message started by: SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 20^th, 2006, 5:33am)

Title: Introduction
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 20^th, 2006, 5:33am

Just finished a marathon reading session on CH, never knew what my "migraines" actually were for the last 12 years until this evening. Actually cried when I read the home page for this site, out of relief I think.

I've seen a lot of doctors, EEG, cat scans, etc... somehow they missed it. I'll make an appointment tomorrow to be diagnosed properly, but it's a foregone conclusion as far as I'm concerned, every little symptoms fits me exactly. I can't believe I never knew about this... can't believe all the damn doctors never knew. Had one that wanted to lance the boil in my nasal passage to stop the pain when I was a teenager!

Anyway, I have a million questions I won't ask till I've done more reading, so I'll just introduce myself.

27yo male artist in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Suffered since age 15, episodic, about 2-3 cycles per year lasting about a month each. I've only seen #10 on the kip scale a few times, but I've always wondered how all these fellow "migraine sufferers" can lie still in bed when a bad one hits while I stumble around like a nut, hit things, groan and scream. Biggest triggers during a cycle are overheating and heavy excercise, also long periods of inactivity (especially when it's spent staring at a monitor). Never could discern a pattern of what causes a cycle. They usually hit an hour after waking, always have a bloodshot droopy eye, during bad ones I'll pace the house stopping to blow my nose every minute or two. Ice helps a little. Seems linked to diet in that not eating in the morning, or eating only fruit, will increase the likelyhood of an attack.

Looking forward to trying oxygen, nothing has ever helped. Anyway, this turned out a bit longer than I thought it would, I'm sure I'll post here for a while, I still have a lot to learn. Damn, I still can't believe other people go through this. The migraine theory never did quite fit.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by big_guy on Aug 20^th, 2006, 7:12am

Welcome SchwarzenSchafe

Sorry you need to find this site but glad you did. I'm also new here but not new to Clusters. I also cried the first time I found this site. Read everything you can here. Knowledge will allow you to be in control. Print the information available here and take it with you to the Dr. If he is not intersested find a Dr that is.
Help is out there

Big Guy

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by marlinsfan on Aug 20^th, 2006, 8:56am

Welcome to our nuthouse! You'll be reading a ton during the next few days. In case you haven't seen this, it's got a lot of good info on meds/treatments.

I use O2, melatonin, and caffeine.
PF wishes.
jose
http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by pattik on Aug 20^th, 2006, 9:13am

Welcome to the site. Like you, I was misdiagnosed for years until I found this site and took the information to my doctor. I would just like to reiterate what jose said about oxygen. Many of us here have very good results using it as an abortive. Read the O2 link on the left, and if you should decide to try it, be sure to get a prescription for a high enough LPM, and a non-rebreather style mask is a must.
Happy reading here, and ask all the questions you need to.
Pat

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by PL259 on Aug 20^th, 2006, 5:52pm

Don't just read, print it out and take it to the doctor! I got lucky back in 1982 and an old ENT diagnosed it correctly right off the bat, but there was nothing good to use. Late 90's 02 and verapamil basically saved me. Different things work for different people. So don't give up. Sounds like you have a good start. Best wishes.
JImbo

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by thebbz on Aug 20^th, 2006, 10:49pm

Welcome and good reading. The more you know...
all the best
jb

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 21^st, 2006, 12:52am

Thanks all! Just sitting down to read about oxygen.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by The mad viking on Aug 21^st, 2006, 1:04am

Hey there

will ask you to take contact with wildhaus"Michael"
He is a good guy from Switzerland.

Beside that just read,read, and read

Svenn

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by chopmyheadoff on Aug 21^st, 2006, 4:38am

get yourself to a neurologist mate - doctors dont know squat about ch.

your case is the classic example and many here started off in your shoes.

i too cried when i read the opening of this site for the first time

good luck bro
chop

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by Margi on Aug 21^st, 2006, 9:58am

Hello, Toon Towner! :)

Glad to see you've found probably the best reference tool you'll ever find for your pain. This website is the gold standard in cluster support and you WILL find relief here, the least of which being able to talk to others who feel your pain.

Don't forget, also, to check out our Canadian site at http://www.clusterheadaches.ca. We have a message board just like this one (although at the moment, we're currently upgrading and offline but will be back soon). We have a fellow in your area ("F1World", Jeff) and my hubby and I are in Calgary. Lotsa folks from BC, and Ontario as well.

Your best bet IS to get some oxygen and we can help you with local suppliers. Are you on any meds at all yet?

Hang in there,
Margi

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 1:53am

Thanks chop, I have an apointment tomorrow with my GP and I'm asking to see a neurologist.

I checked out the CDN OUCH site, I'll probably post there when it's up. I recently lived in Calgary, not a bad town but moving too quickly towards another polluted metropolitan mess for my taste. I've never taken any meds on a regular basis because I've never found anything that helped. Imitrex helped a little but the side effects and cost put me off. I'm very much against taking prescription drugs (for several reasons) unless theres no alternative. I'm going to use kudzu, o2, psilocybin, and LSA... I'm very optimistic.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by Margi on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 9:50am

on 08/22/06 at 01:53:09, SchwarzenSchafe wrote:

I'm going to use kudzu, o2, psilocybin, and LSA... I'm very optimistic.

I think you should pick one of the alternatives....not all three, ok?

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 11:50pm

Hehe... well...

Is there any interaction between kudzu and hallucinagens? It's not a case of extra insurance? I had planned on either shrooms or LSA rather than both, I don't know so much yet. Still reading, but it looks like I want to trip about 3 times a year. All I know is I don't want any drugs from my pharmaceutical salesman (excuse me, my doctor), I'll be very happy to control this with 100% natural substances.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by nani on Aug 22^nd, 2006, 11:53pm

Kudzu will block the hallcinogens. You should pick one or the other for the best results.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by Sandy_C on Aug 23^rd, 2006, 12:56pm

Hi SchwarzeSchafe ( can I call you Schwarz for short, please?)

Welcome to this crazy, dysfunctional, antagonistic (at times), and very loving family.

The people on this site probably, in my personal opinion, have more combined knowledge about CH and the treatments available for CH, than anywhere else. You've found your new home.

Now, as some of our members will say, pick up your oar and start rowing this boat, because it takes each and every one of us to keep the others afloat.

Sandy

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by SchwarzenSchafe on Aug 25^th, 2006, 12:47am

on 08/23/06 at 12:56:31, Sandy_C wrote:

Hi SchwarzeSchafe ( can I call you Schwarz for short, please?)
Sandy

Sure, or my real name is Lee.