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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> 5 years later
        
(Message started by: knifeinskull on Sep 14^th, 2006, 11:56pm)

Title: 5 years later
Post by knifeinskull on Sep 14^th, 2006, 11:56pm

Hey everybody. Nice site. I'm 31 & been putting up with these damn headaches on & off for the last 10 years. I remember the 1st one like it was yeterday. I woke up one morning when I was 21 thinking there was a knife in my scull. I was drinking the night before but I knew this was no hangover headache. I called my girlfriend at the time crying like a little baby!! I can count on one hand how many times I've cryed in my life. She was SHOCKED to say the least. Had no idea what to think after 3 C.H. a day for a month until I went to the doc & he told to stop eating Advill cold & sinus like they were candy. He knew right away they were C.H. He gave me Imitrex & after I thought I was having a heart attack I stopped eating them. After a couple of years of dealing with these GOD awfull C.H. they seemed to stop. 3 years later they came back & stuck around for another year or so. And now 5 years after that there back. Started last week. Got 4 today. I get them more during the day than at night. Kinda sucks since I'm a carpenter. At least this time around I'm armed with a computer & you nice people to help me through it!! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. goodnight ( I hope) :)

Title: Re: 5 years later
Post by mcf69 on Sep 15^th, 2006, 12:12am

Hey knife, nice to meet you, sorry it had to be this way though. Your story sounds earily familiar, I'm 31 and have had CH's for about 10 years or so too. You'll find a ton of usefull info and helpfull people here, surf the board, research, and ask questions.

Here's some links to do some reading on;

O2, the safest, cheapest, and one of the most effective abortive treatments:
http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

A good site with lots of info including meds and treating CH, a little heavy on medical lingo, but good none the less:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050215/717.html

I'm sure others will be along with some good advice and more info, but this will get you started, like I said, don't be afraid to look around the board, check out the info and ask questions. Best of luck to you.....

Title: Re: 5 years later
Post by bothofus on Sep 15^th, 2006, 4:53am

Hello, the imitrex has definitely been a sanity saver for me. Are you taking any prevenatives? Glad your doc was smart enough not to just prescribe a bunch of narcotics. Mine did that about 20 yrs ago and all it did was make me druggy WITH the CH !!!!!!!!
You'll get plenty of help here !!!!!!
Carl

Title: Re: 5 years later
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 15^th, 2006, 7:06am

hi knife - cool name !!

i deffo think u should be looking fro preventatives. I myself and a lot of others have got almost complete from verapamil.
this can take 2 weeks to kick in so sometimes a steroid taper is advised too.

you really should be seeing a neurologist and preferably one that specialises in CH.
if your having trouble finding one let me know and i will dig out the link to the list of recommended doctors.

also, imitrex is a good abortive but in pill form it takes just too damn long to kick in so the self injection kits are usually prescribed.

if there is anything i can help with just giz a shout

Title: Re: 5 years later
Post by knifeinskull on Sep 15^th, 2006, 6:59pm

mcf69, bothofus, & chopmyheadoff(good 1) ; THANKS for the feedback. I really appreciate it. As far as pills go I won't take them no matter how bad the pain is. I know what your thinkin & let me reassure the pain IS EXCRUCIATING !! >:( Also I can't have an oxygen tank rolling around in the truck. Today when I felt a C.H. coming on I started a breathing technique I used to practice & it went away. Now I don't know if it was b/c of the breathing or it just wasn't a full blown attack BUT it worked again a couple hours later. I'll keep you informed on how thats goin. AS far as seeing a neurologist I'm going back to the doc next week to set something up. Also gonna get a cat scan too just b/c I never had one Can't hurt right. Also I hav'nt smoked any MaryJane in about 4 days!! Might not sound like a long time to any of yous (Jersey word) but I usually shmoke about 3 J's a day. It just seems like I can't enjoy it now b/c those damn C.H. are just that more intense when I'm stoned. :'( SUCKS

Title: Re: 5 years later
Post by Skyhawk5 on Sep 17^th, 2006, 12:42am

I understand your reluctance to go with Oxygen (o2). I and many others looked at it like, "that's a little more serious than I wish to admit or commit to." But it is the safest and one of the most widely used treatments out there. It has become my good friend in the battle. I really fear attacks much more if I don't have it now. It doesn't stop every hit but enough to make it worth it.
During cycle I "WON'T" leave the house without it.

About the Merry-J, altough it's been said to help some for a higher % on this board it is considered a trigger.

I mean no offence just my two cents worth, Skyhawk5