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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Finally!!!
        
(Message started by: jlitzenb on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 5:16am)

Title: Finally!!!
Post by jlitzenb on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 5:16am

Here is it 5:00am and my CH is dissipating after almost 4 hours. I'm new to this, although I can recall having something like this many, many years ago.

I'm now in my 8th day (or should I say morning). I wake up anywhere from 1-2 am and....BAM!!! I'm down for the count.

Since I am new to CH, I'm not on any meds and have found, which I'm sure you all know, that the over-the-counter crap just doesn't cut it.

With being up the wee hours of the morning for the past 8 days, I have been doing a lot of searching on headaches in general. Of course, all this after the normal rolling on the floor, pounding my head, blah, blah, blah. When I came across this website, it all just fit; and I was amazed at the number of others. I am so glad I am not alone.

This is probably a bit embarrassing, but I actually cried when I found this site; to know I was NOT alone and to also know that I was not going crazy and what I have is real.

Thank you for letting me spout off. I could probably write a book, but I'll save something to say for next time.

Thanks for this website!!!

John

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by Yorky on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 5:44am

welcome john...what you say about finding this place more or less mirors what i did.now it sounds like you should go get yourself properly diagnosed by a doctor..
then you will be able to get some proper medication.
good luck

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by alchemy on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 5:48am

Welcome John, don't sweat the tears dude most of us had the same reaction finding this site. Yorky was right you need to get to a doc and get the right diagnosis and proper meds hang in there there's always a lite on here
jim

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 7:49am

Now the trip begins! Start learning by exploring the buttons to the left, then some good reading:

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf
--------
MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $59 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by Sandy_C on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 1:53pm

Hi John, and welcome. Don't be embarrased about the tears, I think we all reacted pretty much the same way when we found this place.

Do as the others have suggested - get youself to a good doc/neuro who knows about CH and get a proper diagnosis. With that in hand, you and your doc can map out a plan of attack using both abortive and preventive medications. Read everything to left of your screen, and read the message boards. There's lots to learn.

Sandy

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by Richr8 on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 8:42pm

on 09/23/06 at 05:16:31, jlitzenb wrote:

This is probably a bit embarrassing, but I actually cried when I found this site;

Welocme my friend. Nothing to be embarrassied about. That is a very common response to finding this place. :)

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by georgej on Sep 23^rd, 2006, 8:43pm

Hi John, and welcome home.

Sorry to hear you're new to this--it can be a long and nasty journey--but there's no better place to find the information you need.

Like the others, I'd like to encourage you to get a firm diagnosis and a plan for dealing with CH. Pay particular attention to the links regarding medical info and oxygen--oxygen is a safe, inexpensive, and highly effective abortive for many of us.

Best wishes to you, and hopes that you find an effective way to get your headaches under control. I've had them for a very long time, but I haven't forgotten how it felt to be new to them. Don't let the beast frighten you. He's a terrible and vicious companion, but he has his weaknesses--and you'll discover your own strengths.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

George

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by jlitzenb on Sep 24^th, 2006, 4:28am

Hi all.

I want to thank you all for your help. I wish I would have found this site sooner, but better late then never.

I guess I have a lot of reading to do, but right now is not a good time...if you know what I mean.

Thanks again.

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by TxBasslady on Sep 24^th, 2006, 4:29pm

Hi John,

There's lots of good info here, and the best support you'll ever find.

Educate yourself by reading all you can. There's plenty of meds available for CH, and hopefully you can find a good doc in your area.

Someone usually here 24/7. Let us know how how you're doing.

Jean

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by Callico_Kid on Sep 25^th, 2006, 9:14pm

Welcome, and ditto to the above.

Jery

Title: Re: Finally!!!
Post by BB on Sep 25^th, 2006, 10:02pm

Here is a box of tissues, a hug and a pat on the back :)

Now wipe your tears and clear your eyes so that you can start reading and posting more questions :)

Looking forwards to seeing your smiles ...

Annette