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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Thanx to everyone here
        
(Message started by: Tata on Oct 9^th, 2006, 3:20pm)

Title: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Tata on Oct 9^th, 2006, 3:20pm

I found this site back in 2000 and have been dropping by now and again since then. My name is Roberta and I'm married with 4 children--15, 13, 3, and 10 months. I'm 38 and have been having these headaches for 23 years--unreal. Always on the left side, always lasting for about 2 months. Never while I'm pregnant. I haven't been to a Dr in years about these because I just gave up on them ever giving me anything but pain meds., but I'm going on Friday to my husband's Doc. I have to thank all of you here for everything I've learned---your tips about the O2 got me through the last 2 bouts of clusters. It doesn't work on all of them, but it works on enough of them to give me some hope. I don't have a lot of time to post (4 kids just suck up a LOT of time) but I do try to read what you all post as often as possible. I'm about a week into this right now and I'm praying for some kind of help from the Doc. If he says one word about Demerol or Tylenol 3 I'm going to scream. I have to admit I'm scared to try any new meds because I'm afraid of rebound HA's, but I'll deal with that when the time comes. I haven't got out the O2 yet this time because I'm trying to see where they are w/o any interference, and I'm so paranoid about the rebounding that happened last time. Ok, I'm totally rambling so I'll close this now before I mention that I'm scared of rebound headaches again. Thanx again everyone--you all are awesome.

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by seasonalboomer on Oct 9^th, 2006, 3:28pm

Tata, so sorry ot hear you're suffering.

Regarding your O2 rig... does your regulator deliver 10-15 lpm? and do you have a good non-rebreather mask? If not you might be able to ipmrove your success with O2 some.

Second, did you say you were getting rebounds from the O2? If not I would highly recommend you just go ahead and start up the O2, it shouldn't cause the problems you're talking about and there is no good reason to take on the pain of CH hits if you don't need to.

Thirdly, if you're not pregnant and would consider a pharmaceutical as treatment, getting the doc to look at a triptan such as Imitrex (injections) is a very common abortive. Tylenol 3's, etc... don't do anything for CH. You should check the link for treatment options and your doc can look at setting up a preventative and abortive for you in addition to the O2.

Good luck with the doc.

Scott

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by bothofus on Oct 9^th, 2006, 6:54pm

Hello Tata,
Maybe ask the doc about verapamil. It helped me a lot. I was only on 240 mg a day. 80 mg 3x a day, not extended release. Some others on here are at a much higher dosage.
I have always looked for something to prevent the attacks. Hopefully the doc will find something that works for ya.
Carl

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Tata on Oct 10^th, 2006, 1:12am

Scott and Carl--
Thanx for the replies--it's so good to be in touch with other people who know what this is like. I have to confess, I don't have a mask and have no clue at what rate the tank flows---I used an o2 tank my husband has in the garage for welding or something. I've put off using it again until I see the Dr, mostly because the HA's arent as bad as they'll be in a few weeks-- I can get through it until I see the Doc and get the right equiptment in the house.
The tank in the garage is HUGE and I don't want the kids around it--especially my 3 year old. That boy puts Dennis the Menace to shame--yesterday, he used his poster paint to paint our little (white) Westie blue. Part of him, anyway.
I really appreciate the advice and suggestions--I've got a bunch of notes and questions all ready to take with me to the Doc. Thanx, again
Tata

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Charlotte on Oct 12^th, 2006, 6:04pm

Good luck tomorrow.

Charlotte

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by BB on Oct 13^th, 2006, 7:37am

Hi ya,

Just a note to say that medication wouldnt cause rebound headaches unless you use too much. If you stick to the prescribed dosages they should be ok.

Hope you had better luck this time seeing the doc.

Painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Tata on Oct 13^th, 2006, 9:32am

Hi BB-
Thanks for the reply. I'm going to try to avoid any meds this time because I'm still nursing my little girl--that is, unless the Doc prescribes something that won't harm her. I've had really good luck with O2, so I'd like to stick with that for now---I'm hoping he's up to date on that option. My appointment's at 4 today and I am so looking forward to going. Thanks for the good wishes and I'm sending send them right back to you and your husband. Tata

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Melissa on Oct 14^th, 2006, 8:44am

Tata, a good investment is a Clustermasx, which is for O2. Many here, including myself, who had O2 fail for them in the past find that with the new mask O2 works again. It was modified by a CH sufferer in the U.K. and should ship pretty quickly. You can find it here: http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~tritech2/clusterx/index.html

Good luck with your appt!

mel

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by brewcrew on Oct 14^th, 2006, 8:49am

The only solution I can see: you must stay pregnant.

(I'm just kidding) ;;D

Welcome.

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Tata on Oct 15^th, 2006, 12:07am

Melissa:
"Tata, a good investment is a Clustermasx, which is for O2. "

Melissa, thank you so much for the link and the good luck wishes. The appointment went well and he prescribed the O2 like I hoped. Hope, hope hope....
Take care, Tata

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by Tata on Oct 15^th, 2006, 1:03am

on 10/14/06 at 08:49:42, brewcrew wrote:

The only solution I can see: you must stay pregnant.

(I'm just kidding) ;;D
Welcome.

That's my plan! I'm just going to stay pregnant for the rest of my life. Of course, I should probably ask my husband if he minds first--for some strange reason, ever since he got that vasectomy last year, he keeps insisting that I'm not going to get pregnant again. [smiley=laugh.gif]

Thanx for the welcome, Brewcrew--I like your sense of humor.

Title: Re: Thanx to everyone here
Post by BB on Oct 15^th, 2006, 10:40am

Thats the standard recommendation around here , Tata.

I am trying to figure out how to get my CH husband to become pregnant 8). He said he wanted a daughter so I guess we could try to get 2 birds with 1 stone , no ?

Just kidding ! ;;D

Hope the oxygen works well for you.

Painfree wishes.

Annette