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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Hello, I'm new here
        
(Message started by: JimmyK on Oct 27^th, 2006, 6:50pm)

Title: Hello, I'm new here
Post by JimmyK on Oct 27^th, 2006, 6:50pm

My name is Jim, I am 23 years old and I live in Stillwater Oklahoma, USA. I have been suffering from episodic clusters since around April 2003, and I'd rather not Ha! I always seem to get mine when the weather changes for about a month or two, and then thankfully go away for a slight reprieve. I just want to say that it is invaluable that something like this exists, because I am not sure that one person alone can stay strong and bear these. I am really humbled by their power, I always thought I was a pretty resilient guy, but it is amazing how one of these cluster headeaches can reduce a 6'5" 250 lb man to the fetal position completely unable to function. I have been to doctors, they have tried various medications, usually pain killers or muscle relaxers, but by the time I know a headache is coming it is too late to take the meds because they won't kick in in time. Even if they do, the pain just completely overwhelms any effect the meds are having so I quit taking the pills and going to the doctors and found this group. I figured it would do at least as much good as the doctors eh?

Anyway, thanks for listening, and if you have any advice for me it would be GREATLY appreciated. At this point I will try just about anything.

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by LeLimey on Oct 27^th, 2006, 6:55pm

Hi Jim,
We have another sufferer here from Stillwater, I'll get him to jump on this thread and say hi!
What are you using for pain relief and what have you tried? lets see if we can't help you a bit!
Helen
PS Welcome! I'm glad you found us ;;D

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by alchemy on Oct 27^th, 2006, 7:20pm

Welcome aboard Jim, glad you found us sorry about the reason to. Like Helen said let us Know what meds you've been on and we'll help the best we can. The best advise anyone can give is read read read.
jim

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 27^th, 2006, 9:13pm

Hi JimmyK. Welcome to our world ::)

I liked this:

Quote:

I am really humbled by their power, I always thought I was a pretty resilient guy, but it is amazing how one of these cluster headeaches can reduce a 6'5" 250 lb man to the fetal position completely unable to function. I have been to doctors, they have tried various medications, usually pain killers

Yeah, humbled is the correct word. Forget the painkillers please. They won't help and if they do it's because you have taken way too much and then you'll have another problem altogether including rebounds.

Have you tried oxygen? It's cheap, safe, and works as an abortive in over 70% of us.

Please let us know what you've tried. We are all here to help you.

Linda

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by Gator on Oct 27^th, 2006, 11:08pm

Howdy, JimmyK! So, you're from Stillwater, eh? Me, too. Shoot me a private message with your phone number and I'll give you a hollar. Maybe we can sit down a Perkins Family Restaurant for a cuppa joe and swap strategies and stories.

Welcome to the madhouse. I look forward to meeting you very soon.

Mike

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by mathieulives on Oct 28^th, 2006, 12:32am

on 10/27/06 at 18:50:51, JimmyK wrote:

I have been to doctors, they have tried various medications, usually pain killers or muscle relaxers, but by the time I know a headache is coming it is too late to take the meds because they won't kick in in time. Even if they do, the pain just completely overwhelms any effect the meds are having so I quit taking the pills and going to the doctors and found this group. I figured it would do at least as much good as the doctors eh?

I appreciated how you explained your pain, and I am sorry you are going through these as well. I'm a newby and this site has made me do a 180 emotionally, I was doing really, really bad.. so any questions just ask, i'm sure someone has already thought of it, tried it, and knows the results!

2 things help me rebuke The Devil before he gets too bad: Imitrex or Red Bull. Since you don't want drugs I suggest keeping red bull with you everywhere. As soon as you think you feel anything, you chug that sucker like there's no tomorrow!! I prefer and reccomend the red bull be cold.

I havn't been able to get 02 to work yet, but I keep trying. Please keep sharing!

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by georgej on Oct 28^th, 2006, 1:10am

Welcome, Jim.

You're in great hands with Helen and Mike--can't improve on what they've said, so I won't try.

Glad you've found us. Take a look around, and read, read, read. The accumulated knowledge and experience here is the best source of information on CH that you'll find.

Again, welcome. If you have any questions or simply need to vent, there is usually someone here 24/7.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by Barry_T_Coles on Oct 28^th, 2006, 1:44am

Hi Jim and welcome.

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by Bill_G. on Oct 28^th, 2006, 5:44am

Hey Jim,
Glad and sad to meet you. Like everyone else I'm wondering about you meds. I'm kinda new here also.
I don't know how or why it works, but some people swear by Red Bull. Chug one can at onset. To take that a step further there is another drink called Rip-It does just as well at a lot less cost..
One thing that you will find here is that this site is just like the TV show "Cheers", No matter what the time everyone isa here for you.

Hope to be PF
Bill

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by LeLimey on Oct 28^th, 2006, 8:45am

Hi Bill!
ANY of the generic varieties of of Red Bull will help, as long as they have the caffeine and taurine as all those high energy drinks do they'll do the job and as you say, some are ALOT cheaper!
It works because caffeine is a vaso constrictor. In a hit the blood vessels in your bonce swell by up to 20x their normal size so the only thing that will relieve the pain is to constrict them. Caffeine works, Taurine intensifies the effect of the caffeine giving it a turbo boost so it works even better!
Oxygen is also a vaso constrictor as are triptans, prescription meds which we use for CH.
Hope that helps a bit, we'll all happily answer any questions we can at any time, never ever be afraid to ask okay? - or I'll wallop you ;;D (Just joking! honestly!)
Take care
Helen

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by alchemy on Oct 28^th, 2006, 8:55am

Helen has a broom and she's not afraid to use it ;;D

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by BB on Oct 28^th, 2006, 9:15am

Helens broom is a mgic one though, she whacks you with it and you get better, whether you want to or not ;)

Oh, and welcome , wishing you PFDAN :)

Annette

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by LeLimey on Oct 28^th, 2006, 9:39am

Hey Bill.. I just noticed its your birthday today!
Happy Birthday, I hope its pain free for you
Helen xxx

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by JimmyK on Oct 28^th, 2006, 9:49am

Thanks for the support guys, I think I am feeling better already (for the moment at least Ha!)

Jim

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by LeLimey on Oct 28^th, 2006, 10:09am

Jim thats great news and I'm really glad to hear it! Meet up with Mike when you can, he can help you alot with docs and med info and stuff and he's a lovely person too (for a mere male!)
Welcome to the family!
Helen

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by chopmyheadoff on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 2:34am

welcome jim, good feeling knowing your not alone isnt it ??

oh, and ignore helen, shes a top girl but im afraid she has man "issues" !!! (id better go hide now [smiley=curtain.gif] )

gotta love her [smiley=wave.gif]

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by NovellRed on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 11:36am

Welcome Jim,
Sorry to hear that you suffer the beast too, but glad you found us.
I have been fighting the beast for 29 years. I slip between episodic and chronic every few years. Been through all the drugs and here is what I found that helps me.

1. Oxygen
2. Taking charge of my condition and being responsible for my treatment.

I will never again feel helpless just waiting to see what the doctor will do or prescribe. It is my condition and my problem I will take care of it, and do it on my terms.

You can fight the beast, and you can win. Every day I live and every breath I take means I fought and won.

Wishing you pain free days. If the beast returns, kick its ass!

Title: Re: Hello, I'm new here
Post by Sandy_C on Nov 3^rd, 2006, 4:28pm

Hi Jim and you, too, Bill. Welcome home.

Please read everything you can on the buttons to the left of your screen. Let us know what medications you've tried, what has helped, what hasn't. As others have said, pain meds don't do diddly for CH. Oxygen, Red Bull, check out Melatonin for night time hits, look on the meds board for the Kudzu thread (has helped many), read the water X 3 info to the left, these are all tried and true things that can help - not cure, but help. None of these are prescription meds (outside of oxygen, you do need a scrip unless you get welders tank, regulator and mask (e-bay), but have shown to be helpful to many.

Ask questions, anything. When I came here I was told there is no stupid question except the one you didn't ask. Someone is always here, 24/7/365. We'll help you all we can.

Sandy