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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Pain in the head from Michigan
        
(Message started by: goof1031 on Nov 23^rd, 2006, 6:37am)

Title: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by goof1031 on Nov 23^rd, 2006, 6:37am

Hi all -
Im not too good at this so hang in there!!!
My Name is Brenda. Im 35, have a great boyfriend who is now a wonderful supporter (thanks to all your advise) and a 14 yr old son that is my pride and joy.
I've been a sufferer for 17 or so years. I've been PF for almost 3 year and now the The beast has been attacking since the second week of October.

I like to stuck my nose into the conversations now and again....See all you Clusterheads in the future!!!!

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by bothofus on Nov 23^rd, 2006, 8:17am

Hello Brenda and family,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sorry to see the beast came calling for the holidays.
Got Meds? Prevents and aborts?
Sounds like ya got two great guys to help ya through this.
Carl

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by goof1031 on Nov 23^rd, 2006, 8:28am

Happy Thanksgiving to you also Carl,

Doc put me on Metoprolol and Imitrex NS. I do plan on talking to the Dr. about Oxygen. Sounds like it works wonders.
I do have a great set of Guys!!! :)

Thank you

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 23^rd, 2006, 1:42pm

Welcome to our world Brenda.

You didn't mention Oxygen as an abortive but here is a general info link for you. Print it our and take it to your Dr. because you will need a prescription for it from him.

Oxygen is the safest, cheapest way to abort a headache and most of us here look upon that little green tank sitting next to the bed...with love and respect. lol

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

Linda

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by goof1031 on Nov 24^th, 2006, 7:45am

I have 2 doses of Imitrex NS left and my preventative. The abort - Midrin/Energy Drink seem to help most of the time if I catch it early. When all runs out (in a couple Days) I have a feeling I will be back to the Dr. begging for an alternative to the high cost NS.

What is the cost of Oxygen? My Dr. did bring up Oxygen as a "HelpME" Helper!!!!

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by RichardN on Nov 24^th, 2006, 8:58am

Hi Goof

Copy the 02 info and take to your doc Monday. Works to abort for 60-70% of us, especially if used early-on in the attack . . . .MINUTES MATTER! I can't take Imitrex (arterie blockage), so 02 is my only abortive . . . a real miracle for those of us it works for.

You will need to have the doc specify a 15 lpm regulator and non-rebreather mask (the one with the bag) . . . and you can order a Clustermask off this site.

Prices vary arround the country . . . and also depends on whether you get your 02 from a med supplier or welding supply. I get mine from a med supplier and they charge me $10 per tank ("E" tank . . . about 3 ft. tall . . . the ones you see all over the hospitals or any doc's office . . . 680 litres)

I keep 10 "E" tanks and two (itty bitty) "B" tanks (170 litres) . . . just got seven refills . . . I never go into a weekend or holiday without two full tanks, plus whatever is in my cart and van (last series of bad hits, I ordered another regulator so I don't have to hassle with transporting back and forth) . . . the key is to have it available and use early. I can live with the beast as long as I don't have to "dance" with the bastard. 02 has saved me from MANY dances.

Be Safe, PFDANs

Richard

Title: Re: Pain in the head from Michigan
Post by Charlie on Nov 24^th, 2006, 9:09pm

Welcome to the madhouse and sorry you have to deal with this horror. Stick around; these people know what they are doing.

I may not but this worked for me:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie