Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Thank god for that !
        
(Message started by: cutekev on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:46pm)

Title: Thank god for that !
Post by cutekev on Jun 18^th, 2007, 12:46pm

Well after years of having headaches that I thought were just to do with Sinus. I have now finally found out that it's a cluster ! Woppdee doo ! ??? Well yes....Firstly I thought I was the only person who had headaches like I get. Secondly I thought the Doc would send me for a brain scan (which would show nothing anyway ;)). To actually read the symptoms and see it describing EXACTLY what you are experiencing and then to discover there is a site where other sufferers can go and actually realise you are not alone !!!!! A big relief. I think I got to Kip7 but not any further than that..........My heart goes out to all those who do and have......this year seems a particularly nasty one though for me...not sure if any others in the Uk have experienced the same increase in "spitefullness" ..??

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by Guiseppi on Jun 18^th, 2007, 2:08pm

Welcome to our exclusive club!! Sorry you are here but so glad you found us. When you get a chance, tell us what you've tried, what did and did not work. Maybe we can throw a few suggestions your way. Lots and lots of good and bad experience we can share with you!!!!

All of your UK neighbors will be chiming in shortly, watch out for the one on the brrom she's scary! A big USA welcome to the board!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Thank God for that !
Post by Ray on Jun 18^th, 2007, 2:53pm

Welcome to the best home you've never had. Please feel free to ask, contribute, and just kick back with us.

Wishing you pain free days and nights,

Ray

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by MR_FLOOR on Jun 18^th, 2007, 6:13pm

Hey kev,

Keep reading and you will learn allot these people are very helpful and very knowledgeable about this subject,even more so then most doctors.So like guesippi said welcome to the loony bin.

Dave

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by davyp on Jun 19^th, 2007, 5:21am

Hi Kev,

Welcome to the board just sorry you have to be here.

I have to agree that the beast has been a bit more spiteful this year especially since a couple of my aborts have stopped working for me.

A few questions that you will get will be,
Are you Episodic or Chronic?
What meds do you use to abort your attacks?
Are you on any prevents?
Is your Dr any good?

But i am not going to ask any of these question i will leave it up to the wonderful gorgeous Lelimey (Helen) to ask them. ( i have to be nice ime having a meal at her house tomorrow ;;D )

Dape ;;D

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by michael on Jun 19^th, 2007, 5:59am

Hi Kev

My cycle this year started in Feb, went through March and April - about 8 weeks.

That was a pretty normal cycle length for me but the individual attacks were more vicious (not had them this bad for 25 years), longer lasting and a lot more frequent than normal.

I've noticed alot of people on this site mention a bad year this year.

Anyway - welcome and pain free wishes to you.

Mike

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by Sandy_C on Jun 19^th, 2007, 3:58pm

Hi Cut(ie)kev - sorry, I couldn't resist ;;D

Welcome to the family. Please tell us more about your CH, what meds you have tried, which ones helped, which didn't. Have you tried oxygen? A vast number of CH sufferers find 02 to be an absolutely wonderful abortive for a hit (me included).

You'll find us a bunch of crazy people, who argue, bicker, call each other names, but will go to the ends of the earth for each other when in need. See, we're a family.

Welcome home.

Sandy

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by Charlie on Jun 19^th, 2007, 6:24pm

Welcome aboard Kev but sorry that it had to be the result of dealing with this horror. You'll find lots of good stuff and support here. These people know their business.

Here is something with which I had great success. Look into it and good luck.

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

Title: Re: Thank god for that !
Post by LeLimey on Jun 19^th, 2007, 6:48pm

Michael if you see this before tomorrow (weds) check your pm's!

Hi Kev

Its nice to meet you even if it is here. Its just so nice to know someone else understands isn't it?

I would ask all the questions Dape did but I'd also ask if you have tried ny of our home remedies such as ice or heat, coffee and red bull as examples.. list everything that has helped you or made things worse and lets see if we can't come up with some more suggestions for you to talk to your doc about.

It might only be me that answers from now on - Dape might just find himself eating something poisonous tomorrow ;)

hang in there - we will help I promise

Helen