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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006-2007 Getting to Know Ya Posts >> Back again after 3 PF yrs
        
(Message started by: yhliem on Nov 26^th, 2007, 4:38pm)

Title: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by yhliem on Nov 26^th, 2007, 4:38pm

Hello all,

I'm 34, born in Stuttgart, Germany and have lived in the Vancouver, BC area for the last 32 years.

I first found this site 3 years ago during my last ch bout shortly after discovering exactly why I was getting crippling headaches at the same time every day for weeks on end. I don't know how long it actually lasted but it felt like eternity x7 (I'm sure you all can relate).

After 3 gloriously PF years the beast returned with a vengance a few nights ago. As a CH I've never had night time issues before, but my welcome back to CH-hood hit at around 2 am, somewhere between a 7 and 8 on the Kip Scale.

Since then the little beastie's been all over the map in terms of timing an intensity.

Anyhow, just thought that I'd (re-)introduce myself and wish everyone a bushel of PF days.

Yen-Hsen

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Ray on Nov 26^th, 2007, 4:43pm

Welcome back!

I'm so sorry for the reason, however. That first one must have been a real shock after so long pain free. I, for one, pray that you get relief soon!

Ray

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 26^th, 2007, 6:08pm

Welcome back, please tell us a little bit about your treatment plan, what you use for preventative medications, what you use for abortive medications, what has and hasn't worked in the past. The combined sharing is what makes the board so useful. You may teach us something we might be able to point you in a new direction.

So sorry you're back, I'm with Ray, hope the cycle is short and sweet for you!!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by George_J on Nov 26^th, 2007, 6:44pm

Sorry to hear you're getting hit again, but welcome back.

Sounds as if the night horrors are a new thing for you. If you haven't already done so, you might consider trying melatonin. Most of us who use it use somewhere between 6-12 mg, taken an hour before bedtime. Those for whom it works generally report that it reduces the number of nighttime hits that they get.

In my case, since better than 90 percent of the hits I get occur at night, melatonin reduces the number of hits I get during a cycle overall.

No, it's not 100%. I still get hit, but it does make the cycle easier to get through.

I'm more conservative than most, here, as far as the treatment options I'll consider. Since my cycles last, at most, 6-8 weeks, and I've never been chronic, I'll only consider things that:

a) Do not seem to lengthen the cycle.
b) Do not increase the number or intensity of hits due to "rebounds".
c) Have a minimum number of side-effects.
d) Are effective. (In my experience. )

Melatonin, at least for me, qualifies on all counts. It's a valuable addition to my CH arsenal.

Hope this may be of some help.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by yhliem on Nov 26^th, 2007, 6:45pm

Thanks for the welcome back. :)

Unfortunately I haven't found anything that works reliably, be it preventative, transient, or abortive. Even pure O2 is, at best, hit or miss with me.

A friend of mine who, as it turns out, is also a CH said her doctor suggested 2 Advil & 2 Tylenol at the first sign of a shadow as an abortive measure. I'm trying it out but this cycle seems to be wildly inconsistent as compared to the last so it's tough to know if the treat ment is actually working or if i'm just experiencing the Shadow with more to come later.

I've been fortunate (??!) so far in that the worst of the attack happen at night and not while I'm at work. However, nothing seems to work for the late night attacks.

I've been waking up in the neighbourhood of Kip 8 or 9 which leaves me with enough of my wits about me to curl into the fetal position and moan to myself while trying to crush my own skull.

So far I've had about 8 Shadows and 3 full-blown attacks in the last 24-36 hrs. It's going to be a fun night tonight.

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by thebbz on Nov 26^th, 2007, 7:02pm

You hang tough. Maybe try melatonin to help with the night hits.
thebb
all the best

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 26^th, 2007, 7:23pm

Quote:

her doctor suggested 2 Advil & 2 Tylenol at the first sign of a shadow as an abortive measure.

You would do your friend a favor by suggesting that she get a new Dr. ::)

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 27^th, 2007, 10:34am

I have to agree with Linda there, this doc sounds like he's grabbing at straws.

I use lithium as a preventative medication when on cycle. At 1200 mg a day it blocks up to 90% of my hits. Others have posted success using a combo of lithium and verapamil as their preventative.

Have you tried imitrex injectables to abort the really bad hits? Expensive but they work great. And like George said, many have posted a dramatic reduction in the number of nite time attacks by using melatonin, certainly worth a shot. Also consider a magnesium supplement, along with calcium. I've noticed an improvement in quality of cycles since I started that regimen and several others on the board have posted similar results.

None of these are "miracle cures" but added together they increase overall quality of life. Hang in there.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by yhliem on Nov 27^th, 2007, 10:48am

on 11/26/07 at 19:23:00, Linda_Howell wrote:

You would do your friend a favor by suggesting that she get a new Dr. ::)

Normally I would, except this treatment seems to work for her. And I don't know enough about her case to make any kind of recommendation anyways.

Ultimately, if it seems to work, go with it. Right?

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Guiseppi on Nov 27^th, 2007, 11:17am

[b]Ultimately, if it seems to work, go with it. Right? [/b]

Truer words were never spoken!!!!!! If it works, don't mess with it. (But ALWAYS ALWAYS keep reading and learning. You never know when your current regimen will break down and you'll need a new arsenal!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by yhliem on Nov 27^th, 2007, 2:38pm

ugh ...bad night last night. No full blown hits, but about 5 shadows that were intense enough to wake me up and keep me from going to sleep until they passed. Def. going to try the melatonin.

Gotta find a Doctor in my area too. I just moved about 30 miles away from my last GP who isn't very experienced with CHs anyways. ::)

Title: Re: Back again after 3 PF yrs
Post by Melissa on Nov 29^th, 2007, 7:54am

Hello Yen-Hsen,

First off, I'm sorry your getting slammed.

Secondly, about the OTC pain killers. They might stave off shadows, but I 100% doubt they'll stop a CH attack. If they do, then none of us would be here... Besides, they take too long to work and can cause rebound headaches. (do a search)

Anyway, what meds/treatments have you tried besides the O2? I agree that you need to do much reading and learning of what is helping other sufferers here as you seem stuck on what to do next.

Good luck!