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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Ice Pack Counter-Attack
        
(Message started by: mixter on Jan 10^th, 2006, 10:54pm)

Title: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by mixter on Jan 10^th, 2006, 10:54pm

Hello everyone,
I'm in one sense pleased, and in another sad to see so many other sufferers of as you so aptly call the demon and the what-ever. It has been several years now and only recently have I begun to seek out help for this that is not going away. Last year I was actually told that they will not, but that I will have them for the rest of my life. I have prayed in the midst of them to have GOD take me. I have thought of helping him help me. I have tried to knock myself out. I have cried , I have cursed, I have taken many a different drug and am still trying different ones. I do live in fear of sleep and I am crying right now because I have found others that I can communicate with and cry without being in the same room. I am 49 years old and a tough son-of a-___! But I am reduced to a small boy when attacked. I too have wondered what I did that has made this necessary. I can think of a couple--so I accept it. My worst is a two day shadow with a finish of three 20 minute then a three hour epidsode, leaving me wishing I would just die and be done with it. Right now I feel the pressure in the side of my head and know that more than likely tonight my sleep will be interupted. I really don't know how much longer I will be able to work or if anyone dose like this. I try to keep distracted to prevent them, I think that helps. I think?? The only thing that I have done consistently through all of this is freeze my head with cold packs. It seems to help..When I know that I am loosing the battle I will grab my cold packs from the freezer and go to my bedroom to writhe on the bed and move the pack around on the left side of my face and scalp and the back of my neck to freeze it away. Thank GOD for the creation of the gell pack. I'm pretty tired and excited CH.COM BABY

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by Linda_Howell on Jan 10^th, 2006, 11:10pm

What drugs have you taken?

I see you've found that cold packs help. What about oxygen? Strong coffee?

There is so much more information here that can help you. Please read all the links on the left.

There is nothing you could have done differently to stop this from happening so stop blaming yourself. We are a family here and if you suffer from Cluster headaches, you have just entered your first post as a family member. WELCOME to our world.. ;)

Linda

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by mixter on Jan 10^th, 2006, 11:21pm

Thanks Linda, I really am tired. I am surprised that I got a welcome so fast, thank you. I have got to try and get some sleep so I can go to work tomorrow. I am so afraid of loosing my driving job for a construction company because of this. Another fear that maybe causes these damn things. I really will spend time reading. thanx

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by Linda_Howell on Jan 10^th, 2006, 11:26pm

You're welcome.

When you're not so tired, check your PM's ( up above on the page where it says "Hey, Mixter, you have ----messages)

Just checked your profile to see where you lived &
...I just moved, but I lived in Spokane and have gone through your town MANY a time in the last 2 yrs.

Weird. ;;D

Linda

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by FramCire on Jan 10^th, 2006, 11:39pm

Welcome aboard. It is now time to have your prayers answered the RIGHT way. It is time to find the right way to find freedom from your pain the best ways possible. Read all that you can on this site. Seek out the best specialist you can and try all that you have not tried. I don't see that you have tried O2 and that seems to be the best friend of most of us.

Ask questions, feel free to send messages and ask more questions. People here seem to have great joy helping other find some relief. So, take the help and find the relief. there are a TON of options. I am going to try a new one for me (see the Travel Tips thread for more info) if I can get insurance to cover it.

Good luck and I'll be praying for a PF and happy tomorrow for you.

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by sandie99 on Jan 11^th, 2006, 2:41am

Warm welcome!

I'm so sorry that you have ch, but I'm so glad that you found your way here. :) You can get lots of info and support right here.

When I read your post, I could have read one of my own in some ways. I'm 25 now and I've had ch since 2001. I've had both episodic and chronic ch. And I do know very well what it's like to live in fear. Ch sure knows how to get to you... It's truly a devil. There were days I wasn't sure I had the strenght to face another one, but I somehow did and the amazing people in here have been incredibly helpful and supportive during those darkest hours I faced.

But, I also know, that when the right med is found, how wonderful pain-free days are. I had a full ch hit in April 2005 and since then only small, mild reminders. So, believe me, there will be a way to treat your ch, too. I do recall the desperation I felt very clearly, but don't give up, okay? I tried more meds I want to recall and the med (verpamil) didn't even work at first because of too small dosage. And once the PF days begun, I waited them to end, because I was used to having ch hits each day. Naturally part of me still fears a bit that what will happen if the devil returns... but I have meds on standby, so I'm prepared if that day comes.

Wishing you lots of PF days & nights,

Sanna

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by E-Double on Jan 11^th, 2006, 6:09am

Wearing my Frozen Peas Helmut

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by BarbaraD on Jan 11^th, 2006, 6:40am

Mixter,

Welcome aboard.

You sound so familiar with your symptoms. So many of us have been there and said the same thing. Hopefully you're episodic and will have a short cycle.

You can try Melatonin at night (9-12mg) to help you sleep - this has worked for a lot of us. Kudzu (from the health food store) - 2000-3000mg during the day helps some during the day. O2 is great any time. Black coffee at the first sign of an attack will sometimes abort the attack and of course ice packs (frozen peas work great also) help.

There are meds out there that help also (read the links at the left) and talk to your neuro about a preventative and an abortative. Depending on your medical condition, he/she'll have to decide what you can and can't take there.

Read everything you can on this site - it's the most HELP you'll get anywhere and ASK questions. Someone has been there and done that. Most of us have lived with this demon more years than we like to think about.

Again, welcome to Clusterville....

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by teajay5779 on Jan 11^th, 2006, 8:16am

YO Mixter
sorry your having a bad time, your in a good place now with CH.COM. I know it's helped me alot just by finding people going through the same thing. Have you tried Oxygen? It's the only thing that ever helped me with the pain.

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by Roxy on Jan 11^th, 2006, 11:31am

Read this (http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm)....it will also knock out those shadows.

Roxy

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 11^th, 2006, 6:53pm

It still breaks my heart every time I read a post like yours. Read up on the meds info to your left. Try the oxygen but pay attention to the details. Used incorrectly many people find doesn't work. I use it as my first line of defense and it works miracles for me. Check out the "cluster mask" info. Then read, read, read and find a doctor who will pay ettention to all the information you bring them from this site. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by Sandy_C on Jan 11^th, 2006, 7:16pm

Hi Mix. Welcome to this crazy family of ours. I'm so sorry you are here, but this is the place to be to learn about CH and learn about all of the various meds/methods/treatments that everyone has tried. Some are great, like oxygen, frozen bags of peas, ice water and packs, Melatonin, and on and on and on. Some don't work for some of us.

Ask questions - the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. Someone is always here, 24/7/365, and we're all here for you. Read everything you can on these boards, especially the links to the left. Learn all you can about CH, find a good doctor who knows about CH. You are your best advocate. Between you and a good doc, you will survive, you will get through this, and you will have a good life.

Wishing you well

Sandy

Title: Re: Ice Pack Counter-Attack
Post by djsound on Jan 11^th, 2006, 9:17pm

I too use the ice-pack as soon as IT starts to appear. I put it directly on the eye and then try to bring down the swelling on the back of the neck. It won't stop it, but it knocks it down a notch or two. Another trick I use when I can't stop the pain wave is grap a electric vibrator and use it directly on the temples and top of the head. I had one CH stop after 5 minutes of this, but that was an exception. I figure if I have to be moving around , I might as well try anything that takes time and concentration from IT. I have been having some luck with melatonin this cycle 5g-9g per night. I actually got some sleep last night. Hang in there. I am sure that when you meet your maker, some account of your suffering on earth will be taken into account!!!