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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Day 14, and my sincere thanks
        
(Message started by: Phil the Desert Rat on Jan 14^th, 2006, 1:06pm)

Title: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by Phil the Desert Rat on Jan 14^th, 2006, 1:06pm

Thanks to those of you who have read through my first post. I especially wish to thank burnt-toast, Karla, thebbz, FramCire, Kris_in_SJ, E-Double, BlueMeanie, gobby, BarbaraD, marlinsfan, and Roxy for your replies, suggestions, support and good will.

So far, since starting the Verapamil and Cafergot (sorry, I misread the Rx label as plain ergotamine) Thursday evening, the CHs have not been nearly as frequent (only one "and a half" a day--the 1:30 pm zinger daily and only one middle of the nighter). I have upped the Verapamil dose after calling my doctor, to 480 mg per day, which leaves me pretty much worthless for now, though I am told I will adjust to it. The shadow lingers on, never letting go, though I have found that a cold, wet bath towel wrapped completely around my head alleviates this temporarily (I look ridiculous, but have no pride for whatever works!).

Through your suggestions, the articles and resources on this and the O.U.C.H./us websites, I feel I am so much more prepared for next Thursday's trip to the neuro than I was for the doctor appointments this past Thursday--heck, I had never heard of CHs until Jan 5's ER doc, and then both doctors on Jan 12 unanimously diagnosing me with such. Welcome to the club, huh?

I am not too pleased about this new wrinkle in my life, and am very uncertain about the lifelong implications of this, but I have to say that I have found much hope in reading through so many of your threads on this site. You all are real examples of courage, and I can't thank you all enough.

Once I survive this first round, hopefully I will have some experience to help out, and offer my two-cents. As of now, I'm going to pour myself another cup of coffee (black, like I used to drink it!), wrap my head in my cold, wet towel, and dread the approaching 1 o'clock hour.

--Phil

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by MJ on Jan 14^th, 2006, 1:37pm

You will survive. We all do.

Sounds like you are finding a few tricks to help as well as the meds.

Amazing how far a little CH education goes in helping with the attacks.

Stay strong. Good luck with the nuero.

MJ

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by E-Double on Jan 14^th, 2006, 4:51pm

Just stay storong my friend!

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by taraann on Jan 14^th, 2006, 7:55pm

Great post Phil. Reminds me of how thankful I was when I found this website, way back when.

I'm glad you are more educated now and getting some help. And you will survive this round, and any round the beast throws at you, cause u are a clusterhead and us clusterheads are tough as nails 8)

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jan 14^th, 2006, 8:09pm

You're welcome, Phil.

Just take all your new knowledge with you to the neuro when you go. Be your own best advocate!

BTW ... those damned shadows may be with you to some degree or another throughout your cycle. Strong coffee, regular exercise and Oxygen help the most. Stay away, if you can, from OTC meds and narcotics. Don't do diddly ...

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by thebbz on Jan 14^th, 2006, 10:56pm

Your ahead of the game so far. It it normal to feel fear and dread. CH does not kill you although you may think it is. ;) Let us know how it goes and stick around. When things get bad dont forget to breathe. [smiley=laugh.gif]
PF days ahead
jb

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by gobby on Jan 14^th, 2006, 11:02pm

Hey Phil, one good thing you can take away from your new inclusion into our little club here is that when your not in cycle or even if you are is that other pains don't seem to hurt as bad anymore (stubbing your toe, or hitting your funny bone). I guess we devlope a higher pain threshold. You have to keep looking on the bright side. ;)

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by zwibbs/Scott on Jan 15^th, 2006, 2:13am

Hey Phil-- You'll get through them--just remain strong, and when they eventually leave--it is the greatest feeling. I used to take a towel -dampened with cool water---sit at a desk, and rest my left eyebrow area on the towel( rolled) . When I did this and tried to feel completely relaxed--the headache would start to diminish....When I started a recent cycle my Neurologist put me on Prednisone and Verapamil. Lowered the pred while raising the Verap----it took three weeks before it took effect, BUT it did indeed knock the cycle out of me. Good luck my friend !!!

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by Mr. Happy on Jan 15^th, 2006, 2:36am

on 01/14/06 at 13:06:30, Phil the Desert Rat wrote:

am very uncertain about the lifelong implications of this

That's the pisscutter part of this......it's not a one time ride. Whether it's once every 3 months or every 3 years, it'll be back, and you'll know it right quick like. The first time is always the worst.
I feel a picture coming on...

http://mushys.com/despair/despair.jpeg

The cool thing is.....you don't even need to bookmark this place anymore. Just Google Cluster Headaches.

Neato.
RJ

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by BarbaraD on Jan 15^th, 2006, 4:49am

Phil,

Just stick around and read everything you can here. And remember - you are NOT alone. We've all been there - done that.... all of us felt alone at one time with these darn things. Clusterville is a great place to be with CH. someone is always here to help and support.

Keep us up to date.....

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Day 14, and my sincere thanks
Post by burnt-toast on Jan 15^th, 2006, 8:30am

Clearly a wrinkle we could all live without - but for now that's not our choice. Hang in there and don't ever let this nightmare win, it's not easy living with the unbelieveable pain but we find ways to manage.

If you keep a good journal it will teach you something about your specific symptoms every round and help you gain some control over your condition.

Stick around, let us know how it's going and throw some support back to others when you can.

Tom