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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
        
(Message started by: Ghost on Feb 20^th, 2006, 4:40pm)

Title: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Ghost on Feb 20^th, 2006, 4:40pm

These I think may be helpful to people new and old, I hope maybe to see them with KIP scale as additional help to newcomers.
Mike

Helpful Hints

• At each level of the Kip scale see prior and add to where you are.
• Most attacks last from 15 min. to 3+ hours.
• O2 is a valid and preferred treatment at most levels of pain to end(abort) a Cluster Attack sooner. Usually administered at 10-15 lpm with a Non re-breather mask.
• For most it is also necessary to use Imitrex injection. see "imitrex tip"
• Most oral meds and inhaled meds will not affect the attack you are in now, but if taken prior to attack may result in some relief.
• The Levels listed here are a guideline to measure the intensity of an attack.
• For most the attack ramps up rapidly and subsides almost as fast, but it may take several hours to recover from it. Very energy draining.
• Caffeine and Red Bull may also assist in aborting an attack.
• Most Cluster Headache sufferers are misdiagnosed for many years, some with sinus headaches, tension headaches, migraines, and even toothaches/infections.
• Cluster headaches can and often are accompanied by other types of headaches, Sinus, Stress, Migraine, and others making it hard to detect and/or diagnose.
• Cluster Headaches are real and should never be considered a minor inconvenience, The cause is still being debated but there is no known cure as of yet.
• Remember you are the one suffering, don’t let others tell you how much it doesn’t hurt!
• Shadow; some of the symptoms but without a measurable amount of pain(pressure).
• Twinge; Short burst of pain usually to fast to produce side effects.
• Phantom; Body experiences all symptoms of an attack without measurable pain/burning sensation. (Droopy eye, Running nose, and Tearing.)
• Episodic; Episodes of Cluster headaches that are under 1 year in length, or with 30 days or more during a calendar year of being Pain Free.
• Chronic; Episodes of Cluster headaches that are over 1 year in length, or with less than 30 days during a calendar year of being Pain Free.
• There are various methods and treatments, both conventional and non-conventional. Overall it seems Oxygen at a higher rate while using a Non re-breather mask seems to be the most effective abortive.
• Some people experience Cluster attacks as a result of a trigger ie. alcohol, smoking, foods, ect…
• Never let a doctor, or other medical professional dismiss it as psychosomatic, or imagined pain.

In Honor of Robert(Bob) Kipple who passed on the day this was posted. God Bless his work and Thank You Kip for being. May all who enter this site know the name Robert Kipple and find comfort with knowing he found for us a common ground. He passed peacefully in his sleep on 2/20/06.

The groundwork he laid before us,
the rest we must carry on.
Heaven has called up,
today a beloved son.
Pain in his life he knew,
but compassion he delivered.
For those of us that knew him,
knew he would have had it no other way.
Pain for most of us is a reality of life,
To be pain free a dream, but a dream we must realize.
Those he has helped and those will help still,
Remember Robert Kipple for all of us, forever will.

Mike 2/21/06
In Memory of Robert (Bob) Kipple Creator of the KIP Scale. We love you KIP!

2/22/06 - DJ edited subject of post

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 20^th, 2006, 5:02pm

This is Great Stuff Goat!

It should be called "Mike's Helpful Hints".

DJ I want to seriously petition that this great store of information be added to the Kip scale on the left.

When new people enter the board this will give them better insight in most of the frequently asked questions related directly to their pain scale.

I ask of others on this board to please support this idea.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Ghost on Feb 20^th, 2006, 5:05pm

on 02/20/06 at 17:02:51, Jasmyn wrote:

This is Great Stuff Goat!

It should be called "~~Mike's~~Goats Helpful Hints".

DJ I want to seriously petition that this great store of information be added to the Kip scale on the left.

When new people enter the board this will give them better insight in most of the frequently asked questions related directly to their pain scale.

I ask of others on this board to please support this idea.

There Fixed it!

Title: Many of the sites...
Post by Richr8 on Feb 20^th, 2006, 5:37pm

...I frequent have FAQ areas where this would fit nicely, along with a number of other commonly asked/answered questions and facts. These are very useful to newbs and more so for vets as they do not have to answer the same questions over and over.

Rich

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Dragnlance on Feb 20^th, 2006, 9:31pm

Quote:

DJ I want to seriously petition that this great store of information be added to the Kip scale on the left.

When new people enter the board this will give them better insight in most of the frequently asked questions related directly to their pain scale.

I agree with Jasmyn 100%, and thank Ghost for posting it!

Dragn

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 21^st, 2006, 10:29am

I think this is very important for the board so I'm bumping it.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by marlinsfan on Feb 21^st, 2006, 11:05am

DJ: I agree with Jas.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by LeLimey on Feb 21^st, 2006, 11:07am

Goat I'm impressed, thats a fantastic post and I too think it's worth pinning or saving or whatever has to be done with it, well done matey! :-*

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 21^st, 2006, 12:28pm

Jeeeeze. The old Goat did something good?????????

will wonders never cease.

Linda

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by mrs mac on Feb 21^st, 2006, 12:42pm

BUMP

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Lizzie2 on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 12:34am

Jas or Ghost - did you email/PM Deej to ask him to sticky this or include it in the links to the left? That's the best way to get his attention to this stuff!

Nice work, Ghost!!! Provides some very clear statements that would definitely help to answer a lot of the more common questions. :)

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 3:44am

Thanks Carrie for the advise, did so now :)

Title: Re: Helpful Hints
Post by Melissa on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 7:36am

I agree with the others. :)

Fantastic job Mike!

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Jasmyn on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 10:02am

Thank you DJ for pinning it up here ;;D

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by thebbz on Feb 22^nd, 2006, 10:09pm

:'(
Rest in Peace Kip. [smiley=bow.gif] Prayers and condolences [smiley=bigcry.gif]
jb
Thanks for the post Ghost. He will be sorely missed here.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Sean_C on Feb 24^th, 2006, 12:17am

Great post Mike, and thanks Deej.

Thank you Bob for all that you've done for us. I know we shall meet again my friend, this I will promise you. May you find comfort Janet knowing he's in Gods arms.

Brad Paisley - When I get Where I'm Going (mms://66.186.0.101/allaccess/bradwhen.wma)

Much love and blessings to you all,

The Clancy family..................................

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by sandie99 on Feb 24^th, 2006, 1:26pm

Great post, Mike! :)

Sanna

P.S. I love that country song, Sean. :)

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by MJ on Feb 24^th, 2006, 7:10pm

Nice work Ghost and in memory of one I never knew in person but through pain we knew him well. His name will live on.
Rest well Mr. Kipple.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by bluebrain on Feb 27^th, 2006, 4:24am

Thank you kip for sharing your knowledge with us,
rest in peace.
bluebrain

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by llreed on Mar 17^th, 2006, 7:33pm

Well Done,
Diffently a gem.
Rest in peace Kipple....
llreed

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Tryn2helpstubrn on Mar 30^th, 2006, 6:52pm

Thank you for this. It helps me as much as it will help Stuborn, I think and I hope.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by pussers_rum on Mar 31^st, 2006, 10:53am

very helpful. please bump it.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 4^th, 2006, 9:07pm

Definitely helpful to us newbies.

So sorry to hear of Mr. Kipple's passing. Hope he was pf long before he didn't wake up.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by floridian on May 4^th, 2006, 2:08pm

Good post, but have to disagree with:

Quote:

• For most it is also necessary to use Imitrex injection.

Imitrex is generally very effective, but has a significant side effects profile and may actually increase the frequency of hits and the length of a cycle. Imitrex is one option to consider, but it is wrong to call it something most people Need.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Jonny on May 4^th, 2006, 7:13pm

on 05/04/06 at 14:08:28, floridian wrote:

Good post, but have to disagree with:

Imitrex is generally very effective, but has a significant side effects profile and may actually increase the frequency of hits and the length of a cycle. Imitrex is one option to consider, but it is wrong to call it something most people Need.

Damn!, as much as I hate doing this......Flo, has a good point. :P

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Ghost on May 5^th, 2006, 11:02am

on 05/04/06 at 14:08:28, floridian wrote:

I too agree that is why it says(which you forgot)
For most it is also necessary to use Imitrex injection. see "imitrex tip"

So it would be clarified as the tips state to see a doctor and for some it does cause those and other side effects. Please Read all of it dont paraphrase it can cause harm, just as only following half advise from a good neuro can be more harm than help. Also as I should have stated, Find a good Doctor and follow the treatment. Relief may be slow at times but if followed correctly you usually will get the relief needed to make it through each and every day a little better. Although sometimes you may not.

Mike

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by floridian on May 6^th, 2006, 5:40pm

on 05/05/06 at 11:02:49, Ghost wrote:

I think we are coming from different positions. (?!") Here are the 3rd and 4th tips:

• O2 is a valid and preferred treatment at most levels of pain to end(abort) a Cluster Attack sooner. Usually administered at 10-15 lpm with a Non re-breather mask.
• For most it is also necessary to use Imitrex injection. see "imitrex tip"

Reading those, in that order, it sounds like you are saying most people need an imitrex chaser for the oxygen. I don't agree with that, and after reading your follow up, I'm not sure if you meant that ... were you saying that most people who use oxygen to abort also need imitrex injections??

Oxygen is very effective for many people, leading to rapid and complete abortion of the headache. For others, it turns down the pain enough to be tolerable. And for some, it works poorly or not at all. I think it is innacurate to say that oxygen is insufficient "For most." And if oxygen is not satisfactory, imitrex is an option, but is not necessary.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Jonny on May 8^th, 2006, 7:07pm

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/imitrex.html

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by joke ten dam on May 14^th, 2006, 6:32pm

I think this is very important for the board so I'm bumping it too.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Summerbabe on Jul 13^th, 2006, 7:56am

;;D Job well done...proud of you, and thank you... [smiley=hug.gif] Summer

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by sarahanne on Jul 28^th, 2006, 12:19pm

thank you so much for this. as a newbie to the board this was extremely informative. i believe what i've dealt with the past week were all twinges...leading up to last night. (OWWW!) i never would've guessed that red bull (or other large doses of caffeine) would be helpful. i wonder if that's how i've suppressed this bugger all week. i ran out of red bull the day before yesterday and BAM! i generally keep a stock of red bull in order to fight off my migraines but if it helps with clusters, omg, i'm buying stock! thanks so much for the pointers. 3 cluster attacks in 6 hours is just too much to bear.) ~sarah

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by noranate on Dec 7^th, 2006, 12:27am

Is anyone finding that O2 is not working for them? :-[

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by santa on Mar 11^th, 2007, 2:22pm

awesome ed vise!it really helped!

Santa ;;D

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Callico_Kid on Mar 15^th, 2007, 11:08pm

Thanks for the exce..ent post.

My condolences to the Kipple family and loved ones. You will be in our prayers.

Jerry

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Dunnie_work on Mar 20^th, 2007, 8:04pm

I can identify with almost all of this. What about water? Does drinking water alot of water do anything good for attacks?

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Ghost on Mar 21^st, 2007, 1:10pm

on 03/20/07 at 20:04:41, Dunnie_work wrote:

I can identify with almost all of this. What about water? Does drinking water alot of water do anything good for attacks?

For some yes for some no it like all the rest is individual and may vary case by case. Hope it works for you but for me it did nothing.

Mike

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by baadpuddytat on Mar 23^rd, 2007, 1:39am

hi--this is my first time here. 20 years with cluster headaches and still no cure (if there is one). in one of the cycles right now; no health insurance at my current job. any "natural" solutions?

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by ClusterChuck on Mar 23^rd, 2007, 2:12am

on 03/23/07 at 01:39:30, baadpuddytat wrote:

any "natural" solutions?

Charlie has a method of redirection that works for some. I am sure he will come here and post it.

Have you looked at the "water X 3" tab, over in the left margin?

Another trick, that works for some is hyperventilating. Do it until you feel dizzy, and even your fingers tingle. What it is doing, is forcing an excess of oxygen, from the ambient air, into you body. Try it, it might work for you too!

Good luck!!

Chuck

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by chrisw on Mar 23^rd, 2007, 2:49pm

maybe you could also try melatonin, you can get it at the drug store and some people find some relief with 9-12mg before bed. good luck

chrisw

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Charlie on Mar 23^rd, 2007, 9:32pm

Sorry for the delay but here is the natural solution post that has worked well for me and others:

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: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by dannyboy on Mar 26^th, 2007, 9:13am

Hi Charlie,

Interesting post about redirecting blood flow

If you can change the blood pressure in the scalp, or the brain to a much lesser extent.....

Obviously ligating a superficial artery has a similar effect on extra and intra cranial pressure

I, of course, would never advocate that type of barbarism!

Cheers
Danny

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by southwalessunshine on Jul 10^th, 2007, 8:05am

i'm new to this amazing site as from yesterday. i read all the tips etc before i came to the message boards and found the tips etc very informative. i would certainly say it's definatley worth putting this in with one of the tips for sure! It would definatley have helped out a bit more. i'm struggling will the fountain of info i've found here from the posts and could've done with this in with the tips. purely so icould get my head around it before i read what people have posted.
brilliant post x

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by gary2 on Oct 6^th, 2007, 11:10pm

never been on a forum before & i'm likely in the wrong area to share what i have to say. i haven't ventured very far in the forum...yet. i may be repeating what others have already said here, but if what i did tonight could help anyone at all, it was worth my time registering into the forum....i've been through the headaches intermitantly for years, & tonight, ten minutes into a major headache, i decided to "safely" grab some weights & work-out like a mad man. within 5 minutes the pain was gone. i certainly didn't feel like doing it at the time but i knew i had to do something because nothing else i've tried seems to help. if you find yourself in panic mode & haven't tried this yet, please do. likely any heavy exercise will do. not sure how long till the next one hits & not sure how many times i'll have the energy to do this, but it was well worth it & i'll definitely try it again if it gets unbearable.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by NJRik on Oct 10^th, 2007, 10:32am

I just want to thank all of you and this great site. I am new to this painfull monster and any help I can get is wonderfull.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Wardland97 on Oct 28^th, 2007, 1:42pm

One of my girlfriens suffered headaches from 1989-2006 on a daily basis. She was totaly disabled by them. She found out that there are a hand full of international healer with special healing gifts. She had two distance session with one & her headaches disappeared completely & have not returned. As we foung out there are three different healers, Bob Ward Healer , Gene Egidio & Lorenzo Cree. Bob W is the one my girlfriend went to . I went to him for my migraines & now I no longer get them
k

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by vietvet2tours on Nov 17^th, 2007, 9:49am

on 10/28/07 at 13:42:45, Wardland97 wrote:

How did we miss this loon?

Potter

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Linda_Howell on Nov 17^th, 2007, 10:09pm

Profile says he's from Bonkers, NY

Yep, that's about right.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by erica on Jan 27^th, 2008, 7:56am

I just signed up. and this has helped with some questions I've had. a lot! It is very difficult when someone makes you feel like the pain isn't as significant as it really is...and its very significant. I hope I can learn more here. Hoping to figure out how to stop these headaches soon. Nothing has worked for me, and they seem to be coming more frequently and more severe. :-/

thanks for the hints!

-erica

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Batch on Jan 30^th, 2008, 11:04am

I’ve included some photos of a disposable Non-Rebreather (NRB) Oxygen Mask, Clustermasx and M-size O2 cylinder with click style constant flow regulator, a Clustermasx configured with a mouth tube, a Western Medica flowmeter type constant flow O2 regulator with a CGA-540 Nut & Nipple fitting for use with the larger (M/H/K) oxygen cylinders, and an adapter that will let you use the same CGA-870 Yoke type constant flow O2 regulator on both E and M-size O2 cylinders.

------------------- http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/NRB_O2Mask.jpg
NRB O2 Mask – Thomas gave you a good link where you can order these.

You’ll note arrows pointing to the two exhaust flapper valves in the photo above. Both of these silicone rubber flapper valves must be present or room air will enter the mask and the oxygen inhaled will be diluted to the point it will not work as an abortive to stop the pain of a cluster headache attack.

If possible, place the order by phone and ask for two. Make sure you tell them to ensure both exhaust flapper valves are present before you agree to buy them. They come in a clear plastic bag so if you buy two locally, inspect them carefully for the presence of both valves before you accept them. Most NRB O2 masks come from the factory missing at least one and sometimes both of the flapper valves. If you can get two, there’s a good chance you’ll have a total of two flapper valves to configure one NRB mask correctly.

As a safety note, make sure you remove the green elastic strap from the NRB O2 mask. All masks used for oxygen therapy to abort cluster headache attacks should be held in place by hand. It’s very easy to fall asleep after aborting a painful attack. If the mask fits tightly and both flapper valves are functioning properly with the mask held in place by the elastic strap, you could run out of O2 and that would not be good… That is also why many suppliers of this mask ship it missing at least one valve.

-------------------
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/ClustermasxMouthTube-1.jpg
Clustermasx – Mouth Tube Configuration

Masks like these are hard to find here in the US but they are available over the internet. They cost more ($25 - $30 USD) but are reusable and provide a much better fit. They come in a kit with a mask and other spare parts like reservoir bags and valves.

-------------------
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/ClustermasxNReg.jpg
Clustermasx – Face Mask Configuration

This photo also shows a Click type constant flow regulator attached to an M-size O2 cylinder. If you have more than four attacks a day/night, you’re better off ordering the larger M-size O2 cylinder. I was going through an E-size O2 cylinder every day using a 25 LPM O2 regulator. The M-size cylinder lasted more than a week at 15 to 25 LPM using a CGA-540 flowmeter type constant flow O2 regulator like the one shown below.

------------------- http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/WesternMedicaM1-540-15MMH.jpg
Flowmeter Type Constant Flow O2 Regulator (Western Medica)

I’ve used one of these regulators with a Clustermasx for almost two years and they both work great. You adjust the flow rate with the needle valve at the base of the sight gage. It will deliver O2 flow rates well above 15 LPM by opening the needle valve to the “Flood Mode.”

-------------------
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/CGA-540toCGA-870_Adapter.jpg
CGA-540 to CGA-870 Post Valve Adapter

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/CGA-540-CGA-870Adapter-4.jpg
CGA-540 to CGA-870 Post Valve Adapter on M-size O2 Cylinder

This is a very handy adapter to have in your oxygen therapy kit. With one of these adapters you can use the same CGA-870 Yoke type constant flow O2 regulator (shown below) on the smaller E-size O2 cylinders while on travel and also at home on the larger (M/H/K) size O2 cylinders. You can find one of the CGA-540 to CGA-870 Post Valve Adapters at the following URL:

http://www.cumulus-soaring.com/mh-transfillers.htm

-------------------
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m236/petebatch/CGA-870_O2_Reg_25LPM.jpg
CGA-870 “Yoke type” 0-25 LPM Constant Flow O2 Regulator

A 25 LPM regulator like this cut my abort times dramatically while I was using my E-size O2 cylinders away from home.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by levmyshkin on Apr 17^th, 2008, 9:44pm

Hello guys.

I'm a health journalist in New Mexico working on a story about cluster headaches for my paper.

If there's anyone in the New Mexico or El Paso, Texas area who currently suffers from cluster headaches, and would be up for a short fifteen to thirty minute interview on the subject, I'd love to talk to you.

My e-mail address is: torrey-dot-meeks-at-gmail-dot-com.

All the best.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by nani on Apr 17^th, 2008, 10:41pm

email sent, Torrey. :)

nani, in NM

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by ak_baumgard on May 13^th, 2008, 9:14am

Hello, I'm new(not new to roadkill headache pain though!) I want to ask the following:

Are any of you on the autism spectum,as I am?

I don't find topamax listed as a preventative very often. I was on it for 5 yrs, up to 500 mg a day. Weaned myself off a few months ago, but the number of my ch's haven't decreased.

Has anyone been taking topamax or diagnosed as having temporal lobe seizures(what I was prescribed for)?

I take Midrin, an old headache RX as an abortificant; it helps most of the time AND it is CHEAP. Anyone else had success with this?

Hint: During an attack I often use a q-tip loaded with a gob of white Tiger Balm up the nostril of my affected side; this often helps and surprisingly, doesn't burn.

Well, I hope to figure out soon how to add a photo and some personal information to introduce myself properly.

By the way I gave up Imitrex shots years ago; I called it the drug from hell as it felt like I was being scalped after I administered it.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Brew on May 14^th, 2008, 9:20pm

What's an autism spectum?

Can't tell you if I'm on it if I don't know what it is.

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by judyjudyjudy on May 15^th, 2008, 12:57pm

I used Midrin for several years, and it worked fabulously, but then stopped, as many other cluster wonders do.

What's with the white Tiger balm? That's fascinating. What can you tell me about it?

Title: Re: Helpful Hints - MUST READ!!
Post by Paige_H. on May 15^th, 2008, 1:00pm

on 05/15/08 at 12:57:55, judyjudyjudy wrote:

I used Midrin for several years, and it worked fabulously, but then stopped, as many other cluster wonders do.

What's with the white Tiger balm? That's fascinating. What can you tell me about it?

1. I loved using Midrin. It worked a decent part of the time, plus it helped my migraines also. But I can't seem to get a doc to write it now. It didn't work during the peak of my cycle though

2. Where the heck can I find Tiger balm? I have used it once, someone had some and let me try it.