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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> They're back
        
(Message started by: chiaspet on Mar 20^th, 2006, 8:03am)

Title: They're back
Post by chiaspet on Mar 20^th, 2006, 8:03am

Well it has been a whole 2 years since I had a CH. The shadows came about a week ago, along with the scary anticipation of the inevitable cycle of headaches. I got all my supplies of Imitrex ready, counting each pill and each inhaler, reading over the info AGAIN, like I have a million times before. Writing down the "ALLOWED" dosage for each. Knowing there will at least be a day or more when I will exceed the allowed dosage. Wondering if I this will be the time my heart stops from O.D.ing on Imitrex.
Then last night the beast hit. It was bearable. Only needing one 25mg pill. But I am sooo dreadful of what is to come. I just hate this more than anything, wondering why do I have to suffer from this horrible affliction. I will order my oxygen today and stock up on my drugs and hopefully survive the 21st year of this.
Does anyone know if these ever go away for good, or are we doomed till death? :'(
Renee

Title: Re: They're back
Post by nani on Mar 20^th, 2006, 8:45am

Hi Renee, welcome and sorry you have to be here.
Imitrex pills are not the best treatment for CH, they take too long to get into your system. Ask your dr about stat dose injections (and look over on the left for the imitrex tip, you can get more out of each dose)or the nasal spray.
You should probably already be on a preventative. Has your dr prescribed anything?
Here's a list of standard CH meds:
http://www.ouch-us.org/medications/medications.htm
Now that you've found us, keep reading... information is your best weapon.
pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: They're back
Post by boybath on Mar 20^th, 2006, 9:13am

Me to my friend ive had 4 months of shadows 1 bad one during last week and POW! this weekend and 20 headaches this weekend. Oh the joys of spring. Its shit we know but just remember the pain does go but if you OD you might cause your self damage that will stay. Not that that is not your choice if you so please but its the family I worry about. I find I keep a picture of them in my head when I need to. It works for me and is just a suggestion.

have a small one

Rob

Title: Re: They're back
Post by Guiseppi on Mar 20^th, 2006, 9:27am

And to add insult to injury, you probably won't outgrow them. We have poeple on the board pushing 80 who still get nailed. I just finished a 2 year off cycle myself, heavenly wasn't it? Hold your breath and wait for the next break, we're here for you.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: They're back
Post by Jasmyn on Mar 20^th, 2006, 9:27am

Hi Renee and welcome.

Like Nani said the trex pills are not the best line of defence. Read everything you can on the left and the links, there are many avenues to follow and Oxygen as an abortive helps many.

Hang in there, you are not alone.

Title: Re: They're back
Post by Bob_Johnson on Mar 20^th, 2006, 12:04pm

When we read someone writing about their dread of CH or the anxiety of waiting for the next attack, we are seeing the emotional effects of CH. These reactions are not fixed even by good medical treatments. I first wrote these paragraphs for OUCH a couple of years ago but it did not make the cut when the site was reorganized but I'll be glad to send it to anyone who will send me their e-mail address (use instant message button). (The whole thing is too large to be posted here.) The approach outlined to reduce suffering is developed from cognitive therapy, a well researched therapy used by mental health types. But don't ask for it unless you accept that it takes practice and commitment to make it work! There is no Imitrex injection for this problem.

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AT THE HEART OF THESE PARAGRAPHS is the recognition that pain and suffering are rather different experiences which can and must be changed by rather different responses. The pain of our CH is the subject of many of the messages we exchange, the topic fills the medical literature we read, and is the primary purpose for the multiple visits to doctors.

Suffering is quite a different animal. It is an emotional/psychological condition which is often experienced even when there is no pain; it is commonly experienced as fear, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, dread, and fearful anticipation.

Suffering is a normal, even automatic, response to pain, loss (as in death, divorce, or other major losses), and a host of other difficult experiences. However, suffering can be intensified, sustained, and even created quite independently of any of these experiences. In the case of our CH, suffering is too often experienced when we are not having attacks.

The hard paradox is: WE CAN SUFFER EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT IN PAIN! This is the paradox which we need to resolve if CH is not to be the controlling experience in life.
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Title: Re: They're back
Post by chiaspet on Mar 20^th, 2006, 3:09pm

Thank you everyone for the support. It is so difficult for me to find a doc who has even treated CH before!!! The one doc I currently see gave me some nasal inhalers, but NO ONE has ever recommended the shots. I use oxygen along with the pills - which work fine in the beginning, but dont touch the headaches when I am "peaking". Mine start out mild for a week or so then increase in intensity for about a week or two, then slowly fade away. When I am peaking, it is definitly a hospital visit for a "knock out" shot. Today has been good so far, just shadows, I dread tonight though, as I know I will get one!!
Thanks again

Renee

Title: Re: They're back
Post by LadyC on Mar 20^th, 2006, 5:12pm

Hi Renee,
Sorry they're back. Mine came back 3 weeks ago after a 6 year absence. I had foolishly hoped that they were gone forever. I'll never make that mistake again. I don't think I could survive without my Imitrex injections. They work within 10 minutes no matter what level of pain I'm in.
I just got an O2 tank with a nonrebreather mask. Tried it on 3 mild attacks and seemed to work.
I am afraid that these are with us for life.
Carol