Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
        
(Message started by: painfulnoodle on Apr 17^th, 2006, 11:23pm)

Title: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by painfulnoodle on Apr 17^th, 2006, 11:23pm

I just wanted to commend all of the spouses here, mainly wives, that not only tolerate, but are active in the treatment of their loved ones condition. Sadly, mine could not. In fact, the last time she had to carry me to the hospital, about a year and a half ago, I might as well have gone out on the street and thumbed a ride. I had suffered 5 CH's back to back over the course of that day, taken 4 Immitrex injections and was scared to death. Needless to say, when I read of the wives here who do everything in their power to ease the suffering, it's inspirational.

The other thing I wanted to question was the use of Caffeine. I haven't been on here in a while, divorce, move, new job, etc., but I thought that Caffeine was one of the main triggers, along with alcohol and nicotine ... i.e. all of the "fun" stuff! Now I'm reading that it can abort at the onset of one. I used to use Oxygen, but haven't been able to get a new set-up since moving to TX. Is Caffeine really that good for us? I currently just try to tough it out until it hits around 8 or 9 and see no hope of recovery before I take an Immitrex injection. Other than that, I really have no other med's here.

If the caffeine works, I'm going and getting a case of Dew right now! Please advise or comment. Thanks!

Title: Re: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 18^th, 2006, 7:41am

Personally, I swear by caffeine.... Hit the coffee pot when I feel the first twinge. Usually aborts anything under a 5. Red Bull also works if I can't get to a coffee pot. If it gets over a 5-6 - I go to the cafergot (I don't like pain but hate meds also and try not to take the cafergot except as a last resort, but I'm NOT stupid - I WILL NOT suffer needlessly).

Haven't tried Mountain Dew, but it's loaded with caffeine so it may work.

Get thee to a doc and get an O2 set up. If nothing else get some Welder's O2 and get it working. It's a lot cheaper than trex.

Welcome to Texas (well, actually I'm transplanted in LA right now, but soon to be back in Texas).

Hugs BD

Title: Re: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by marlinsfan on Apr 18^th, 2006, 8:30am

Hey Noodle,

When I was misdiagnosed with Migraines, the docs would tell me to stay away from caffeine.

The caffeine benefits have been discussed at length here. Search the board and you'll see many different opinions. Most will swear by it (I do). However, you should know that for me and at least a couple of others here, citric acid is a trigger. Drinks like Dew or Red Bull have lots of caffeine and citric acid.

I'll drink either strong black cold coffee, or a can of Starbucks Double Shot Espresso & Cream in a can, as I can't touch anything with citric acid while in cycle.

This link (I hope it works!) will take you to a thread on this topic that was going around last week. If it doesn't work, look in the Medication forum, a thread about red bull and other energy drinks.

http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=meds;action=display;num=1143391122

PF wishes.

Title: Re: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by Dragnlance on Apr 18^th, 2006, 10:56am

I find very strong coffee, or RedBull work very well, BUT, in limitations. I mean, if I have several, I will have a major hit when I come down. If I have One can or mug, it helps to abort, without the rebound.
We are all different, and chemicals effect all of us differently. This may not work for you, hard to say.

Hope you are pain free soon

Dragn

Title: Re: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by Garys_Girl on Apr 18^th, 2006, 7:45pm

Hubby doesn't take anything until he gets to K6 or K7. But then, if it's during the day, he drinks the equivalent of two to four espressos. (Thankfully, sugar doesn't seem to be a trigger, so it's sweetened the way he likes it).

For the night-time attacks, he reaches for the O2 first. If that doesn't stop it (or bring it down to a K5 or lower), he usually asks for the coffee. The trade-off there is he gets even less sleep than he was going to.

He is using Kudzu (almost two weeks now). It initially helped lower intensity, frequency and length of attacks. They're ramping back up again, but still not nearly where they were - and many people have stopped their cycles with it. You can order Kudzu root online - you may want to spend a little time reading through the first two threads in the Medications section - they're both about Kudzu.

And the Melatonin is helping him get at least a little more sleep than he was. May want to consider 9mg - 12mg of Melatonin about 20 min - 1/2 hour before bedtime. That can probably be ordered online along with the Kudzu.

Good luck, and wishing you pf days and nights,

Laurie

Title: Re: SOS - Spouses of Sufferers
Post by painfulnoodle on Apr 21^st, 2006, 5:14am

Well, good news and bad news ... the Mountain Dew, the shot of caffeine at the onset of a cluster does work to curb and abort it ... the bad news ... the Mountain Dew, the shot of caffeine at the onset of a cluster DOES WORK! It's 4:00am .... sleep is nowhere to be found ... but hey, I'm pf! ;)