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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
        
(Message started by: Weatherman on Jul 18^th, 2006, 12:18am)

Title: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by Weatherman on Jul 18^th, 2006, 12:18am

4 weeks into my 6 to 8 week cycle and my treatment plan has been working wonderfully!!

I've been on a 60mg/40mg/20mg 3 week prednisone taper,
6 Nature's Way kudzu per day,
2 500mg taurine pills per day,
1 beta blocker per day (for my high blood pressure)
1 20mg Lipitor per day (for my high cholesterol)
9mg Melatonin before bed

No hits since day 2 of the pred taper!! I have 2 20mg doses left then done.

Here's where the "Oh Hell" and anxiety comes in. On my last day of pred, I'm flying from FL to Minn. for a vacation. First of all I'm scared to death of flying...yikes! But I'm also worried that flying and the geography change, climate change and change in elevation will entice the beast to return.

With all your advice, I think I have a pretty good travel plan. My doc gave me another pred prescription to take with me if I need it. My O-2 company has mini tanks waiting for me in Minn. And I'll have my kudzu, taurine and melatonin with me too.

Sorry to babble and vent but I just wanted to share my successes and concerns about the travel. Can anyone think of anything I may have missed??

Wish Me Luck!!

Thanks and Best of Luck to All You Great People as Well!!
Doug

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by MJ on Jul 18^th, 2006, 1:08am

Take an energy stimulant (ie; red bull, double shot esspresso or the like) before you get on the plane it may keep you from relaxing and getting hit in the air.

You know it's been hotter than Florida here in MN. and the skeeters will carry you away after sundown, if you dont start floating in the humidity. Better get some mosguito spray in your bags.

The north country is burning with a major fire.

Tuesday night should be a weathermans dream, thunder and lightning.

for central MN forecast
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?CityName=Annandale&state=MN&site=MPX

Hope your meds keep working for you. Enjoy

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by Weatherman on Jul 18^th, 2006, 1:28am

Yeah MJ, I saw the forecast.
I'm supposed to be doing a boundry water paddle but the fire doesn't look good.
Thanks for the good advice on the energy drink and yes, I have my deet ready to go too.
I do a boundry water/Quetico trip every year but this is my first time while in cycle. CH could really ruin it. Hope not

Thanks!
Doug

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by BarbaraD on Jul 18^th, 2006, 8:01am

Take a can of Red Bull with you on the plane - get some ice for it if you start feeling a shadow coming on. (or drink it hot).

If the smoke is bad - don't get near it.....

Good luck

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by ShaneM on Jul 18^th, 2006, 9:00am

Have a good trip Doug. Hope you stay PF. Let us know how ya do.

Shane

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by grspartan on Jul 18^th, 2006, 9:15am

Hey Doug,
If it helps you relax at all, I flew to Vegas from Michigan a few weeks ago. Right in the middle of seemingly my worst episode ever. I too was very worried about the flight and climate change.
Much to my suprise (and delight) I had a great week in Vegas. I had 3 total CH's that were very moderate while I was there.
It may have been because of the very dry climate, I dont know. But I was not negatively affected at all by the flight either way. Of course the CH's picked up right where they left off when I returned.
Hope this helps you relax and have a great time.

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by Weatherman on Jul 18^th, 2006, 11:41am

Thanks everyone!

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by mr.c on Jul 18^th, 2006, 2:50pm

I, too, have had some luck with the h.a. and travel.

I get them, just not as bad, or at least the meds work faster... or something.

I live by Las Vegas and my h.a. are real pissers, but when I took my drama students to NYC I only had 2 in the five days I was there.

A week or so later I went to Utah for a day/night and I only had 2 headaches but a the two days prior and the two days later I have 4 h.a. each day.

And just this week I went camping and only had to use my o2 bottle just once

So, maybe there is something to the travel/H.A. travel correllation. Maybe a airline would be willing to finance a Cluster study. I would be willing to take trips (as long as they furnished back up meds, in case...) to see if travel takes away the frequency or ends the cycle.

Any grant writers out there that can spearhead this?

Enjoy Florida!

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by marlinsfan on Jul 19^th, 2006, 9:31am

Doug, you've got a good plan and have gotten good advice here already. I can only add that I would try to stay awake for the entire flight, and stay away from the alcohol.
Have a great time.
Jose

Title: Re: Oh Hell...Here' Goes!
Post by Sandy_C on Jul 19^th, 2006, 2:51pm

Ditto Jose

Try not to sleep, or even lay your head back to doze on the plane. I've been out of cycle and PF since the end of July last year, but flying to Mexico in May, I laid my head back and tried to take a nap on the plane - nope! Started feeling that familiar ice pick in my right eye/temple. Sat up, ordered a coffee, and it immediately went away. Stay awake.

Sandy