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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> OOooo  Nasty
        
(Message started by: chopmyheadoff on Sep 11^th, 2006, 7:37am)

Title: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 11^th, 2006, 7:37am

alreet guys - just want to have a quick vent !!

iv been living in pf bliss for the last 6-8 weeks
as you prolly know iv suffered chronic for years but just got diagnosed and med'd up recently.

anyway, id forgotten how much these f#ckers hurt - i really had - until waking at about 2am friday night with "that feeling". i thought "oh, i remember this . . not to worry ill have a jab of imigran"

pain level was about 6 and my feet started tapping as i sat on the sofa opening a refil.
had the jab . . . . NOTHING.

the pain level rose and rose and before i knew it i was on the toilet floor heaving and rocking and panting.
it ended up being a HORRIBLE K9, really dirty, and it was about 20 minutes before the trex kicked in.

i went back bed only to be woken up about 2 hours later to go through it all again :(
and the same on sat night - 2 nasty k9s at about the same times.

iv not done anything different so why did i suddenly get hit like that out of no where ?? and why didnt my trex work straight away like it normally does [smiley=huh.gif]

these are rhetorrical questions and im just having a whinge !!! thanks :)

hope your all pain free as can beee !!!

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BB on Sep 11^th, 2006, 8:43am

Hi there,

I am so sorry to hear that you suddenly had bad attacks again. Hope its just a fluke and will stop now , NO MORE.

Are you still on your preventive meds? Have you changed your sleeping pattern recently?

Sometimes things like that just happen, and Imitrex can take up to 20 mins to work. Did you use oxygen? Have you tried melatonin to prevent the night time attacks?

Sending you good vibes and painfree wishes. Wish I could kick the beast hard on its backside to send it scurrying away for you.

Keep us posted as to your progress.

Take care

Annette

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by ShaneM on Sep 11^th, 2006, 8:56am

Annette posses some very good questions here. I had the very same instance recently.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by georgej on Sep 11^th, 2006, 10:08am

Sorry you're getting hit again, Chop. Hope it's just a fluke. Stay strong--we've got your back. Everyone's here if you need us.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by starlight on Sep 11^th, 2006, 11:50am

Jon,

I am sorry you went through that--a night from hell it sounds like.
I don't know exactly what to make of that--you having been PF for a good while there.
Sometimes those "nights from hell" can represent some kind of a "peak" in the cycle. I know that you had previously been chronic but I have read here that some chronics get cycles within cycles or at least times when the HAs are worse.
Maybe you are going through some kind of peak and the meds just couldn't suppress the HA? Only positive thing about that would be that if it is a peak breaking through probably you will soon get the HAs descending back to normal or lower than normal level (and then meds will work again I would sure hope).
I am probably not a good one to even be answering this question cause my HAs this cycle have been all over the freakin place with little to no patterns (and no end in sight YIKES!!!)
Like BB says, try to keep regular sleep patterns. I think that the cluster headaches sometimes return with a vengeance if sleep pattern gets thrown off (particularly going to bed late).
Good luck to you Jon!!! Let us know how things go for you, Star

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by Kevin_M on Sep 11^th, 2006, 12:23pm

on 09/11/06 at 07:37:44, chopmyheadoff wrote:

anyway, id forgotten how much these f#ckers hurt

Boy, I've seen that post before. Getting away from the kind of pain these elicit is relief even for the memory of them. A revisiting and there is a very quick rememberance of the torrential pain that warrants abortive confidence early before it gets... And prevention a gold mine.
Too far along awoken in the night, keeping several icepacks frozen that may get melted in the same night, it's all else I can even think of doing at that point.

on 09/11/06 at 11:50:05, starlight wrote:

Sometimes those "nights from hell" can represent some kind of a "peak" in the cycle. I know that you had previously been chronic but I have read here that some chronics get cycles within cycles or at least times when the HAs are worse.
Maybe you are going through some kind of peak and the meds just couldn't suppress the HA

Could be, happens to me.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by roy21302 on Sep 11^th, 2006, 2:34pm

Chop,
Sorry to hear you got bowled a low ball at the weekend, but that is the nature of the beast, it has happened to me many times, you just think things have settled down nice and wam it slams in and whacks you. I have had time when Imigran have not kicked in at all. I am thinking of you and all your positive posting for others mate take care of your self here to PFDAN Roy :)

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by E-Double on Sep 11^th, 2006, 10:13pm

I know whatcha mean.........in a weird way it is almost comforting knowing they ALWAYS come.

I wish you a permanent break as we should all find complete relief

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 12^th, 2006, 3:18am

thanks guys - your all the best ;;D

im glad to say that i havent felt a twinge since the weekend . . i think the beast just wanted to flex his authority a bit !! but he is back in his cage for the time being . .

i shudder to think what i would have been like with no meds at all.

thanks for being a shoulder to moan on guys an gals - iv bounced back for now and im here for you all

:P :-* ;) ;;D

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 12^th, 2006, 3:21am

in answer to bb :-* !! yes , i did change my sleep pattern on the thursday i went to bed real late as it was my brothers birthday, and i was up early on saturday to go to the gym -

does sleep affect anyone else like this ?? [smiley=huh.gif]

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by big guy on Sep 12^th, 2006, 4:08am

If I stay up late I get hit for sure in the morning.

Big Guy

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BB on Sep 12^th, 2006, 4:33am

I am so very glad to hear the beast is again banished back to its cage :)

And yes, sudden change to your sleeping pattern can do that, happened to my DH a few times, thats how I know to ask that question :P

I am sending a telepathic message to the beast to leave our dear friend alone for eternity. ( Hopefully the beast is not blonde and will understand what that big word eternity means ;;D )

Take care.

Annette

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 12^th, 2006, 6:17am

I got hit last night, my classic 1/2 hour after falling asleep hit. Quickly shot up to about a 7, slammed 2 glasses of iced coffee and a cold zomig spray. That seemed to break it, relief within minutes. I'm not sure which did the job, or whether it was the combination.
I'm trying to limit the zomig to every other day, since my limit is 18 per month. The meds seem to be controlling this cycle very well (knock on lots of wood here). The only bad part about killing the pain like that is the effect of my body trying to ignore all the caffeine, while the melatonin demands sleep. Makes for some weird dreams and tossing and turning. Hell of a lot better than the CH pain though.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 12^th, 2006, 6:51am

that sounds like o good idea coffin dood . .
iv never heard of people chilling their sprays before !!

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by alchemy on Sep 12^th, 2006, 7:19am

Hey Chop, hang in there bro. if you've had some pf time more is sure to follow. we're always here if you need us

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 12^th, 2006, 7:33am

on 09/12/06 at 06:51:50, chopmyheadoff wrote:

that sounds like o good idea coffin dood . .
iv never heard of people chilling their sprays before !!

Got the idea from someone in another thread here. It also took me a few uses to realize I should shoot it up the nostril on the opposite side of the pain. Doesn't absorb too well when that side of your nose is running bad.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 13^th, 2006, 5:56am

wow, had a good one last night. Again a half hour after sleep, this time I tried to not use the zomig. That was a misjudgement, half a jug of coffee didn't help, shot up to kip9. Dealt with that, once the CH faded, I feel the 'hangover' headache from it. This time the hangover headache was nearly as bad as the cluster, pretty much a constant kip7 all night long, just now starting to fade. I feel like that CH bruised my brain last night.

I'm wondering if there's any way to sabotage the demon's timing. Like maybe set my alarm for 20 minutes after I expect to be asleep to get the jump on him.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 13^th, 2006, 8:36am

on 09/13/06 at 05:56:22, BigCoffinHunter wrote:

yes - i believe this is a very good idea

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 13^th, 2006, 11:38am

Think I'll give that a shot tonight. I'm convinced that there's got to be a way to beat or trick the demon.
Had to call in today, zero sleep last night so I would have been useless. I've been cautiously taking half hour to hour naps this morning. So far so good, but I don't want to push it.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BB on Sep 13^th, 2006, 6:55pm

Hang in there Hunter,

Dont feel bad about taking a days rest when your body needs it.

Sending good vibes and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by Jobette on Sep 13^th, 2006, 9:06pm

Big Hunter :D,
Don't do that :o. When you feel it coming use your abortives. Even if you have to stop them one at a time stop them and hopefully avoid the so called rebound ones, or as we call them bad shadows.
After fighting all night it is understandable that you will be tired and stressed out the next day, and it is good if you can get SOME rest. Do you have O2? Because I use my O2 and imtrex (spray or shot) as needed. I try O2 first and you will know if it is going to work, well I can only speak for myself, because I feel what to expect. ::)The O2 really helps, I can't say that it stops them, but it really helps. Please don't let yourself suffer. :-*

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 14^th, 2006, 4:41am

it gets you down when you have to take time off work for these bastards doesnt it coffin . .

try an keep your chin up bro - im here to shout at if u feel like it ;;D

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 14^th, 2006, 6:33am

on 09/14/06 at 04:41:21, chopmyheadoff wrote:

it gets you down when you have to take time off work for these bastards doesnt it coffin . .

try an keep your chin up bro - im here to shout at if u feel like it ;;D

I don't mind the not going into work part LOL, I got plenty of time off. Well I made it through last night without a CH. For my first 2 or 3 hours I had my alarm going off every 20 minutes. Never got hit. Maybe I'll try that again tonight.
I think my only worry is that this will force him to switch times, and he'll start to visit at a more inconvenient hour. Guess we'll see.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 15^th, 2006, 9:43am

OK well that officially doesn't work. Got hit at the usual time last night. This time it came on while I was awake, had set my alarm to wake me up every 20 minutes, and when I woke I was fine, but 10 minutes later I was still awake and got the hit.
I'm getting hit just once a day, so I guess I should count my blessings. Just wish I could find some way to avoid that one. The 'hangovers' it gives me have been nasty and miserable.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 15^th, 2006, 9:44am

cant you wake up 20 minutes before its due and chug a redbull or even have a shot of trex ??
that might stop it coming

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 15^th, 2006, 9:59am

That's an idea, I'll give that a try tonight. I'll see if I can find a case of generic RB.
Actually I have found that just a tiny amount of a triptan will keep it away all night. I have a few Amerge left over from my last cycle, and even 1/4 of a pill is enough to let me sleep a full night. I'm just nervous about using the triptans on a daily basis.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 15^th, 2006, 10:06am

yeah i know what u mean.

iv never tried it but i believe zomig lasts up to 24 hours where as imitrex only 2.

so it might be worth settin ur alarm half an hour before its due, blasting a zomig spray and hopefully you can sleep the rest of the night.

i mean - if your only gonna use one anyway if u get a ch then u may aswell use it before the pain starts.

when your being hit every day like that you need a bit of a break to get yourself together and doing this may provide one !!

chop

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 15^th, 2006, 10:42am

on 09/15/06 at 10:06:54, chopmyheadoff wrote:

so it might be worth settin ur alarm half an hour before its due, blasting a zomig spray and hopefully you can sleep the rest of the night.

i mean - if your only gonna use one anyway if u get a ch then u may aswell use it before the pain starts.

chop

Yeah that's a good point. I guess I keep hoping that I'm not gonna need it that night. Just worried that I'll use them all up too quick, and have another 2 weeks before I can get my refills.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 16^th, 2006, 6:39pm

yeah i bet its a bummer that your restricted with your meds . .. we lucky here in the uk in that way i guess

i forget, do u take preventatives ???

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 16^th, 2006, 9:21pm

Yeah I'm on Verapamil. I got to say I think it's doing its job, as I'm still getting hit 'only' once per day. My neuro said if I'm not happy with the Verap, he'd try methergine next. I'm kind of reluctant to try something else at this point, I'm not sure I have much to gain, and I have a lot to lose.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 17^th, 2006, 8:47am

Well last night I had my first pain free night without taking a triptan beforehand! I talked to my neuro about the 'hangovers' I was getting from my nightly hit, and he suggested taking 4 naproxen before bed to keep the swelling and resultant pain down before they happened.
Well I took them and no hit last night. I doubt naproxen would keep a cluster at bay, I would attribute the pain free night to either the Verapamil becoming more effective (been on it for 16 days now) or the fact that I went to bed later than normal, and past the usual cluster time.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 17^th, 2006, 1:38pm

i would think its the verap kicking in - in my experience ch doesnt care what time u go to bed it will just hit u while still up .

really buzzing for you bro - hope this is the start of a pain free life for you .

make sure u stick around though, other newbies need the support and experience from all of us.

how much verapamil are u taking a day ?

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 17^th, 2006, 2:04pm

Verap's at 480/day. I'll see what the next few nights bring.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 18^th, 2006, 6:26am

Got hit at the usual time last night. Hit the zomig at first sign, peaked at a 6 or 7, then went away pretty quickly. The hangover headache was not nearly as bad though, faded relatively quickly, and my skin wasn't too sore. Think the naproxen is helping with that part of the problem, which will make my nights sleepable at least.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 19^th, 2006, 9:32am

I've been using my remaining Amerge (cut into tiny pieces) about every other night to get a full night's sleep. Think that's starting to delay them till morning when the pill wears off. Got my first hit at work today. About a 6, not toooo bad. The hangover is pretty crappy, but 4 motrin is making it manageable.
I certainly got some funny looks when I told my cowokers "yeah I got hit, but it wasn't a bad one". "what do you mean that wasn't bad? Good god"
LOL if nothing else, these things sure put pain in perspective, every time I get hurt from something else it's like "well it's not as bad as a cluster". Actually I said the same thing when my ex wife left. Take just about anything over these.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by BigCoffinHunter on Sep 19^th, 2006, 10:08am

Interesting, I was looking in the mirror, and I can plainly see the veins on my cluster side of my head bulging (I shave my head). Never looked close enough to see that before.

Title: Re: OOooo Nasty
Post by chopmyheadoff on Sep 20^th, 2006, 2:30am

on 09/19/06 at 10:08:03, BigCoffinHunter wrote:

Interesting, I was looking in the mirror, and I can plainly see the veins on my cluster side of my head bulging (I shave my head). Never looked close enough to see that before.

thats strange - i shave me head too - ill check next hit i get :o