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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> just got out of a kip 10
        
(Message started by: chrisw on Mar 5^th, 2007, 10:00pm)

Title: just got out of a kip 10
Post by chrisw on Mar 5^th, 2007, 10:00pm

hi everyone,
I just got over a kip 10 about a half hour ago. My ch cycle has been so weird this time around. I was sitting with my family at 9pm and it came on like mad. O2 didnt work, and it grew to amzing pain in like 5 min. my poor kids had to see me crying and hyperventilating and screaming. Usually everyone is asleep when I have a bad attack, thats what is so weird this time around. I had to use a imitrex shot. I feel so bad that I scared my family. Thank god we dont own a gun or my brains would be blown out one of these days. cant take much more of this. Life just aint worth living this way. I need some help. talk about depressed.

Chris
give me some encouraging words or I might go insane.

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by AussieBrian on Mar 5^th, 2007, 10:05pm

Victim or Victor?

I've been danced by the devil,
Now it's my turn to lead.
Been trounced by a demon,
I've since cut down like weed.
Lanced that old dragon,
Rejoiced to see it bleed.
I've beaten the beast,
Didn't concede, I'm freed.

Did it last time, not the first time,
I'll do it again.
Square up to the monster,
Anywhere or when.
Take a broom to the witch,
And drown the old bitch,
Prance and dance on the grave,
Adieu and amen.

Elves in my temples
And imps in my head.
Hobgoblins, snot-weevils,
It's bed that I dread.
Nightmares and fright-scares,
Who cares 'cos I dare
Say I've won! You bum-scum,
And now you're all dead.

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by chrisw on Mar 5^th, 2007, 10:45pm

brian,
thanx, did u make that up? its so good.
chris

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by Sean_C on Mar 5^th, 2007, 11:07pm

The best advise I can give Chris is be prepared at all times :-/

Your new so I'll throw in some basics questions;

Are you using a non breather mask, or a clustermasx with the o2, and is your regulator capable of going to 15 liters per minute ?

Do you hit the trex at first sign of the attack ?

Do you use ice bags or something cold ?

I know not much will help a kip 10, its one of the numbers on the scale I dread myself, but they happen, usually at my peak stage of cycle.

Hang tough, hopefully they'll pass soon.

Sean..........................................

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by daniel96 on Mar 6^th, 2007, 1:07am

chris hope u get out of your cycle soon. take care too. :)

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by Cathi04 on Mar 6^th, 2007, 1:19am

Aww, Chris! Perhaps the beast is making his exit speech......he can speak very loud, can't he?
The really good news is these headaches can't kill you! You've gotten some great CH "medical/dealing advice, now, how bout some coping advice??
I know the hits are random and horrific- but they are not who you are! They WILL go away! It is even possible that this is why they are so bad right now, as they seem to be worse as they are getting ready to leave. I HOPE your cycle is almost over,and that you don't get another for 100 years! Please know, if you got past that 10, you are indeed one of the strongest people I know! And now it is time for you to get some air and give yourself a break. Someone will be around all night, I'll just betcha! If you find you can't sleep/are afraid to sleep, come here and chat....noone's gonna let you down, cause they all understand what you are feeling.
Here's a big hug, and some huge PF wishes.....
Tomorrow will be better, ok?

PF,
Cathi

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by ellenjoanne2003 on Mar 6^th, 2007, 7:05am

I feel for you Chris,

I had one Kip 10 that hit me on the night of the 4th of July, 2005. It lasted for 3 hours, and I thought I was going to die. I cried nonstop the entire time. Up to that time, I had not looked into getting my headaches treated. That pushed me into doing so, and I'm glad I did. Luckily, Kip 10s don't happen all of the time.

Listen to the members here. They've been around the block a few times. Don't do like I used to do, and try to gut it out, before taking your abortive (the sooner the better). Hang in there. We're here for you. Some of us have dealt with these for a very long time. They can be coped with. I hope your cycle ends soon. I just got over one myself.

With a reassuring hug,
Ellen

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by BB on Mar 6^th, 2007, 7:16am

on 03/05/07 at 22:00:02, chrisw wrote:

my poor kids had to see me crying and hyperventilating and screaming. Usually everyone is asleep when I have a bad attack, thats what is so weird this time around. I had to use a imitrex shot. I feel so bad that I scared my family. .

Hi Chris,

Sorry to hear that you got hit with a bad one. I think what made it worse was that you couldnt hide it from the family. Many people here prefer not to be seen by anyone when getting hit, or at least to be left alone.

On the plus side though, it could be the last one at the end of the cycle. Some people end their cycle with a big "bang". Also in a way its good that the family has seen it, they will be able to understand better from now on.

Have you ever tried ice? Have you felt the back of the neck to see if its hot and if you have a small soft spongy swelling ? its the firing nerve ganglion. Putting ice wrapped in a wet cloth directly there soothes the pain a fair bit, can help drop it down 2,3 kip levels.

If it works for you, you maybe able to explain that to the family. Next time you get hit hard, they can help by getting the ice for you. That way they will feel much better because they can help you in some practical way :).

Try to look at things on the bright side, there is always a brightER side to everything, and do come here and vent away. We are always here to listen. If you want to yell, swear at the beast, we will yell, swear with you. If you want to explain how depressing it is, we will get depressed with you ...OOPS ! I mean we will understand and give you a hug :-* . If you want to tell us life sucks sometimes, we will agree with you then give you a pat on the back.

Life can be hard, really hard at times, even without CH. With CH the cross is just a bit harder to bear, but there are people here willing to shoulder part of it for you, if you let us. Its OK to put it down and have a rest every now and then. You dont have to bear it all on your own.

Take care and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by chrisw on Mar 6^th, 2007, 9:19am

thanx everyone,

it means so much to have people who understand. my husband tries to help, but he doensnt understand. woke up this morning with another one. not as bad as last night, but pretty bad. i followed the tip about the imitrex. using only half the vial, and pushing with a qtip. she was right. it worked. the only problem is that if i am in the midst of a kip 10 like last night there is no way that i can handle doing all that. i just need to grab and stab.

i hope all your good wishes come true, and this really is the storm before the calm.

also, has anyone ever gone above 480mg verapimil? during my last cycle, verapimil worked so good , i thought i had found the "cure". this time its not working, but i found some info saying that sometimes you need 800mg for it to work. if anyone knows whether more might work better , let me know.

i am thinking about trying the seeds or the shrooms. im a little nervous thouhg. any thoughts?

thanx again, and i hope everybody has a pain free day and night.

chris

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by Sean_C on Mar 6^th, 2007, 9:40am

on 03/06/07 at 09:19:40, chrisw wrote:

this time its not working, but i found some info saying that sometimes you need 800mg for it to work. if anyone knows whether more might work better , let me know.

Chris what works for someone else, might not work for you.

The olny person who should raise your med levels is your doc, and only your doc. Most of the medications we use are vasoconstictors and could cause serious heart issues. Please remember that no matter how much a cluster can hurt, it will NEVER kill you, however, self medicating can :-/

Keep the faith,

Sean............................................

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by ellenjoanne2003 on Mar 6^th, 2007, 9:54am

Hi Chris,

I'm at 360mg/day Verapamil. My first headache doctor told me that sometimes sufferers are dosed with up to 800mg/day, but my present doctor, and my mom (who's a retired medical clinic lab tech), both told me that there are concerns about your blood pressure dropping too low (Verapamil is primarily a blood pressure medication), on dosages above 480 mg/day. Also, Verapamil can be hard on your liver (because of this fact, my doctor made me get a liver function test done a few weeks ago, to see if my liver was affected by almost 2 years of Verapamil use), especially at higher doses. Still, it has been taken at higher doses, Maybe if the appropriate precautions are taken, you might be able to go up to 800 mg/day. Ask your doctor.

Hugs & may you be free of pain,
Ellen

P.S. - as was mentioned above, maybe your husband will understand what you're going through a little better, after seeing you have an attack. My parents didn't believe I was having cluster headaches, until I suffered a full bown attack, while I was visiting them. Once they saw me break out in a sweat, turn gray, and curl up in a fetal ball from the pain (it hurts too much, and I'm too sapped of energy to move around [other than writhing], during a full blown attack), that changed their minds pretty fast.

on 03/06/07 at 09:19:40, chrisw wrote:

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 6^th, 2007, 7:36pm

Oh Chris I feel so bad for you!

I am in the same boat right now but what keeps me going its the fact that can't get any worse, they will go away soon, after they peak they go away for sure...
When I get the 10's I talk to GOD and my relatives that passed away (my brother and grandmother) and I sure ask them to take me please, but I remember I have my little one and I want to see her getting marry and having kids and all the nice stuff and then I hug my ice cold pack and breath, breath breath!!
Chris they will go away....sooner or later but they will not own your life....
I pray for all you guys who share this hell with me..every day..
Wish you all PFD FOREVER!!!!

Title: Re: just got out of a kip 10
Post by kk on Mar 8^th, 2007, 6:13pm

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad one. These things really take a toll on you but for every headache you beat, it means one less to deal with before it's over (unless you're chronic, then god help you). I just started my new cycle and after dealing with these for 30+ years, I know exactly what lies ahead. Ice the back of my neck, take a shot and find a dark uncluttered room where I can walk in circles under a ceiling fan. Oh yeah….don’t forget the napkins for the water running out of your eye and nostril.

Maybe you’ll get a break tonight……I truly hope you do!