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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Looking for comments
        
(Message started by: birdman on Apr 19^th, 2007, 2:54pm)

Title: Looking for comments
Post by birdman on Apr 19^th, 2007, 2:54pm

I am a episodic CH'er for the last 22 years, am now 37 yo. I use verapamil, trex, and o2 and it works for me quite often. Lately, I have only gotten 1 per day, always in the AM(between 10-11). I take all my verapamil (720mg) by 8:00 in the morning and I have two thoughts on why just one breaks through.
My first thought is that the days dosage hasn't hit yet and I should take my dose as soon as I wake up. When does everyone takes theirs?
Second thought is that lately I don't wake right up in the morning and it takes me a while to wake. Sometimes I nap on the car pool ride into work. I wonder if staggered wake up habits are causing something.
Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated.

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by UN solved on Apr 19^th, 2007, 4:29pm

Altering the times that you take your meds may affect how and when it works best for you. I've heard of people doing this with other meds ( Lithium ). They called it 'pulsing'.

Napping in the daytime is usually a big trigger for clusterheads. Avoid napping

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by inyoureye on Apr 19^th, 2007, 5:56pm

sidenote- if you nap, and get a night hit, it is also tougher to get back to sleep after. (for me)

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by Rosybabe on Apr 19^th, 2007, 6:34pm

I agree with UNsolved, If I dare to nap during cycle I for sure will get a nasty hit. Avoid Napping at all cost. Hope you get to feeling better soon. :)

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by kcopelin on Apr 19^th, 2007, 6:40pm

I take my verap first thing in the morning. Sleep hygiene (doncha just love that term?) is very important for me-I do not sleep in-haven't for years- naps are definitely out and I try to get to sleep at about the same time every night.
Hoping for some PFDAN for y'all,
kathy

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by BB on Apr 19^th, 2007, 7:25pm

Bear in mind though that its possible that doesnt matter what you do, one or two may "break through" anyway, so dont get too stressed out about it.

In a high cycle, one can have as many as 8 per day, so only one a day which can be taken care of with oxygen or trex isnt bad. Adhering to a good sleep hygiene is a great idea and but be careful about playing around with your meds, sometimes that can make thing get worse.

Best of luck and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by pieface_49 on Apr 19^th, 2007, 8:52pm

Hello Birdman,
I am eposidic and early in the cycle or after my cycle ends, it seems like between 10-11am, I can expect between a 5-20 minute hit, sometimes longer. Often wonder if it has anything to do with the coffee I drink? Start drinking coffee at 8am and do not stop until 11am. Most people say coffee helps an episode?
Have been difficult to wake in the morning since childhood. Once awake, about 40 minutes after awakening, I normally do not feel tired.

Donnie

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by birdman on Apr 20^th, 2007, 10:50am

Today I got right out of bed after getting hit around 4:30 am. O2 took care of that one. Took med's right away and remained alert unitl around 9:00 when the animal started to say hi. Grabbed the O2 and chugged a coke and now have a dull throb in the temple. Wierd. I love it when I can ward one off without the O2. Gonna start sticking to a much more rigid sleep/wake cycle and no more naps. I can live with one a day but when the screw up my sleep I get really peeved. Might go back to the melatonin.
Thanks for all the comments.

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by BarbaraD on Apr 20^th, 2007, 6:20pm

Birdman,

Try chugging a Red Bull instead of a coke. Got more caffeine. works better for most of us. And stay away from those naps. Demon loves 'em...

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Looking for comments
Post by Charlie on Apr 20^th, 2007, 6:23pm

Hi Birdman:

Welcome to the madhouse.

Here is something that I used very successfully:

Dr. Wright’s Circulatory Technique:

I am not sure what mechanism is triggered by this but whatever it is, at least indirectly helps kill the pain. I do know that this technique has nothing to do with meditation, relaxation, or psychic ability. It is entirely physical and takes some work. It involves concentrating on trying to redirect a little circulation to the arms, hands, or legs. It can described as a conscious circulatory flexing. Increased circulation will result in a reddening and warming of the hands. Try to think of it as filling your hands with redirected blood. The important and difficult part is that it has to be done without interruption through the pain. Do not give up in frustration. It may not work on the first try. Every now and then it will work almost immediately. I lived for those moments. Try experimenting between attacks. You will find that it gets easier with practice.

I was given less than five minutes instruction in the use of method. The doctor, while placing his arm on his desk, showed me that he could slightly increase his arm and hand circulation. After several attempts, I was able to repeat this procedure and use it successfully. I have had about a 75% success rate shortening these attacks. My 20 minute attacks were often reduced to 10 minutes or less. Once proven that I had a chance to effectively deal with this horror, I always gave it a try as I had nothing to lose but pain.

Perhaps it will help if you think of it as trying to fill the arm as if it is were an empty vessel. I used to try to imagine I was pushing blood away from my head into my arm. Use your imagination. There is one man who wrote that his standing barefoot on a concrete floor shortened his attacks. This may be similar as it draws some circulation away from the head. Cold water, exercise, or anything affecting circulation, seems to be worth a try. My suggestion is to not let up immediately when the pain goes. Waiting a minute is probably a good idea. So long as you do not slack off, this has a chance of working.

This technique is very useful while waiting for medication to take effect or when none is available. It costs nothing, is non-invasive, and can be used just about anywhere. It is not a miracle but it helped me deal with this horror. It can be a bit exhausting but the success rate was good enough for me and a cluster headache sufferer will do just about anything to end the pain. It gives us a fighting chance.

Charlie