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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Just a thanks
        
(Message started by: scottieo9 on May 12^th, 2007, 2:28am)

Title: Just a thanks
Post by scottieo9 on May 12^th, 2007, 2:28am

Been about 3 years since I posted last. Been about 3 years between cycles. Back in the dance now, though. Dammit.

Anyways, I've always checked the boards periodically (not often enough when I'm out of cycle... shame) and wanted to say thanks to all the regs who come here and support all of us "episoders". You are all a wealth of information, support and good wishes.

Mixing Imitrex Tabs (50mg first hit at first HINT brings relief after 30 minutes, only 20 minutes of which are the doom and I gotta save the sprays, another 50 before bed seemd to help the sleep hits), Trex sprays and Zomig spray scripts are kinda getting me through. Can't mix and match, so gotta feel out what to take and when.

What kills me is trying to figure out on the fly...

What attack is going to be spray worthy?

What attack can be handled with an early tab dose?

What might prevent a 3am hit if I take it at the right time before bed?

If I take a med now, am I screwing myself later?

How much do I have left? What will my insurance pay for? How many prescriptions refills will I need? What will my insurance pay for? If I take 2 today, does that screw me next week?? What will my insurance pay for?

**sigh**

Thank god I only get these goddamn things every few years.

So, thanks to all here who support not only themselves while dealing with this nightmare, but also take the time to support those of us who may pop in periodically looking for a kind word or a bit of advice.

Thank you and OOWWWW!!!!!!! and PFDaN to all.

Title: Re: Just a thanks
Post by Yorky on May 12^th, 2007, 3:31am

first of all...calm down....be possative.

have you tried oxygen ?....have you tried red bull.?

melatonin maybe for the nite hits ?

i dont really know usa insurance etc. but sit tight someone will be along.

read up on the left...new meds new ways new input

read.

welcome back

Title: Re: Just a thanks
Post by BarbaraD on May 12^th, 2007, 8:16am

Too late, but you should have "stock-piled" when you were out of cycle. Always good to have a supply on hand.

Melatonin before bedtime (give it a week or so to get in your system) helps night-time hits.

Red Bull (chug-a-lug a can) at the first sign of a hit sometimes aborts a hit before it gets going.

O2 has been a godsend for a lot of us. 15 liters with a nonrebreather mask - it's gonna work or it's not, but it's a good first line of defense.

If you have too much trouble getting it across to the INS company, your doc might can get the message to them that HE/SHE is the DOCTOR and KNOWS what the hell you need NOT THEM.

I use ergotomine as an abortative and don't have trouble with the insurance on that one. I keep a PRN script for it (and keep a supply on hand, but I'm chronic). I've never had trouble getting it refilled. It seems to last longer than the trex ever did and not near as expensive. You might talk to your neuro about it. If it will work, it doesn't seem to have as many side effects as the trex does. But I take it with phenergan because it does make me nauseaus(msp).

Hope this is a short cycle for ya.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Just a thanks
Post by Guiseppi on May 12^th, 2007, 7:48pm

Just one more vote for oxygen. Should be your front line abort with everything else used as an "after 02 fails" . I have imitrex, cafergot, lithium and prednisone in my arsenal, all take a back stage to the Oxygen.
Hope you have a short cycle and a long remission!!!

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Just a thanks
Post by Kevin_M on May 12^th, 2007, 8:31pm

on 05/12/07 at 02:28:48, scottieo9 wrote:

What kills me is trying to figure out on the fly...

What attack is going to be spray worthy?

What attack can be handled with an early tab dose?

What might prevent a 3am hit if I take it at the right time before bed?

If I take a med now, am I screwing myself later?

How much do I have left? What will my insurance pay for? How many prescriptions refills will I need? What will my insurance pay for? If I take 2 today, does that screw me next week?? What will my insurance pay for?

Some of these questions were similar to one's I had back a ways, and there was only one answer -- preventatives, whatever will suit you and work for you.
Wrong decisions are made when wondering if and when to use a trex n/s with it's longer abortive and recovery time factor. As good as I got at it, there were wrong guesses that always suck bad. Their supply as an abortive is limited too, which among other reasons, is not good.
A long successful search for an effective and much less expensive preventative was a way out of enduring at the brink. That now, along with the mentioned oxygen makes those decisions infrequent throughout the year.