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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hello From North Carolina
        
(Message started by: lastchance77 on Jan 11^th, 2008, 4:51pm)

Title: Hello From North Carolina
Post by lastchance77 on Jan 11^th, 2008, 4:51pm

Just signed up for this forum and wanted to say hello,

I have just recently turned 30yrs old and have been fighting my cluster problem for around 9 yrs.

I hope to get alot of insight from this forum and look forward to chatting.

Thanks-David :)

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by George_J on Jan 12^th, 2008, 12:00am

Welcome, David.

Tell us a bit about your CH, whether you're an episodic or chronic, how they present, and whether you've been diagnosed, or are currently taking medications for them.

Yeah, I know we're nosy--but maybe we can mention a thing or two you haven't tried, or some approaches that could make things a bit easier to deal with.

Again, welcome--look forward to hearing more from you.

Best wishes,

George

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by tessistired on Jan 12^th, 2008, 8:40am

Welcome David to the family!

So sorry to hear that you are with the "beast" but know that you are not alone...we are here for you and would like to help you in any way we can so please share whatever info you can with us about your ch's. There is so much info here for you to read up on and learn.

I have been a clusterhead for about 7 yrs now...started episodic and now chronic for about 3 yrs. And without this site and everyone here I would have gone nuts!

I wish nothing but the best for you!
Many Blessings to you and yours!!

PAIN FREE DAYS AND NIGHTS ALWAYS

Tess

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by lastchance77 on Jan 13^th, 2008, 2:10pm

Thanks for the reply, I have been down for the last 2 days with 4 serious cluster headaches and starting to go away slowly.

It seems my headaches cycle every couple of months but this last month they have really gotten severe down to where I am ready to change medicine.

I am currently taking 100mgs Imiterx pills and seems as though they dont really help any.
I have used the imitex one shot nasal sprays and it started making my nasal passage very sore.

I am open for any discussion as to relief for the pain because i tell myself it cant get any worse and it does!

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 13^th, 2008, 2:49pm

Imitrex pills are, for most folks, too slow acting to meet the mad rush of a cluster attack. Spray is liked by a goodly number but sounds like change to the injection is in order, or might try a pill, Zyprexa (in link following). See this link for options.
---------
http://www.plainboard.com/ch/chtherapy.pdf

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. Written by one of the better headache docs in the U.S. (2002)

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by lastchance77 on Jan 13^th, 2008, 7:04pm

on 01/13/08 at 14:49:05, Bob_Johnson wrote:

thanks alot some very good info in the link.

I have never heard of Oxygen therapy for CH I am leaning for towards that when i return to the doctors office. thanks again!

Title: Re: Hello From North Carolina
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 14^th, 2008, 7:49am

David, there are many folks here who love oxygen but, like everything in this area, it's not 100% effective for all and--much frustration--a significant % of folks find that a med which has been effective, stops working for ??? reasons. Not predicting anything--but part of the learning curve!

If you are not working with a doc who has experience in complex headache issues, you may wish to consider finding one. You certainly live in an area where you can find one. (If interested, get back for info on finding one.)

Suggest you start some organized learning. Some good sources:

MANAGEMENT OF HEADACHE AND HEADACHE MEDICATIONS, 2nd ed. Lawrence D. Robbins, M.D.; pub. by Springer. $50 at Amazon.Com. It covers all types of headache and is primarily focused on medications. While the two chapters on CH total 42-pages, the actual relevant material is longer because of multiple references to material in chapters on migraine, reflecting the overlap in drugs used to treat. I'd suggest reading the chapters on migraine for three reasons: he makes references to CH & medications which are not in the index; there are "clinical pearls" about how to approach the treatment of headache; and, you gain better perspective on the nature of headache, in general, and the complexities of treatment (which need to be considered when we create expectations about what is possible). Finally, women will appreciate & benefit from his running information on hormones/menstrual cycles as they affect headache. Chapter on headache following head trauma, also. Obviously, I'm impressed with Robbins' work (even if the book needs the touch of a good editor!) (Somewhat longer review/content statement at 3/22/00, "Good book....")

HEADACHE HELP, Revised edition, 2000; Lawrence Robbins, M.D., Houghton Mifflin, $15. Written for a nonprofessional audience, it contains almost all the material in the preceding volume but it's much easier reading. Highly recommended.

Explore the OUCH site (left buttons) as you have time.