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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
        
(Message started by: playmesomeblues on Jan 24^th, 2008, 10:51am)

Title: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by playmesomeblues on Jan 24^th, 2008, 10:51am

Hi Everybody,
Well I have been incredibly fortunate to have had such a long break-2.5 years. But they're back once more and the timing pretty much sucks: next wednesday I'm supposed to be on a plane to Thailand to study tai chi with a chinese taoist monk. I must say I'm not looking forward to a 20hr flight with the beast. Outbound could be ok 'cause I'm early on and its all just ramping up. But the return on 2.14 could truly be a nightmare. Anyone have any survival suggestions or recommendations for such an excursion? Any experience with treatment options in Thailand? I feel kinda stupid asking because I know so many of you suffer so much more than I do. Still, I will appreciate your input.
Thank you,
Dave

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by Guiseppi on Jan 24^th, 2008, 11:03am

When I absolutely, positively have to be pain free.... ;;D I use prednisone. It's strictly a short term med as it has some nasty side effects to it. At 30 mg a day I can pretty much stay pain free. I use a 2 week taper of pred when my cycle starts up, while I ramp up on my preventative medication, lithium. I have been known to horde my prednisone and save it for situations like this where for a short period of time, a week or less, I absolutely can't get hit. Special anniversary trips etc.

Do you have a preventative medication that works well for you? Do you have imitrex injectables or can you get the doc to prescribe them for you? They're a little pricey but very effective, I carry mine on the plane with me. They've opened them at screening and never given me any flack about them. Good luck, many on the board have posted abut a fear of flying because something abouth the flights is a trigger for them.

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by playmesomeblues on Jan 24^th, 2008, 11:12am

Thanks Guiseppi. Yes I've got both the Imitrex injectible and the pills. And I share that fear of flying-have had some really nasty bouts on even short flights. I've restarted melatonin andI'm planning to pick up some kudzu this evening. I haven't tried it before, but what I've read here is encouraging.
Dave

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by chewy on Jan 24^th, 2008, 11:29am

Carry the injectables on board and eliminate your fears.

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Jan 24^th, 2008, 11:32am

If you have found Zyprexa aborts an attack for you, then that's the route. Taking a pill on the plane is easier than an injection.

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by playmesomeblues on Jan 24^th, 2008, 11:44am

I haven't tried zyprexa or verapamil or any of those. O2, imitrex, prednisone are all I've ever tried. Pred. really did nothing for me. Back to researching all the medication posts!

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by thebbz on Jan 24^th, 2008, 12:20pm

Read this one. It's not for everyone.
clusterbusters.com
Good luck on the trip. Carry a couple of red bulls with ya.
thebb

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by imfareware on Jan 24^th, 2008, 12:58pm

Once you get there try accupunture if one sets in, I went for treatment for about 1 week, and my CH cycle disappeared. Good luck!

Title: Cancelled trip
Post by playmesomeblues on Jan 28^th, 2008, 11:00am

Yeah, I cancelled the Thailand trip. I couldn't arrange any O2 on the ground and I think 20 hours of flying across timezones would have been hell. I think they could have helped me once I got there, but it would have been sucked from weds-friday....

You know what else blows? People who don't understand these things, looking at me like I'm a baby for not going anyway. You'd think I'd be used to that by now. $^#*$&*#.

Which makes me appreciate all of you even more. Thanks for reading through my venting....
David

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by LeLimey on Jan 28^th, 2008, 11:36am

David there is another triptan called Frovatriptan which is absolutely flippin' useless as an abortive BUT - it's brilliant when used as a preventative. I always use it when flying.

It has a half life of up to 26 hours and you can take two in a 24 hour period as per any other triptan.

Hope it helps
Helen

Title: Re: Hi everyone, I'm back too. Any travel tips?
Post by playmesomeblues on Jan 28^th, 2008, 11:44am

Thanks Helen, I'd never heard of that one before!