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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> Hello!! (again)
        
(Message started by: Dan Moore on May 9^th, 2008, 8:34pm)

Title: Hello!! (again)
Post by Dan Moore on May 9^th, 2008, 8:34pm

I posted here a loooooong time ago and then my circumstances changed and I didn't have access to the internet for awhile, so I'll start again :)

My name is Dan and I have been an episodic ch sufferer for the last 9 years. I was only diagnosed 4 years ago. I'm 27.

I'm a lefty and it always wakes me up. Normally my cycle is 4-6 weeks, October to November.

Imagine my surprise when last October I was fearing the worst...........and nothing......not a sausage.......... ;;D Had I escaped The Devil??

Hold your congratulations my fellow clusterheads as I have some horrible news.

Yep, 2 weeks ago, out of the blue....Kaaablaaam!!!

The bloody headaches were back :'(

This time round the pain lasted longer and even struck during the day. To put it mildly, I was not a happy bunny.

But there was always hope.

I decided to compare my life and environments against pain and blissful painlessness. When my headaches were running like clockwork I had been a career barman; late nights, naps in the day, booze and smokes.

Then I changed my job. I started work in a call centre (stop laughing :P). No late nights, not as much booze, smoke breaks were rationed and I was drinking lots of water (that's a clue!)

Well guess what, last month I started working in a pub again and all hell breaks loose......ho hum ::)

I didn't get on with the injection and am not a fan of pharmaceuticals, although my patience was wearing thin.

The breakthrough I have had is the water X 3 technique posted on this very site. Not 100% effective but it sure does help.

I'm now back to bother you all and offer some light relief to anyone that needs it.

I know it's difficult to keep a sense of humour during your cycle but I would probably go insane if I didn't laugh about it.

This site helps to keep me sane.

Peace out, homeys ;)

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by AussieBrian on May 9^th, 2008, 9:17pm

on 05/09/08 at 20:34:04, Dan Moore wrote:

This site helps to keep me sane.

Then unquestionably you are mad. Welcome home.

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by Dan Moore on May 9^th, 2008, 9:20pm

Indeed mad..........indeed.

Sitting here at 2:19am and quite nervous of going to sleep..........

oh well, at least I'm not alone :o

(the cat is giving me a filthy look though.....)

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by icedragon on May 9^th, 2008, 10:03pm

Hey Guys,
Thank you for making me feel at home.

It has been a rough week, I totally know where you are coming from, Dan, in regards to being afraid of going to sleep.

I think I mentioned in my other post my CH started in 93' after I was in a car accident. I was not diagnosed until 2001. Until recently, I had not seen the Demon for more than 3 and 1/2 years. F@#$, I thought I left them in the dust. Never the less, finding this site gives me a feeling I find difficult to put into words. Thanks for being here.

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by Dan Moore on May 9^th, 2008, 10:12pm

The beauty of this site is that it's full of people who have had personal experiences with CH either as a sufferer or a supporter.

And it seems that there is always someone around to offer some support 24/7.

If any good can come out of having this terrible affliction then let it be making new friends 8)

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by LeLimey on May 10^th, 2008, 5:04am

Hello Dan,
I'm sorry you have to be here but lets see what we can do to help.

Have you tried red bull or generic equivalents? I find they help alot if you chug them at first sign of a hit. I tend to buy supermarket own brands as they all have the same caffeine/taurine content (believe me - I've looked!) and they all taste equally disgusting!

Ask your doctor about Oxygen too. Used at 15 litres per minute with a non rebreather mask it's brilliant. I can abort an attack in as little as 5-7 minutes if I get on the O2 quick enough.

Hope that helps!

Helen

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by Dan Moore on May 10^th, 2008, 6:34am

Hi Helen,

Thanks for your support, nice to hear from a fellow Limey!

As far as red bull goes, I have found a cheap alternative at Morrisons supermarket which were only four cans for £1.00!
As you can imagine, I basically bought them out of the stuff.

It's not as effective as I would like because generally when I'm woken up, I'm right in the middle of an attack and it doesn't seem to touch the sides, so to speak.

Oxygen is something I'm gonna have to look into; how easy was it to get hold of? Is it something you can obtain on the NHS?

Thanks very much!

Dan ;)

Title: Re: Hello!! (again)
Post by LeLimey on May 10^th, 2008, 7:14am

See your doctor in the first instance.
He will fill in a HOOF (Home Oxygen Order Form) and then fax it to the O2 company for your area who will then contact you to arrange deliveries. Make sure they bring you non rebreather masks and not cannulas.

Your GP needs to mark the form "Cluster Headaches" in the comments box and also to tick the box for ambulatory oxygen so that you can have the smaller portable cylinders for ease transporting them around with you. If you need any more help, shout! I'll help gladly

Helen