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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> New Guy, Same Old Story
        
(Message started by: MadMan on Jan 21^st, 2003, 3:25pm)

Title: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by MadMan on Jan 21^st, 2003, 3:25pm

Hi, I'm a CH'er from way back. I'm 42 now. Back when I was a kid I don't remember how often I would get them. But I remember having them.

By the time I was in my late teens I was clearly episodic. I was getting CH about every 4-5 years. They would last for about a week. With one CH a day, usually in the evening after I had settled down. This routine lasted until I was in my late 30's.

Then things changed. 1st the CH started to last longer than a week. Up to a month. And came back after 6 months. Then they lasted for 8 weeks. & only stayed away for 4 months. The time of attacks grew longer & the time between attacks grew shorter.

Until, two years ago, when, they never went away. CHRONIC! Oh & did I mention that I can now have multiple attacks in one day?

I've been lurking around these boards for a long time now. I know you call "it" the Beast. Me I call it the "Screamer". Now not all of my attacks are true Screamers. CH yes, but not full blown, #10 Beast thank god.

Up until two years ago when they went cronic I didn't know about CH, or that there was any meds to treat them. It was all grin & bear it. Since then I have tried it all. Or so it seems.

Currently, I'm on Topomax. @300mg/day I also find that if the Beast burns through that an over the counter decogestant will help.

Gee, I just realised how much I had typed. Sorry.
Thanks, for reading this far, it has to be a story you have heard before.

-James

Title: Re: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by jonny on Jan 21^st, 2003, 3:42pm

What is chronic?

..........................jonny

Title: Re: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by Roxy on Jan 21^st, 2003, 3:51pm

:) Hi James,

Sorry you have turned chronic, but hopefully you can get some relief from the little sob's. Go get some 02....fast. It's the best thing I've found to abort the attacks, and I usually have to hit it about 3-4 times a day.

Read everything you can....go join OUCH and make a donation, buy the T-shirt, etc....

I'm chronic too, and yes, the multiple attacks everyday are nasty, but what the 02 won't take care of, the imitex usually will. Glad the topomax seems to help you, it didn't do a stinkin' thing for me, but all meds work different for different people.

Stick around and read all you can,

Tracey

Title: Re: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by domm on Jan 21^st, 2003, 6:07pm

MadMan - welcome to clusterville. Glad you decided to post instead of lurking around. Pull up a chair.
domm

Title: Re: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by cootie on Jan 21^st, 2003, 7:42pm

Howdy james.....hope ya can find sum help in this town......hopefully it's jus 'round the corner....Pam

Title: Re: New Guy, Same Old Story
Post by MadMan on Jan 22^nd, 2003, 10:02am

Thanks for all the support guys.

I needed it just now.

Had the big 3 get happy, eye, nose & jaw. I'm at work & of course my phone just kept ringing. Don't they know I'm dying in here?

Just now getting back to normal. Still have some shadows, but not too bad. After I finish writing this I'm gonna go stand outside in the cold for a while, that helps me.

Well, I guess 300mg of Topomax ain't working. Duh! And it seemed like such the wonder drug just a year ago when I started it. And that was just at 50mg. Now at 300mg the Beast just laughs.

-James