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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> Hey everyone - not a good day!
        
(Message started by: Annette13 on Feb 25^th, 2003, 5:54pm)

Title: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by Annette13 on Feb 25^th, 2003, 5:54pm

This is the first time I've posted a message on this site. I've just recently realised how many more of us there is out there!!

I'm a chronic - lucky me! >:( and am having a bad time just now.

I'm 23 and have had CH since I was 12 but have been chronic since July 1999.

I've had to give up a lot in my life - university twice, lost friends and relationships and much mroe because of the beast.

Am back at university just now but amn't coping too well. My boyfriend is wonderful as are my family but I'm really low at the moment and could do with a chat so if anyone's out there at the moment please reply!

Sorry for the downer - but I'm sure you all know what it's like

take care and sleep well

Annie

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by suzy617 on Feb 25^th, 2003, 6:25pm

Hi Annette and welcome to our world. So sorry you are so young and to be chronic. You have come to the right place.
What meds do you take Annette? Well take a look around, theres so much info in here and so many wonderful and caring people to help you thru the bad times.
Feel free to email me if ya ever get lonely or just need someone to talk to. :)

suzy

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by Charlie on Feb 25^th, 2003, 6:41pm

Welcome aboard and stick around. You are right, you have a good family here who understand exactly what coping with this horror is like. Read up and look around. There are some good ideas here. Here is my technique that I used very effectively:

Dr. Wright's Circulatory Technique

This is not transcendental meditation, imagery, relaxation, or anything psychic. It's entirely physical and takes a lot of work and concentration. Give this method a good workout. It’s not a miracle, but it’s been helpful to many.

When I was diagnosed, my neurologist said to treat this as a vascular problem. I was told to concentrate on “redirecting” blood circulation in order to retard flow to the head. This is done by trying to “send” blood into the arms and hands or other extremities. When properly done, your hands will become warm and redder with increased circulation. I also found it easier to concentrate on one hand.

This relieves just slightly, the pressure on the affected vessel, which indirectly causes our pain. We all have this ability but it can be exhausting. I was often able shorten my attacks from about half an hour to no more than a few minutes. Sometimes, when awake, I could entirely abort the attack IF I KEPT AT IT. Often, I would suffer only minor discomfort instead of excruciating pain. Do not stop just because your hands are warm or redder. Keep this up until you are sure it's subsided. If you let up or lose concentration, it’s very hard to restart this process. It may take some time but when this works, the relief is almost immediate.

I learned this from the doctor in a few minutes. He simply told me to try to keep blood away from the head. He thought it easiest to concentrate on the arms and hands but any place that works for you is fine. He said to think of it as "filling your hands" with redirected blood. It’s important to keep at it THROUGH the pain. This will be difficult, but it’s the only way this technique will work. Don’t let up until you are sure the attack has ended.

This will not always work, but I think it will always have at least some effect on the severity and duration of the attacks. It can be useful between medications or while waiting for some other drug to take effect. All it takes is a little practice. It was fairly easy to learn and what I'm writing here is more than I got from the doctor, as I've drawn from my own experience.

When awakened in horrible pain, it’s very hard to focus, but I think it’s always worth a try. This costs nothing but hard work, is harmless, non-invasive, and it gives us a fighting chance.

I wish you the best of luck - Charlie Strand

We all go to chat at:

http://www.headachesupportgroups.com

You have to register first but others here can help.

Good luck,

Charlie

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by cootie on Feb 25^th, 2003, 7:42pm

Hi Annie....sorry your feelin bad rite now....always interesting readin on this site.....lots of suprises too from time to time....never a dull moment....good luck to you...where are you from ? Pam

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by Roxy on Feb 25^th, 2003, 8:10pm

Hi Annette, and welcome :).

Sorry you are having such a bad time of it right now. I'm chronic also....and, sometimes it gets pretty tough to handle.

Are you using 02 as an abortive? If not, it is really something you need to look into. There are pages of information on this board about it, and it works for most of us. Are you on any preventative? If so, what? Using Imitex? Lets us know about your meds.

Stick around, and read, read, read. Then go hit the OUCH button to the left, and read some more (and join too).

Wishing you PFDAN,

Tracey

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by echo on Feb 26^th, 2003, 9:21am

Hello Annette. Sorry to read that the beast is camped out at your place. Hopefully he will return to the hell he comes from and give you peace.

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by Mark C on Feb 26^th, 2003, 10:14am

Welcome Annette,
Sorry you need us....but glad you are here. Stick around and learn how to cope.....with friends. Good luck to you and your head.
PFDAN's
Mark

http://www.drfeller.com/Mark/01/gifs/welcome13.gif

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by miCHel on Feb 26^th, 2003, 1:07pm

Hi Annie!

So sorry you have to be here! But finding people who understand what you (we) are going trhrough is a very good thing to cope with the beast.

Don't know how you are treating yourself but do check out the medical info here and ask for advice. The tips and suggestions you will get are incredible.

Wishing you much better days ahead,

miCHel

Title: Re: Hey everyone - not a good day!
Post by Linda_Howell on Feb 26^th, 2003, 2:39pm

Annette,

In my opinion you didn't lose friends because of cluster headaches. They were never your friends to begin with. REAL friends don't BAIL on ya, when your down.

Linda H