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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> My Tricks after 34 years
        
(Message started by: tmyslik on Jul 26^th, 2002, 2:58am)

Title: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by tmyslik on Jul 26^th, 2002, 2:58am

I'm a first time visitor to this site. Glad to be here with the rest of the sufferers. Most of my tricks are probably old hat to you guys but some may not be.
First started at age 20. First doc I saw rx'd valium. It was useless for pain but I took enough to knock me out. I wonder how close I came to dying a couple of times but could'nt have cared less at the time.
A friend's doctor dad sent me wigraine (ergotamine) and it was very helpful for many years (until it went off the market recently) (Anyone know if will return?)
I stumbled on to O2 (can't remember how) and works very well most of the time. Kaiser provides it at no charge in unlimited quantities thru Apria (in Denver anyway).
I believe that anything that takes blood away from the head is effective. This includes: 1. getting shivering cold ,which I accomplish by jumping into a pool in summer , going outdoors almost naked in winter, taking a cold shower, etc. Although the idea of making yourself even more miserable while having a ch is horrible, you must force yourself to do it knowing that the added misery will soon result in relief and sleep. I find that as soon as I get cold enough to shiver, I am almost there. I think the reason it works is that the body sends warming blood to your extremities and thus it leaves your head. It works great for me. (although I hate doing it at the time).
Here are a couple of strange ones: 1. getting an erection. (the blood diversion thing again) However this is short lived as once you lose it the pain usually returns but sometimes a few minutes of relief during the peak of pain is welcome . I must admit that achieving an erection during such pain is difficult, but I'm sure you'll agree that ch sufferers can do super human feats after awhile.
2. Having a bowel movement at first sigh of ch. THIS ACTUALLY WORKS. I don't know if it's the strain or the drain but it is unbelievably effective. I imagine that it's taking food away from the beast (I'm sure it's what he must eat). I know you're asking how I can "shit on command". Answer is that you learn and sometimes you can't but the straining itself helps. Suppository laxatives are helpful, too.
I won't bore you with the common stuff we all know about (pressure to temple or top of head with finger, getting into an out of body state and watching the pain from afar, vomiting, crying, screaming, swearing, etc., etc.
If this info helps one ch sufferer for one minute, I'll feel it was a worthwhile effort.
Best to you all. We are all in it together. We experience and survive something very few do and it makes us stronger for it. If there is any good we can gain from it, this must be it.

Title: Re: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by notseinfeld on Jul 26^th, 2002, 1:13pm

Thanks for posting---

Haven't tried the 'poop' trick yet !

nots

Title: Re: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by rick on Jul 26^th, 2002, 1:16pm

::)

Title: Re: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by eyes_afire on Jul 26^th, 2002, 7:22pm

Hey Notseinfeld, ya might have some problems with that poop trick if you're taking verapamil. If it's 'the strain' then it may help. But if it's 'the drain', ferget about it.
;D

Title: Re: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by BobG on Jul 27^th, 2002, 3:48am

tmyslik,
Glad you found many 'tricks' to get you through the pain.
But, one thing you said is not correct. "the body sends warming blood to your extremities and thus it leaves your head"
Wrong.........The body shuts down the extremities as you get cold and colder. The reason is to keep the blood in the body mass to warm it and keep it warm. The arms, legs, fingers, toes, etc release heat like the radiator in a car. The brain is the most important organ in the body and must be kept warm. As the body gets cold the brain will send signals to shut down the extremities to conserve heat.
I know, I'm nit-pickin here. Welcome to the board and thanks for you input.

Title: Re: My Tricks after 34 years
Post by kim on Jul 27^th, 2002, 3:00pm

hey, tmyslik,

Wellcommme! LOL. After 25 years, the poop trick is a surprise :o
Thank heaven I'm out of cycle............. ;D
;D ;)
Well wishes, Kim