Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Re: Mind Over Matter
        
(Message started by: vig on Jul 15^th, 2003, 2:52pm)

Title: Re: Mind Over Matter
Post by vig on Jul 15^th, 2003, 2:52pm

"I have also been coupling this with the occasional shroom tea, which I noticed is causing the usual board controversy.

I have been med free for 21 months. "

So you are using 'shroom tea' as medicine....

Mind (with the help of a drug) over matter.
I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it...whatever it takes, in fact, but you ARE using a drug to help you.

Title: Re: Mind Over Matter
Post by Danielle on Jul 16^th, 2003, 2:21pm

Hi Das,

I wanted to share my thoughts regarding your post and my personal experience. Firstly, I am REALY glad you are having such success with your CH...I believe that anyone who achieves any amount of control over their condition provides all of us with hope and inspiration.

I also understand, to a degree, how you might arrive at the conclusion that it is simply a question of "mind over matter". A while ago I read of a man who was trapped by a rock and had to choose between cutting his own arm off or death. He used his pen knife and saved his own life. He said the hardest part was cutting through the bone and not passing out.

My point is this my friend, I think it is important to acknowledge that what we feel, is real. For myself, I have had 4 children, all without medication of any sort, not even mushroom tea. Although in extreme physical pain, I was able to maintain some control over my body and I could remain coherant enough to communicate verbally. When I am going through an attack of CH, I can do neither. I know this because I have tried. I once had an attack in public as I was waiting for a bus. I was literaly on the ground writhing in pain unable to explain to anyone just what the hell was wrong with me. This was in the pre-Imitrex days, and it was one of the most terrifying and humiliating experiences I have ever had.

I often get Clusters at work....I manage a resource centre and it is almost comical the amount of precautions and emergency proceedures I have in place. One of the things that does happen often though, is that at the onset of the Cluster, I can't always get into the bathroom to take my Imitrex and I also can't just freak out. So I must act as normal as possible for as long as I need to. NEVER has this resulted in aborting my Cluster.

If positive thinking works for you, that is wonderful but PLEASE do not insinuate that my pain is all in my head....no pun intended ;D

Title: Re: Mind Over Matter
Post by NewHeadPLZ on Jul 16^th, 2003, 2:32pm

Gotta be the Tea. I try to convince myself I'm not gettin a h/a but always do....

Title: Re: Mind Over Matter
Post by vig on Jul 16^th, 2003, 3:24pm

I agree that the positive mental attitude helps immeasurably (and I would have already checked out without it.), but I still can't quite make it without a little 'help'. Med-free through 5 episodes DID permanent damage to me. I'm way different from who I was then.

Title: Mind Over Matter Re: Danielle's Comments
Post by resti on Jul 16^th, 2003, 4:36pm

Danielle,

I agree with the points that you made.
While mental control is extremely important and vital to us all being able to hang on, it only gets you so far.

As you said, when we are having a "10" in public or as a bad one startst to ramp up, and we are trying to "maintain", it is just a feat that is beyond our grasps as human beings.

Thanks for your post,
karen