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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Big Day Today
        
(Message started by: game2k1 on Jun 1^st, 2005, 12:49am)

Title: Big Day Today
Post by game2k1 on Jun 1^st, 2005, 12:49am

I am episodic and have been pain free for 2.5 years right until school got out for the year and I moved back home for the month - don't know what caused it, but they've been back with a vengeance for two weeks. I am heading into my headache specialist today - I hope to receive the same treatment that knocked me out of my cycle last time - corticosteroid treatment. I have been taking verapamil nightly since - the worst is that I have no way to abort the headaches right now, as my Imitrex expired.

I am taking the law school admissions test on Monday and really really need to ensure that the monster doesn't hit during the exam!

Please say a prayer - I pray for all of you suffering nightly and will continue to do so - when you're removed two-plus years from the attacks, the memory fades just a little bit of how ridiculous these headaches really are.

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by BobG on Jun 1^st, 2005, 1:12am

First, good luck with test on Monday.

My theory as to why the attacks started after school finished.....You moved back home and the stress of your studies has allowed you to relax. Don't ever do that.....relax I mean.

Do you have a gas welding/cutting outfit? If you do then you have a potential abortive. Oxygen.

Check under the 'oxygen info' button on the left side of your screen. Also look for the threads about kudzu. And melatonin for sleep. These are some cheap and easy and safe ways to start your fight with the beast.

Welcome to the board.

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by Langa on Jun 1^st, 2005, 7:57am

Ditto to everything Bob said...and welcome to the Family!

Langa

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by lionsound on Jun 1^st, 2005, 10:25am

Welcome game2k1,
So sorry you're hurting. Does heat or cold help you at all? A bag of frozen peas on my head/neck feels great when in pain.

Please ask your Headache specialist for an Oxygen script. (script not necessary, but helpful)

Quote:

then you have a potential abortive. Oxygen.

it works well for a lot of us.

And you can also ask the doc for trex samples so you can take some home with you today.

The best of luck on your exam Monday! Keep it that trex in your pocket during the exam just in case. Another good thing to have is a disposable ice pack(if they'll let you) for your noggin.

You are stronger than this beast.
be well and Pain Free,
lionsound

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by E-Double on Jun 1^st, 2005, 11:02am

Good luck !!!!!!!

Great advice above and keep chin up!!
I'm sitting for another board certification on Saturday and will be armed with meds and ice pack just in case.

In fact this time last yr. I got whacked during a 5 hr exam. It was the first time I knew somethng was wrong because of the fact that my "sinus headaches" only ever happened at night.......Pre-diagnosis.

Point is....I paced for a good 20-30 minutes in the bathroom with a freaking proctor standing over me but I made it back and passed my certification.

You can do it!!!!!

Kick A$$!!

Eric

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by Gator on Jun 1^st, 2005, 12:42pm

on 06/01/05 at 00:49:51, game2k1 wrote:

...the worst is that I have no way to abort the headaches right now, as my Imitrex expired.

Welcome to the site. Are you saying your script has expired or the actual meds are past their expiration date? Many, if not most, people here will tell you expired trex works just as well as new trex. There have been people here use it as much as 5 years past it's date. The general consensus is (from what people say their doctors and pharmacists have told them) that the trex doesn't go bad - at worst, it weakens a little and might not work as fast.

Now, that being said...You need to talk to your doctor and/or pharmacist to confirm what I have told you and then make up your own mind. NEVER take anything some annonymous person on the internet tells you at face value. Research it and discuss it with your doctor.

I don't know if you've been given the following links yet and I'm too lazy today to go back and check. Sorry if I double up on anything you already have.

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventative, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH.

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Oxygen is an excellent abortive. Works for most people when used properly. Defintely try this. As well as it works, I have a hard time understanding why more doctors do not prescribe it. If your doc won't prescribe it for you, you might try welder's O2. It's the same pure oxygen used by medical suppliers. Many people here use it and would be more than happy to help you set it up. Here are some links that tells about using O2:

http://www.maplefallswebdesign.com/misc/oxygen/oxygen.htm

http://www.headaches.org/consumer/topicsheets/oxygen.html

http://www.chhelp.org/mhni.html

Here is a link to some non-prescription alternatives different people have used to help with the pain:

http://www.clusterheadaches.org/resources/non_script_treat.htm

If you are currently taking medications, I would suggest you talk with your doctor before taking any of the nutritional supplements. At the very least check for interactions at a website such as:

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Home/AllAboutDrugs

Nutritional supplements can interact with prescription meds just the same as some prescription meds interact with each other. Better safe than sorry where your health is concerned.

Good luck and again, welcome to our little corner of the web.

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by game2k1 on Jun 2^nd, 2005, 3:13am

Thank you all for all of the support, well-wishing, and information. I was definitely an informed patient at the appointment today. We decided to go with the steroid injection followed by the dosepak, along with continued verelan. I received by RX for Imitrex as well, just in case. Last time, this knocked me out of the cycle for 2.5 years so I hopefully won't be needing to use those very often (I only had the Imitrex RX filled once last time - right after I went to the doctor's.)

Next time they come back, I'm going to really look into the Kudzu treatment - it seems like a natural way to get everything (somewhat) on track.

Thanks again and keep me posted on all of your progress - I will continue to be around the forum. Likewise, I will post any updates - no CHs since noon today...

Title: Re: Big Day Today
Post by javi_spain on Jun 2^nd, 2005, 3:19pm

Good luck with your Admission Tests!