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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> 5 free years and now they're back
        
(Message started by: Pushkin on Jul 9^th, 2003, 8:54am)

Title: 5 free years and now they're back
Post by Pushkin on Jul 9^th, 2003, 8:54am

Hello,

I'm new to the board. A male in my mid-50s who had had CHs since I about 20. I've gone 5 years now since the last episode - amazing, and maybe that at least gives some hope that the frequency of the monsters sometimes diminishes. I used to have 2-4 episodes a year until my mid-40s, then down to 1 a year or 1 every two years.

Well, I've got lots of oxygen - biggest problem is controlling my fear, especially that it could cost me my job this time. Don't know much about posting, but tought I would give it a try.

My heart goes out to all of you who are in a cycle now, I hope it is short and, well you know.

Thanks,
Pushkin

Title: Re: 5 free years and now they're back
Post by KenB on Jul 9^th, 2003, 9:29am

Hi Pushkin,

I know exactly how you feel. I was pain free for 5 years too and they returned with a vengeance about 8 weeks ago. Hope you don't get hit too hard this time around.

KenB

Title: Re: 5 free years and now they're back
Post by pablo on Jul 9^th, 2003, 9:52am

Hi Pushkin,

Welcome to the board! It had been five years since my last episode. I recently moved and as we were packing, I had some old Imitrex. I looked at it and thought, nah, don't need this anymore! Whoops!

I started my current episode on June 7th and they seemed to have peaked a few days ago. Right now, with some changes in activity and diet, things are looking postive. It's been 54 hours since my last CH.

The two main culprit triggers for me are:

* Either an increase in body temperature and/or blood pressure (typically due to heavy exercise - swimming exempted!), and
* Alcohol

I agree with you, there are folks who are 'chronic' and I'm empathetic to their plight.

Title: Re: 5 free years and now they're back
Post by Pushkin on Jul 9^th, 2003, 10:19am

Just a few of my experiences with CHs.

Good luck at the beginning of the cycle with frigid air - would start the car air conditioner and breath the cold air, works as well as oxygen sometimes, or helps when traveling and no oxygen available.

stress and anger are major triggers, if something upsets me like a rude driver a headache will often follow

meditation has helped, but it's difficult to meditate when you're in cycle.

coffee seems to help much better than caffein pills

sometimes O2 at night with the the nasal respirator at 2 L/min means a decent 4-6 hours of sleep.

an ice pack along with O2 usually brings relief faster than O2 alone

attacks came in the autumn and spring for years, but the last 3 or 4 episodes have been in the summer - really strange

alcohol and cigarette smoke, lunch meat, pizza are all food/environment triggers

the fear of an attack is a trigger - finding ways to deal with the fear is difficult, but important

just some observations based on my experience, but I know the monster knows how to overcome almost all patterns

Title: Re: 5 free years and now they're back
Post by sueellen83 on Jul 9^th, 2003, 10:22am

Hey Pushkin,

Welcome back to the madness.

Sorry you had to come back after all this time.

That's the way this beast works though, about the time you think he has forgotten your address he shows up knockin' on the door.

Hang in there. Heres wishing you a short cycle.