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        New Message Board Archives >> Jul-Sep 2003 >> What a ripper!
        
(Message started by: Locomotive_Skull on Jul 9^th, 2003, 12:14pm)

Title: What a ripper!
Post by Locomotive_Skull on Jul 9^th, 2003, 12:14pm

What a ripper I had this morning. 2 hours this S.O.B. lasted. One of those ones where it starts to taper off, then kicks in with more fuel. OUCH! Lost what sample shots of Imitrex I had left:-[. Called into work this morning, and wifie made me see the Doc at 9:00.

He is a young doc, new to the whole family practice deal. I like him only because he is the only doctor to ever mention the term clusterheadache. Last time I saw him he had me on Verapamil, Cafergots and gave me some Imitrex. I had a prescription for Staydol (spic) nose spray but was too expensive at the time. Like I said before, none of it worked except the shots, so I quit going to him agian. I have been perscribed alot of different meds in the past (all of these meds seem to be for "migrains" anyways).

Anyhoot, I walk around like a real dumbshit, thinking being med-free is something to be proud of. Fuck that. I gotta get something going here. The more I suffer these attacks, the more I think I can take just one more, then one more and so-on. But every one I have I can barely stand it.

Nothing I have ever taken before helped (save the imitrex shots) and he wants to prescribe me Lithium for bedtime and Depakote (spic). Oxygen is WAY too expensive to keep on hand, and I tried it once in his office, with a headache, and got nowhere.
Before I go any further with the meds, my wife is going to find some stuff out about these drugs and I am just wondering, do or have any of you taken these? Do they help?

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Not4Hire on Jul 9^th, 2003, 12:40pm

on 07/09/03 at 12:14:42, Locomotive_Skull wrote:

Oxygen is WAY too expensive to keep on hand, and I tried it once in his office, with a headache, and got nowhere.

just curious, Loco: how much does oxygen cost where you live? (NE Missouri from your profile, no? ) And EXACTLY *HOW* was the o2 administered?..... (what kind of mask--describe.....how many liters/minute flow..... and for how long did you breathe it? )

...inquiring minds wanna know..... of COURSE, you've read this:

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

you may want to try again with oxygen, if your UNsuccessful experience varied much from the *tried and true* method.....
Good luck...Steve(N4H)

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by catlind on Jul 9^th, 2003, 1:14pm

If the medical O2 is too expensive then consider getting a welding tank of O2 and have a regulator modified to fit it.

I find that the O2 is only good to abort if I start it at the start of an attack. Otherwise it won't work alone, but will definitely augment the maxalt.

Trick is to get on it ASAP when you know an attack is coming.

Cat

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by CJohnson on Jul 9^th, 2003, 1:18pm

You can try going for a run as soon as you feel one coming on. If you are lucky, this might abort the attack almost as effectively as the oxygen. Its a long shot, but its free! If you can abort attacks with running and use triptans only when its not possible or reasonable to run, you won't end up having to spend too much.

Good luck finding the treatment that works best for you.

PFDANs
-Curtis

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Locomotive_Skull on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:30pm

However the companies that produce oxygen do not have separate systems for welders or for hospitals.
Impure oxygen is not cost-effective. Welders need
pure oxygen in the same way as do hospitals. The
inspection of the tanks is the only difference. Impure oxygen makes bad welds--impure oxygen can also make you sick. Oxygen is SAFE...if used correctly.

And catlind, your comment as well. I just happen to be a welder. I am surrounded by O2, and know the people who supply it very well. It is dirt cheap. Can buy a used bottle for a song, take it in a get a fill-up anytime.

I don't remember how long or how many liters I was given. It was one of those cheesy-ass nose plugs and I was talking to him the whole time. Obviously, I should not rule out this treatment. I am one of these defeatist types anyways, pretty much frustrated with every med I have taken, and too stubborn to be patient with a new one. I am working on this attitude problem.

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by catlind on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:45pm

Ahhh, well the nasal cannulas are a waste of time. You have to have a non rebreather mask and at least 10lpm for about 15 min. and then stay on it for another 5 min. after the pain subsides.

If you need help with converting a regulator Jonny is also a welder and can tell you how to do it in no time.

My O2 from a medical company actually comes in a welding tank.

Hope you can find it gives you some relief!

Cat

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Jayne on Jul 9^th, 2003, 2:57pm

Hi there
Have you tried VERAPAMIL!
This is the drug of choice for most of us, sometimes people combine it with lithium????
Talk to your doctor about this

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Pushkin on Jul 9^th, 2003, 5:08pm

Would also suggest you try oxygen again, the small tanks are EXPENSIVE but the large tanks in my area don't cost much more and you can get up to 10 times the O2 for just a little more than a small tank.

As others have siad you need a mask, you need to get a high flow rate, and try to catch the headache early - although O2 will often abort a headache for me even if it is in full swing, but takes 2X or 3X longer for me.

I try to apply ice pack at the same time as the O2, seems to speed up the relief.

Anyway, good luck and just be sure you have tried O2 the correct way before giving up. It really can be quite inexpensive.

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by cbolony on Jul 9^th, 2003, 5:13pm

I take verapamil 480 mgs and depakote 1500 mgs

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Locomotive_Skull on Jul 9^th, 2003, 5:28pm

I am supposed to take 2-200 mg. of depakote. He told me the depakote was used usually for seizures. All these drugs also came up on his little computer as possible treatment for " migraine headaches". Of course he knows they are not migraines, but will use the same stuff I Guess.

I am not going to get the lithium. I took Verapimil for 6 months. Every day. He told me they were usually used for blood pressure. I used Cafergot whenever I felt an attack coming on. Neither did any good. I can't remember the mg. of either one. I am going to talk to him about the 02.

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by stevegeebe on Jul 9^th, 2003, 6:38pm

Loco,
Like others have said, don't give up on the o2.

I've noticed that if you get in at the onset, it will not require 15 minutes to kill it. With this approach I can make it a week on two tanks. I've spent plenty-o-doe on other shit and dollar for dollar, o2 can not be beat.

It has been a true headache buster for me this go-round.

Results may vary.

Steve G

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Not4Hire on Jul 9^th, 2003, 7:55pm

on 07/09/03 at 14:30:17, Locomotive_Skull wrote:

O2 costs around 20.00 for an A tank, 169 liters.
10 liters a minute at around 15 minutes is pretty much the entire tank. That's around 20.00 bucks a headache. An average of 2 headaches a day, 40.00 a day. There may be ways of reducing this cost however.

And catlind, your comment as well. I just happen to be a welder. I am surrounded by O2, and know the people who supply it very well. It is dirt cheap. Can buy a used bottle for a song, take it in a get a fill-up anytime.

I don't remember how long or how many liters I was given. It was one of those cheesy-ass nose plugs and I was talking to him the whole time. Obviously, I should not rule out this treatment. I am one of these defeatist types anyways, pretty much frustrated with every med I have taken, and too stubborn to be patient with a new one. I am working on this attitude problem.

hey grasshopper... i see ya been readin' up....

"However the companies that produce oxygen do not have separate systems for welders or for hospitals.
Impure oxygen is not cost-effective. Welders need
pure oxygen in the same way as do hospitals. The
inspection of the tanks is the only difference. Impure oxygen makes bad welds--impure oxygen can also make you sick. Oxygen is SAFE...if used correctly."

I remember sayin' THAT... not WHEN, but WHERE: HERE... and I stand by it.... and ya also said THIS:

Quote:

I am going to talk to him about the 02.

that's the way to do it... administered CORRECTLY... it's probly as good as Charlie's deal....

as far as cost$... i rent an "S' tank....154 cu.FEET..you do the conversion to liters/litres... for $7.44/month + $18.00 to refill..... again, do the math..... and i hope yer wallet is not as sore as I am for how bad yer gettin SCROOD....

shop around bro.....

;D

again....good luck....N4

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by Locomotive_Skull on Jul 9^th, 2003, 8:39pm

N4, your comment on welders struck a cord. I use o2 all the time with my cutting torch. It's always a mix gas with the welders, but straight oxygen with the torch. What I will do is, get whatever scrip. is required, probably get the neccessary mask/reg. from the same place, and try it out. I won't jump the gun and rent a bottle from Central Welding Supply just yet. I will work with the oxygen a bit more patiently than I have previous meds. I have been reading more about it, and yes, the atempt at the docs office was pretty lame. The initial "it didn't work" attitude along with the first price scenerio I was looking at, I was pretty quick to toss it to the side.

So...If you are ever driving down Gardner Expressway in Quincy Ill. (right over the bridge from Mo.), and you see some big guy standing in front of one of the factorys, giving what looks like a blowjob to a cutting torch, it will most likely be me! :o

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by andy on Jul 9^th, 2003, 9:17pm

on 03/06/03 at 23:13:00, andy wrote:

I had my bottle of O2 but no regulator or hose, so i did the garbage bag trick. Fill up tall kitchen bag with O2 and suck on it like a balloon. IT WORKED!! Kicked its ass in 3 bags.

Loco, check your yahoo mailbox, i sent you some photos of my setup. 1 trip to the hardware store and i was ready for battle. ..........andy

Title: Re: What a ripper!
Post by cootie on Jul 9^th, 2003, 10:36pm

Yeah.....heard alot of good bout the 02.....Brad tried it but it didn't work.....BUT.......that's cuz no one told him how to properly use it is why. So next cycle (hopein there ain't one and it left totally....yeah rite) he is gonna give it a try agin correctly with maybe a lill bit of instruction from onea these guys. Hope it works for ya ! Pam that's got gas ;)