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Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Getting to Know Ya >> New sufferer http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1265660747 Message started by Barbi on Feb 8th, 2010 at 3:25pm |
Title: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Feb 8th, 2010 at 3:25pm
Hello! My name is Barbi, I'm 27 and I'm from Oklahoma. I'm very new to these types of headaches. The problem started about 3 weeks ago. 2 nights in a row I woke up at 2:30 with the most painful headache on the right side. I'd never experienced pain like that! Everyday since then at 8:15PM I get the same headache in the same spot. Feels like the whole right side of my head is about to blow. The pain raidates behind my right eye, my cheek, the back of my head, and finally down to my neck. I haven't been to the doctor yet but my husband is convineced I have CH. Yesterday was by far the worst I have had yet. 3 headaches in 1 day! First one started early at 3:30, second at 7, and the last at 10. I'm embarrased to say that I'm afraid of the evening hours! Once 8PM hits I start getting anxious because I know what's coming. Anything I can do at home that might help?
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by LasVegas on Feb 8th, 2010 at 3:53pm
1. take the cluster quiz, see link to your left.
2. identify your symptoms & triggers, 3. document your pain----times they occur, for how long, where you feel pain, etc 4. Read as much as you can from this site AND print helpful info to bring to doctor. ideally you will go to a neurologist. 5. Understand recommended Preventative meds & Abortive meds. 6. RedBull or other energy drink containing 1,000 mg of Taurine with caffiene...Ice packs/bag of frozen vegetables...have your spouse read this info also so he understands what you are going through....melatonin to sleep....firm massage to temples and neck...etc., plenty of helpful tips on this site. 7. Not in your best interest to smoke, drink alcohol nor take pain pills including over the counter meds such as tylenol, etc We are here for you, you are not alone! |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Skullcrusher on Feb 8th, 2010 at 6:37pm
Read as much as you can. I would print out some of this great info from this site and bring it to your doctor when you go. Without meds or O2 your best bet is Monster or Red Bull. Although not the best for night time....
Good luck! |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by bejeeber on Feb 8th, 2010 at 7:20pm
Hi Barbi,
There's lots to learn here, some of which will likely bring you some genuine relief, but for starters I'll echo the NO ALCOHOL of Las Vegas's post. Don't learn the hard way about what a crushing hit drinking alcohol will induce for most of us when we're in the midst of a CH episode. |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Feb 8th, 2010 at 10:34pm
Unfortunately I learned the no alcohol rule the hard way. 1 drink last Saturday and 25 minutes later I was screaming in pain! Thanks for the advice everyone. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this!
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Joni on Feb 9th, 2010 at 2:36am
Sounds like CH, but you need to see a doctor for that diagnosis. Three weeks is a short amount of time to jump to that conclusion in my opinion. Try the tips people have shared. Read. Log your symptoms to take to the doc. Good luck!
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Feb 19th, 2010 at 11:39pm
11 days later and I'm still suffering. Still haven't been to the doctor (waiting on my insurance to kick in from a job change). Attacks have been getting more severe everyday. I have been keeping a journal of everything to take to the doc. I have had some luck with an ice pack and Red Bull. I'm not really sure if the ice pack helps but it makes me believe my brain is not just boiling away. The Red Bull seems to reduce the length of the attack down to about 15-20 minutes.....with only a little neck pain after the 20 minutes. I generally get the attacks at night but I had my first daytime attack last Friday. Started at 7:45AM and lasted till about 11AM. Luckily I work from home and have a VERY understanding boss. I've tried to stay away from alcohol and everytime I slip, I end up regretting it. Anyways, sorry to go on for so long just need to get this out. My husband has tried to be supportive but he really doesn't understand. Bless his little heart, he's trying.
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:18pm
I'm new with this so this might be a stupid question but are there any tale tale signs that a cycle is coming to an end? I'm going on 5-6 weeks now and I'm just praying it ends soon.
Funny side note: My husband has really been trying to be supportive. I mentioned to him that Red Bull seems to help shorten the headache, so yesterday he came home from work with enough cases of Red Bull to last me thru the next Ice Age!! |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Guiseppi on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:41pm
Seems there are as many ways to tell a cycle is ending as there are CH'ers! Some get one last huge slammer, then it's done. Others, like me, they get less severe and farther apart until I realized I've gone a couple of weeks without getting slammed.
And yeah....a good supporter can make all the difference in the world. ;) Joe |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Chad from mn on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:52pm
Tried the red bull today and it worked
Barbi, hang in there |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Guiseppi on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:55pm
That's awesome Chad...used Red Bull and oxygen 2 hours ago when you-know-who came calling!
Joe |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:59pm
I can't wait till my insurance kicks in. I hear everyone talking about O2 and I wanna get in on that action!!!!
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Guiseppi on Feb 27th, 2010 at 10:16pm
31 years of this and oxygen STILL rocks my world. 10 minutes and I'm back in my happy place with no pain!
Joe |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Arde on Feb 27th, 2010 at 11:32pm Chad from mn wrote on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:52pm:
See a lot of references to Red Bull. I use Rip It-stinger mo, it has 1016mg. taurine per 16oz. can and the price is 99 cents a can, sometimes on sale for 79 cents. I prefer the taste over Red Bull, and it's less expensive. If you're a penny pincher like me you might want to give it a try. |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by bejeeber on Feb 28th, 2010 at 3:15am Barbi wrote on Feb 27th, 2010 at 9:18pm:
That is funny, and he sounds like a keeper. :) |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Barbi on Aug 18th, 2010 at 2:18pm
Hey everyone! I haven't been on in awhile. Haven't had any pain since the 2nd week of March....hoping it stays that way! Moved to Texas so if there are any CH sufferers in the TX area let me know!
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Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Guiseppi on Aug 18th, 2010 at 2:25pm
The pain free time is great news. Would strongly suggest you NOT let your guard down. The pain free times are the best time to evaluate what did and didn't work, find a reliable neuro or a GP who can prescribe oxygen, trex or what ever else you need.
For several years I'd exclude the beast from my mind when I was off cycle. Then when the beast came back, I'd be flat footed, call my doc to find out he was gone, find myself back at ground zero trying to find a good doc, oxygen, everything else I needed!! Joe |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Mosaicwench on Aug 18th, 2010 at 7:13pm Barbi wrote on Feb 19th, 2010 at 11:39pm:
Send him here - we support supporters, too! |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Lettucehead on Aug 18th, 2010 at 8:15pm
Hurrah on pain free time!!!
:) |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by bejeeber on Aug 20th, 2010 at 2:14pm
Hey Barbi - ditto on Lettucehead's hurrah!, and Joe's "keep your guard up". :)
If you're in the the Dallas area, well dang if you didn't just miss a meet'n greet of a bunch of our fellow CH'ers in that area hosted by our very own Dallas Denny (I'm not in Texas, but I partied vicariously by reading about it here 8-)) |
Title: Re: New sufferer Post by Ginger S. on Aug 20th, 2010 at 5:16pm
Barbi Welcome to the club to which membership is not voluntary!
Hope you find more PF times and new CH friends! |
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