I am a 20+ year sufferer of the episodic type of CH. I had not had an episode for 18 months until two nights ago. Yes, they are back with a vengence.

I was trying to explain what I go through nightly to a co-worker and stumbled upon your site and immediately registered. I think it will be nice to have a place to talk to people who really understand how I feel.

howard

Welcome Howard I'm not glad you were forced to find us, but given the situation I'm glad you did.

Read all you can here to learn more about CH and make sure you check out the Oxygen page. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

We all run into lack of understanding and the occasional eye-roll, or even laughter (which I have encountered recently, wanted to scratch his eyes out.  >:(  ) when we tell people about our condition, lets face it they have no clue.  Here we understand and will do our best to add support where you need it.

Wishing you many PF Days and Nights!

Hi Howard,

If you stick around, read and ask questions, I think that like so many of us, you'll find this to be more than just a place to talk to people who really understand how you feel, you'll learn about ways to take action to beat this beast back.

Ways that doctors have been too slow to catch onto yet.

One good example would be the newer, much more effective approach for O2 use, outlined at the oxygen info link on the left of this page.

G'day, Howard. Welcome home.

Welcome to the nut house Howard, I gave up a long time ago trying to explain to others what they were like....always felt like they thought I was trying to exaggerate. Now I just hang out here and whine.....people here actually get it! ;)

When you have  a second, let us know what you use as prevents and aborts. The strength of this board is the thousands of years of real time experience dealing with the beast. Maybe you'll throw a new tool our way, maybe we can make some suggestions to take back to your doc.

Just finishing an 8 month cycle that came on after a 2.5 year remission....had almost convinced myself I was cured! :D They end and you do get through them. So glad you found us, welcome home.

Joe

Welcome to CH.com Howard, you will find more info about CH here than most Dr's have. Oxygen (O2) is the number 1 recommended abortive, I abort 98% of my attacks with it.

What you don't find by reading around the site just ask the question and someone will answer. Everyone on this site either has CH or helps someone who does.

Don

May I add my welcomes to the distinguished list CH vets already welcoming you? Rare company indeed, my friend. As to explaining this beast, the letter to colleagues and employers at the top of this posting board is worth checking out. In the meantime, start huffin' O2! Blessings. lance

Welcome Howard!

Feels good to be among fellow suffers who feel and share your pain doesn't it? We all know exactly what it's like. This has been my  "home away from home" for the last 8 mo or so.

I often use the "brain freeze" description when trying to explain what CH is like to family, friends and co-workers. Most people have experienced this and can grasp what we are going through much better. Check out this link:

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Lots of great info here as well as unbelievable care and
support.

Hope your cycle ends  soon.

Donna Mae   :)

Hello and welcome Howard

I too find the brain freeze description a good way of describing a ch hit as Donna said most people have experienced this and can relate to it,

I explain that it is similar to brain freeze but about 8 times more painful and lasting from 1/2 - 2 hours and can happen several times a day . The usual reaction is a wince and oooo followed by not a little disbelief , but I think the message kinda gets through.

Have you tried energy drinks like Red bull or anything with caffeine and taurine in it . they can reduce the pain of an attack or even stop one if you chug a can at the first sign of an attack.

good luck and God bless

Nigel

Thank you all for your welcome wishes. I have been exploring the site more thorouhly today. I read in someone's post that Red Bull is helpful as an abortive. Plan on stocking up tonight.

Howard

Thank you all for your welcome wishes. I have been exploring the site more thorouhly today. I read in someone's post that Red Bull is helpful as an abortive. Plan on stocking up tonight.

Howard

Red Bull or anything similar with both caffeine and taurine will work. Just drink it quickly at the first sign of a CH (or with shadows) and it seems to work to reduce both the intensity and duration of the CH.

Greetings Howard,
                          I'm also a newbie but have been watching all this wonderful info on these boards for years, definitely should have signed up years ago! My hubby has been suffering in silence for 25 years with this condition and I seem to be repetitively trying to explain to friends and doctors the severity of his pain with not much luck unfortunately. Just the other day I found a printable letter to friends and colleagues of cluster headache sufferers on the ouch-us.org site. I have given it to friends and the receptionist staff at the doctors with awesome results, now that they truly understand what pain level we are talking about their attitudes have changed dramatically. Check it out if you can its the best description  and so easy to just hand it over without those doubtful questions from  people that are ignorant or uneducated to what your going through! I'm still learning but I think the link is:
START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE then click on colleagues letter.  Goodluck!
                                    Regards Shell :) :)

A new supporter!!! [smiley=hug.gif] My wifey has stuck thru me for almost my whole 32 year CH history, do not know how I would have survived without her!

Stop be our supporters section when you get a chance, it's where all our significant others hang out and complain about how tough it can be living with us!

Welcome to the board.

Joe

Thanks for the link Shell. I gave it to my assitant and I think he is beginning to get it. I also used the "brain freeze" example. He cringed with that one.

Tried red bull last night for the first time. i think It did help decrease the severity.

Howard

Howard,
            Glad to hear your trying the red bull, hope it helps.
I think its definitely helpful for those around you to know what you're going through, educating themselves and understanding what your up against is the best way for them to support you! Good luck!
                                Regards Shell :)